One Large Coffin to Go: A Polly Deacon Mystery

Polly Deacon Mystery #4

by H Mel Malton, Simon Greene

This book is intended to provide an introduction to the basic structure and function of the brain and nervous system, emphasizing relationships with behaviour. The first chapter introduces the field, covering aims, objectives and ethical issues. In chapter 2 the neuron is described, and electrical and chemical conduction presented in detail; this chapter also introduces neurotransmitter pathways and drug effects on normal and abnormal behaviour.; After a general survey of the behavioural organization of the nervous system in chapter 3, three chapters describe how language, learning and memory are related to brain mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on clinical data from human patients, and functional assymetries between the hemispheres. The following chapter outlines the Involvement Of Arousal Systems In Stress, Anxiety And Emotion, And Also covers stress reduction techniques. The arousal theme is maintained in chapter 8 in which sleep is discussed in the context of biological rhythms in psychological and physiological processes.; Chapter 9 covers The Biological Bases Of Motivational States Such As Hunger And Thirst, and discusses the concept of homeostasis. Non-homeostatic drives such as electrical self-stimulation of the brain are also considered. Finally, chapter 10 reviews sensory processes in general, and then concentrates on pain perception and the brain mechanisms underlying visual sensation and perception.; It is intended that the material in this book should satisfy the requirements of both the A-level syllabus for Psychology, whichever Board is taken, and first year introductory undergraduate courses in psychobiology.

Genres: Mystery

224 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. But, unfortunately I didn’t. One positive it was well written. But, I had many problems with it. First, the author uses actual towns and landmarks, but she also uses fictional towns. Knowing the province of Ontario the fictional towns used in proximity to actual cities and landmarks was distracting.

I feel the author had a political agenda with her subtle and not so subtle knocks on a political party.

Polly and all whom Polly came in contact with and engaged in conversation with about the Pro Life Marchers had the same opinion. Very negative and aggressive. If the author had attended a Pro Life March such as the one held each year in Ottawa where thousands of people march, she could not honestly describe the March or the Marchers as she described and continued to negatively project on throughout the book. I felt like the author had an agenda to attack Pro Life individuals and this gave her a platform.
I honestly found Polly unlikable. She was selfish and extremely dense. The red flags that she was the target and her life was in danger were so obvious that it made you mad. In mad as “Seriously you don’t see this!” The fact she never checked the ashes is a good example of her denseness. If you actually read the book you knew that what ever the bad people wanted was in the ashes. I thought diamonds.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was really good. It was well-written thought provoking and told a great story. I could definitely relate to the main character. The timing of choosing this book to read was awkward. I haven't touched it in years and recently I decided to finally read it. During this time, my grandmother had a stroke and passed away. Also the day of the funeral, I read the beginning of a chapter speaking about funerals and how Polly believes they are more for the families than anything else... probably a coincidence but strange nonetheless.

[May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maiku:

Pregnant puppeteer
followed to England by thugs -
what are they after?