A witty, witchy fantasy murder mystery packed with ancient magic and fiendish puzzles. Mallory, Diana, Cornelia and Theodore are hired to solve a murder on a TV shoot by the victim herself. Perfect for fans of supernatural mysteries and cosy crime by authors such as Ben Aaronovitch, Josiah Bancroft and Tammie Painter. Five months after they stopped The Whistler, business is booming for the Undetectables. Just not work that requires magical forensic investigators. So when Diana’s ex asks them to solve a murder – her own – Diana, Mallory and Cornelia can’t say no. Going undercover to investigate the set of the TV show, Undead Complex, Diana returns to her life as a propmaker. But even the appearance of a genuine-article Francine Leon dollhouse leaves her feeling pulled down a path of crime-solving she doesn't want to walk forever. Meanwhile, Theodore's coming apart at the seams – literally – and Mallory is running out of ways to help him. Especially as he seems to be keeping secrets from her. As the clues – and the bodies – keep piling up, each one making less and less sense, the Undetectables find themselves in a race against time to find out what, exactly, the killer is up to – before the final cut.

This book responds to a growing interest in death, dying and the dead within and beyond the field of death studies. The collection defines an understanding of ‘difficult death’ and examines the differences between death, dying and the dead, as well as exploring the ethical challenges of researching death in mediated form. The collection is attendant to the ways in which difficult deaths are imbricated in power structures both before and after they become mediatised in culture. As such, the work navigates the many political and social complexities and inequalities – what might be deemed the difficulties – of death, dying and the dead. The book seeks to expand understandings of the difficulty of death in media and culture through a wide range of chapters from different contexts focused on literature, film, television, and in online environments, as well as several chapters examining news reportage of difficult deaths.

Dive into the enigmatic world of the undead with "The Undead Psyche", the ultimate guide to understanding the intricate mind of zombies. This eBook presents a thought-provoking exploration into the depths of zombie psychology, offering readers a comprehensive analysis of the cognitive functions, behavior patterns, and neural networks that drive these enigmatic creatures. Starting with a historical perspective on zombies, "The Undead Psyche" takes you through the evolution of zombie lore, from ancient myths to modern interpretations. Learn why understanding the psychology of zombies is not just a matter of curiosity, but a crucial subject for survival in a world where the line between life and undeath is increasingly blurred. The chapters meticulously dissect the origin and development of zombie behavior, examining how these beings perceive their surroundings and interact with the living. Delve into the structure and function of the zombie brain, and discover fascinating case studies that reveal the impacts of brain damage on zombie actions. Sensory processing and motor skills are rigorously analyzed, showcasing the unique ways zombies navigate and react to their environment. The book investigates whether zombies can form memories or learn from their experiences, and what drives their relentless hunger and aggression. "The Undead Psyche" also tackles the social dynamics of zombies, questioning whether these creatures experience emotions, form packs, or establish hierarchies. By understanding their problem-solving abilities and decision-making processes, readers gain insights into the illusion of free will in zombies and how environmental factors influence their behavior. For those concerned with survival, detailed chapters on defensive strategies, evasion techniques, and combat measures are provided to help you fortify your defenses and enhance your survival tactics. Learn to manipulate zombie behavior, read their body language, and prepare for prolonged encounters with advanced counter-zombie measures. Explore the ethical considerations of zombie experimentation and the role of media in shaping public perception. With futuristic insights into potential cures and technological advances in zombie research, "The Undead Psyche" culminates in a thought-provoking conclusion that leaves readers equipped with vital survival tips and an enriched understanding of the undead. Prepare yourself for an intellectual odyssey like no other. "The Undead Psyche" is your definitive guide to the fascinating and perilous realm of zombie psychology. Are you ready to uncover the secrets of the undead mind?

Through analysis of three case study videogames – Left 4 Dead 2, DayZ and Minecraft – and their online player communities, Digital Zombies, Undead Stories develops a framework for understanding how collective gameplay generates experiences of narrative, as well as the narrative dimensions of players' creative activity on social media platforms. Narrative emergence is addressed as a powerful form of player experience in multiplayer games, one which makes individual games' boundaries and meanings fluid and negotiable by players. The phenomenon is also shown to be recursive in nature, shaping individual and collective understandings of videogame texts over time. Digital Zombies, Undead Stories focuses on games featuring zombies as central antagonists. The recurrent figure of the videogame zombie, which mediates between chaos and rule-driven predictability, serves as both metaphor and mascot for narrative emergence. This book argues that in the zombie genre, emergent experiences are at the heart of narrative experiences for players, and more broadly demonstrates the potential for the phenomenon to be understood as a fundamental part of everyday play experiences across genres.

‘A state of mourning is something that the late twentieth century has been uniquely unable to achieve. A culture based on the interchongeobility of products and people, a throw-away culture, is not conducive to mourning...Inanimate objects hove replaced human ideals. A culture of ‘virtual reality’ which finds it difficult to distinguish between the living and the inanimate has been created - a culture of the undead. This culture is not grounded on human relationships but in the destruction of them.’ In this book, Christina Wieland offers the reader a far-reaching and devastating critique of masculinity, femininity, and contemporary culture. Drawing inspiration from the work of Melanie Klein, the author demonstrates how the Western psyche is based upon denial of the power of the mother, and the elevation of the fother into a repressive, authoritorion figure. This act of universal motricide has wrought havoc throughout Western culture. As Wieland graphically illustrates, both women and men ore denied the opportunity to mourn their separation from the mother, but must contend instead with the guilt that surrounds her murder, and the ever-present terror of her vengeful return – as ‘the undead mother’. Re-appraising masculinity and femininity, the author re-visits a wide and fascinating range of myths, fairytales and stories. Her critique casts new light on the writings of Freud, Klein, Kristeva and Irigaray. Her vivid presentations of clinical material also show how ihe undead mother mokes her presence felt in the consuhing room, and the steps which con be taken towards more genuine, reparative mourning.

This book explores the central role of the zombie in contemporary popular culture as they appear in video games. Moving beyond traditional explanations of their enduring appeal – that they embody an aesthetic that combines horror with a mindless target; that lower age ratings for zombie games widen the market; or that Artificial Intelligence routines for zombies are easier to develop – the book provides a multidisciplinary and comprehensive look at this cultural phenomenon. Drawing on detailed case studies from across the genre, contributors from a variety of backgrounds offer insights into how the study of zombies in the context of video games informs an analysis of their impact on contemporary popular culture. Issues such as gender, politics, intellectual property law, queer theory, narrative storytelling and worldbuilding, videogame techniques and technology, and man’s relation to monsters are closely examined in their relation to zombie video games. Breaking new ground in the study of video games and popular culture, this volume will be of interest to researchers in a broad range of areas including media, popular culture, video games, and media psychology.

This collection of essays explore the concept of the 'dead mother' which refers to the process of mourning that takes place in the child following maternal depression, when the child experiences the loss of love.