I found this good-condition softcover at a local Savers thrift shop. It's a mystery featuring a septuagenarian doctor who's been assigned as the national coroner of Laos - and who is also the host of an ancient and powerful shaman's spirit, with the ability to see the spirits of the dead. Mixing political and cultural strife with murder mysteries plus the vengeful/helpful/confused spirits makes for an interesting story, and Dr. Siri is a delightfully dry-humored and resourceful character.

I did worry quite a bit about the animals in the story, some of whom do not have happy endings - though given the spirits-living-on aspect, death doesn't necessarily mean their stories are over. And - spoiler warning? - the poor captive bear from the opening pages actually does get a happy ending; good thing, too, for if it hadn't, I might never have forgiven the author!

There are some dark aspects to the story, with a series of brutal killings, a malevolent neighbor, and the near-fatal abduction of a major supporting character - yet somehow the overall tone of the book is rather light, a neat trick of the author's. I liked the tidbits about local culture and politics, and the spiritual and folklore-based aspects too - especially the whole subplot surrounding the angry puppets. [No, I am not making that up.] I'll be reading more of this series!

I left this book, bagged against the elements, hanging from a tree on the rail-trail near Main St. at around 2:30 or so; hope the finder enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

*** Released for the 2017 Heads Shoulders Knees Toes release challenge. ***