Irwin mirrors the aesthetic impact of the genre by creating in his study the dynamics of a detective story--the uncovering of mysteries, the accumulation of evidence, the tracing of clues, and the final solution that ties it all together.

New York Times bestselling author Jonah Lehrer “unravels the mystery of mysteries” in this “absolute delight” (Malcolm Gladwell) of a book that blends psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology to shine a new light on everything from the formulas of our favorite detective shows to the tricks of successful advertising campaigns and the calculated risks of the stock market. Why is mystery so compelling? What draws us to the unknown? Jonah Lehrer sets out to answer these questions in a vividly entertaining and surprisingly profound journey through the science of suspense. He finds that nothing can capture a person’s attention as strongly as mystery, and that mystery is the key principle in how humans view and understand the world. Whenever patterns are broken, we are hard-wired to find out why. Without our curiosity driving us to pursue new discoveries and solve stubborn problems, we would never have achieved the breakthroughs that have revolutionized human medicine, technology—and culture. From Shakespeare’s plays to the earliest works of the detective genre, our entertainment and media have continually reinvented successful forms of mystery to hook audiences. Here, Lehrer interviews individuals in unconventional fields—from dedicated small-business owners to innovative schoolteachers—who use mystery to challenge themselves and to motivate others to reach to new heights. He also examines the indelible role of mystery in our culture, revealing how the magical world of Harry Potter triggers the magic of dopamine in our brains, why the baseball season is ten times longer than the football season, and when the suspect is introduced in each episode of Law & Order. Fascinating, illuminating, and fun, Mystery explores the many surprising ways in which embracing a sense of awe and curiosity can enrich our lives.

In this revolutionary and easy-to-read book, discover the real and frequently suppressed truth about the new epidemic of AIDS (the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). -- adapted from back cover

One of "The Most Fascinating Books WIRED Read in 2020" "One part science book, one part historical narrative, one part memoir . . . harrowing and inspiring.”—The Wall Street Journal How a determined scientist cracked the case of the first successful—and disastrous—submarine attack On the night of February 17, 1864, the tiny Confederate submarine HL Hunley made its way toward the USS Housatonic just outside Charleston harbor. Within a matter of hours, the Union ship’s stern was blown open in a spray of wood planks. The explosion sank the ship, killing many of its crew. And the submarine, the first ever to be successful in combat, disappeared without a trace. For 131 years the eight-man crew of the HL Hunley lay in their watery graves, undiscovered. When finally raised, the narrow metal vessel revealed a puzzling sight. There was no indication the blast had breached the hull, and all eight men were still seated at their stations—frozen in time after more than a century. Why did it sink? Why did the men die? Archaeologists and conservationists have been studying the boat and the remains for years, and now one woman has the answers. In the Waves is much more than just a military perspective or a technical account. It’s also the story of Rachel Lance’s single-minded obsession spanning three years, the story of the extreme highs and lows in her quest to find all the puzzle pieces of the Hunley. Balancing a gripping historical tale and original research with a personal story of professional and private obstacles, In the Waves is an enthralling look at a unique part of the Civil War and the lengths one scientist will go to uncover its secrets.

Challenging assignments invite young would-be detectives to solve cases involving burglaries, murders, jewel heists, arson, embezzlement, and other criminal activities. Solutions included for cases involving the Attic Arsonist, the Bashful Bullet, the Conked Clerk, and 38 other intriguing puzzles.

When interior decorator Claire Burke discovers one of her clients dead on the new rug that she's just installed, she never imagines that she will soon be hard at work investigating the woman's murder. However, her severely disabled, wheelchair-bound daughter Jessie forms a bond with the victim's husband Jimmy, and when the man is arrested for his wife's killing, Claire can't believe that anyone who could be so tender towards her daughter could actually harm another human being. Soon, she enlists her friend Tia to help prove the man's innocence. Tia ensconces herself in the man's home under the guise of providing him cleaning services--all the while snooping for possible clues that might exonerate the man. Claire's Aunt Augusta also arrives for a visit and quickly befriends an elderly neighbor, and the two old ladies--anxious to help Claire--start their own investigation. With detectives seemingly everywhere, no one can possibly imagine who will ultimately bring down the killer--and it may be the most amazing detective of them all!

David Kepler, thrust into responsibility for a national sales force, develops a new company-saving business approach, in a novel showing business readers how to apply that approach to their own sales and marketing dilemmas