Curse of the Pogo Stick

In Colin Cotterill's fifth installment of the Dr. Siri Paiboun mystery series, the irascible and ever-curious 72-year-old Lao national coroner finds himself embroiled in a case far removed from his usual autopsy room. Abducted by seven formidable Hmong women, Dr. Siri is brought to a remote mountain village under orders from the elder, who believes the thousand-year-old shamanic spirit, Yeh Ming, residing within Siri's body, is their only hope. The village headman's daughter is afflicted by a mysterious illness, believed to be demonic possession brought on by the curse of a bizarre Western artifact – a pogo stick. Amidst ancient superstitions, cultural clashes, and the inherent challenges of diagnosing an 'exorcism-worthy' ailment, Siri must navigate Hmong traditions, commune with Yeh Ming, and apply his unique blend of medical expertise and psychic intuition to uncover the truth behind the girl's affliction. His investigation is further complicated by a cryptic prediction from the flamboyant transvestite fortune-teller, Auntie Bpoo, setting the stage for a delightful and deadly dance between the earthly and the supernatural.