The Rat Catchers' Olympics

By: Colin Cotterill

Narrated by: Clive Chafers

It is 1980, and the Democratic People's Republic of Laos is proud to be competing in its first-ever Olympics. Of course half the world is boycotting the Moscow Summer Olympic Games to protest Russia's recent invasion of Afghanistan, but that has made room for athletes from countries that are usually too small or underfunded to be competitive - countries like Laos.

Ex-national coroner of Laos Dr. Siri Paiboun may be retired, but he and his wife, Madame Daeng, would do just about anything to have a chance to visit Moscow, so Siri finagles them the job of medical oversight for the Olympians. Most of the athletes are young and innocent village people who have never worn shoes, never mind imagined anything as marvelous as the Moscow Olympic Village. As the competition heats up, however, Siri begins to suspect that one of the athletes is not who he says he is. Fearing a conspiracy, Siri and his friends investigate, liaising in secret with Inspector Phosy back home in Laos to see if the man might be an assassin. But Siri's progress is derailed when another Lao Olympian is accused of murder. Now in the midst of a murky international incident, Dr. Siri must navigate not one but two paranoid and secretive government machines to make sure justice is done.

©2017 Colin Cotterill (P)2017 Recorded Books

Fun & charming

This wonderful series shows a love of the characters by the author that shines through every word. It makes for such a good time that I'm sorry when the book ends. Clive Chafers adds to the experience through out. I want more, please!

but it's Mme Daeng with the tail!

USSR, situational-humor, verbal-humor, suspense, supernatural, olympic-games, snark-fest, mystery, Laos

This one exceeded the pre-publication hype! I did a fast book-a-day binge reread of the series to make certain that I didn't miss anything, but it wasn't necessary (but it was fun). Lots of laughs and snickers, mystery and suspense, wacky characters, red herrings, ghosts, and there are murders and intrigue both in Moscow and Laos. The Lao are thrilled to be flown to and housed in Moscow, even knowing that they have little hope of winning, but everyone around them cheers them on and gets caught up in their enthusiasm. I loved it!
Clive Chafer continues to keep me from going crazier trying to pronounce unfamiliar names and words while adding to the personalities of the characters.

Cotterill Cranks Out Another Colossal Caper

Who wouldn't enjoy this series about an elderly Lao coroner with a Down's Syndrome assistant and a recurring cast of characters. Add mystery, satirical humor, history, geography, Lao spiritualism, mysticism, relationships, a little forensics,politics, adventure and hilarious dialogue set in post Vietnam War Laos.

I was skeptical , at first, that The Rat Catchers' Olympics would rate on a par of excellence
with the preceding books but thankfully I was wrong! It delivers! Fascinating plots and twists for these resilient humanitarians who accompany their Lao Olympians to Communist Games in Russia.
Cotterill is ever so clever and Clive Chafers' unusual voice for story telling is an asset for this series!

Love the books - wish there were more

I am sad to be finishing the last in the Dr. Siri mystery series. I have loved the books and the narrator and feel that I am saying good-bye to characters and narrator that I have come to know and enjoy so much.

I'm looking for a forum in which to ask Audible listeners if Colin Cotterill's other mystery series are as good as this one.

Cotterill & Chafer Do It Again

Marvelous series, especially for Readers of Sufficient Age to recall U.S. 1970's incursions in Southeast Asia. Set in Laos, with side trips to Vietnam, Thailand, China and the USSR, the Dr. Siri (pronounced "Dr. Silly") chronicles depict Laotians as pragmatic survivors in a world gone to hell. Start with Volume 1 to best understand series' increasing mysticism, which is in itself a hoot and a half. Dry wit,, delightful characters and no flinching from the uncomfortable realities of post-U.S./French/Russian/Chinese invasions of a culture none of them understood or appreciated.
Savor Clive Chafer's voice acting - he's a master who's perfectly matched to this series.

Always entertaining. Never dull

The Rat Catcher's Olympics is Colin Cotterill’s 12th book in the 'Dr Siri Paiboun Series'. I’ve reviewed the series as a whole in the past and it is reprinted here, in the final paragraph. The Rat Catcher's Olympics continues along the same vein as the others with the same group of misfit, but lovable characters. In this story "the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos is proud to be competing in its first-ever Olympics. Of course, half the world is boycotting the Moscow Summer Olympic Games to protest the Soviet Union’s recent invasion of Afghanistan, but that has made room for athletes from countries that are usually too small or underfunded to be competitive—like Laos”. Dr Siri and many of the other characters are accompanying the Lao team and everyone is enjoying the competitions. But, when one of the Lao athletes is accused of murder, Dr Siri and his band of oddball friends are on the case; trying to avoid an international incident and to see that justice prevails. Always entertaining and never dull the Rat Catcher’s Olympics continues the fine standards set in the remainder of the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Previous Review: The Dr Siri Paiboun story begins with "The Coroner's Lunch", there are 14 books in the series to date. The series takes place in Laos in the late 1970s - the post Vietnam War era. A mixture of the description of the rich, vibrant detail of the country-side and cities of Laos, as well as the people of Laos, together with its politics of the era, make the stories come to life. Full of fascinating characters, each of whom play an integral part in the stories. The lead character, Dr Siri Paiboun is - reluctantly - the country's one and only coroner. Committed to doing his job and doing it well Siri possesses just the right amount of sensitivity, intelligence, wit and sarcasm to make the story a delightful read. A fun "who-done-it" mystery series full of intrigue with a hint of (almost believable) paranormal, the Dr Siri Paiboun books are one of my favorite series. I would recommend reading the series in order as the story lines, and the characters, build on one another. Cotterill's books do not disappoint. A great audio read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧 For more book reviews follow me on Instagram at #emptynestreader and on Goodreads #bookreview #drsidipaiboun #mysteryseries #colincotterill #coroner #laos 🇱🇦 #sohocrime #intrigue #humorous #entertaining #bookstagramalabama #readalittlelearnalittlelivealittle #greataudiobook #emptynestreaderaudiobooks

Learning the History/Politics of Laos through a Detective Series

The author writes well, I enjoy his characters and the mysteries to be solved. What I like best is that I have learned a lot about Laos that I didn’t know. I’ve spent time in that part of Asia so I appreciated the details and insights about pre-war Laos and Laos during and after the Vietnam war.

Dr Siri Wins Gold

Another wonderful addition to Colin Cotterill's Dr. Siri series about Laos's retired coroner. The book is full of laughs as his team work together to solve a murder while attending the Moscow Olympics. My only complaint is that the book ended to soon.

Love this series

Humor. History. Beautiful language. And true detecting. I can't get enough.
If you haven't tried it give yourself a treat and do.

Better than Agatha

Delightful mix of mystery, Bhuddism, Communism, ghosts, demons, teak-tough aging revolutionaries, mild eroticism, and noodles.