Cathy Anderson contributed this patron book review. Thank you Cathy!

I’m enjoying the mystery-adventure-historical fiction novels by Colin Cotterill. They are set in 1970s Laos, soon after Laotian communists come to power.

The protagonist is Dr. Siri Paiboun, an aged French-trained surgeon unwillingly assigned to be the national (and only) coroner of Laos. He discovers he is also the incarnation of an ancient shaman who has a lot of vengeful enemies in the spirit world. Complications ensue.

My usual taste runs to British cozies and Nero Wolfe-style stories, but the Cotterill series is equally satisfying with its dry humor, tight plotting and incisive cultural observation. Bonus: I am learning about an era and part of the world that I knew nothing about.

The Dr. Siri Paiboun series by Colin Cotterill, starting with “The Coroner’s Lunch,” is available in both the Sunflower eLibrary (via the Libby or Overdrive app) and on Hoopla. Click here for more information; or call 316-283-2890 or email library@newtonplks.org for assistance in accessing ebooks.

Would you like to share what you’re reading? Email your review to library@newtonplks.org. Dan and Stefanie posted a video with more information.