Thomas F. (hardtack) -
This is a wonderful series in that it is serious and often humorous at the same time, i.e. the same page if not paragraph. What makes it even more compelling is that you feel you are reading about real people whom you've come to like, if not admire. Well, except for some of the not-so-good ones you read about over several books. But I think it was in the book before this one that one not-so-good character turned into an evil criminal.
You also have to keep your wits about you as the people you suspect are usually red herrings. In fact, Cotterill often surprises you with the identity of the villain, except you know you should have seen that coming. And by the time I'm 75% through one of these books I can't put it down in my desire to see how it ends.
Many of the books in this series are WLed. Sorry, I can't post this one, as it needs to go back to the county library.
You also have to keep your wits about you as the people you suspect are usually red herrings. In fact, Cotterill often surprises you with the identity of the villain, except you know you should have seen that coming. And by the time I'm 75% through one of these books I can't put it down in my desire to see how it ends.
Many of the books in this series are WLed. Sorry, I can't post this one, as it needs to go back to the county library.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
The Second Biggest Nothing is another strong entry in a series that satisfies on so many levels. First and foremost, Cotterill has created one of the best casts of characters in crime fiction. He also gives readers a true sense of what life was like in Communist Laos in the 1970s and 80s-- including just a touch of the mysticism that is a part of the culture. He's also a dab hand at creating intriguing mysteries, and he certainly knows how to make us think, make us empathize, and make us laugh.
There are some very nice twists and turns in the plot of The Second Biggest Nothing. I'd narrowed down the incident at the heart of the death threat against Siri and his loved ones, but my deductive powers failed me at the very end. That's always fun for someone who reads as many mysteries as I do.
But no matter how good the mysteries and the evocation of a time and place are in this series--and this book-- the beating heart of it all is found in that marvelous cast of characters. Cotterill shows us that Communists are pretty much just like us, which is probably something not everyone wants to read (but should). This latest book in the series gives longtime fans a special treat by letting us visit with Siri and Civilai when they are young men in Paris. It's always good to be able to learn some of the backstories in an older character's life.
However-- no matter how good the stories are (and they are)-- it's what Cotterill has to say through his characters that means the most to me. Through the years, Siri and his wife Daeng have created their own tribe, their own family. This family contains doctors, police officers, nurses, politicians, and restauranteurs, but it also has members with psychiatric problems, others with Down syndrome, etc. The philosophy of Siri and Daeng's tribe is that everyone has value and should be treated accordingly. Seeing all these characters live, work, investigate, and laugh together is wonderful.
By all means, read this series. Read it for the mysteries. Read it for the characters. But read it to absorb what it has to say about the human race.
See what I mean about Cotterill's books satisfying on so many levels?
There are some very nice twists and turns in the plot of The Second Biggest Nothing. I'd narrowed down the incident at the heart of the death threat against Siri and his loved ones, but my deductive powers failed me at the very end. That's always fun for someone who reads as many mysteries as I do.
But no matter how good the mysteries and the evocation of a time and place are in this series--and this book-- the beating heart of it all is found in that marvelous cast of characters. Cotterill shows us that Communists are pretty much just like us, which is probably something not everyone wants to read (but should). This latest book in the series gives longtime fans a special treat by letting us visit with Siri and Civilai when they are young men in Paris. It's always good to be able to learn some of the backstories in an older character's life.
However-- no matter how good the stories are (and they are)-- it's what Cotterill has to say through his characters that means the most to me. Through the years, Siri and his wife Daeng have created their own tribe, their own family. This family contains doctors, police officers, nurses, politicians, and restauranteurs, but it also has members with psychiatric problems, others with Down syndrome, etc. The philosophy of Siri and Daeng's tribe is that everyone has value and should be treated accordingly. Seeing all these characters live, work, investigate, and laugh together is wonderful.
By all means, read this series. Read it for the mysteries. Read it for the characters. But read it to absorb what it has to say about the human race.
See what I mean about Cotterill's books satisfying on so many levels?
