Six and a Half Deadly Sins

Dr. Siri Paiboun, Book 10

By: Colin Cotterill

Narrated by: Clive Chafers

Laos, 1979: Dr. Siri Paiboun, the twice retired ex-National Coroner of Laos, receives an unmarked package in the mail. Inside is a handwoven pha sin, a colorful traditional skirt worn in northern Laos. A lovely present, but who sent it to him, and why? And, more importantly, why is there a severed human finger stitched into the sin's lining? Siri is convinced someone is trying to send him a message and won't let the matter rest until he's figured it out. He finagles a trip up north to the province where the sin was made, not realizing he is embarking on a deadly scavenger hunt. Meanwhile, the northern Lao border is about to erupt into violence—and Dr. Siri and his entourage are walking right into the heart of the conflict.©2015 Colin Cotterill (P)2015 Recorded Books

Please keep Dr. Siri alive!

What made the experience of listening to Six and a Half Deadly Sins the most enjoyable?

I love these books, and have listened to all of them many times. This is not the best one,
but it's better than no Dr. Siri, so I am glad to have it. I couldn't get into his other series at all. I love the history of Laos and the characters in this series.

We need more

I love these books which are staged in 1970s Laos and present history and culture as the fundamental context of the story. The characters are strong and memorable. I truly hope author Cotterill keeps writing this particular series.

Not sure how I feel about that ending!

Hmmmm I hope there are more of these. I like these guys. The best part is that I have learned much of the history and politics of the Vietnam war that many of us kids of the seventies had no real awareness of. Clive's voice is a little nasally but he pulls it off.

They are ethnic attire

Laos, historical-research, history-and-culture, mystery, crime, suspense, verbal-humor, series

Warning! This series is addictive!
Dr Siri is still retired from being coroner, but not from being an obsessed detective. The first clue is a beautiful garment known as a sin which arrived in the mail, and had a preserved finger sewn into the hem. So, of course, he needed to make some interesting arrangements in order for he and Mme Daeng to follow the clues. The initial clue and half the sin were left with nurse Dtui for further study, and off they went, and were surprised along the way to encounter Mr Civilie. The major parallel plot is of Inspector Phosy who had been sent to the North to investigate a problem, and all aspects were decidedly impacted by the withdrawal of the Chinese from Laos as the Chinese invaded Vietnam. No spoilers here, just go ahead and get drawn into the book!
Clive Chafer continues to be excellent as narrator!

One of my favorite narrators

Dr. Siri books are not the type I usually enjoy--too much other-world spirit activity. The characters and the stories are entertaining and teach a little history of Laos. The narration is fantastic. I listen while I do chores, and I count on listening as bedtime stories. Clive Chafer's voices are distinct but not exaggerated. They are a dry emotionalism that perfectly balances the wild plots. I have all but one of the Dr. Siri books and highly recommend as entertainment.