Anarchy and Old Dogs

By: Colin Cotterill

Narrated by: Nigel Anthony

When a blind, retired dentist is run down by a logging truck as he crosses the road to post a letter, Dr Siri Paiboun, official and only coroner of Laos, finds him faced with his most explosive case yet. The dentist’s mortal remains aren’t nearly as intriguing as the letter in his pocket. Written in invisible ink and encrypted, the letter presents Dr Siri with an irresistible challenge. Enlisting the help of his old friend, Civilai, now a senior member of the Laos politburo; Nurse Dtui (‘Fatty’); Phosy, a police officer; and Aunt Bpoo, a transvestite fortune-teller, Dr Siri soon finds himself on the trail of an international plot to overthrow the government of Laos.

©2011 Quercus Editions Ltd (P)2011 Quercus Editions Ltd

More political than others, still v. enjoyable

My next in the Dr. Siri series about an old coroner in communist Laos in the late 1970s, which is, in and of itself, interesting. He's a wonderful character, both funny and insightful. This listen is light and enjoyable, though this one is more about the politics than the earlier ones in the series. That's not a bad thing - it adds an interesting layer.