Tony is hosting the Around the World Harvest Ball at his palatial estate in Merion County to raise money for charity. All those of prominence have promised to attend, including an appearance by the First Lady. Tony has arranged with a private security firm to patrol the grounds to assure the safety of the attendees and, of course, when the First Lady arrives Secret Service personnel will provide a heightened measure of safety. As the guests begin to arrive, Tony, on his way out the front door to greet them, is shot and killed. A short time later, on Cavanaugh Street, the Holy Trinity Armenian Christian Church, of which Father Tibor Kasparian is the spiritual head, blows up.

Because of the recent agitation in the media about the threat of the Illuminati, the death and bombing are suspected by some to be the work of America on Alert, a group of concerned citizens that are worried about the assumed presence of the Illuminati. Gregor Demarkian, ex-FBI agent and good friend and Cavanaugh Street neighbor of Father Kasparian, is not so sure the recent events can be attributed to the Illuminati. Demarkian tracks down John Jackman, the chief detective assigned to the case and a good personal friend, at the Ararat, a local neighborhood dining spot. He offers his expertise on conspiracy groups in return for more detailed information , believing between the two of them, they can solve the case.

Conspiracy Theory is the latest in a long list of mysteries which feature Gregor Demarkian as the main protagonist. Ms. Haddam does not lack for realistic situations in which she places Gregor and lets him puzzle his way out. In fact, since her sleuth is no longer required to solve crimes within a holiday theme, the quality of his detective work has improved. Demarkian is a cerebral detective who collects clues, makes lists, diagrams, and forms deductions based on his data. Anyone who has not already made his acquaintance is in for a treat.

While the plot is reasonably complex and tight enough to stand on its own merit, Ms. Haddam shows a deft hand at character development. From the society matrons of Philadelphia's Main Line to the descendants of Armenian immigrants that reside on Cavanaugh Street, the author describes interesting, believable human beings. Obviously we learn more about Gregor and those born with a silver spoon in their mouths, but the minor characters ring true as well.

The main subject of conspiracies and terrorist organizations provides a forum for the author to express some interesting opinions through the thoughts of her characters. One poor, misguided soul believes that the World Trade Center bombings were "for show" since the buildings remained standing for some time after the initial impact. Questionable reasoning, knowing the dynamics of what caused the buildings collapse, but great insight into the mind of the character.

Fair warning is given for those readers who like to guess the perpetrator before the sleuth reveals all. Information is given which will prompt an astute reader to eliminate the killer from his list of possibilities. Saying more will ruin an essentially good tale, but Ms. Haddam, in my opinion, unfairly misleads the armchair detective. I had the culprit chosen for the correct reason, but contradictory information forced me to discard said perpetrator, only to later discover I had chosen the correct individual. Nonetheless, Conspiracy Theory is a challenging, mentally stimulating mystery.

--Andy Plonka