I got this softcover at a local Savers thrift shop, for another release copy. It's the 10th book in the series that began with The Coroner's Lunch, and follows The Woman Who Wouldn't Die.

The series is about a 70-something doctor who finds himself appointed as the national coroner, and must do the best he can amid shortages of supplies - and lots of political pressure. Despite the often-harsh setting, the tone is very upbeat, with Siri's wit and humor shining through. And the supernatural touches add interest - and occasional confusion!

The story here has to do with the discovery of a human finger stitched carefully into the hem of a traditional skirt that arrived at Dr. Siri's in an unmarked package. A clue of some kind, but to what? Siri arranges a road trip with his wife to try and find out more about the skirt - and the finger - and finds himself caught up in an exhausting scavenger hunt.

I liked the use of the traditional skirt-making techniques as part of the story, though the whole thing got a bit too elaborate at times. But the characters and dialogue are as much fun as ever, and there's some serious drama here as well, with much-beloved characters in great danger - and no guarantee as to whether they'll make it to the end of the book. (Siri's not the only one taking a trip; his friend Inspector Phosy, recently married to Siri's former nurse, has a mission of his own - and it promises to be a rough one.)

The series continues with I Shot the Buddha.

I left this book in this new-to-me Little Free Library on this lovely day; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2022 Tick Tock challenge. ***

*** Released for the 2022 Spook-tacular challenge. ***