Curse of the Pogo Stick is the 5th book in the Dr. Siri Paiboun mystery series by Colin Cotterill. I'm reading this series in order as I get the books, which I'm asking for as birthday and Christmas presents. The characters are endearing and the plots interesting.
from the back of the book:
Seven female Hmong villagers kidnap Dr. Siri on orders from the village elder who hopes that Yeh Ming, the thousand-year-old shaman who shares the doctor’s body, will consent to exorcise the headman’s daughter. He fears that her soul has been possessed by a demon due to the curse of a mysterious Western artifact. Siri agrees to help and, in so doing, brings to pass a prediction of Auntie Bpoo, a transvestite fortune-teller.Kirkus Reviews concludes, "with its echoes of Orwell and Waugh, tips more toward social satire than detection, with Cotterill’s ironic pen as sharp as ever." Reviewing the Evidence closes with this: "Even though THE CURSE OF THE POGO STICK and the Dr Siri Paiboun series can be contradictory at times, its uniqueness is one of its main attractions. And I, for one, always look forward to the latest adventure of Dr Siri and his makeshift community."
Mysterious Reviews says,
Curse of the Pogo Stick isn't strictly a whodunit-style mystery (though there are clearly elements present that make it seem like one) but rather a fascinating and absorbing tale of perception and acumen on the part of Siri and, separately, Dtui and Daeng. The story goes off in unexpected and delightful directions and is quite simply a joy to read. The author has a remarkable ability to introduce a rhythm, a cadence as it were, into his narrative.I've also read these:
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Seek out Curse of the Pogo Stick: it's one of the year's best novels, mystery or otherwise.
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...a pogo stick has always been a curse for me.
ReplyDeleteI never had any luck with them.
DeleteThe title made me think of my SIL when we were kids. She got a pogo stick for her birthday and all the kids in the neighborhood had a bounce. I don't think she got to use it much.
ReplyDeleteThey were never a popular toy when I was growing up.
DeleteEnjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteYou've mentioned this series before. and it still sounds good.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm quite taken with the characters, and the setting is such an interesting time and place.
DeleteI really love the character of Dr. Siri and his staff, too. Although most of my fave mysteries are set in England, I find I learn a great deal about this part of the world through the books. The plots are very clever!
ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating to read stories set in less-familiar places. I was glad I gave this series a try :)
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