What do you think?
Rate this book
Gregor Demarkian #24
Living Witness
In her 91 years, Ann-Victoria Hadley has often been the most hated person in Snow Hill, Pennsylvania. But now, it’s worse than ever. After a new school board inserted “intelligent design” into the curriculum, they were sued by a coalition including Hadley, the one member of the board who wouldn’t go along with the rest. With the trial about to start and the town a national laughing stock, Annie-Vic is found clubbed into unconsciousness and not expected to survive. The local police chief, one of the school board members, can’t investigate it himself and doesn’t trust the state police. So he brings in Gregor Demarkian. Gregor Demarkian, former FBI agent, is happy to help—his wedding is coming up and he’s desperate for a bit of time away from his too-involved neighbors on Cavanaugh Street in Philadelphia. Even if it is to investigate a brutal crime in a powder-keg of a small town.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2009
8 people are currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Jane Haddam
55 books132 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
April 20, 2019
Living Witness (Gregor Demarkian, #24) by Jane Haddam.
Ann Victoria Hadley is making the rounds on her daily constitutional. She's walking around town at a brisk pace for people younger than her. Annie-Vic being a spry 91 year old. She may be taking her daily exercise alone but she's far from being unnoticed. It appears almost everyone in the small rural town of Snow Hill, Pennsylvania has their eyes on her. Annie-Vic is currently on the school board which is being sued by quite a number of Snow Hill's population including herself. It all began when Intelligent Design was inserted in the school curriculum.
Now the town is divided between those who accept creationism and those who accept evolution. The saying never the twain shall meet best describes the small town of Snow Hill. Bad feelings everywhere and then Annie-Vic is clubbed to near death inside her home. Gary Albright, the town's Chief of Police, contacts Demarkian to intervine in this case. Gary is a likable fellow who lost his leg due to a strange turn of events and his own personal choice. Gregor and Gary get along quite well from the start. Demarkian soon starts to uncover what lies beneath this attack on Annie-Vic.
This book starts out with a detailed description of the main characters and how they interact(if they do) with each other. Every book I've read so far in this series starts out with that info. It is tedious but necessary to get to the feelings each one holds towards the others. The main reason I continue to read this series is Gregor Demarkina himself. He's methodical; never reaching an obvious conclusion as most do. In the end we find the answer points to someone who has nothing whatsoever to do with the town's out of control conflict on creationism.
Ann Victoria Hadley is making the rounds on her daily constitutional. She's walking around town at a brisk pace for people younger than her. Annie-Vic being a spry 91 year old. She may be taking her daily exercise alone but she's far from being unnoticed. It appears almost everyone in the small rural town of Snow Hill, Pennsylvania has their eyes on her. Annie-Vic is currently on the school board which is being sued by quite a number of Snow Hill's population including herself. It all began when Intelligent Design was inserted in the school curriculum.
Now the town is divided between those who accept creationism and those who accept evolution. The saying never the twain shall meet best describes the small town of Snow Hill. Bad feelings everywhere and then Annie-Vic is clubbed to near death inside her home. Gary Albright, the town's Chief of Police, contacts Demarkian to intervine in this case. Gary is a likable fellow who lost his leg due to a strange turn of events and his own personal choice. Gregor and Gary get along quite well from the start. Demarkian soon starts to uncover what lies beneath this attack on Annie-Vic.
This book starts out with a detailed description of the main characters and how they interact(if they do) with each other. Every book I've read so far in this series starts out with that info. It is tedious but necessary to get to the feelings each one holds towards the others. The main reason I continue to read this series is Gregor Demarkina himself. He's methodical; never reaching an obvious conclusion as most do. In the end we find the answer points to someone who has nothing whatsoever to do with the town's out of control conflict on creationism.
October 19, 2015
Jane Haddam's stories featuring Gregor Demarkian add to their plots serious political and cultural issues. Living Witness brings out different opinions on the "right" road relative to these topics. Living Witness focuses on religion, and religion in a small and insular town having to face change from all sides. What is that saying about never discuss politics or religion if you don't want the conversation to tank? Oh Well....
No matter what the topic each person is entitled to their own viewpoint. As long as no one is injured and no crimes are committed. It is true that I am entitled to my opinion, but I am not entitled to dictate what yours should be.
This book zooms in on the perception that anyone disagreeing with what one group of people consider to be Christian beliefs and practices is going to rot in Hell. And of course they are not good Christians, but automatically "Secular Humanists." Which in this story seems to refer to atheists.
Adding or subtracting curriculum that deals with evolution and what some say are Christian beliefs causes anger and violence. Jane Haddam is putting real life forward into her novel. Especially at the time she wrote this, the topic of what to allow to be taught in schools, and also what books could be in schools and libraries, was right on the forefront. In fact this small town is in such bad shape they don't even have a library or access to one. Those children who want to read need to be dogged in their pursuit, or they are out of luck.
What is unfortunate is the portrayal of those that have more right leaning Christian beliefs as ignorant and uneducated "hillbillies." Individuals have different beliefs. Education may shape these beliefs, but many are based on faith. But no matter, each person is entitled (and so on).
The story makes clear what can happen when people feel they can and should impose their beliefs and viewpoints on others. And in this book at least, what can happen when parents fail to comprehend and to teach their children the importance of education. Education is key to our future and the future of our children. The danger is that many of these small town people have struggled in school and are angry with those who do well and have or intend to extend their education. They are not Christians and are uppity.
For this particular area, add to the mix that their lives are in upheaval. They battle with "outsiders" who have taken high-tech jobs and want changes to be made, and their comfort zone (no changes).
Of course Gregor Demarkian shakes things up as usual. And he is also undergoing some shaking up as he is finally marrying Bennis. The parallel is made between this small town and their demand for conformance to specific religious beliefs and the often endearing (and sometimes annoying and intrusive) women in his neighborhood and their demands on himself and Bennis.
Jane Haddam's books tell a story, but always bring up topics that require thought and focus.
No matter what the topic each person is entitled to their own viewpoint. As long as no one is injured and no crimes are committed. It is true that I am entitled to my opinion, but I am not entitled to dictate what yours should be.
This book zooms in on the perception that anyone disagreeing with what one group of people consider to be Christian beliefs and practices is going to rot in Hell. And of course they are not good Christians, but automatically "Secular Humanists." Which in this story seems to refer to atheists.
Adding or subtracting curriculum that deals with evolution and what some say are Christian beliefs causes anger and violence. Jane Haddam is putting real life forward into her novel. Especially at the time she wrote this, the topic of what to allow to be taught in schools, and also what books could be in schools and libraries, was right on the forefront. In fact this small town is in such bad shape they don't even have a library or access to one. Those children who want to read need to be dogged in their pursuit, or they are out of luck.
What is unfortunate is the portrayal of those that have more right leaning Christian beliefs as ignorant and uneducated "hillbillies." Individuals have different beliefs. Education may shape these beliefs, but many are based on faith. But no matter, each person is entitled (and so on).
The story makes clear what can happen when people feel they can and should impose their beliefs and viewpoints on others. And in this book at least, what can happen when parents fail to comprehend and to teach their children the importance of education. Education is key to our future and the future of our children. The danger is that many of these small town people have struggled in school and are angry with those who do well and have or intend to extend their education. They are not Christians and are uppity.
For this particular area, add to the mix that their lives are in upheaval. They battle with "outsiders" who have taken high-tech jobs and want changes to be made, and their comfort zone (no changes).
Of course Gregor Demarkian shakes things up as usual. And he is also undergoing some shaking up as he is finally marrying Bennis. The parallel is made between this small town and their demand for conformance to specific religious beliefs and the often endearing (and sometimes annoying and intrusive) women in his neighborhood and their demands on himself and Bennis.
Jane Haddam's books tell a story, but always bring up topics that require thought and focus.
March 4, 2021
This is the first I've read of this series, so I've started in the middle, but really enjoyed the characters and setting. I wish I had started it from the beginning, but would recommend it for readers who want to enjoy a long, well developed series.
May 4, 2010
First Sentence: If Ann-Victoria Hadley had been forced to tell the truth—and she never had to be forced; she always told the truth—she would have to admit this was not the first time she had been the most hated person in Snow Hill, Pennsylvania.
An attack on elderly, yet indomitable, Ann-Victoria Hadley summons ex-FBI agent Gregor Demarkian from Philadelphia to the small town of Snow Hill, PA. Ms. Hadley, now in a coma, was part of a law suit against bringing “intelligent design” into the school’s curriculum. Because the chief of police is a Fundamentalist Christian, he doesn’t feel it would be right to lead the investigation. A second attack results in murder and increasing tension across the various factions in the town.
Any book which deals with differing religious views can be both interesting to read and challenging to review. Ms. Haddam does include characters who fall within several camps; evangelicals, fundamentalists, Christians, secular humanists and atheists. She also raises issues of snobbery, peer pressure, ignorance and education. I appreciated reading Ms. Haddam’s views on each of these topics and felt she did a very good job integrating them into the plot For the most part, they were presented without blatant bias against the beliefs but rather against the individual character.
This was the first Haddam book I’ve read but was pleased to find, as far as knowing the primary characters, it didn’t matter. Enough back story was provided for Demarkian and his fiancée that I was very comfortable and didn’t feel anything was missing. As to the other characters, I should like to have seen a better balance.
Perhaps, however, it was only that those who are extreme in their views seem to predominate whatever environment they are in. However, there were some secondary characters I found fascinating but about whom I was left wanting to know more. I fault the author’s desire to focus on the attitudes and philosophies rather than the characters.
For all that, the basics of the plot were very good. There was a clever diversion and an unexpected motive. I was also surprised when I realized that, for the volume of text, the story encompassed only three days. However, there were times one lost the focus of the story for the viewpoints. I felt this was a shame as it diminished what could have been a very good book with stronger editing.
While I enjoyed the book, it didn’t make me want to seek out others in the series.
LIVING WITNESS (Unl. Invest-Gregor Demarkian-Pennsylvania-Cont) – G+
Haddam, Jane – 24th in series
Minotaur Books, ©2009, US Paperback – ISBN: 9780312372262
[image error]
An attack on elderly, yet indomitable, Ann-Victoria Hadley summons ex-FBI agent Gregor Demarkian from Philadelphia to the small town of Snow Hill, PA. Ms. Hadley, now in a coma, was part of a law suit against bringing “intelligent design” into the school’s curriculum. Because the chief of police is a Fundamentalist Christian, he doesn’t feel it would be right to lead the investigation. A second attack results in murder and increasing tension across the various factions in the town.
Any book which deals with differing religious views can be both interesting to read and challenging to review. Ms. Haddam does include characters who fall within several camps; evangelicals, fundamentalists, Christians, secular humanists and atheists. She also raises issues of snobbery, peer pressure, ignorance and education. I appreciated reading Ms. Haddam’s views on each of these topics and felt she did a very good job integrating them into the plot For the most part, they were presented without blatant bias against the beliefs but rather against the individual character.
This was the first Haddam book I’ve read but was pleased to find, as far as knowing the primary characters, it didn’t matter. Enough back story was provided for Demarkian and his fiancée that I was very comfortable and didn’t feel anything was missing. As to the other characters, I should like to have seen a better balance.
Perhaps, however, it was only that those who are extreme in their views seem to predominate whatever environment they are in. However, there were some secondary characters I found fascinating but about whom I was left wanting to know more. I fault the author’s desire to focus on the attitudes and philosophies rather than the characters.
For all that, the basics of the plot were very good. There was a clever diversion and an unexpected motive. I was also surprised when I realized that, for the volume of text, the story encompassed only three days. However, there were times one lost the focus of the story for the viewpoints. I felt this was a shame as it diminished what could have been a very good book with stronger editing.
While I enjoyed the book, it didn’t make me want to seek out others in the series.
LIVING WITNESS (Unl. Invest-Gregor Demarkian-Pennsylvania-Cont) – G+
Haddam, Jane – 24th in series
Minotaur Books, ©2009, US Paperback – ISBN: 9780312372262
[image error]
January 6, 2015
I like the protagonist Gregor Demarkian a good deal. He's an interesting former FBI agent who came up from his blue collar Philadelphia Armenian roots to become a police consultant called in by local police departments to help on difficult cases. The setting of the book is interesting--Appalachian Pennsylvania--and the context one I haven't seen in a police procedural: a crime centered on evolution and intelligent design and a local school board. However, Haddam's dialogue at times is repetitious and awkward. I don't think people would be discussing the details of intelligent design in the midst of murders. The local state police detective is a caricature--small man, bully, know-it-all, prejudiced (against "hillbillies" in this instance).
The book has some interest and is fairly well written. I may read more Haddam, though her style is a little clunky, though I must say that I enjoyed this book a lot more than my previous experience with Kathy Reichs. Haddam surpasses Reichs but cannot touch Ian Rankin.
The book has some interest and is fairly well written. I may read more Haddam, though her style is a little clunky, though I must say that I enjoyed this book a lot more than my previous experience with Kathy Reichs. Haddam surpasses Reichs but cannot touch Ian Rankin.
February 27, 2011
I love Haddam's stories! This one is about a 91 year old woman who sure doesn't act 91 and the town she's lived in all her life. She's suing the school board over "Intelligent Design" and she's attacked. There's a whole lot more going on - a very conservative religious school, lots of small town politics, and a huge surprise ending. I really enjoy how Gregor Demarkian's mind works as he figures things out. Twisted through all this info are tales of Gregor and Bennis' wedding plans.
July 10, 2010
Great mystery! The theme was creation vs evolution. I think both sides of the parties were overly done as being highly fanatical. Most people I know in each category don't fit those stereotypes. I also had a hard time figuring out the geography of Pa, being I know it pretty well! lol. But those things did not detract from a good mystery.
September 23, 2019
Liked it very much.
Poorly edited, incorrect grammer, spelling errors and a wrong name confusingly given for a character. Nonetheless a cracking good tale and characters that leap off the page.
Poorly edited, incorrect grammer, spelling errors and a wrong name confusingly given for a character. Nonetheless a cracking good tale and characters that leap off the page.
May 27, 2022
Interesting political perspectives kept me reading but I was stunned by the number of typos from such a major house.
May 19, 2020
I've read most of the Gregor Demarkian books in order but somehow this one escaped me until now. It's number 24 on the list of 29 at OrderofBooks.com. My edition is a paperback published in 2010; I don't know how I missed it but maybe I was going through a brief period of frugality.
What I especially like about a Jane Haddam book is that it is never just about the solving of a crime, usually murder. There's always something else going on, either in the background or on the side of the main story. Cavanagh Street, where Gregor lives, is almost a character in itself from the appearances of the Very Old Armenian Ladies, breakfast at the Ararat, and visits to Father Tibor in his room chockful up books, all of which are in some state of being read (sounds like my room). There is also the presence of Bennis Hannaford, Gregor's fiance, who is a very successful fantasy novelist who spends a good bit of time keeping Gregor balanced (he tends to revert to bachelor behavior patterns when he's left on his own for too long).
The background issue in this book is the argument between evolution and Intelligent Design (or Creationism). A federal lawsuit is pending in Snow Hill, Pennsylvania, where the school board wants to insert a notice in the biology books that not everybody believes in evolution. A group of citizens and parents sue the board to prevent it and the controversy divides the town into two camps. The fact that most of the Intelligent Design partisans are Christians of a fundamentalist bent who are long time residents of the town and most of the evolutionary faction are newcomers who live in a new development only exacerbates the tension. Then, a 90-year-old member of the school board, a plaintiff in the suit, is viciously attacked and lies in a coma. With no clues, the local police call in Gregor Demarkian. In a sense, this comes along at just the right time for him. He's a few weeks away from his wedding to Bennis which is turning into quite the production, especially given the interests of the Very Old Armenian Ladies who have decided ideas about what should happen. Gregor goes to Snow Hill and finds the little town overrun with television news vans ready to report on the trial for the lawsuit. At first, it seems like the attempted murder was a consequence of the division in town, a rabid creationist killing (attempting to kill) a secular humanist. But two more murders happen and Gregor figures out that there is more to the story.
The ending came as a bit of a surprise to me at first, but then I went back and found the clues that I had missed. It's all there, as long as you pay attention.
What I especially like about a Jane Haddam book is that it is never just about the solving of a crime, usually murder. There's always something else going on, either in the background or on the side of the main story. Cavanagh Street, where Gregor lives, is almost a character in itself from the appearances of the Very Old Armenian Ladies, breakfast at the Ararat, and visits to Father Tibor in his room chockful up books, all of which are in some state of being read (sounds like my room). There is also the presence of Bennis Hannaford, Gregor's fiance, who is a very successful fantasy novelist who spends a good bit of time keeping Gregor balanced (he tends to revert to bachelor behavior patterns when he's left on his own for too long).
The background issue in this book is the argument between evolution and Intelligent Design (or Creationism). A federal lawsuit is pending in Snow Hill, Pennsylvania, where the school board wants to insert a notice in the biology books that not everybody believes in evolution. A group of citizens and parents sue the board to prevent it and the controversy divides the town into two camps. The fact that most of the Intelligent Design partisans are Christians of a fundamentalist bent who are long time residents of the town and most of the evolutionary faction are newcomers who live in a new development only exacerbates the tension. Then, a 90-year-old member of the school board, a plaintiff in the suit, is viciously attacked and lies in a coma. With no clues, the local police call in Gregor Demarkian. In a sense, this comes along at just the right time for him. He's a few weeks away from his wedding to Bennis which is turning into quite the production, especially given the interests of the Very Old Armenian Ladies who have decided ideas about what should happen. Gregor goes to Snow Hill and finds the little town overrun with television news vans ready to report on the trial for the lawsuit. At first, it seems like the attempted murder was a consequence of the division in town, a rabid creationist killing (attempting to kill) a secular humanist. But two more murders happen and Gregor figures out that there is more to the story.
The ending came as a bit of a surprise to me at first, but then I went back and found the clues that I had missed. It's all there, as long as you pay attention.
June 12, 2020
Hoo boy, this was a doozy! Ironically, I was reading it at the same time as I was reading Alice Asks the Big Questions, which I started out hating (before I even read any of it) and ended up really liking a lot. Both books reference Christianity in interesting, sometimes radical and even clichéd ways, but that did not hamper my enjoyment. In Living Witness I was reminded of my childhood when the religion my family was involved in looked, and sounded, a lot like some of the characters in the book. Haddam almost and perhaps does, veer into caricature at times, but at least she does so as well with characters who are secular humanists. There are also a few nuanced characters on both sides of the town argument that is going on, as well as the ever wonderful and wise Gregor Demarkian.
May 1, 2018
This was the first book I'd read by this author; it might be the last. The first half of the book, or more, includes a lot of descriptions of characters' thoughts, but not a lot of physical description, making it difficult to keep the characters straight. Worse, the book was riddled with typos and other errors. That makes me crazy.
I haven't read any of the other reviews yet, but I'm sure some people will be up in arms about how most of the believers in evolution were intelligent and most of the Christians were stupid.
I haven't read any of the other reviews yet, but I'm sure some people will be up in arms about how most of the believers in evolution were intelligent and most of the Christians were stupid.
January 12, 2018
Either you believe in God, or you believe in evolution seems to be the premise of this Gregor Demarkian. At least that is what the "monkey trial" between the Snow Hill Board Of Education and the State of Pennsylvania, Or could the motive behind the lawsuit be something else? Trust Gregor Demarkian to solve the case and get to the true reason...Interesting read!
May 11, 2025
This writer has a way of expressing herself and this story that is timeless. This was written in 2008 but is so relevant today. I HIGHLY recommend this....it's more than a mystery....it's a book about the way a lot of people think, not an exaggeration...
September 28, 2025
I’ve enjoyed most of the books in this series, but this one just kept repeating the same things over and over. Very little plot, loads of very stupid people saying the same things over and over. My advice is to skip this one.
August 22, 2017
This is one of my favorite Demarkians, but I *still* could not figure out who the 'bad guy' could be [although as people killed off, I knew who it would NOT be]
March 16, 2017
I've not gotten into this book too far, and I'm worried that so far the town seems too polarized. The book begins with a woman in her 90's and everyone hates her - is there no one that admires her, respects her, loves her?
The other characterization that I don't like was the same in a previous Jane Haddam book - why are all characters that are religious also nuts? You can be a religious person without being a fanatic, yet when these books are set in small towns, everyone seems fanatical.
I sure hope this book proceeds to be enjoyable, intelligent and similar in tone to the earlier books in this series.
IT IMPROVED!
Although I found most characters that were portrayed as "nuts" were also religious, it wasn't true with all, and I enjoyed the tall character that ended up invited to the big event!
The other characterization that I don't like was the same in a previous Jane Haddam book - why are all characters that are religious also nuts? You can be a religious person without being a fanatic, yet when these books are set in small towns, everyone seems fanatical.
I sure hope this book proceeds to be enjoyable, intelligent and similar in tone to the earlier books in this series.
IT IMPROVED!
Although I found most characters that were portrayed as "nuts" were also religious, it wasn't true with all, and I enjoyed the tall character that ended up invited to the big event!
June 10, 2009
I like Jane Haddam's Gregor Demarkian series, although it's slightly different than what I typically read in the mystery/thriller genre. I tend more towards cop books & forenisc books with the occasional political or legal thriller thrown in for good measure. Haddam's books are more closely related to Miss Marple - no, they're not British nor are they typically set in a small town, but in their own way they nicely fit the small village murder model. At least in my mind.
These books always make me think of the first couple of years we lived in Atlanta & our first apartment there in Virginia Highlands. There were a number of downsides to living there (too many bars right around the corner lead to drunk people in your yard at all hours of the day & night), but there were a couple of really good thing. One was the gelato place right down the street & around the corner. The other was the used bookstore, Atlanta Book Exchange, that was a bit further past the gelato shop & across the street. Atlanta Book Exchange fits my model for a good used bookstore - there are cats, the folks manning the "counter" are obviously avid readers & have worked there forever, there's a sense of organization that is transparent only to someone who works there, it smells slightly funky, & it's packed to the rafters with books. I first found Haddam's books there when I went in to trade some stuff I'd finished & find something new to read.
Her books frequently deal with some issue, but they are more wonderful in the way they deal with her main character, Gregor Demarkian, the Armenian former FBI guy & his foibles. Mr. Demarkian lives in a wonderfully real & whacky Armenian neighborhood in Philadelphia peopled by completely original & memorable characters who I absolutely fell in love with upon first reading.
& that, I think, is the problem with this particular book - it's taken Mr. Demarkian to small-town Pennsylvania & that's just not as compelling for me. I've read a number of reviews that complain about the two-dimensionality of the religious characters in this book about a fight over teaching Intelligent Design in the schools, but I'm going to have to disagree with them. Yes, many of the pro-Intelligent Design characters are pretty two-dimensional, but no more so than the pro-evolution characters. & that, I think, is another problem with this book. At some point most of these characters became straw figures in an elaborate argument & they stopped being people. Even more frustrating is the fact that there are a number of wonderful & complex characters in this book who get short shrift in favor of the argument.
Despite these shortfalls Haddam does write well & plot well & she manages to keep me wondering who did it so even a less successful book of hers is still entertaining. I'm looking forward to her next book & to getting back to the neighborhood - I want to know how everybody's doing!
These books always make me think of the first couple of years we lived in Atlanta & our first apartment there in Virginia Highlands. There were a number of downsides to living there (too many bars right around the corner lead to drunk people in your yard at all hours of the day & night), but there were a couple of really good thing. One was the gelato place right down the street & around the corner. The other was the used bookstore, Atlanta Book Exchange, that was a bit further past the gelato shop & across the street. Atlanta Book Exchange fits my model for a good used bookstore - there are cats, the folks manning the "counter" are obviously avid readers & have worked there forever, there's a sense of organization that is transparent only to someone who works there, it smells slightly funky, & it's packed to the rafters with books. I first found Haddam's books there when I went in to trade some stuff I'd finished & find something new to read.
Her books frequently deal with some issue, but they are more wonderful in the way they deal with her main character, Gregor Demarkian, the Armenian former FBI guy & his foibles. Mr. Demarkian lives in a wonderfully real & whacky Armenian neighborhood in Philadelphia peopled by completely original & memorable characters who I absolutely fell in love with upon first reading.
& that, I think, is the problem with this particular book - it's taken Mr. Demarkian to small-town Pennsylvania & that's just not as compelling for me. I've read a number of reviews that complain about the two-dimensionality of the religious characters in this book about a fight over teaching Intelligent Design in the schools, but I'm going to have to disagree with them. Yes, many of the pro-Intelligent Design characters are pretty two-dimensional, but no more so than the pro-evolution characters. & that, I think, is another problem with this book. At some point most of these characters became straw figures in an elaborate argument & they stopped being people. Even more frustrating is the fact that there are a number of wonderful & complex characters in this book who get short shrift in favor of the argument.
Despite these shortfalls Haddam does write well & plot well & she manages to keep me wondering who did it so even a less successful book of hers is still entertaining. I'm looking forward to her next book & to getting back to the neighborhood - I want to know how everybody's doing!
September 7, 2009
I read close to half this book thinking it would get better, but I finally gave up. The characters in this book don't ring true. It is hard to believe that even stupid people in a small town who follow a fundamentalist religion would think much about what college a woman in her 90's attended and obsess on how "she thinks she'd better than us." Even if a latter day Scopes Trial is the biggest news in town, people think and talk about other things. In my experience very religious people in small towns in have no thought about what college I attended. To the extent they think about me at all, they believe I am ignorant in the Ways of the Lord and its too bad that I'm going to hell.
I also read the last two chapters so can say there appear to be the usual twists and surprises that help make a good mystery.
I also read the last two chapters so can say there appear to be the usual twists and surprises that help make a good mystery.
September 10, 2012
Snow Hill is the kind of town where a member of the School Board can follow someone down the street yelling, "You're going to Hell!" What's more, still be considered a good Christian. So when the person who was being yelled at gets home to her supposedly-empty house and is battered into a coma, the lines are drawn. On one side are the Fundamentalists, and on the other side are the "atheists," meaning any non-Fundamentalist. There are a few nice people in the town, and because of them - and to escape the preparations for his wedding - Gregor Demarkian is drawn into the war zone.
In Haddam's books that center around fundamentalist Christianity, her satire turns bitter. The mystery and the depth of viewpoint that she gives each of his characters remain good. Still, because of the bitterness, I think one reading of LIVING WITNESS will be enough for me.
In Haddam's books that center around fundamentalist Christianity, her satire turns bitter. The mystery and the depth of viewpoint that she gives each of his characters remain good. Still, because of the bitterness, I think one reading of LIVING WITNESS will be enough for me.
May 1, 2009
When Annie-Vic Hadley, the 90 + member of the Snow Hill, PA school board, is attacked and left for dead, the local police chief, also on the school board, is afraid that he and the other members who opposed Annie-Vic on the creationism-evolution controversy will be suspects. He gets Gregor Demarkian to help--Demarkian, who is to be married in a few weeks, is glad to flee the wedding preparations. Both sides in the controversy are sure that the other is at fault. Only a few people, like a fundamentalist local minister and the high school principal, are looking at things rationally. Demarkian hates small-town life and has little sympathy with many of the people, but he's able to cut through the controversy and find a motive for what's turned into more than one murder.
March 4, 2012
The various viewpoints on evolution and of religion in schools seemed to be realistic. I think I really liked Nick Frapp's veiws the best, probably because I believe you need to see all sides, whether it is religion or evolution, for the truth of the subject to become evident to you. Each person will have their own truth, but it would be based on a variety of information and views on the subject. I disliked the characters of Henry Wackford (atheist), and Alice McGruffie (Fundamentalist)...not so much in what their personal beliefs, but in their total dislike of anyone who didn't share their beliefs...both were very short sighted.
January 13, 2013
This was the first book I read by this author, and I very much respect her for choosing such an interesting setting for a mystery. The plot revolves around an attempted murder of an iconoclastic older woman who lives in a rural American community dominated by born-again Christians who are deeply divided about whether to include creationism/scientific design in the local high school curricula. Haddam provides a very nuanced portrayal of the different faith issues involved. I have since read one or two of her other books and didn't enjoy them as much. I think this may be by far her most cerebral book.
May 24, 2009
I like Jane Haddam a lot, mainly because of her series characters, Gregor Demarkian and Bennis Hannaford. This one is a good mystery with an interesting twist or two at the end, and with many long discussions of the evolution/intelligent design debate in the middle. She is pretty fair in presenting the different sides - some of the evolutionists are jerks, some are reasonable and earnest people. And there are both varieties among the Christians as well. In the end, though, there was a bit more information-dumping than necessary, to make sure all the points were discussed.
January 30, 2011
This was the fist (and only) book of Jane Haddam's that I've read. I generally don't jump into the middle of a series, but the subject matter (teaching of evolution vs. creationism) interested me so I read it. Unfortunately I didn't get much from the book. The characters seem to trot out the same tired arguments we hear on the subjects, without adding anything new to the equation. The mystery itself was interesting, but felt like it was wrapped up almost as an afterthought. I don't expect to continue reading this series of books.
November 11, 2009
Gregor Demarkian is only to happy to help determine who viciously beat a 91 yr old school board member in Snow Hill, Pa. The ladies on Cavanaugh Street or all busy helping Bennis plan there up coming wedding and Gregor is in the way! Of course the plot is thick with an ongoing fight over Intelligent Design vs the teaching of evolution in the Snow Hill HS so there are lots of suspects and red herrings. Another erudite outing by the former FBI agent turned PI.
May 3, 2010
Having heard lots good about this series, I wanted to like this book. At first, the premise sounded interesting. A murder amidst the heated debate between ardent evolutionists and those favoring a theory of "intelligent design" had many possiblities, howvever the author descended into numerous extremist rants and presented obnoxious characatures on both sides. Finding nothing and no one worthy, I just gave it up.
March 6, 2011
I was disappointed that Haddam used this book for a rant against creationism and for the scientific acceptance of evolution. The book was presented as a mystery but the mystery was so thin as to be nonexistent only serving as the backdrop for the author to harangue the reader. My views on the evolution/creationism debate aside, I felt the book was misrepresented. Since this was the frst book I have read by Haddam, I must admit I am a little reluctant to read another.
January 29, 2011
I have liked this series for a long time, but the last two have been wordy - lots of exposition and author philosophy coming through. It makes for slow going. This book, set in a small town in Pennsylvania and centering around a controversy about teaching evolution in the local school, picked up as it went along. I will definitely read more of Jane Haddam's books - she's a good writer - but I wouldnn't mind reading a new series.
June 7, 2009
This is the most recent of the many books in the Gregor Demarkian series. There are elements of the story -- the parts about Demarkian's personal life -- that are probably best appreciated if you've been following the series over the years, but the core story is a good one, and I did not see the solution to the mystery coming at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews