Table Of ContentPreface. Stochastic Search and Optimization: Motivation and Supporting Results. Direct Methods for Stochastic Search. Recursive Estimation for Linear Models. Stochastic Approximation for Nonlinear Root-Finding. Stochastic Gradient Form of Stochastic Approximation. Stochastic Approximation and the Finite-Difference Method. Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation. Annealing-Type Algorithms. Evolutionary Computation I: Genetic Algorithms. Evolutionary Computation II: General Methods and Theory. Reinforcement Learning via Temporal Differences. Statistical Methods for Optimization in Discrete Problems. Model Selection and Statistical Information. Simulation-Based Optimization I: Regeneration, Common Random Numbers, and Selection Methods. Simulation-Based Optimization II: Stochastic Gradient and Sample Path Methods. Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Optimal Design for Experimental Inputs. Appendix A. Selected Results from Multivariate Analysis. Appendix B. Some Basic Tests in Statistics. Appendix C. Probability Theory and Convergence. Appendix D. Random Number Generation. Appendix E. Markov Processes. Answers to Selected Exercises. References. Frequently Used Notation. Index.
SynopsisA witness. Such a simple concept - and yet for Dexter Morgan, a perfectly well-disguised serial killer, the possibility of a witness is terrifying. As an upstanding blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Police, Dexter has always managed to keep the darker side of his life out of the spotlight. An expert at finding truly bad people - murderers who've long escaped justice - Dexter has long been giving them his own special brand of attention.But now someone has seen him in the act. Dexter is being followed, manipulated and mimicked, leading him to realise that no one likes to have a double - especially when his double's goal is to kill him.Dexter is not one to tolerate such displeasure...in fact, he has a knack for extricating himself from trouble in his own pleasurable way., Dexter Morgan is not your average serial killer. He enjoys his day job as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department, but he lives for his nighttime hobby of hunting other killers. Dexter is therefore not pleased to discover that someone is shadowing him, observing him, and copying his methods., ***A shocking and gripping thriller that inspired the Showtime series DEXTER RESSURECTION*** 'Enjoyably macabre' THE GUARDIAN 'Jeff Lindsay's cynical wit makes it fly' THE DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Snappy and smart' THE NEW YORK TIMES 'Fascinating, entertaining, and brilliant' ROBERT CRAIS 'Stylish, polished, and very readable' THE DAILY MIRROR He's back and deadlier than ever . . . A witness. Such a simple concept - and yet for Dexter Morgan, a perfectly well-disguised serial killer, the possibility of a witness is terrifying. As an upstanding blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Police, Dexter has always managed to keep the darker side of his life out of the spotlight. An expert at finding truly bad people - murderers who've long escaped justice - Dexter has long been giving them his own special brand of attention. But now someone has seen him in the act. Dexter is being followed, manipulated and mimicked, leading him to realise that no one likes to have a double - especially when his double's goal is to kill him. Dexter is not one to tolerate such displeasure . . . in fact, he has a knack for extricating himself from trouble in his own pleasurable way. *** Readers can't get enough of the Dexter series: 'Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!!' 'Not to be missed!' 'Hilarious, sardonic, and full of irony' 'A fantastic read' 'A dark and deadly delight' 'The author is a genius!' 'Couldn't put it down!'