If one could murder sanity, then the Investigator would be the prime suspect. He walked without a care in the world. Nobody who knew him would question him, and those who didn't know the man generally learned his quirks in time to avoid meeting a gory end. As Lyara hurried behind The Investigator, she reckoned it could have been worse. The Investigator simply was the prime force to reckon with in Cloatos, and that was while considering the ancient evils that lurked beneath the depths of the city, the primeval plagues that scoured the living, the poisonous insects and plants, the diseased minds of psychopaths and much more. The Investigator didn't bleed like normal men. He didn't feel pain. He didn't suffer. He was an Unnatural, and his favorite food was despair. The Investigator and The Case of the Missing Brain is a dark humor, urban fantasy filled adventure that is set into a grim looking penal colony for the wicked known as Cloatos, ruled by the law of survival of the smartest and deep underground, where magics both ancient and powerful keep those who enter inside, and prevent any escape.. Lyara is a cynical, hard-nosed girl scraping barely by, and with all the bad luck of the world on her shoulders, for she has caught the Investigator's interest, and that is never a good thing. With venom and sarcasm dripping from her every word, even scenes of uncommon horror hardly faze her. The Investigator is a witty psychopath with a penchant for sadism, but a monster has to eat, and he feeds on despair. His hobby of solving troubles in the underground colony stem from a mere desire to stave off his boredom as he plans his great escape from the inescapable prison, and no proper Investigator would work without an assistant. Never mind the gruesome ends his assistants always end up in. "An interesting story, with proper servings of despair and horror (as expected from Sir Shadenight). Very gritty. And then you introduce the Investigator. Hoo boy. Even among the rest of them, his affable evil and casual violation of her personal freedom and identity really stands out and makes the character's suffering that much more real." -Unelemental "Cloatos: Very interesting dynamics, very interesting world building. The Unnaturals the small things the monsters, it is great. Basileus: Very well crafted monster. When he plays around: terrifying. When he stops playing around: intriguing." -Ian Drash "It's gorgeous. I like Basileus and his blatant psychopathy and sadism the most." -Alphaleph

The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."

Thinking Critically About the Kennedy Assassination uses the tools of critical thinking, historical research, and philosophical inquiry to debunk the many myths and conspiracy theories surrounding JFK’s shocking and untimely death. As we approach the 60th anniversary of the violent public assassination of President John F. Kennedy, over half of all Americans surveyed continue to believe that he was killed by a conspiracy involving multiple assassins. Through its reasoned and detailed analysis of the content and evolution of JFK conspiracy narratives, this book also serves as a comprehensive case study of paranoid reasoning and modern mythmaking. The book’s opening chapters lay out the "official" academic consensus concerning the Kennedy assassination (better known as the "Lone Gunman Theory") and discuss the origins of popular interpretations of Kennedy’s life and death, such as the nostalgic myth of "Camelot," the unsympathetic "Irish Mafia" narrative, and the many conspiracy theories critical of both. Subsequent sections scrutinize the alleged motives of leading conspiracy suspects, the ballistic, forensic, and medical evidence related to JFK’s murder, and the most popular "proofs" of an enduring government cover- up. The book concludes that no clear evidence exists to suggest that JFK was the victim of a conspiracy and ends with a discussion of the causes and consequences of paranoid thinking in contemporary public discourse. This volume will appeal to students of history, politics, psychology, and cultural and media studies, and to a broader audience interested in American history, critical thinking, and conspiracy thinking.

“Are you prepared to serve me? To serve Death?” Grindle pursed his lips. “Depends on the job.” Grindle Taff, goblin and private investigator finds himself at the feet of Death herself after meeting his untimely demise. When he is offered a second chance in return for finding a philosopher's stone, Grindle takes the opportunity without hesitation. Returned to the world of the living, where magic and technology exist in harmony; Grindle must work with the Orcish druid Barkblood to win back the life he lost.

Samuel Hoenig answers questions for a living. And as a man with Asperger's Syndrome, his unique personality helps him ferret out almost any answer there is. But his latest question is a rather odd one—who stole a preserved head from the Garden State Cryonics Institute? Arriving at the scene of the crime accompanied by his new colleague, Ms. Washburn, Samuel finds that what started out as a theft has escalated to murder. With suspects and motives emerging at a rapid rate, one final question remains—can Samuel's powers of deduction uncover a killer in the face of overwhelming odds? Praise: A Mystery Scene Best Book of 2014 "[A] delightful and clever mystery."—Publishers Weekly "Delightfully fresh and witty...Pure heaven."—Mystery Scene "In this well-crafted story, the Asperger's element...provides a unique point of view on crime-solving, as well as offering a sensitive look at a too-often-misunderstood condition."—Booklist "Copperman/Cohen succeeds in providing a glimpse not only of the challenges experienced by those with Asperger's, but also of their unique gifts."—Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine "Cleverly written and humorous."—Crimespree Magazine

Rebecca’s got an eight-month-old baby and a mystery to investigate! Late one summer night as she’s breastfeeding Lucie, she spots two men carrying something heavy into a white minivan. It’s probably nothing serious, but when Rebecca hears that a home health care provider named Eduardo Morales disappeared from the neighbourhood that very night, she puts her detective hat on and gets to work. Over the course of the subsequent weeks, Rebecca juggles motherhood and detective work—alternating between unproductive visits with the Simard family, for whom the missing Eduardo worked, and tearful visits to potential daycares for Lucie. She faces down inconclusive interviews with evasive subjects and inconveniently timed diaper changes. Pascal Girard’s observational humor and perfect timing shine through each page, highlighting how Rebecca’s (over)confident, brash approach gets results, not just with the troublesome Simards but with everyone in her life. Rebecca and Lucie in the Case of the Missing Neighbor is a lighthearted maternity leave mystery that centers a new mother in all her postpartum glory.