Slash and Burn

Dr Siri's bagged himself a holiday: an all-expenses-paid trip to the northern mountains of Laos. What's more, through a bit of skilful bartering (well, blackmail) he has wangled it so that his nearest and dearest may accompany him.

They are to assist a US-funded search for a lost CIA pilot - Boyd Bowry - missing since his aircraft was downed in 1968. But Siri's not taking the search too seriously, as he strongly suspects that when the helicopter exploded, the pilot followed suit.

However, just hours into the trip, it becomes apparent that ulterior motives are at work within the group. And Siri's suspicions are confirmed when those associated with the airman start dropping like the insects that frequent his country.

Siri and co are caught up in something big: something that goes way back, and way over their heads. And, if this wasn't bad enough, a psychic of unquestionable repute then informs Siri that he will shortly die: in 'a day or two', to be precise.

“'This is exuberant stuff, delivered with Cotterill's usual panache' Good Book Guide.”

'Another enjoyable episode in the adventurous life of this coroner' Irish Independent. Irish Independent
'Colin Cotterill's hero is an absolute diamond' Daily Telegraph. Daily Telegraph
'The stories are expertly plotted, the characters are superbly drawn and the setting is as authentic as it is colourful' Mail on Sunday. Mail on Sunday
'Terrifically beguiling detective novels steeped in local colour and history' New York Times. New York Times
Good Book Guide

Colin Cotterill was born in London. He has taught in Australia, the USA and Japan and lived for many years in Laos where he worked for nongovernmental social service organizations. He now writes full-time and lives in Chumphone, Thailand. He has been short-listed for the CWA Gold Dagger and has won the CWA Dagger in the Library.

Dr Siri's bagged himself a holiday with his friends - an all-expenses-paid trip to the mountains. He is to assist a US-funded search for a lost CIA plot - Boyd Bowry - missing since 1968, though Siri suspects that when the helicopter exploded, the pilot followed suit. But, just hours into the trip, it becomes apparent that ulterior motives are at work within the group and those associated with the airman start dropping like the insects that frequent the surrounding landscape. Siri and co are caught up in something big. Something that goes way back and is way over their heads.

Dr Siri's bagged himself a holiday: an all-expenses-paid trip to the northern mountains of Laos. What's more, through a bit of skilful bartering (well, blackmail) he has wangled it so that his nearest and dearest may accompany him. They are to assist a US-funded search for a lost CIA pilot - Boyd Bowry - missing since his aircraft was downed in 1968. But Siri's not taking the search too seriously, as he strongly suspects that when the helicopter exploded, the pilot followed suit. However, just hours into the trip, it becomes apparent that ulterior motives are at work within the group. And Siri's suspicions are confirmed when those associated with the airman start dropping like the insects that frequent his country. Siri and co are caught up in something big: something that goes way back, and way over their heads. And, if this wasn't bad enough, a psychic of unquestionable repute then informs Siri that he will shortly die: in 'a day or two', to be precise.

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