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Colin Cotterill

コリン・コッタリル

Korin Kottariru

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1952-10-02 （London, England, UK）
Nationality
United Kingdom, Australia
Languages
English
Residence History
London, United Kingdom → Australia → Japan → Thailand (Phuket and other locations) → Laos → United States

Career

Occupations
teacher, crime writer, cartoonist
Active Years
1975-

Awards

Dilys Award
2006
Work: Thirty-Three Teeth
Organization: Independent Mystery Booksellers Association
Result: winner
Prix SNCF Du Polar
2007
Work: The Coroner's Lunch
Organization: SNCF (French National Railway) - prize organizer
Result: winner
CWA Dagger in the Library
2009
Work: Siri Paiboon series
Organization: Crime Writers' Association (CWA)
Result: winner
Barry Award (Best First Novel - nominee)
2005
Work: The Coroner's Lunch
Category: Best First Novel
Organization: Deadly Pleasures / Barry Awards
Result: nominee
CWA Gold Dagger
2008
Work: The Coroner's Lunch
Organization: Crime Writers' Association (CWA)
Result: nominee
CrimeFest Last Laugh Award
2009
Work: Anarchy and Old Dogs
Organization: CrimeFest
Result: nominee

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Coroner's Lunch

2004 crime fiction / mystery

Set in Laos, the novel introduces the eccentric coroner Siri, who unravels mysteries against a backdrop of social change and dark humour.

Laotian societycorruption and powerhumour and human relationships
Translations
  • The Coroner's Lunch

Thirty-Three Teeth

2005 crime fiction

Second in the Siri series; Siri investigates a case where past and present crimes intertwine, revealing deeper societal issues.

connections between past and presentpolitical and social issues
Translations
  • Thirty-Three Teeth

The Night Bastard

2000 novel

Cotterill's debut novel, written inspired by issues surrounding child abuse and trafficking; an early standalone work.

child protectionsocial issues

Anarchy and Old Dogs

2007 crime fiction

A Siri novel blending humour and satire while following a complex investigation.

humoursocial satire

Pool and its Role in Asian Communism

2005 non-fiction / social issues

A non-fiction work dealing with child protection and related social topics in Asia.

child protectionsocial issues in Asia

Bibliography

  • The Night Bastard (2000)
  • The Coroner's Lunch (2004)
  • Thirty-Three Teeth (2005)
  • Disco For the Departed (2006)
  • Anarchy and Old Dogs (2007)
  • Curse of the Pogo Stick (2008)
  • The Merry Misogynist (2009)
  • Love Songs from a Shallow Grave (2010)
  • Slash and Burn (2011)
  • The Woman Who Wouldn't Die (2013)
  • Six and a Half Deadly Sins (2015)
  • Killed at the Whim of a Hat (2011)
  • Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach (2012)
  • The Axe Factor (2014)
  • Ageing Disgracefully (2009)
  • Ethel and Joan Go to Phuket (2004)
  • Evil in the Land Without (2003)
  • Pool and its Role in Asian Communism (2005)

Translations of Works

  • The Coroner's Lunch
  • Thirty-Three Teeth
  • Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach

Style & Themes

Literary Style
humorous, ironic narrationmysteries with social commentary
Recurring Motifs
Laotian society and historyeducational settingsstructures of corruption and power

Legacy

Best known for the Siri Paiboon series set in Laos, Cotterill has earned international recognition and used his profile to support initiatives like sending books to children in Laos. His work raises awareness of social issues and has reached wide audiences through translations and awards.

Academic Societies

  • Crime Writers' Association (associated)

In Popular Culture

  • The Siri series is popular among international mystery readers and notable for fictionalizing Laotian settings.

Trivia

  • Debut novel: The Night Bastard (2000).
  • Founded and ran an NGO in Phuket focused on child protection.
  • Has worked extensively as a cartoonist and weekly columnist.