The Merry Misogynist (Dr. Siri Mysteries Book 6)

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Colin Cotterill

In poverty-stricken 1978 Laos, a man with a truck from the city was “somebody,” a catch for even the prettiest village virgin. The corpse of one of these bucolic beauties turns up in Dr. Siri’s morgue and his curiosity is piqued. The victim was tied to a tree and strangled but she had not, as the doctor had expected, been raped, although her flesh had been torn. And though the victim had clear, pale skin over most of her body, her hands and feet were gnarled, callused, and blistered.

On a trip to the hinterlands, Siri discovers that the beautiful female corpse bound to a tree has already risen to the status of a rural myth. This has happened many times before. He sets out to investigate this unprecedented phenomenon—a serial killer in peaceful Buddhist Laos—only to discover when he has identified the murderer that not only pretty maidens are at risk. Seventy-three-year-old coroners can be victims, too.

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Reviews:Lynn T. on Amazon wrote:

Always enjoy my visits with 73 year old Dr. Siri, the National Coroner of Laos. (not a job he asked for or wanted) The time is the late 1970's in Laos. The mystery in this book evolves around a serial killer who is killing young women before their honeymoon starts. The subplot is the search for Crazy Rajid, a homeless man who antics Dr Siri and Civilai observe during their lunches together and the whole town knows. He has not been seen for 3 weeks.

I always enjoy each book of the Dr. Siri series. They are original and have subtle humor. It is the cast of characters that make these books so special. From Dr. Siri, to his new bride Madame Daeng, a world class noodle maker, to his office help Nurse Dtui and Mr Geung and his best friend Civilai. Phosy is Nurse Dtui policeman husband and he works with Dr. Siri solving the crimes. He and Nurse Dtui are going to be new parents.

Looking forward to continuing with the series. I came to it late but am up to the 6th book now. When I read the first book The Coroner's Lunch, I was hooked.

Greg Dunn on Amazon wrote:

Merry in a way that only Dr Siri can make a story about a serial killer

An enjoyable addition to the series, if more gruesome than usual. Dr Siri & co. are as well-drawn and lovable (or loathable) as ever, and the author reveals his deft hand once again at seeding the clues in a way that leaves the reader going "Of course!" in an admiring way rather than beating themselves up for not spotting them. There's a strong underlying theme connecting the three otherwise seemingly disparate threads of the novel - the serial murders at its heart, the search for a missing local figure and Dr Siri's domestic arrangements - which focuses on 'home' and feeling at home, both literally and metaphorically. I have to admit that while I did enjoy the novel, the literary conceit of being privy to the murderer's feelings but not their face tried my patience a little bit, despite it simply being the author making the most of the possibilities writing presents than television and film do not. Otherwise - no complaints 🙂


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