Ellen C. (marathonmom) reviewed on 1/21/2010 + 25 more book reviews

This is probably the least read and least known of Mary Roach's books. I think that's a shame. I've read Stiff, Bonk, and Spook, and I think Spook is the best of the bunch. Meticulously researched, as are all of Mary Roach's books, and written with a casual but confident style, this book is highly educational and thoroughly entertaining. You won't even realize you are getting smarter by the page. Ms. Roach is a wonderful writer - I'd read her descriptions of mousetraps and dryer lint, if that was where she chose to focus her efforts. She describes multiple lines of research, some mainstream and some definitely way up on the bank, about the afterlife, or "spirit world". Her experiences with ectoplasm, telecommunication, and psychoacoustics lead her into a reasoned description of the afterlife (or lack thereof). Its fascinating to see Ms. Roach explore the fringiest of scientific explorations in her quest to explain or understand what happens when the lights go out. Loved the writing, loved the book, but I'm not planning on leaving this earth with any unfinished business.

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