Thirty-Three Teeth

The Dr. Siri Investigations, Book 2

By: Colin Cotterill

Narrated by: Clive Chafer

Feisty Dr. Siri Paiboun is no respecter of persons or party; at his age he feels he can afford to be independent. In this, the second novel in the series, he travels to Luang Prabang, where he communes with the deposed king who is resigned to his fate: it was predicted long ago. And he attends a conference of shamans called by the Communist Party to deliver an ultimatum to the spirits: obey party orders or get out. But as a series of mutilated corpses arrives in Dr. Siri’s morgue, and Nurse Dtui is menaced, he must use all his powers—forensic and shamanic—to discover the creature—animal or spirit—that has been slaying the innocent.

Crack another case with Dr. Siri.©2005 Colin Cotterill (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The quasi-mystical story keeps a perfect balance between the modern mysteries of forensic science and the ancient secrets of the spirit world as the cranky coroner tries to resolve a politically sensitive case involving the deposed king without riling the authorities.” ( New York Times Book Review)

Excellent for any age!

supernatural, superstitions, support-system, friendship, murder-investigation, laos

Lots of people prefer visible books, but with this series, I feel that readers who are unfamiliar with the sounds of words in the Southeast Asian languages would enjoy the audio as much as those of us who choose audiobooks for other reasons. That being said, I really love the writing and the characters and the stories themselves. This one has a lot more of the ethnic supernatural stuff in it. I always find that kind of thing fascinating to compare with others. There is also an abundance of suspense and deductive reasoning going on. No spoilers here, just go ahead and enjoy!

Dr. Sir I and Co. never fail to feel like family.

Great character development all throughout the series. Clive Chafer does a wonderful job. I always know who's speaking.

Thanks for this series, Colin. You may be getting tired of them but I never will.

And more 'Jimm Juree' please. Her series is a hoot! Kim Mai Guest is a wonderful 'Jimm'!

Great read!

Very entertaining. I finished the book in less than 5 days! The narrator does a wonderful job with these books.

Animal spirits

Another fun Cotterill. Always learn something new about Laos post 1975. The humar and humanity of his main characters are a real boost.

As good as the first in this series

I really love the story line and the narrator Clive Chafer really makes the story come to life. Often it is the narrator that can make the difference between a good or poor review but in this case I think the author/story was a good. This is the second of this series with Dr. Siri by Mr. Cotterill's I have listened to in this series and will not be the last.

A thoroughly enjoyable series

it is quite astonishing that this series can be so compelling in such a bleak, austere time . it is really fascinating to see the juxtaposition of the old world spiritual Laos and the new communist country. I cannot wait to hear the next in the series.

Good Series

My husband and I both enjoy this series and listen to it when we are in the car together. It is set in Laos, with a slightly disillusioned Communist as the protagonist. Throw in a bit of magic and spirits and there you have it, a very different type of cozy.

Great characters make this book work

Doctor Siri is such a unique character that it is hard to explain the plot of each book. The book series is set in the 1970's Laos, which is in some ways a very depressing place. The people are hampered by the Communist government that seems to do its best to suck the life from its people. Yet the characters in this book are all well rounded and realists who find creative ways to find joy and get things done.

There are wonderful supernatural aspects to the story that allow the reader to feel that each character truly has a part to play.I am really enjoying this seres.

Mystical, Brooding, Dr. Siri

The second in the series isn't quite as good as the first, but still interesting . . . quirky and strange, as Dr. Siri travels to Luang Prabang where he meets with the deposed king . . . and attends a conference of shamans called by the Communist Party, where the leaders order the spirits to leave. 😂 Not quite as obedient as the regular, run of the mill folks, the communists run into some trouble. Meanwhile, a monster is on the loose, and Dr. Siri's dreams are haunted by frightening scenes of torture and murder. The morgue continues to receive bodies mutilated by the monster. And when Nurse Dtui goes missing, Dr. Siri must conjure up all his skills, forensic and shamanic to find her and confront the evil creature that he believes is responsible.

I love these characters and the unique setting

I really like the characters in this series - not just Dr. Siri, but his nurse Tui and his friends and co workers too. Their subtle humour, their common sense, and their stoicism in the face of the changing political and economic climate of their homeland (Laos in the late 70s) -- they all combine to make quiet but interesting characters. The actual investigations surrounding the bodies in the morgue - in this case there's a missing bear, a series of savage deaths, and a Russian circus school - aren't nearly as interesting as the characters themselves and how they deal with the political changes and deprivations of 1979 Laos.

I'm still not sold on the mysticism of Dr. Siri seeing dead people and being protected by spirits, but it's not bothersome enough to keep me from enjoying the rest the book has to offer --- it's what changes it from a 5-star to a 4-star listen. That, and the British accent of the narrator.