Laos, 1970s.

Dr. Siri Paiboun, a 72-year-old physician, has been appointed, against his will, national forensic pathologist of the new socialist Laos. Although his laboratory is underfunded, his boss is incompetent, and his staff is, to say the least, eccentric, Siri's sense of humor helps him cope with his often frustrating daily routine.

In this second novel of the series, our intrepid forensic pathologist travels to Luang Prabang—the former royal capital of Laos—where he makes contact with the deposed king, who seems destined for a tragic end. Siri also attends a conference of shamans convened by the Communist Party to deliver an ultimatum to the spirits: either they submit to the rules of the new regime or they're out.

Meanwhile, Nurse Dtui takes charge of the investigation into a series of mutilated corpses arriving at the morgue. Dr. Siri will have to use his forensic and shamanic skills to discover what creature—human, animal, or spirit—is behind these terrible murders.