Synopses & Reviews
In the tradition of P. D. James, Jane Haddam's novels combine compelling story lines with a keen-eyed, complex sense of the character's psychology and sharp, evocative sense of place. Over the years her novels featuring retired F. B. I. agent Gregor Demarkian have won her the respect of the critics and an ever-increasing number of devoted readers. Now with
Conspiracy Theory, all of Haddam's ample of gifts are on display in a chilling novel of class, conspiracy, and murder.
Cavanaugh Street is a mostly quiet Armenian neighborhood in downtown Philadelphia where nearly everyone knows everyone else and certainly knows their business. But that quiet is destroyed when the Armenian Orthodox church is destroyed by bombing and its cleric, Father Tibor Kasparian, is hospitalized as a result. What would normally be a front page event, however, is overshadowed by another event across town - when Philadelphia Main Line society is shocked by the murder of one of their own. Anthony van Wyck Ross - the head of one of the major investment banks and a cornerstone of Main Line society - is murdered at the Around the World Harvest Ball being hosted at his mansion.
Gregor Demarkian, former head of FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit, and longtime resident of Cavanaugh Street, is soon enmeshed in both cases. With the Ross murder, there is the never-seen conspiracy theorist Michael Harridan who in his literature has claimed that Ross was a member of the dangerous secret ruling elite, The Illuminati. With the church bombing, there were the anonymous threatening letters received by Father Tibor just prior to the bombing. Together - if indeed they are in some inexplicable way related - they are the most challenging cases Demarkian has ever faced.
Review
"[A] fascinating study in conspiracies and those who adhere to them...The book is as up-to-date as today's headlines." Romantic Times
Review
"Conspiracy Theory is fast-paced and brilliantly plotted...This is a mystery that readers will thoroughly enjoy." Midwest Book Review
Review
"
Conspiracy Theory is fast-paced and brilliantly plotted while displaying how the events of September 11th fit into the mindset of a conspiracy group who believes the Illuminati are controlling the country and moving towards a one world order. This is a mystery that readers will thoroughly enjoy." --
Midwest Book Review"[A] fascinating study in conspiracies and those who adhere to them...The book is as up-to-date as today's headlines." --Romantic Times
Review
"Haddam plays the mystery game like a master...Bound to satisfy any reader who likes multiple murders mixed with miraculous apparitions and a perfectly damnable puzzle."-Chicago Tribune on A Great Day for the Deadly
"Haddam keeps her long-running series fresh by developing suspects and victims who are as fascinating and entertaining as her recurring cast...this is one of Haddam's best Demarkian outings yet...riveting!"
-January Magazine on Somebody Else's Music
"News of a new Jane Haddam mystery is music to the ears of her fans...whether it's read as next in the series or a stand-alone, Somebody Else's Music is a standout."-The Drood Review
"A delightful read for lovers of classic crime stories."-Romantic Times on Skeleton Key
"[A] smoothly running mystery marked by lively characters, good descriptions, and enough misdirection to keep a reader's interest high."-Publishers Weekly on Skeleton Key
"A sophisticated style, excellent delivery, and riveting plot make this an excellent choice for all collections."-Library Journal on Skeleton Key
"A real winner...sure to grab readers from the first page...a fine entry in a fine series."-Booklist on Skeleton Key
"Bound to satisfy any reader who likes multiple murders mixed with miraculous apparitions and a perfectly damnable puzzle."-Chicago Tribune on A Great Day for the Deadly
"A rattling good puzzle, a varied and appealing cast, and a detective whose work carries a rare stamp of authority...this one is a treat."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on Bleeding Hearts
"Not A Creature Stirring will puzzle, perplex, and please the most discriminating reader."-Murder Ad Lib
"Juicy gossip abounds, tension builds, and all present are suitably suspect as Demarkian expertly wraps up loose ends in this entertaining, satisfying mystery."-Publishers Weekly on Act of Darkness
"An absorbing, good-humored tale complete with vivid characters, multiple murders, and a couple of juicy subplots."-Orlando Sentinel on Bleeding Hearts
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"Haddam's usual deft writing, skillful plotting, and gentle humor...Refreshing and entertaining."-Booklist on Bleeding Hearts
"Go ahead, have this one wrapped and waiting with your name on it."-Detroit Free Press on A Stillness in Bethlehem
"Haddam is a fine and compassionate writer, and Demarkian, the retired chief of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit who now solves crimes in his spare time, is one of the more interesting series leads in the mystery marketplace. It's a pleasure to find a solid mystery combined with engaging discussions of issues outside the genre. A guaranteed winner."-Booklist on True Believers
"Haddam's large cast pulses with petty jealousies, vanities, and fears as they confront the mysteries of life and religion. This is an engrossingly complex mystery that should win further acclaim for its prolific and talented author."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) on True Believers
"Dazzlingly ingenious, Jane Haddam's novels provide style, humor, and philosophy-they're real spellbinders, sparklingly written and smashingly plotted."-Drood Review
"Readers will have lots of fun trying to guess whodunit. A fine entry in a fine series."-Booklist on Skeleton Key
Synopsis
In the tradition of P. D. James, Jane Haddam's novels combine compelling storylines with a keen, complex sense of her characters' psychology and a sharp, evocative sense of place, winning her the respect of critics and the loyalty of an increasing number of devoted readers.
Gregor Demarkian, former head of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit, gets involved when the church in his Armenian-American Philadelphia neighborhood is destroyed in an anonymous bombing. At the same time, a group of conspiracy theorists have their eyes on a major Main Line social event, one they believe is really a gathering of the Illuminati, the secretive group they think is trying to rule the world. And whom they would risk anything to stop.
Synopsis
Gregor Demarkian, former head of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit, gets involved when the church in his Armenian-American Philadelphia neighborhood is destroyed in an anonymous bombing. At the same time, a group of conspiracy theorists focuses on the Illuminati, the secretive group they think is trying to rule the world.
Synopsis
In the tradition of P. D. James, Jane Haddam's novels combine compelling story lines with a keen-eyed, complex sense of the character's psychology and sharp, evocative sense of place...Cavanaugh Street is a mostly quiet Armenian neighborhood in downtown Philadelphia where nearly everyone knows everyone else and certainly knows their business. But that quiet is destroyed when the Armenian Orthodox church is destroyed by a bomb and its cleric, Father Tibor Kasparian, is hospitalized as a result. What would normally be a front-page event, however, is overshadowed by another event across town-when Philadelphia Main Line society is shocked by the murder of one of their own. Anthony van Wyck Ross-the head of one of the major investment banks and a cornerstone of Main Line society-is murdered at the Around the World Harvest Ball being hosted at his mansion.
Now former head of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit Gregor Demarkian must see through the conspiratorial haze-a task that takes on personal resonance since Gregor's girlfriend, Bennis Hannaford, serves as Vice Chairman of the Ball. Soon, Gregor finds himself caught up in a spiral of fear and murder that takes him to the very edge of evil.
"Haddam is a fine and compassionate writer, and Demarkian is one of the most interesting series leads. A guaranteed winner." -Booklist on True Believers
"Haddam keeps her long-running series fresh by developing suspects and victims who are as fascinating and entertaining as her recurring cast...this is one of Haddam's best Demarkian outings yet...riveting!" -January Magazine on Somebody Else's Music
Synopsis
Cavanaugh Street is a mostly quiet Armenian neighborhood in downtown Philadelphia where nearly everyone knows everyone else and certainly knows their business. But that quiet is destroyed when the Armenian Orthodox church is destroyed by a bomb and its cleric, Father Tibor Kasparian, is hospitalized as a result. What would normally be a front-page event, however, is overshadowed by another event across town-when Philadelphia Main Line society is shocked by the murder of one of their own. Anthony van Wyck Ross-the head of one of the major investment banks and a cornerstone of Main Line society-is murdered at the Around the World Harvest Ball being hosted at his mansion.
Now former head of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit Gregor Demarkian must see through the conspiratorial haze-a task that takes on personal resonance since Gregor's girlfriend, Bennis Hannaford, serves as Vice Chairman of the Ball. Soon, Gregor finds himself caught up in a spiral of fear and murder that takes him to the very edge of evil.
About the Author
Jane Haddam is the author of many previous novels, most featuring Gregor Demarkian, as well as numerous articles and stories published widely. Her novels have been finalists for both the Edgar and Anthony Awards. She lives with her family in Litchfield Country, Connecticut.