Conspiracy Theory - (Gregor Demarkian Novels) by Jane Haddam (Paperback)

About the Book

Gregor Demarkian, the former head of the FBIUs Behavioral Sciences Unit, is drawn into an insane, post 9/11 world of conspiracy theories and random violence, and must wrest some measure of truth from the mess. Martin's Press.

Book 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.

From the Back Cover

"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"

Review Quotes

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"

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""

-January Magazine on Somebody Else's Music

"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

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.