The Woman Who Wouldn’t Die (2013) is the ninth book in the series to feature ex-field surgeon and coroner Dr. Siri Paiboun in 1970′s Laos. The first book in the series is The Coroner’s Lunch which was published in 2004. I’ve read them all. Some books are better than others but they all have entertained me. In this latest release, the story was sadly disappointing due to the lack of plotting and not very much sustained suspense. There is a stark contrast between the first few books in the series versus the last two books. I acknowledge that not every book will be a winner in an ongoing series and my opinion is just that: an opinion. Outside of that this book has a lot of positive reviews.
Most of my reading experience was turning the pages and not feeling the least bit excited or curious about what will happen next. It’s good to catch up with the characters but as the story progressed they are used way too often as filler for the threadbare plotting.
In this entry, national coroner, Dr. Siri Paiboun, is into his third week of retirement from the Mahosot Hospital when he’s asked to go on a ghost hunt. The Minister of Agriculture’s brother was killed during some covert military operation and his spirit isn’t rested, according to the Minister’s Vietnamese wife. The location of his body is difficult to find because he worked undercover, “organizing guerrilla attacks on royalist held bases.” So, the minister’s wife hires a witch to help them locate his body.
Meanwhile, noodle shop owner, Madame Daeng, writes her biography about how she began as a freedom fighter against the French in the 1940′s. However, someone from her past comes looking for her and wants to do her harm turning this novel into a mystery of revenge. The title of this book is about a character who was shot in the head and believed to be dead but isn’t. This is where the supernatural comes in and the series is loaded with these elements. Dr. Siri is a man of science but he is also a shaman who can see spirits but he can’t communicate with them. Most of these spirits are victims of murder and linger around until justice is served.
This is the weakest story in the series for me and I say that because the plot was threadbare, the story moved at a snail’s pace after a while and at 50% I was ready to close the book. What the novel continues to do right is provide readers with a sense of time and place and strong characters. Provide interesting information about Lao culture and politics. The trademark humor towards the socialist regime’s ideology and policy is still going strong but lack of plot made this a yawning read. All of the major characters are back including Crazy Rajid. There’s even a nod to Stieg Larsson in here, with a minor character named Lars Stiegsson. All in all, flat, disappointing read. I admit to wanting to skim Daeng’s biography which was written interspersed here and there in all italics. I’m not a fan of flashbacks and the technique used in here with all italics made it especially skim worthy. What grade to give? Not sure if I should give one since after reading 60%, I fast forwarded to the end so I could finish it and move to the next book.
Keishon – First, thanks as ever for an honest and thoughtful review. I am sorry to hear that this one disappointed you. I do love the Dr. Siri novels and although I haven’t gotten to this one yet I was looking forward to it. I’ve read other reviews of it that are positive but also some more like yours, where the reader found the novel slow going and not as engaging. Still, as you say, Cotterill is a master of setting context and I think I probably will read this at some point.
Not a terrible book but too slow going to hold my interest. Sometimes I think he should have ended with Love Songs From a Shallow Grave. It was at a good, hopeful, place in the series. These last two novels feel anti-climatic to me. Thanks Margot.
This book is up next in the pile and while I recognize some efforts are better than others, I’m still just grateful to have another visit from Dr. Siri and Madame Daeng. I’ll take great characters any way I can get them, even if that means sitting lazily on the porch as they recount not-much-of-anything. Thanks for another excellent review.
I agree. They are great characters Darlynne. Some of the best around. Glad to hear from you! and take care. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one. It wasn’t a bad book. Just slow.
I have the first 2 or 3 in the series – still unread not unsurprisingly. I doubt I will get this far down the road as you hvae. Is there an inevitability about writers running out of steam with series characters? I’ve felt that one more than one occasion and pulled the plug on my following, Col
Yes, I agree. However, Colin Cotterill is a talented writer and for the first seven books they were really good reads (some more than others). I love the main protagonist, the 74 year old Dr. Siri and the rest of his supporting cast. But I’d rather he end the series in a good place rather than have him drag the series out till there’s nobody left to read it. You have to know when to quit or when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em or something like that. I don’t read his other series…the one with the journalist.
I have this on my shelf but perhaps it isn’t the best book to start with in relation to a series I’m not familiar with. Threadbare plotting doesn’t sound good.
May I suggest you start with the first book, Sarah? The Coroner’s Lunch. I thought it the best of the series.
I agree, reading this series has to start with The Coroner’s Lunch.
Also, I am nearly finished with the new book and will say now (not unexpectedly) that I love it. Here’s why: Mindful of your reservations about the story, I was prepared for slowly going not much of anywhere and was immediately engrossed in what felt like catching up with friends. The example I used before of sitting on the porch is exactly how the book felt and I was delighted and charmed at the same time.
I am intrigued by the relationships between the characters; Dr. Siri’s impossible-yet-indispensable gaming of the Laotian political system; and, now, Madame Daeng’s recounting of her work during the war(s). I feel as though I’ve learned something important from each book, as both a human being and as a farang looking in on this veiled world.
For all those reasons, I suppose the mystery itself will always take a back seat and I will never look too closely at its flaws. It may be that going back to the earlier books–and my favorite Anarchy and Old Dogs–would cast an unflattering light on the newer. I’m OK with that because I’m just grateful to be invited back into the world Cotterill creates.
No surprise Darlynne that you loved this book
you are more patient than me. I never meant to label this a bad book. It was just too slow going for me and that’s the biggest criticism. I admit to be really picky and impatient sometimes. I am really glad you enjoyed it. Differences is what makes this world interesting sometimes. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book. I appreciate it.
There’s nothing wrong with being a picky or impatient reader. I appreciate reading your critical reviews as well as the glowing ones. It’s a lot more helpful to read a critical review than to hear that a book wasn’t for you.
Interesting…. I loved it. Must have been in the right mood for it. I also agree, though, that it’s best to start at the beginning. I did wonder how anyone new to the series would keep the regular characters straight – there are a lot of them, and he doesn’t really make it easy for newcomers to get to know them.
Hi Barbara, yes mood is everything. I know you told me it was going to be good and I believe you. I think I have bad luck with anticipated reads due to my very high expectations. Thanks for dropping by!