Laos, 1979: Dr. Siri Paiboun, the twice retired ex-National Coroner of
Laos, receives an unmarked package in the mail. Inside is a handwoven
pha sin, a colorful traditional skirt worn in northern Laos. A lovely
present, but who sent it to him, and why? And, more importantly, why is
there a severed human finger stitched into the sin's lining?
Siri is convinced someone is trying to send him a message and won't let
the matter rest until he's figured it out. He finagles a trip up north
to the province where the sin was made, not realizing he is embarking
on a deadly scavenger hunt. Meanwhile, the northern Lao border is about
to erupt into violence--and Dr. Siri and his entourage are walking right
into the heart of the conflict.