I got this softcover at the Book Cellar, for another release copy.

I find this series to be an interesting mix of snarky dialogue, clever mysteries, ghostly influence, and political intrigue - and somehow, despite the often-grim and/or impoverished setting, the stories tend to feel light, if only because protagonist Siri (now in his 70s) seldom seems to let himself remain perturbed for very long.

This book introduces him in his relatively-new position as official coroner, where he juggles the usually-not-very-difficult workload with attempts to evade the nosy neighbor who may be eyeing him as her next husband. When the wife of a highly-placed official dies suddenly, he's on the case - but he finds that there's a pretty obvious cover-up going on, and knows enough about the way things work that he doesn't try to rock the boat too much. Another case seems more troublesome: three Vietnamese men turn up dead, with obvious signs of torture - an international incident in the making? This case leads to Siri's trip to a small village to gather more information about the men - and there, to his surprise, he's recognized by the villagers as the reincarnation of a thousand-year-dead shaman, complete with the power to see spirits and to fight evil... He knows about the spirits but the rest of it's new, and not exactly welcome, especially when a cursed amulet is involved!

There are many twists and turns here, and lots of threats - someone's definitely out to kill Siri, and each time his escape is narrower. Will his new friend, the police officer Phosy, turn out to be trustworthy? Who else might have motives to kill him - and can he stop them before any more innocent people get caught in the crossfire...

Very lively story, with a good sense of place and with marvelous characters.

I left this book in the handsome Little Free Library (decorated to match the ornate funeral parlor behind it) on this beautiful day; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]