Thirty-three teeth

About “Thirty-three teeth”

Thirty-Three Teeth by Colin Cotterill is a mystery set in Laos after the Communist takeover. Dr. Siri Paiboun, an untrained but curious 72-year-old doctor, is appointed as the national coroner. With the help of his secretary, Dtui, and morgue assistant Mr. Geung, he investigates a series of deaths, including those seemingly caused by bear bites and a government official who fell from a window. He also examines two charred bodies from a crashed helicopter. The story blends forensic science with the spiritual beliefs of the region. The novel was published in 2005 and received praise for its unique setting and storytelling.