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Repairman Jack #3
Conspiracies
Don't bother calling Repairman Jack if your washing machine is busted. Jack is a fixer of a different nature: he investigates crimes that go beyond the norms of traditional law. In 1984's The Tomb, Jack tracked down a prized (and cursed) family heirloom; in 1998's Legacies, he sniffed out the sinister secret behind a man's last will and testament. The enigmatic sleuth makes his third appearance in Conspiracies. "I don't do missing wives," Jack protests at first, but the bizarre circumstances surrounding Melanie Ehler's disappearance convince him to help out the woman's distraught husband.
Melanie is a leading voice in the conspiracy-theory movement, a true believer that crop circles, UFOs, and even El Niño are all part of the same vast plot against humankind. She dubs this her "Grand Unification Theory," or GUT. One week before announcing the GUT theory to the world, Melanie vanishes and Jack is plunged deep into her weird world as he attends the conference where Melanie was due to speak. Jack is initially amused by the eccentricities of the alien abductees and Satanic cult survivors Melanie counted among her colleagues; but an apparently supernatural force, a murder, a disappearing corpse, and a creature straight from the bowels of hell put his skepticism to the test.
Conspiracies is another tightly plotted thriller from F. Paul Wilson, tinged with enough horror and supernatural suspense to please both mystery lovers and horror hounds. Repairman Jack reigns as one of the most alluring and mysterious private investigators in the business. --Naomi Gesinger
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 11hrs. and 25mins.
©2013 F. Paul Wilson (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
Audible Audio
First published June 1, 2000
154 people are currently reading
1169 people want to read
About the author
F. Paul Wilson
374 books2,013 followersFrancis Paul Wilson is an author, born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He writes novels and short stories primarily in the science fiction and horror genres. His debut novel was Healer (1976). Wilson is also a part-time practicing family physician. He made his first sales in 1970 to Analog and continued to write science fiction throughout the seventies. In 1981 he ventured into the horror genre with the international bestseller, The Keep, and helped define the field throughout the rest of the decade. In the 1990s he became a true genre hopper, moving from science fiction to horror to medical thrillers and branching into interactive scripting for Disney Interactive and other multimedia companies. He, along with Matthew J. Costello, created and scripted FTL Newsfeed which ran daily on the Sci-Fi Channel from 1992-1996.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/fpaulw...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
July 22, 2015
A dream, or real? And where did it come from?
The third Repairman Jack novel, and again it’s nothing like the previous two. Conspiracies is the weirdest so far; it deals with the sort of fringe – or pseudo-science horror also found in novels like The Bad Place… but with a pulpy charm and an endearing vigilante protagonist that just about makes it irresistible.
Jack felt a raw uneasiness wriggling through his gut, a vague awareness that he was riding toward big trouble.
As I’ve mentioned in reviews before, this kind of thing can be hit or miss, but F. Paul Wilson seems to be playing by his own rules with the Repairman Jack novels. You see, despite being macabre and dealing with horror themes, these books are actually an immense amount of fun to read. They’re also not same-y. That’s to say, each story is clearly definable and unique, despite forming part of a series. This particular book does suffer from coming dangerously close to being hokey, but the author seems well aware of the limitations of the subject matter and manages to steer well clear of pitfalls (for the most part).
He is not alone in the room.
The one consistent thing is that these novels are exceptionally well paced. Like it’s predecessors, Conspiracies just kind of reads itself. Efficient and effective, you have to love that in a book.
We can sense the Otherness on the far side of the door, we can smell its hunger.
This is also the novel that introduces the concept of the Otherness. I’m assuming this is what ties the series together, but since I’ve only read three Repairman Jack novels I can’t say for sure. It does link Conspiracies back to both The Tomb and Legacies. Just how this concept plays out going forward, I’ll have to wait and see. In the end, it’s a labyrinth of tantalizing what-ifs and could-it-be’s. Needless to say, I have already ordered the next three books…
The wonder is gone, leaving only the terror.
Whether you’re shelving these as supernatural thrillers or horror novels, they certainly do pack a fair amount of scares. Since we’re dealing with a series I suppose the edge is slightly blunted since the reader is somewhat assured in the fact that the protagonist will “live to fight another day”, so to speak. However, things do get somewhat eerie, and the cheesy-but-apocalyptic OTT finale was palm-drenchingly tense. Holy catspats!
[He] lay in the dark, trembling, staring at the shadows on the ceiling, afraid to go back to sleep.
The third Repairman Jack novel, and again it’s nothing like the previous two. Conspiracies is the weirdest so far; it deals with the sort of fringe – or pseudo-science horror also found in novels like The Bad Place… but with a pulpy charm and an endearing vigilante protagonist that just about makes it irresistible.
Jack felt a raw uneasiness wriggling through his gut, a vague awareness that he was riding toward big trouble.
As I’ve mentioned in reviews before, this kind of thing can be hit or miss, but F. Paul Wilson seems to be playing by his own rules with the Repairman Jack novels. You see, despite being macabre and dealing with horror themes, these books are actually an immense amount of fun to read. They’re also not same-y. That’s to say, each story is clearly definable and unique, despite forming part of a series. This particular book does suffer from coming dangerously close to being hokey, but the author seems well aware of the limitations of the subject matter and manages to steer well clear of pitfalls (for the most part).
He is not alone in the room.
The one consistent thing is that these novels are exceptionally well paced. Like it’s predecessors, Conspiracies just kind of reads itself. Efficient and effective, you have to love that in a book.
We can sense the Otherness on the far side of the door, we can smell its hunger.
This is also the novel that introduces the concept of the Otherness. I’m assuming this is what ties the series together, but since I’ve only read three Repairman Jack novels I can’t say for sure. It does link Conspiracies back to both The Tomb and Legacies. Just how this concept plays out going forward, I’ll have to wait and see. In the end, it’s a labyrinth of tantalizing what-ifs and could-it-be’s. Needless to say, I have already ordered the next three books…
The wonder is gone, leaving only the terror.
Whether you’re shelving these as supernatural thrillers or horror novels, they certainly do pack a fair amount of scares. Since we’re dealing with a series I suppose the edge is slightly blunted since the reader is somewhat assured in the fact that the protagonist will “live to fight another day”, so to speak. However, things do get somewhat eerie, and the cheesy-but-apocalyptic OTT finale was palm-drenchingly tense. Holy catspats!
[He] lay in the dark, trembling, staring at the shadows on the ceiling, afraid to go back to sleep.
January 21, 2025
Christianity as mythology
If you are a Christian, a Christian in truth, not merely in name, you will not like this book. Unlike Wilson's earlier Repairman Jack novels and stories, this one delves deeply into cosmic entities and horror with Christianity no more than another myth, another conspiracy theory believed by the deluded and the mad.
If you are a Christian, a Christian in truth, not merely in name, you will not like this book. Unlike Wilson's earlier Repairman Jack novels and stories, this one delves deeply into cosmic entities and horror with Christianity no more than another myth, another conspiracy theory believed by the deluded and the mad.
November 11, 2017
Well, Repairman Jack's life is getting much more interesting...also dangerous, possibly unpleasant, definitely confusing....
Getting involved with possibly the largest and probably the most diverse group of conspiracy theorists ever...while looking for the enigmatic wife of one of his "clients" turns out to be more than Jack ever bargained for. He has assured Gia that this one surely won't be dangerous. After all Melanie (who has disappeared) was only getting ready to reveal her great Unification Theory tying all the extant conspiracies together. Just another crack-pot what could be dangerous?
While I'm not big on some of Wilson's ideas, I'm not one to get bent out of shape about most fiction. I'd say read this for what it is... a great novel, an example of what I have in the past heard called "a ripping good story".
Getting involved with possibly the largest and probably the most diverse group of conspiracy theorists ever...while looking for the enigmatic wife of one of his "clients" turns out to be more than Jack ever bargained for. He has assured Gia that this one surely won't be dangerous. After all Melanie (who has disappeared) was only getting ready to reveal her great Unification Theory tying all the extant conspiracies together. Just another crack-pot what could be dangerous?
While I'm not big on some of Wilson's ideas, I'm not one to get bent out of shape about most fiction. I'd say read this for what it is... a great novel, an example of what I have in the past heard called "a ripping good story".
December 27, 2018
Repairman Jack - an everyday guy with extraordinary abilities. He hires himself out to "fix" things. Have a sister who has an abusive hubby? Jack will work on it. Misplaced your wife before the daddy of all fringe conspiracists meeting? He'll hire himself out for the right price.
Throw in a dog/monkey beast masquerading as a pet, a couple of Men-in-Black guys, some anti-one world government types and you have a roller coaster adventure.
Throw in a dog/monkey beast masquerading as a pet, a couple of Men-in-Black guys, some anti-one world government types and you have a roller coaster adventure.
February 25, 2025
Repairman Jack normally doesn’t take on missing person cases. When he goes against his gut instincts and agrees to find conspiracy theorist, Melanie Ehler, he quickly is reminded why — it never comes out well!
Conspiracies plunge Jack in the middle of a convention surrounded by every UFO chaser, government cover-up believer and religious zealot you can imagine. It’s a proverbial who’s who of conspiracy theorists. But among all of these nut jobs, is there one that holds a grain of truth? Even worse, can Jack’s past come back to haunt him and tie everything together in a barbed wire bow?
Wilson third in the Repairman Jack series takes our protagonist down some crazy streets we’ve never been, but it works — and works well. Highly recommended.
5 Underground Tunnels out of 5
Conspiracies plunge Jack in the middle of a convention surrounded by every UFO chaser, government cover-up believer and religious zealot you can imagine. It’s a proverbial who’s who of conspiracy theorists. But among all of these nut jobs, is there one that holds a grain of truth? Even worse, can Jack’s past come back to haunt him and tie everything together in a barbed wire bow?
Wilson third in the Repairman Jack series takes our protagonist down some crazy streets we’ve never been, but it works — and works well. Highly recommended.
5 Underground Tunnels out of 5
November 27, 2009
I knew my continued persistence with this series would eventually pay off! Too many readers who's tastes are similar to mine have recommended it for it to be a total wash. Sure, the first two books were so-so verging on mediocre, but that's to be expected in a 15 book series. Some of them are going to be throwaways. Fortunately, I am whorish persistent when it comes to my fluff reads, because Conspiracies finally revealed to me what all the fuss about this Repairman Jack character is all about.
This go-round, Jack must infiltrate a convention of conspiracy theorists in order to locate one of the group's leaders who was about to reveal her much gossiped about Grand Unification Theory of all conspiracy theories. This plunges Jack into a world where Black Helicopters are going to crush militias and institute a New World Order, where the only question about UFOs is whether they come from outer space or from the Earth's core, where Satanic Cults, with the complicity of government agencies, implant 666 mind control chips in the minds of the especially devout to sway them to Lucifer's will. Sounds like a perfect atmosphere for a private detective like Jack- he of the ever-changing identity and who exists in no government database.
Wilson makes great strides in this book and answers every complaint that I voiced in my reviews of the first two books. He's strung together a grand unification theory of his own to help make the continuity between The Tomb, Legacies, and Conspiracies flow better- Jack bears the scars of his battle against the demonic Rakoshi of The Tomb and references are made to the characters of Legacies. Most importantly, in this book Jack acquires his own nemesis- a man known only as The One- who's goal is to open a portal that will allow a vast and malevolent Otherness to devour our world (think Cthulhu with less tentacles). Happily, as the book draws to a close, Wilson resists the impulse to tie everything together into a neat bow and lets The One escape, meaning that he should be dogging Jack's heels for books to come.
This go-round, Jack must infiltrate a convention of conspiracy theorists in order to locate one of the group's leaders who was about to reveal her much gossiped about Grand Unification Theory of all conspiracy theories. This plunges Jack into a world where Black Helicopters are going to crush militias and institute a New World Order, where the only question about UFOs is whether they come from outer space or from the Earth's core, where Satanic Cults, with the complicity of government agencies, implant 666 mind control chips in the minds of the especially devout to sway them to Lucifer's will. Sounds like a perfect atmosphere for a private detective like Jack- he of the ever-changing identity and who exists in no government database.
Wilson makes great strides in this book and answers every complaint that I voiced in my reviews of the first two books. He's strung together a grand unification theory of his own to help make the continuity between The Tomb, Legacies, and Conspiracies flow better- Jack bears the scars of his battle against the demonic Rakoshi of The Tomb and references are made to the characters of Legacies. Most importantly, in this book Jack acquires his own nemesis- a man known only as The One- who's goal is to open a portal that will allow a vast and malevolent Otherness to devour our world (think Cthulhu with less tentacles). Happily, as the book draws to a close, Wilson resists the impulse to tie everything together into a neat bow and lets The One escape, meaning that he should be dogging Jack's heels for books to come.
November 8, 2015
Repairman Jack goes undercover at a convention of conspiracy nuts in order to find a missing woman. He will find her, but most importantly, he will be introduced to the Otherness.
I am finally getting into the work of F. Paul Wilson, whom I have read so much praise about. I have enjoyed his work, but I have to admit to being underwhelmed by it. Maybe this is an example of the dangers of too much hype. The story is not paced as quickly as I would have liked; for example, there is a large section in the middle of the story about an abused woman Jack tries to help that has nothing to do with the main mystery and isn’t particularly interesting on its own. The resolution is fine, but pretty conventional. There’s also something about the character of Repairman Jack that doesn’t quite gel for me: maybe it’s the combination of this hard-assed enforcer type with the knick-knack-collecting nerd who dotes on his girlfriend’s daughter that seems inconsistent. Enough complaining. Let me close out by reiterating that I did enjoy it, above comments notwithstanding, and I am not considering rescinding my decision to read the complete series.
I am finally getting into the work of F. Paul Wilson, whom I have read so much praise about. I have enjoyed his work, but I have to admit to being underwhelmed by it. Maybe this is an example of the dangers of too much hype. The story is not paced as quickly as I would have liked; for example, there is a large section in the middle of the story about an abused woman Jack tries to help that has nothing to do with the main mystery and isn’t particularly interesting on its own. The resolution is fine, but pretty conventional. There’s also something about the character of Repairman Jack that doesn’t quite gel for me: maybe it’s the combination of this hard-assed enforcer type with the knick-knack-collecting nerd who dotes on his girlfriend’s daughter that seems inconsistent. Enough complaining. Let me close out by reiterating that I did enjoy it, above comments notwithstanding, and I am not considering rescinding my decision to read the complete series.
July 27, 2024
Definitely a good series!
April 9, 2021
I loved the first half to 3/4 of the book. The mystery, the weirdness, the setting, the characters...everything really. The last quarter or so of the book not so much. But regardless, it was a really good, fun read. Looking forward to the next in the series!
November 30, 2020
Talk about a hard book to pigeon-hole into a genre! Repairman Jack is back, and this moves the series definitely into the outre. As usual, Jack has a few jobs going on, one concerns a wife-beater and the other a missing wife. While the wife-beater 'fix' is more of a sideshow, however to the missing wife 'Mel'. Mel is into conspiracy theories in a big way, and has been researching what she calls the G.U.T., or the general unification theory. She is due to finally present her theory at a conference held the coming weekend in NYC when she disappears, telling her husband not to worry. A few days later, however, her husband hears (while watching the weather channel) his wife's voice telling him to contact Repairman Jack!
So, Jack does not really want the job to tracking down Mel, but his curiosity may become his undoing. The husband states he can get Jack into the conference and Jack thinks that may be a lead to finding out what happened to her. The conference is a lot of fun, as conspiracy freaks of every stripe hold a series of panels on UFOs, the antichrist, the New World Order, etc., and Wilson displays his humor her in spades. The organizer of the conference is definitely up to no good, however, along with his 'pet monkey' who is soon revealed to be something much more.
This is definitely a fun read and Wilson pulls you along without mercy. What has Jack got himself into this time? While the cheesy romance between Jack and Gil still rubs a little, Conspiracies has a lot going for it. 4.5 stars!!
So, Jack does not really want the job to tracking down Mel, but his curiosity may become his undoing. The husband states he can get Jack into the conference and Jack thinks that may be a lead to finding out what happened to her. The conference is a lot of fun, as conspiracy freaks of every stripe hold a series of panels on UFOs, the antichrist, the New World Order, etc., and Wilson displays his humor her in spades. The organizer of the conference is definitely up to no good, however, along with his 'pet monkey' who is soon revealed to be something much more.
This is definitely a fun read and Wilson pulls you along without mercy. What has Jack got himself into this time? While the cheesy romance between Jack and Gil still rubs a little, Conspiracies has a lot going for it. 4.5 stars!!
February 12, 2008
Oh my! This book was SO good, and I had so much fun reading it! Best of all, it ties together every one of the previous novels while adding new elements to the Adversary Cycle. And parts of it are funny, especially all the crazy conspiracy theories at the crazy conspiracy groups' convention.
Don't miss this one, but DO NOT read until you have read all of these (in this order): The Keep/The Tomb/The Touch/Legacies/Reborn. If you don't, you will be scratching your head going, "huh?" I'm going to be so sad when this all ends, I can tell you. One of the best horror/sci-fi/x-filish type series I've ever read. I was tied in knots there at the end wondering if our hero would be back, and then I had only to look over at my shelf at the unread Repairman Jack books to know "oh duh, yeah, he'll be back." And I cannot wait. I see many hours of reading ahead of me.
a brief look:
Melanie Ehler, a conspiracy theory high mucky muck in that world has gone missing. But her husband gets in touch with Repairman Jack, and says that Melanie talked to him through the television and told him to contact Repairman Jack, because he'd know what to do. Jack thinks this guy's a crackpot, but he's intrigued. Her husband, Lew, tells him that he might find out some info at an upcoming convention of SESOUP, The Society for the Exposure of Secret Organizations and Unacknowledged Phenomena. It's members only, but Jack makes up a kooky story that gets him in. And there are conspiracy theorists of every brand, flavor, belief...you name it. These parts are hysterical as you read about what each person believes...and Melanie believed that all of this unexplained/unacknowledged phenomena was related in some kind of grand unification -- and actually came up with a theory called the Grand Unification Theory before she left. So Jack stays in the hotel where the convention is being held and weird stuff starts happening, none the least of which are a monkey that hates him, a floating box that arrives in his room during the night, bizarre nightmares and a body that is there then disappears.
If you read all of the other books first, then none of this is actually going to seem strange, because you'll be expecting it based on what you've read. This one is really great and I highly recommend it to all Repairman Jack fans. Go get the other books and get started on them so you can read this one!
one interesting tidbit: On page 209 there is a mention of the Cthulhu cult as Jack is questioning a fellow conspiracy nut on why he's there at the convention (what his personal theory is).
Don't miss this one, but DO NOT read until you have read all of these (in this order): The Keep/The Tomb/The Touch/Legacies/Reborn. If you don't, you will be scratching your head going, "huh?" I'm going to be so sad when this all ends, I can tell you. One of the best horror/sci-fi/x-filish type series I've ever read. I was tied in knots there at the end wondering if our hero would be back, and then I had only to look over at my shelf at the unread Repairman Jack books to know "oh duh, yeah, he'll be back." And I cannot wait. I see many hours of reading ahead of me.
a brief look:
Melanie Ehler, a conspiracy theory high mucky muck in that world has gone missing. But her husband gets in touch with Repairman Jack, and says that Melanie talked to him through the television and told him to contact Repairman Jack, because he'd know what to do. Jack thinks this guy's a crackpot, but he's intrigued. Her husband, Lew, tells him that he might find out some info at an upcoming convention of SESOUP, The Society for the Exposure of Secret Organizations and Unacknowledged Phenomena. It's members only, but Jack makes up a kooky story that gets him in. And there are conspiracy theorists of every brand, flavor, belief...you name it. These parts are hysterical as you read about what each person believes...and Melanie believed that all of this unexplained/unacknowledged phenomena was related in some kind of grand unification -- and actually came up with a theory called the Grand Unification Theory before she left. So Jack stays in the hotel where the convention is being held and weird stuff starts happening, none the least of which are a monkey that hates him, a floating box that arrives in his room during the night, bizarre nightmares and a body that is there then disappears.
If you read all of the other books first, then none of this is actually going to seem strange, because you'll be expecting it based on what you've read. This one is really great and I highly recommend it to all Repairman Jack fans. Go get the other books and get started on them so you can read this one!
one interesting tidbit: On page 209 there is a mention of the Cthulhu cult as Jack is questioning a fellow conspiracy nut on why he's there at the convention (what his personal theory is).
June 28, 2010
This time Jack gets launched into a "larger" world...a world that is undreamed of, well except for some few who dare to think "outside the box". The only people who might have a glimpse of this world, are the....conspiracy theorists.
When Jack is approached to find a missing woman, a business man's wife, it seems a little out of his line. But, the husband is so distraught and so worried, Jack decides to see if maybe he can help the poor, sad desperate (and apparently somewhat "hen pecked") schmuck. In doing this Jack finds himself in a whole new world of.... well, it doesn't look good.
I wasn't taken much at all by the first book I read by Mr. Wilson (The Keep) but I really enjoy the Repairman Jack novels and have purchased the paper backs of this one and several of the following books for my own shelves.
When Jack is approached to find a missing woman, a business man's wife, it seems a little out of his line. But, the husband is so distraught and so worried, Jack decides to see if maybe he can help the poor, sad desperate (and apparently somewhat "hen pecked") schmuck. In doing this Jack finds himself in a whole new world of.... well, it doesn't look good.
I wasn't taken much at all by the first book I read by Mr. Wilson (The Keep) but I really enjoy the Repairman Jack novels and have purchased the paper backs of this one and several of the following books for my own shelves.
August 18, 2016
And the threads from The Keep, Reborn, and The Tomb begin tying together! The Tomb was a mix of horror and action. Legacies was action and corporate conspiracy. Now with Conspiracies we get into sci fi territory! A lot of humor in this one too. Jack at a convention of whacked out conspiracy nuts!
March 10, 2020
4 Stars. Audio. I love me some Repairman Jack! One of the best fictional characters of all time! Behind of course, Roland Deschain and Matthew Corbett! In this book, the conspiracies were flowing like a whirling river and I felt my head going under and almost drowning in the madness.
July 2, 2022
I approached this one out of loyalty to friends whose book recommendations I highly respect. The Repairman Jack series is always at the top of their lists. But frankly I was a little apprehensive because up to this point I had found the series to be good but not outstanding. I knew from reading various reviews that there is a large supernatural element to the series but it was fairly minor (monster of the week) in the first book (The Tomb) and non existent in the second (Legacies). It's almost as if Mr Wilson was struggling with exactly what kind of novels these were to be...supernatural? horror? mystery? other?
I need not have worried though. This novel was different, a super read in fact. Now I know why so many others swear by this series and this character. These books are very difficult to genre-classify, containing elements of mystery, thriller, horror, sci-fi, and perhaps even fantasy. This book really gets the overall series story arc going, letting us in on "the otherness" and whatever that might exactly be. Couching the secret behind-the-scenes mystery in the middle of a convention of conspiracy theorists is masterful and Mr Wilson pulls this off brilliantly. We are just as skeptical as Jack is when confronted with the very real happenings taking place all around him and, apparently, with himself in the center of it all. And just like Jack, we're not sure who are the good guys and who are the bad. I found this book to be marvelous and I very much look forward to further adventures of Repairman Jack as I get to experience more revelations of the supernatural aspects of the story. And to top it all off, it's a very good mystery novel as well!
I need not have worried though. This novel was different, a super read in fact. Now I know why so many others swear by this series and this character. These books are very difficult to genre-classify, containing elements of mystery, thriller, horror, sci-fi, and perhaps even fantasy. This book really gets the overall series story arc going, letting us in on "the otherness" and whatever that might exactly be. Couching the secret behind-the-scenes mystery in the middle of a convention of conspiracy theorists is masterful and Mr Wilson pulls this off brilliantly. We are just as skeptical as Jack is when confronted with the very real happenings taking place all around him and, apparently, with himself in the center of it all. And just like Jack, we're not sure who are the good guys and who are the bad. I found this book to be marvelous and I very much look forward to further adventures of Repairman Jack as I get to experience more revelations of the supernatural aspects of the story. And to top it all off, it's a very good mystery novel as well!
February 7, 2015
Third in the Repairman Jack series, and I'm still not sure about them, although recently found the rest cheap on Amazon so have bought them already and suppose I will continue. As ever with ebooks, my reading can be a bit disjointed because they are usually competing with a real book, and unless they're really gripping tend to come second unless it's dark or I'm away, as now, so it's not necessarily the books fault that I find myself forgetting who characters are and what's going on, but in this case I read the final 3rd all together and still got to the end and thought "huh?" Jack is contracted by an eccentric business owner to find his wife, who has being investigating supernatural events in support of her Grand Unifying Theory of all the weird stuff in the world. In order to check out her associates, he infiltrates a conference of conspiracy theorists, who all have their own strange beliefs, from UFOs to CIA mind control. He discovers that his experiences and scars from the events of the previous book, where he killed the Rakoshi, have marked him as important to the characters involved, and they are all drawn to the missing woman's house for a dramatic climax - which left nothing explained, and that just annoyed me. It wasn't even a cliff-hanger, just a "read more if you want answers..." situation, so I guess I'll have to. I like Jack as a hero but found the side plot of rescuing a woman from her abusive husband a bit irrelevant, and feel that despite the great reviews I'm still on the shelf about is author.
February 19, 2009
Welcome to a fix-it job gone bad. Really bad. Jack took this job thinking it would be easy, but it turned out quite the opposite. I recommend reading "The Tomb" and "Legacies" prior to this book. While it does include some background information on the previous novels, I'm willing to bet this book is more enjoyable if you've read the previous two and have some inkling of what's been going on with Jack prior to this novel-- especially since "The Tomb" and "Legacies" are so closely tied to the culmination of this novel. I also recommend reading it in as few sittings as possible. It's a fast-paced story, so reading a little here and there disrupts the flow of the story and takes away some of the awesomeness.
The story was fantastic. I did prefer "Legacies" to "Conspiracies", but "Conspiracies" did keep you on edge significantly more than the previous Repairman Jack novel.
Once again, I caution readers who aren't prepared for the supernatural aspects of this book. While the Repairman Jack novels really don't need the supernatural twist to be exciting, I have to admit that it adds flair and depth to Jack's story. In this book, you meet odd characters like The Twins. You tie in new characters with the Rakoshi from "The Tomb".
This book is worth reading for the nail-biting ending alone; though it is full of entertaining and hilarious aspects throughout. Will Jack find Melanie? What will he stumble into along the way? The only way to find out is to read!
The story was fantastic. I did prefer "Legacies" to "Conspiracies", but "Conspiracies" did keep you on edge significantly more than the previous Repairman Jack novel.
Once again, I caution readers who aren't prepared for the supernatural aspects of this book. While the Repairman Jack novels really don't need the supernatural twist to be exciting, I have to admit that it adds flair and depth to Jack's story. In this book, you meet odd characters like The Twins. You tie in new characters with the Rakoshi from "The Tomb".
This book is worth reading for the nail-biting ending alone; though it is full of entertaining and hilarious aspects throughout. Will Jack find Melanie? What will he stumble into along the way? The only way to find out is to read!
May 7, 2019
As good and exciting as book two was, book three is equally... boring. It wasn't bad persay, but the vast majority of the book was spent in conversations about conspiracies theories. While seemingly interesting, the undercurrent of unbelievability in each made them feel like wasted page space (which they were). More wasted page space occurred with 'fake' dream sequences (at least 4). Add to it a poorly paced, rapid-fire, ending that led to more questions then plot resolutions and the book was completely meh.
The only saving grace is the book sets the stage for a larger story further down the road.
The only saving grace is the book sets the stage for a larger story further down the road.
November 17, 2019
While I didn't like this as well as the first Repairman Jack novel, it was an enjoyable read with just the right amount of the supernatural mingled with just the right amount of the hardball detective-type machinations I enjoy in Jack. The backdrop of a conspiracy theorist convention was both hilarious AND frightening--perfect for the tale.
October 6, 2024
Wow! This was another awesome Repairman Jack title! Not only were there a lot of clever twists in this, but what an intense ending! The situations Jack gets himself into are definitely not good on his health physically or mentally, and this one took some solid hits to both. This series is so amazing, I am going to jump right into the next title!
September 23, 2022
Now we're getting there! This is what I'm interested in! Bring on the supernatural <3
November 28, 2024
You're above the System. Over it. Beyond it. We're "them." We're "they." We are the Men in Black.
September 9, 2014
It is the story of Repairman Jack who has to investigate in the middle of a conference of loony tunes who believes in all sorts of conspiracy theories. Jack doesn't believe in any of those theories and is always thinking funny things and making jokes about the supposed conspiracies organized by governmental secret agencies, extraterrestrial abductors (UFOs), Antichrist, Satan and the End Days, International Cabal of Bankers, the New World Order...
This is full of action. I didn't know at all where it was going except for the happy ending (Jack can't die or what would happen to this series?).
Here are a few quotes:
I was smiling almost non-stop and laughing many times.
If you're looking for a very serious investigator and a believable story (without preternatural creatures and events), forget it. But if you want to have fun reading a book full of jokes and action-packed, this one is for you.
I give it 4 stars.
This is full of action. I didn't know at all where it was going except for the happy ending (Jack can't die or what would happen to this series?).
Here are a few quotes:
Abe, one of Jack's best friends, asks Jack: "No one hunts them down and calls them to account. Why is that, Jack? Tell me: Is it ignorance or apathy?" And Jack answers with a shrug: "I don't know and couldn't care less." lolll
Speaking of UFOs, Abe says: "Believing is seeing."
"Jesus paid for our sins, so let's get our money's worth."
"He [Jack] fought an urge to shout out: "All those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand!""
I was smiling almost non-stop and laughing many times.
If you're looking for a very serious investigator and a believable story (without preternatural creatures and events), forget it. But if you want to have fun reading a book full of jokes and action-packed, this one is for you.
I give it 4 stars.
May 27, 2013
Conspiracy should be subtitled: Just because you're paranoid it doesn't mean they're not out to get you.
Both a solid suspense story of what lurks in the dark as well as rather meta about the nature of people who believe in conspiracies of every shade and type. As each of the people Jack meets believe deeply in their own conspiracy theory, but scoff at those of others, Jack starts to question was it means that he believes deeply in what has happened to him while finding himself rolling his eyes (at least figuratively).
Gia and Vicky are barely in the story, but the issue of how much longer he can be Repairman Jack, yet keep them safe and be in their lives is there.
One of my favorite lines was Jack thinking, "If you believe in telekinesis, raise my hand."
Another amusing part was when Jack and Abe are chatting, and every time Abe references SEASOUP, he doesn't call it that, but other things, like Clam Chowder or Finne Hadde. And each time, Jack corrects him.
P.S. Couldn't go with 4 stars because of calling it the Book of Revelations when it is not plural but singular - Revelation. I was surprised by the mistake.
Both a solid suspense story of what lurks in the dark as well as rather meta about the nature of people who believe in conspiracies of every shade and type. As each of the people Jack meets believe deeply in their own conspiracy theory, but scoff at those of others, Jack starts to question was it means that he believes deeply in what has happened to him while finding himself rolling his eyes (at least figuratively).
Gia and Vicky are barely in the story, but the issue of how much longer he can be Repairman Jack, yet keep them safe and be in their lives is there.
One of my favorite lines was Jack thinking, "If you believe in telekinesis, raise my hand."
Another amusing part was when Jack and Abe are chatting, and every time Abe references SEASOUP, he doesn't call it that, but other things, like Clam Chowder or Finne Hadde. And each time, Jack corrects him.
P.S. Couldn't go with 4 stars because of calling it the Book of Revelations when it is not plural but singular - Revelation. I was surprised by the mistake.
April 18, 2015
5 Stars
Conspiracies book 3 in the Repairman Jack series by F. Paul Wilson is my favorite of the series so far. I took a big chance and read this book immediately after finishing and enjoying book 2. This book has a little bit of everything in it. Action, mystery, comedy, lots of Conspiracies, and quite a bit of mythology.
Jack is back and thinks he has things under control with his life with Gia, Vicky, and Repairman Jack. This story has Jack agree to look into an apparent supernatural case and he quickly finds himself the center of attention of obsessive conspiracy nuts. The case, the people, and the convention all make for a great story. Wilson does a fabulous job at bringing many of the events of the first book into the light in this one.
I can't quite decide why I like Repairman Jack so much, after all, we really do not know all that much about him. I can tell you that the writing of Wilson and the patience in his story telling makes this series special. Wilson does not always spell things out in black and white.
A great case with great characters that set up a whole lot more greatness makes this a fantastic read. Highly recommended...
Conspiracies book 3 in the Repairman Jack series by F. Paul Wilson is my favorite of the series so far. I took a big chance and read this book immediately after finishing and enjoying book 2. This book has a little bit of everything in it. Action, mystery, comedy, lots of Conspiracies, and quite a bit of mythology.
Jack is back and thinks he has things under control with his life with Gia, Vicky, and Repairman Jack. This story has Jack agree to look into an apparent supernatural case and he quickly finds himself the center of attention of obsessive conspiracy nuts. The case, the people, and the convention all make for a great story. Wilson does a fabulous job at bringing many of the events of the first book into the light in this one.
I can't quite decide why I like Repairman Jack so much, after all, we really do not know all that much about him. I can tell you that the writing of Wilson and the patience in his story telling makes this series special. Wilson does not always spell things out in black and white.
A great case with great characters that set up a whole lot more greatness makes this a fantastic read. Highly recommended...
January 24, 2013
This is one of F. Paul Wilson's best Repairman Jack novels. Wilson treads into the conspiracies we've all heard before like UFO's and the New World Order, and then he throws his own much larger, much scarier conspiracy on top of them all. Wilson has his own universe of characters and mythology and he travels through that realm with authority. Wilson slowly drops clues and shows you glimpses of things that are to come in each novel building from where it all starts in The Keep to where it all ends in the NightWorld. Wilson is completely in control as he pushes Jack further and further down the rabbit hole of his destiny while slowly, painfully, sharpening the spear he'll eventually become. If you're new to the Repairman Jack novels you should try to go in order and start with the wonderful The Tomb, but Conspiracies is the third book in and it's a really fun read, so hurry up and start the ride, you'll enjoy where it goes and how it gets there.
December 14, 2016
4.0 out of 5 - Dark at times, imaginative, and thrilling.
Having started the Repairman Jack series with the early years (Cold City, Dark City, and Fear City), I wasn't entirely prepared for where the main story arc would take me. It is quite a ride and epic in scope; humorous, entertaining, and frightening. This is a series to be devoured by the reader or is it the other way around?
Having started the Repairman Jack series with the early years (Cold City, Dark City, and Fear City), I wasn't entirely prepared for where the main story arc would take me. It is quite a ride and epic in scope; humorous, entertaining, and frightening. This is a series to be devoured by the reader or is it the other way around?
July 2, 2009
I loved the first two books in the Repairman Jack series but this one was just horrible. It was silly and not compelling. I can';t help but think that Mr. Wilson was as bored writing it as I was reading it. What a disapointment!
August 17, 2025
This had its moments, but there was too much downtime and unnecessary fluff in the story to make it one of my favorites in the series. If memory serves, this and the next book were low points that had me pause reading the series.
November 18, 2007
It was ok... nothing too exciting. I just couldn't get into the story.
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