Don’t give up on this book. The stage (har har) takes a while to set but once it starts going it’s a really good, sweet read. I’ll be checking out more by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Motion Picture Teller is an enchanting audiobook that takes you on a journey of discovery and mystery in 1990s Thailand. It follows the adventures of Supot, a bored postman who loves watching old movies with his friend Ali, a video store owner. One day, they receive a mysterious cassette titled Bangkok 2010, which shows a dystopian vision of their country's future. They are mesmerized by the film, but soon realize that it is more than just a fiction. It is a clue to a hidden conspiracy that involves powerful forces and dark secrets.

The audiobook is narrated by the author himself, Colin Cotterill, who brings his witty and charming voice to the story. He also adds some authentic Thai words and phrases, as well as some historical and cultural references, that enrich the listening experience. He creates a vivid and colorful picture of Thailand, its people, its politics, and its culture, with a touch of humor and irony.

The story is a blend of genres, combining historical fiction, mystery, thriller, and comedy. It has a fast-paced and engaging plot, with many twists and turns, surprises and revelations. It also has a cast of memorable and quirky characters, such as a blind film critic, a corrupt politician, a Buddhist monk, and a mysterious woman. The story explores themes such as friendship, loyalty, identity, freedom, and fate.

Motion Picture Teller is a delightful and original audiobook that will entertain and intrigue you. It is a tribute to the power and magic of cinema, and a love letter to Thailand. It is a story that will make you laugh, cry, and think.

This was an interesting read! This was my 1st book at Colin Cotterill but will not be my last, I am adding their books to my TBR!

This was such an unusual story. I completely loved it. Please, please go for it. You will love it. I had no expectations when I started listening to this. But boy, did it surprise me? I think more people should talk about this book. It needs to be read.

Two film buffs unexpectedly find the best film of their lives but have no idea about the film's origin.

The beginning took a bit of time to set the sate, but once the narrative gained momentum, I was not able to put it down. It's not a typical page-turning thriller, but it made me want to pick it back up every chance I had because the story was so engaging.

There was a combination of mystery and sadness throughout the whole book that became more pronounced as the book progressed. How these two atmospheres were combined was great & added a lot of depth to the characters and the story overall.

There were so many relatable and situations (like 'I'm going to tell you this, but you can't tell anyone else...) that brought an extra level of humanity to the book as well.

This is an interesting little take on Thailand´s history (and maybe even in the present, as everything is connected). Thailand might seem as a land of beautiful beaches and peaceful people - and it definitely is that - but there are dark spots and places laying in the history and the mentality. Because why would an unknown movie called Bangkok 2010 resonate with the novel characters so much, if there was no emotional connection?
This said movie is also a mysterious one, unknown to anyone within the Thai movie lovers and even professional industry, as two friends Supot and Ali can testify to. They found the movie tape just by chance, but they are enthralled with the message (as well as the main actress´s beauty). But no one knows nothing about the movie. So Ali and Supot start sleuthing to get to know a bit more...and there starts a journey which will enrich their life as well.

This story is about dreams, inspiration and growth; about how we can get strength when seeing anyone fight for a good cause; how we might start to fight a bit more for ourselves - and also that there might be a price to pay. Partly a lyrical, emotional journey through the souls of eccentric, lovable dorks (because that Ali and Supot are), partly as a recognition that the (dark) past might still not be forgotten and should not be fogotten - and partly a romantic love story. Love and zest for life, too.
I am lacking a bit of focused storytelling here, to be honest - but I also see a lot of feelings, coulours and - yes, a lot of heart here.

The narration is fine, gently accompanying the story.

I was intrigued by the synopsis, but I thinik I misread it as I thought there was going to be a bit of time travel. What I took from the summary was that the film came from the future (hence the 2010 part of the title), but that's not what happens here. I was still interested in the story, but after the mystery was figured out I wanted the story to be over and that's saying something because the book is really short and it happened much earlier than I was expecting.

This book does not sit well with me. The choice of narrator is really bad and has colonialist vibes. I couldn’t get into the story. I just really didn’t enjoy it. Maybe reading this and not listening would make me feel different, but the audiobook just felt patronizing.

What a unique plot. The beginning felt a little confusing because it drops right in. . . But it's an easy amd enjoyable read. I think what I enjoyed the most is not knowing where the story was going. It was not predictable in the least. It also wasn't full of turns and plot twists like many new novels.

I think the best way to describe it is to say it's a fun and whimsical read that is nice, easy, and leisurely.

Five stars. Highly recommend.

I am so thankful that I was able to read this book and do continually thank Colin Cotterill, RB Media, and NetGalley for the advanced access. Everyone loves a cozy mystery, especially when there's some historical fiction thrown in the pot.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I'm not sure how I'd describe this book. Parts of it reminded me of John Kennedy Toole's writing in A Confederacy of Dunces, although I cannot quite say why. The story bears absolutely no resemblance.

The Motion Picture Teller takes place in Bangkok in 1996, and is told primarily in first-person by Supot, a Royal Thai Mail Service delivery man who hates his job and spends every moment he can watching films in the back room of his best friend Ali's VHS rental shop. Ali and Supot stumble upon a film called Bangkok 2010 which blows their minds and changes the course of Supot's life.

The book is a mystery, though there is no crime to be solved. The mystery is in where and how the film was made...and most importantly, by whom.

I liked this story and will look for more by Colin Coterill. I must confess, though, the narration in heavily played-up British accents was strange. Having lived in Bangkok myself for 4 years, I am not sure why that artistic choice was made for the narration.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for this honest review.

I unfortunately had to mark this as a DNF at 35%. It just did not jive wiht me at all and I found it SO boring and also confusing. I really struggled to understand what the plot was or how everyone related to each other.

I wanted to like this book. I tried to like this book. And I just could not get there.

The characters were fine. The narration worked. The story itself was just dry and boring and had some major believability issues. There is a good chance that I just had my hopes set too high for a "mystery" that didn't deliver...

Overall: 2 stars

I'll tell my students about: language, crime, alcohol

**Thank you to NetGalley and Soho Press for the free ALC prior to publication. All opinions expressed are my own.**

3.5 stars. This was my first time reading Mr. Cotterill. It was an easy choice of starting place as a standalone. And it was quite enjoyable, with a (for me) exotic, contemporary Thai setting. There was some lovely humor. And the mysterious film at the heart of the novel was intriguing enough for me to Google to see if it was real. (And wasn't the author's note at the end interesting?)

The reason that I didn't rate it a full four stars is that I was far more interested in the two film buffs than the film depicted within the novel. I wanted less movie and more reality. Though, obviously, some of the film sequences were vital. But, overall, this was a gentle and enjoyable mystery without a crime at its heart.

I just finished THE MOTION PICTURE TELLER by Colin Cotterill, read by Steven Crossley and Amy Scanlon.

What I loved: the actual story which is a "mystery without a crime!" In 1996, Supot a Thai postman and his fellow cinephile buddy Ali who runs a video store, discover the best Thai movie they have ever seen called Bangkok 2010. Immediately entranced, Supot embarkes on a quest to discover those involved and it takes a strange turn when he falls into a commune with a connection to the film. This was a witty, delightfully quirky story with a lot of movie connections that buffs will enjoy. I really had fun following along with Supot. I also enjoyed hearing snippets of the movie in this story.

What was strange: this is a Thai story, with Thai characters, set in Thailand...with British accented narrators. Let me be clear, they did not speak with Thai accents. The narrators are not Thai, at least not to my limited knowledge after looking them up. And it was British accented throughout. I really felt very confused by this choice. I am open to hearing why, but as a reader who is asked for honest opinions, I felt like this was a real miss. Given the anti-Asian rhetoric in so many places in the US at least, I felt this was a huge disservice to the Asian community. I can't imagine there were no Thai narrators or at minimum, an Asian narrator who could do a Thai accent.

I have not listened to a story set in a place with a vastly different non-native accent. This threw me so many times when I would get lost in the story, but then would have a Thai reference that took me out of The UK and back into Thailand. It was a mental exercise that seems unnecessary and the audio lost it for me. ⭐⭐💫(story alone ⭐⭐⭐⭐)

I should state that the narrators did a lovely job reading the story in their native tongue. It was just weird since the story was not in their native land.

I appreciate @recordedbooks and @netgalley for sharing this story with me. I would really love to understand the choices made here. This is available now.

Generally I found this book okay, the premise is interesting and the description of Bangkok is transportive. However I just struggled to fully get absorbed and I didn't really feel for the characters. The screenplay of the movie was distraction for me and made the book feel disjointed and the mystery just fell flat. Perhaps it was because I listened to the audiobook but this wasn't for me.

This is my first time reading anything by Colin Cotterill and this was such an intriguing premise that I had to give it a go.
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A film is discovered by two best friends who are cinephiles and the film turns out to be completely fantastic! It has never been released to the public and they need to know why. Mystery, adventure, and drama ensues.
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It took me a while to get invested in the story but I eventually did. I enjoyed the passion the main characters have for films, all of the movie references, and the main characters trying to find love during all of this. I otherwise didn't relate to any of the characters although I was rooting for them all!
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This novel uses the word "transvestite" at the beginning of the story and a few more times throughout which was off-putting. I get that it was accurate for the timeperiod but it was still jarring. I mention this because some people could be thrown off and/or when hearing and/or reading this word as well.

This was by far the most interesting premise I've read in a long time. The book was excellent, but I do recommend you read the physical copy or ebook as I was getting a little confused about what was happening during the present story and the mysterious never-made movie that the book is centered around. We get dual "stories" within this book, the mystery surrounding the movie that was never shown to the public, and the plot of the movie itself. Again, highly recommend having a physical copy handy.

The movie itself never really captured my interest, but the character dynamics between the Sapless men (main characters) was so much fun to read and I really hope this becomes a series. I would love to see these men solve yet another mystery. The pace of this book will not let you down and I read it in one sitting because I had to know more about the mysterious movie.

My thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Audio recording of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really couldn't get into this book, but it could be the narration of the audio version. The mystery felt compelling enough, but I wasn't as captured as I have been in other stories.

Readers who enjoyed The Dr. Siri Paiboun series will no doubt find Colin Cotterill's "The Motion Picture Teller" just as delightful and engaging. Bangkok, 1996 - Supot is a Thai postman, a role that brings him no fulfillment or purpose. His life's joy is found watching old movies with his best friend, Ali, who owns a movie rental store. It's not exactly Blockbuster, though. Customers wanting help may be told to go away and not bother them while they are watching a film, something sacred to the two friends,

After buying a box of random tapes, Supot takes some of the tapes home and watches one called "Bangkok 2010". He in enthralled with the film and the lead actress. He shows the film to Ali, who agrees with Supot, this is one of the most progressive Thai films made. But why have they never heard of or seen these actors before? After some research with the Film Archives ,Supot finds that there is no record of any of the people listed. They cannot be ghosts. He watches the film over and over until he knows the dialogue by heart. The love he has for the mysterious leading lady is consumptive. He must find out who and where she is. This is the love of his life, he is sure of this. With this , he leaves his job and begins his search,

I love the relationship between the the sapless men. Cotterill is at his best with the humorous banter between such characters. I would love to see more books with these characters and to explore their relationship. The antics which lead Supot to the answers he is looking for is very South-East Asia, in the best of ways,

This is a wonderfully entertaining book which I would love to see as the start of a new series, although it is listed as a stand alone. But one can hope!

My thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Audio recording of this book in exchange for my honest review.