Love Songs from a Shallow Grave

In 1978 Laos, Dr. Siri Paiboun, the reluctant and aging national coroner, finds himself embroiled in another baffling and dangerous case. Known for his unconventional methods and spiritual insights, Siri is called to investigate the horrific murders of three women, each impaled with a ceremonial sword – an act that quickly earns the killer the moniker 'The Three Epées.' A suspect is swiftly apprehended, tried, and condemned, but Siri's instincts tell him the truth is far more convoluted than the authorities wish to believe. Unfortunately, his position and reputation are of little help when he is suddenly arrested and imprisoned on his 73rd birthday. Faced with the grim realities of starvation and torture, Siri must rely on his sharp wit and inner resilience to survive. As his life hangs precariously in the balance, he races against time to piece together the real motive behind the 'Three Epées' murders and clear his own name, all while navigating the treacherous political landscape of post-revolutionary Laos. His relentless curiosity, a trait often landing him in trouble, becomes both his greatest asset and potentially his ultimate downfall in this intricate and darkly humorous mystery.