Mary Roach’s Spook is an examination of how science (and pseudo-science) have studied the after-life and the soul. The book is in the same vein as her previous book, Stiff, and so it draws a lot of comparisons, most of them not in this books’ favour. Spook just isn’t as engaging a read as Stiff, but I don’t think it’s because of Roach’s writing. The subject matter’s just not as compelling. The various ways that scientists (and other people) tried to measure or demonstrate the existence of soul – through complicated weight scales and containers, ectoplasmic tendrils, and out-of-body experiences – are interesting, but some chapters sometimes leave you wanting a little more. A step down from her previous effort, but still a good book.