Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski

How do anthropologists deal with spending years immersing themselves in another culture?

This question lies at the heart of Fieldwork, an intriguing mystery set in northern Thailand.

When Mischa Berlinski(yes, he inserts himself in the story for no apparent reason, my only complaint) hears about an anthropologist that is in prison for killing a missionary, he is interested. And the fact that she recently killed herself in prison, after being there 15 years, makes him want to know her story.

Berlinski sets out to find out what happened. In looking for answers, he finds more questions, from the Walkers, a missionary family, from correspondence the missionary had, and from the Dyalo people themselves, who the anthropologist was studying.

This is a fast-paced brain teaser of a book. Berlinski weaves the plot beautifully. The humor throughout doesn't let on that the book will end with the emotional heft that it does. I enjoyed this book thoroughly.