"I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us." Franz Kafka
For any author who would like his/her book to be reviewed, contact me. Poetry books too are solicited for reviewing. However, there are some genres I tend to avoid. Feel free to ask me.
gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com
I must mention here that I read at my own pace and depending on my mood. Don't ask me to hurry.
Title: Disco of the Departed
Author: Colin Cotterill
ISBN: 9781569474648
Publisher: Soho Press/2006
Pages: 247
This is the third book in a series, that is featuring Dr. Siri, but it does hold on its own. Dr Siri, is 73 years old coroner of Laos. He has the gift of a Shaman, which helps him in moments of crisis. Here he is called upon to solve a murder in the mountains of Huaphan Province in Vietnam. He has to find out about a corpse who arm is protruding from the concrete walkway. Now this walkway is situated between the president's previous hideout and his new mansion.
Dr. Siri along with his assistant in the form of Dtui, has to find out what led to the murder of that unknown corpse. He unravels political plots, mysterious beings and he can also hear and watch disco of the spirits. Dr. Siri, infact does participate in one such dance. He has to decipher the meaning of all this and more.
Initially the book was slow. But it did pick up speed after halfway through. The idea might seem a bit far-fetched but being an Indian, this talk about spirits, supernatural powers made a lot of sense to me. I liked that simpleton Geung very much. He was what kept me going to the finish, not to forget wry humour in here. Also the politics and culture of the place added to my reading.
I wouldn't call it a fast paced mystery but it does have its moments.
©
gautami tripathy
at
19:34
Labels: Crime Fiction Alphabet, Monday Posts
Powered by Blogger. DownRight Blogger Theme v3.0 created by (© 2007) Thur Broeders
Posts
6 comments:
I'm glad the book picked up for you part-way through. The setting alone sounds interesting to me.
Dr Siri, Dtui, and Geung are such an unlikely trio aren't they? Cotterill has sucha quirky sense of humour too. Thanks for participating Guatami. The range of books and authors being chosen each week is fascinating.
I've not read any of Cotterill's books yet - it looks as though I should try one!
I haven't read Cotterill yet, either, but Disco of the Departed sounds like a really intereting novel, and Dr. Siri an intriguing sleuth. I'll have to give Cotterill a try!
I have been planning to read Colin Cotterill as I have heard so much about his sense of humour (and his blog is certainly funny).
Thank you for your very honest review.
I've only read the first one in this series so far but I really loved it. I don't think I'd want to read them all the time but I quite liked the slow pace for a change and, as you say the humour and the non-ordinary characters are interesting. Welcome to the Crime fiction alphabet :)
Post a Comment