This was a good airplane read, which is not necessarily the same thing as "a good read." In fact, if a book is small it gets extra airplane points; the books in this series are compact little hardbacks. This one was good, but not as good as the one I read a few weeks ago, Thirty-Three Teeth. Disco for the Departed is another in the same mystery series about the Laotian coroner in the 1970's. I liked that it featured more from the secondary players, Mr. Geung and Nurse Dtui, but I thought the supernatural aspect got old pretty quickly, and the murder itself seemed really far-fetched. On the other hand (other other hand ) it was very funny and certainly was original.
I have some friends who, when they find an author they like, quickly read everything they can find by that author. I don't usually do this. In fact, it's unusual for me to read two books by the same author in the same year. In this case I was going on a trip and knew I needed something reliable for the airplane. I had started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but knew that I would finish it before the return flight. Thus Disco for the Departed seemed like a good safe choice -- I knew I would enjoy it enough, and best of all, it didn't take up too much room in my carry-on bag!
The prolific Cotterill already has three more titles available featuring Dr. Siri. But I think I am going to wait a bit before I go on to the next one. I'm getting kind of sick of mysteries.
(Book 42, 2008)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
3 comments:
I am finding that all these books that feature the same cast can be more annoying than satisfying. I loved Amanda Cross but only the sleuth and her husband stay the same so they always seem new. When I was in Chicago recently my sister gave me The Last Kashmiri Rose which I devoured on the bus trip back to Madison. Ordered the next ones in the series from the library, read one and all the annoyances and improbabilities of the first book were so obvious in book two that I didn't bother with book three. Finally picked No. 3 up one desperate night and had the same reaction. Only more so. I feel like too many authors are stuck in sequels just like the movies. (whoa - that was quite a rant!)
For me the key is to not read them too close together. I really do think I need a year or so in between. By then I have forgotten the little quirks that irritate me and the setup seems fresh again.
That makes sense. Maybe I'll try your approach.
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