Colin Cotterill
Colin Cotterill is a British-Australian author and cartoonist, best known for his mystery series featuring Dr. Siri Paiboun, the national coroner of Laos. His work often combines elements of crime fiction with historical and cultural insights.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Coroner's Lunch
Set in 1970s Laos, this captivating mystery follows Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he navigates the challenges of his new role amidst a backdrop of political upheaval and cultural change. Despite his lack of formal training, the septuagenarian doctor employs his wit, intuition, and a touch of the supernatural to unravel the truth behind a series of suspicious deaths. As he delves deeper into the cases, he encounters a web of intrigue involving government officials, ancient traditions, and the spirits of the deceased, all while maintaining his characteristic humor and resilience.
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2. The Delightful Life Of A Suicide Pilot
A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery
Set in 1970s Laos, this intriguing mystery follows the astute and witty Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he navigates a web of political intrigue and supernatural elements. When a pilot's death is deemed a suicide, Dr. Siri's keen instincts lead him to suspect foul play. As he delves deeper into the case, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a clairvoyant transvestite and a mischievous ghost, all while contending with the challenges of a post-war communist regime. The story blends humor, history, and the supernatural, offering a unique glimpse into a fascinating era.
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3. The Woman Who Wouldn't Die
A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery
Set in the vibrant yet tumultuous backdrop of 1970s Laos, this intriguing mystery follows the astute and endearing Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's national coroner, as he navigates a perplexing case involving a woman who miraculously survives a fatal attack. As Dr. Siri delves into the investigation, he encounters a blend of spiritual beliefs, political intrigue, and the supernatural, all while unraveling the layers of deception surrounding the enigmatic woman's survival. With a mix of humor, cultural insights, and suspense, the story weaves a captivating tale of resilience and the quest for truth in a land steeped in tradition and change.
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4. The Second Biggest Nothing
In this gripping mystery set in 1970s Laos, the beloved national coroner, Dr. Siri Paiboun, finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue when he receives a series of cryptic threats. As he delves into the past to uncover the source of these ominous messages, Dr. Siri must navigate a landscape filled with political tension, personal vendettas, and supernatural elements. With his sharp wit and unyielding determination, he unravels a complex tale that spans decades, revealing long-buried secrets and testing the limits of his courage and resilience.
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5. Don't Eat Me
Set in 1970s Laos, this mystery novel follows the charming and witty Dr. Siri Paiboun, a retired national coroner, as he navigates a complex case involving a series of gruesome murders. The investigation leads him through a web of political intrigue, cultural traditions, and supernatural elements, all while he contends with the challenges of a rapidly changing society. With the help of his loyal friends and a touch of humor, Dr. Siri uncovers the truth behind the crimes, revealing a deeper commentary on the human condition and the resilience of the human spirit.
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6. The Rat Catchers' Olympics
A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery
Set against the backdrop of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, this engaging mystery follows the adventures of Dr. Siri Paiboun, the national coroner of Laos, as he is unexpectedly thrust into the world of international espionage. Tasked with accompanying the Laotian Olympic team, Dr. Siri finds himself entangled in a web of political intrigue and murder. With his sharp wit and unconventional methods, he navigates the complexities of Cold War tensions, uncovering secrets that threaten to disrupt the global sporting event. Amidst the chaos, Dr. Siri must rely on his intuition and the help of his eccentric friends to solve the mystery and ensure the safety of his team.
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7. I Shot The Buddha
A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery
In this captivating mystery set in 1970s Laos, the eccentric and insightful Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, finds himself entangled in a complex web of spiritual intrigue and political tension. When a Buddhist monk seeks his help to investigate a series of mysterious deaths linked to a sacred Buddha statue, Dr. Siri must navigate the delicate balance between the spiritual and the secular. As he delves deeper into the case, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, each with their own secrets and motives, leading him on a journey that challenges his beliefs and tests his resolve to uncover the truth.
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8. Six And A Half Deadly Sins
Set in 1970s Laos, the story follows the astute and witty Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he embarks on a peculiar investigation triggered by the arrival of a mysterious handwoven pha sin, a traditional Laotian skirt, with a severed finger sewn into its hem. As Dr. Siri and his team delve into the origins of the sinister garment, they uncover a web of corruption, political intrigue, and cultural secrets that stretch across the region. With a blend of humor, suspense, and cultural insight, the narrative weaves through the complexities of post-revolutionary Laos, showcasing the resilience and resourcefulness of its characters.
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9. Slash And Burn
A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery
Set in 1970s Laos, this mystery novel follows the astute and witty Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he navigates the complexities of a politically charged investigation. Tasked with uncovering the truth behind a missing American pilot from the Vietnam War, Dr. Siri finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue, deception, and supernatural elements. With the help of his loyal team, including his nurse and a quirky morgue assistant, he must unravel the mystery while contending with bureaucratic hurdles and the ever-present spirits that haunt his path. The story blends humor, cultural insights, and suspense, painting a vivid picture of a nation in transition.
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10. Love Songs From A Shallow Grave
Set in 1970s Laos, this gripping mystery follows the astute and witty Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he navigates a complex web of political intrigue and personal vendettas. When three women are found brutally murdered with fencing swords, Siri is drawn into a dangerous investigation that leads him to the heart of a sinister conspiracy. As he delves deeper, Siri must rely on his sharp intellect and the help of his loyal friends to unravel the truth, all while confronting his own mortality and the ghosts of his past.
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11. Curse Of The Pogo Stick
Set in the politically charged atmosphere of 1970s Laos, this mystery novel follows the astute and unorthodox Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he navigates a web of intrigue and danger. Tasked with solving a perplexing case involving a series of mysterious deaths linked to a cursed pogo stick, Dr. Siri finds himself entangled in a world of ancient tribal customs, supernatural beliefs, and political machinations. With his sharp wit and a touch of humor, he unravels the truth, revealing the resilience and spirit of the Laotian people amidst the backdrop of a nation in transition.
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12. Anarchy And Old Dogs
A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery
Set in 1970s Laos, this mystery novel follows the astute and endearing Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he navigates a politically charged landscape. When a blind dentist is killed in a traffic accident, Siri discovers a cryptic message in invisible ink on the man's body, leading him into a web of espionage and intrigue. As he delves deeper, Siri uncovers a plot that threatens the fragile peace of his nation, all while dealing with the supernatural elements that frequently visit him. With humor and wit, the story blends historical context with a gripping mystery, showcasing the resilience and resourcefulness of its characters.
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13. Disco For The Departed
A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery
Set in 1970s Laos, this mystery novel follows the astute and endearing Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he navigates the political and supernatural intricacies of his latest case. When a mummified arm is discovered protruding from a concrete path at the President's compound, Dr. Siri is called upon to unravel the enigma. With the help of his loyal assistants, Nurse Dtui and Mr. Geung, he delves into a world of political intrigue, ancient rituals, and ghostly apparitions. As he pieces together the clues, Dr. Siri must balance his scientific skepticism with the mystical beliefs of his culture, leading to a surprising and satisfying resolution.
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14. The Merry Misogynist
A Dr. Siri Paiboun Mystery
Set in 1970s Laos, this gripping mystery follows the astute and endearing Dr. Siri Paiboun, the country's only coroner, as he delves into a chilling series of murders targeting young women. With his sharp wit and unconventional methods, Dr. Siri navigates the complexities of a post-revolutionary society, unraveling clues that lead him to a sinister pattern of misogyny and violence. As he pieces together the puzzle, he must confront both the ghosts of the past and the challenges of a rapidly changing world, all while maintaining his characteristic humor and resilience.
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15. Thirty Three Teeth
In this captivating mystery set in 1970s Laos, the country's only coroner, Dr. Siri Paiboun, finds himself entangled in a series of bizarre and supernatural events. As he investigates the mysterious deaths of several individuals, each with peculiar dental anomalies, Dr. Siri is drawn into a world where ancient spirits and political intrigue collide. With the help of his loyal assistants and his own unorthodox methods, he must navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing society while uncovering the truth behind the enigmatic deaths, all the while confronting his own personal demons and the mystical forces that seem to guide his path.