From Booklist
The latest Gregor Demarkian mystery--the nineteenth, since 1990--finds the retired head of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit investigating the bombing of a church in his Philadelphia neighborhood. Meanwhile, a conspiracy is afoot, at least according to a group of conspiracy theorists who believe that an upcoming social event is actually a gathering of the Illuminati, the shadowy organization that some people believe is secretly running the world. Without meaning to, Demarkian winds up smack in the middle of these goings-on, and, once again, he must rely on his wits and his instincts to emerge unscathed. Haddam, a prolific writer (before the Demarkian novels, she wrote under an assortment of pseudonyms), likes to tackle big themes in this series, and devotees of strongly written, intelligent mysteries drawn from the headlines will be pleased to find that she remains hard at work. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


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
"Conspiracy Theory is fast-paced and brilliantly plotted...This is a mystery thaat readers will thoroughly enjoy."


Review
"Conspiracy Theory is fast-paced and brilliantly plotted...This is a mystery thaat readers will thoroughly enjoy."


Book Description
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.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"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 story, however, is overshadowed by another event across town, where 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 the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit and a longtime resident of Cavanaugh Street, is soon enmeshed in both cases. Possibly linked to the Ross murder is the never-seen conspiracy theorist Michael Harridan, who in his literature has claimed that Ross was a member of a dangerous secret ruling elite, the Illuminati. Linked to the church bombing are 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.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Out of today's headlines, the prolific Haddam-this is number 19 in the Gregor Demarkian series (after 2002's Somebody Else's Music)-has fashioned a tale that should be stronger than it is. In addition to a conspiracy cult and hints of domestic terrorism, we have multimillion-dollar corporate mismanagement, child prostitution and the rich vs. poor debate, all presented in longwinded, heavy-handed rhetoric that nearly swamps the mystery. Pity, for the core story is a dandy. One winter night in Philadelphia, two terrible things happen: Father Tibor Kasparian is injured in the bombing of an Armenian church and a prominent businessman is assassinated on his front steps in the midst of a big party. Are the two crimes connected? And what does either have to do with the conspiracy group called America on Alert, whose hate-filled literature is swirling through the city? That's the challenge for Gregor Demarkian, retired head of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit, and resident of Cavanaugh Street, Philadelphia's Armenian-American neighborhood. The citizens of Cavanaugh are as wonderful as ever, but the other characters are such stereotypes they might have been e-mailed in from central casting: the Rich Bitch, the Heartless Capitalist, the Social Climber, the Lonely Spinster manipulated by the Charismatic Cult Leader. The best character is Cavanaugh Street itself, as much a living presence as any human. Spending time there is always a pleasure. Agent, Don Maass. (July 7) FYI: Haddam has been a finalist for both Anthony and Edgar awards. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews