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Gregor Demarkian #6
Feast of Murder
After a financial mogul’s murder, Demarkian takes a colonial cruiseOnce one of Wall Street’s most powerful forces, Donald McAdam’s life changed when he found himself in a tight spot with the SEC. Either give up everything, they told him, or inform on your friends. Never one for loyalty, McAdam chose the wire, and sent half the stockbrokers in New York to prison. Now he’s filthy rich, isolated, and so paranoid that he buys his cocaine laced with strychnine, in hopes of building up a tolerance for the poison. His caution doesn’t help him, however, when he tumbles off his high-rise balcony and falls headfirst back down to Wall Street.Soon afterward, one of the men McAdam put away invites ex–FBI investigator Gregor Demarkian on a very peculiar cruise—onboard a cramped precise replica of the Mayflower. But when the behavior of the passengers proves rather un-Puritan, Demarkian discovers something that would have shocked a New World murder.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1992
32 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Jane Haddam
55 books133 followersAka Orania Papazoglou
Jane Haddam (b. 1951) is an American author of mysteries. Born Orania Papazoglou, she worked as a college professor and magazine editor before publishing her Edgar Award–nominated first novel, Sweet, Savage Death, in 1984. This mystery introduced Patience McKenna, a sleuthing scribe who would go on to appear in four more books, including Wicked, Loving Murder (1985) and Rich, Radiant Slaughter (1988).
Not a Creature Was Stirring (1990) introduced Haddam’s best-known character, former FBI agent Gregor Demarkian. The series spans more than twenty novels, many of them holiday-themed, including Murder Superior (1993), Fountain of Death (1995), and Wanting Sheila Dead (2005). Haddam’s most recent novels are Blood in the Water (2012) and Hearts of Sand (2013). Wife of William L DeAndrea.
Jane Haddam (b. 1951) is an American author of mysteries. Born Orania Papazoglou, she worked as a college professor and magazine editor before publishing her Edgar Award–nominated first novel, Sweet, Savage Death, in 1984. This mystery introduced Patience McKenna, a sleuthing scribe who would go on to appear in four more books, including Wicked, Loving Murder (1985) and Rich, Radiant Slaughter (1988).
Not a Creature Was Stirring (1990) introduced Haddam’s best-known character, former FBI agent Gregor Demarkian. The series spans more than twenty novels, many of them holiday-themed, including Murder Superior (1993), Fountain of Death (1995), and Wanting Sheila Dead (2005). Haddam’s most recent novels are Blood in the Water (2012) and Hearts of Sand (2013). Wife of William L DeAndrea.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 1, 2021
This is the sixth in the Gregor Demarkian series, which has to be one of my favourite mystery series of all time.
Gregor and Bennis are invited on a trip, on a replica of the Mayflower, by Jonathan Edgewick Baird. The fact that Baird is in prison for insider trading at the time doesn't seem to bother him much and he spends much of his time running his business from his cell. The fact that his company officers are in the World Trade Center brings the reader up a little short, but this was published in 1992... Baird was carrying out a deal with Donald McAdam, who had done a deal which sent many of his former colleagues and associates to jail and so was, understandably, unpopular. His death, shortly before Baird's release from prison, was put down to his penchant for using strychnine in his cocaine, for a little extra hit.
Once on board ship, Gregor is bemused by why he has been invited, when so many of those on the ship seem to resent him. There is Baird, his first wife, his second, trophy, wife, his son from his first marriage, his brother, some work colleagues and other relatives. All of them hating the ship, the lack of plumbing and each other. I really enjoyed this mystery and the characters; including first wife, Fritzie, with her eating disorders, Julie Anderwahl, pregnant and longing to leave her non-stop career, Julie's husband, Mark, who finally stepped up and did what was right and the other, assorted suspects.
Much of the joy of this series are the characters. Gregor and Bennis, even removed from their Armenian neighbourhood, still seem to be looking over their shoulder, at how they are judged by their neighbours and I was delighted when they made it home to finally celebrate Thanksgiving. Looking forward to reading on and re-visiting the rest of the books in this series.
Gregor and Bennis are invited on a trip, on a replica of the Mayflower, by Jonathan Edgewick Baird. The fact that Baird is in prison for insider trading at the time doesn't seem to bother him much and he spends much of his time running his business from his cell. The fact that his company officers are in the World Trade Center brings the reader up a little short, but this was published in 1992... Baird was carrying out a deal with Donald McAdam, who had done a deal which sent many of his former colleagues and associates to jail and so was, understandably, unpopular. His death, shortly before Baird's release from prison, was put down to his penchant for using strychnine in his cocaine, for a little extra hit.
Once on board ship, Gregor is bemused by why he has been invited, when so many of those on the ship seem to resent him. There is Baird, his first wife, his second, trophy, wife, his son from his first marriage, his brother, some work colleagues and other relatives. All of them hating the ship, the lack of plumbing and each other. I really enjoyed this mystery and the characters; including first wife, Fritzie, with her eating disorders, Julie Anderwahl, pregnant and longing to leave her non-stop career, Julie's husband, Mark, who finally stepped up and did what was right and the other, assorted suspects.
Much of the joy of this series are the characters. Gregor and Bennis, even removed from their Armenian neighbourhood, still seem to be looking over their shoulder, at how they are judged by their neighbours and I was delighted when they made it home to finally celebrate Thanksgiving. Looking forward to reading on and re-visiting the rest of the books in this series.
November 20, 2021
Gregor has been invited to spend thanksgiving on a replica of the Mayflower. He’s not sure why until he’s aboard and someone makes a splash. Hard to follow at times and the junk bonds and finance was too much.
November 21, 2024
I liked the mystery part, but the junk bond information went right over my head
I liked the Armenian refugees. I didn't like the WASP snobs on the boat. I wanted to sit Fritzy down and feed her a decent meal.
Reread it on 11/19/16. Might give it half a star more. It really does feel a bit like a Hercule Poirot solution.
10/20/21 Reread and still found it missing something, even knowing who the murderer was and why Demarkian was invited along, it still felt strange.
11/21/24 Seemed like an appropriate reread for this time of year. Gregor is invited along on a replica of the Mayflower to duplicate the Pilgrim's experience over Thanksgiving. It's some rich man's hobby boat (or obsession) although the man doesn't always hold to authenticity. The rich man thinks having Gregor aboard will make it obvious no murder was committed. It's convoluted, and kinda dumb, in a clever way. It's what happens when people think they're smarter than everyone else. NOT my favorite of this series, but I still keep goiong back and reading it. Maybe I hope it'll make sense?
I liked the Armenian refugees. I didn't like the WASP snobs on the boat. I wanted to sit Fritzy down and feed her a decent meal.
Reread it on 11/19/16. Might give it half a star more. It really does feel a bit like a Hercule Poirot solution.
10/20/21 Reread and still found it missing something, even knowing who the murderer was and why Demarkian was invited along, it still felt strange.
11/21/24 Seemed like an appropriate reread for this time of year. Gregor is invited along on a replica of the Mayflower to duplicate the Pilgrim's experience over Thanksgiving. It's some rich man's hobby boat (or obsession) although the man doesn't always hold to authenticity. The rich man thinks having Gregor aboard will make it obvious no murder was committed. It's convoluted, and kinda dumb, in a clever way. It's what happens when people think they're smarter than everyone else. NOT my favorite of this series, but I still keep goiong back and reading it. Maybe I hope it'll make sense?
April 21, 2013
Another enjoyable Gregor Demarkian mystery, this one set on the high seas. Gregor brings along his friend Bennis Hannaford with him as he tries to solve the murder of one of the passengers and to relate it to a previous murder. High finances also involved, this is an entertaining mystery. I do enjoy the development of the friendship between Gregor and Bennis.. will they or won't they and I like his intuitive ability to solve the crime. It's not the most complex mystery but enjoyable.
August 14, 2017
Another Demarkian Mystery Hit
Gregor Demarkian does it again! This is another great read in this series...I was not sure who the killer was until almost the very end!
Gregor Demarkian does it again! This is another great read in this series...I was not sure who the killer was until almost the very end!
October 6, 2022
I am especially drawn to this series by the main characters. I may be wrong, but I believe Gregor Demarkian is the only Armenian former FBI dagent in the mystery genre. I also love his eccentric associates Bennis Hannaford and Father Tibor Kasparian. This storyline diverges from Gregor's normal setting and borrows from the old tradition of an isolated group of characters with a murderer in their midst. I always like this style because you know all the potential killers and there is only one setting. All the factors and clues are there so you should be able to figure out whodunit... Kristi & Abby Tabby
February 19, 2022
I had never read this one, either, so I'm glad I'm going back and reading the ones I missed. This one was very clever but a bit annoying. I'm realizing that reading a bunch of these books in a row points out the many repetitions within and between books. How often does anyone recognize a consultant to the police? People are always recognizing the main character as though he's Elvis or something.
Anyone, this one was a bit contrived but ingenious. I'll keep reading!
Anyone, this one was a bit contrived but ingenious. I'll keep reading!
November 27, 2022
Former FBI agent, Armenian Gregor Demarkian and his “pal” Bennis are invited to sail aboard a replica of the Mayflower for Thanksgiving. This right here intrigued me so I picked up the book. Some may find the high finances confusing but it did not prevent me from enjoying the book, along with the relationship between Gregor and Bennis and the other regular characters. I am new to this series and I will be back for more!
April 4, 2020
The best part of Demarkian Book #6 Feast of Murder was the replica of the Mayflower Demarkian gets stuck on. The murder & the rest were mildly clever, but Grisham could have done better. I think I will come back to this series after a break!
June 6, 2015
I had trouble staying focused in this book. I don't know if that was the story line -which seemed to drag on forever, at least as long as the original voyage of the Mayflower- or because it concerned things financial, which I avoid at all costs. I was glad to get to the denouement and be confirmed in my own deductions.
September 7, 2010
For the full review (and to learn about the ancient art of bundling), visit the link at That's What She Read.
July 2, 2015
For some reason I like this series..
It's a good comfortable read. The characters are well defined, the plots are believable. Gregor, halfway through each book declares he knows who the dastardly murderer is and just needs a bit more proof, making me feel quite inadequate as a PD.
It's a good comfortable read. The characters are well defined, the plots are believable. Gregor, halfway through each book declares he knows who the dastardly murderer is and just needs a bit more proof, making me feel quite inadequate as a PD.
November 28, 2015
Intriguing concept, but mystery didn't really get rolling until halfway through the book when the main characters board the Mayflower replica. So a slow beginning to set up motives, with the pace picking up in second half. Good resolution.
March 31, 2011
High finance and high seas
Read
September 2, 2013"Thanksgiving"
November 17, 2015
I like the Demarkian books a lot but this one didn't work for me. Maybe it was the generally unsympathetic characters or the lack of most of the usual crowd but I found it hard to get into the story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews