
As an escalating war edges into Communist Laos, feisty septugenarian ex-national coroner Dr. Siri Paiboun is preoccupied with another matter- tracing a mysterious message he's received in the form of a severed finger.

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,...