Baptism in Blood

Gregor Demarkian #14

by Jane Haddam

When an infant is found murdered at a controversial women's retreat located in the small community of Bellerton, North Carolina, rumored to be a den of Satan worship, former FBI agent Gregor Demarkian pursues the truth and learns that are many with an ungodly motive for murder. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Detective, Cozy Mystery

380 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Aka 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.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baptism in Blood (Gregor Demarkian, #14) by Jane Haddam.

There are so many words I could use to describe this author...like genius, intellectual, exceptional. Most of all she has created a mastermind in resolving in and all mysteries in the character of Gregor Demarkian. This is my 28th Demarkian mystery and in each of them I've noticed a familiar theme. Just like Demarkian I've grown accustomed to the neighbors on Cavanaugh Street and of course...Bennis. This latest story made me more aware of how little I like the outsiders or new characters that play a temporary part and will be gone as soon as the mystery is solved.
This final ending came as a tremendous shock. But it all tied in. What came as another shock was Demarkian's cold retort to the cunning murderer.
Lastly Gregor and Bennis are going out to dinner for a talk. A long discussion about their future together. Can anyone ask for anything more in a murder mystery? Love this series and am planning rereads. It's just that good.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baptism in Blood is the 14th book in the Gregor Demarkian mystery series by Jane Haddam. I haven't followed this series in any particular order and for some of the character development it might have been a somewhat better idea (I refer to the development of the relationship between Gregor and Bennis Hannaford), but the books for the most part stand well on their own.

In this story, the Armenian - American, ex-FBI profiler, now consultant, Gregor Demarkian is asked by an old friend to come to North Carolina to help investigate the murder of a baby. Gregor is having some personal issues; he also thinks his friend Tibor, the priest is having troubles coping. But he still is persuaded to go to North Carolina to assist the local sheriff.

Gregor finds himself in the Bible belt, a small community that is just recovering from a hurricane, and a community that is also dealing with another community living on the grounds of a local mansion, a group of women, escaping from their own issues. They are accused of Satanic worship, they are lesbians. It's a fascinating dichotomy, especially in light of the daily issues I'm reading these days; anti-abortion, LGBTQ rights at risk, etc. Trump even makes his presence in this story, albeit only as a brief mention. (You can't escape the man!!) (Just kidding)

A young woman is accused of murdering her baby and is in jail. She accuses members of the lesbian community of practicing Satanic rituals and killing her baby. This is the situation wherein Gregor finds himself. Gregor is also somewhat adrift at sea; dealing with issues of his own past. He is having difficulties coping with the death of his wife, even thought it happened quite a long time in his past. And he is coping with is feelings for Bennis, the fantasy writer who lives back in his Armenian community in Philadelphia.

So that is the scenario. As Gregor and the local sheriff gather information, there are other murders which add to the urgency. Protests from the religious community against the lesbians, etc. The story is peopled with many fascinating characters, all with their own unique personalities and issues. It's a most enjoyable story, more than a mystery. The Demarkian series is a favorite of mine and the stories never disappoint. And Gregor is an interesting 'detective', his description as the Armenian - American Hercule Poirot is very apt. Excellent as always (4 stars)

[Laura Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read of a favorite. Bought a bunch of used Gregor Demarion mysteries at Powell’s in August, since my copies are all in storage and I had a sudden urge to have some near :)

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting situation happens in Bellerton, North Carolina. During a hurricane, a baby is killed but the only person with blood on her is the mother.

And the mother is sitting in jail, not saying anything other than she witnessed two women from a private camp kill the child during a ritual sacrifice.

Former FBI agent Gregor Demarkian comes to Bellerton and finds himself in the throes of a highly religious community. But instead of everyone being Christian, Demarkian finds prejudice, stupidity, hatred and plenty of suspicion. Its a strong situation that Demarkian finds himself diving into.

Was the baby killed during a ceremony to the Goddess? She sure as heck wasn't killed during devil worship. And what of everything else that is going on? For a town that is filled with God, the people behave in a particularly Godless way and there is plenty of things to keep Demarkian quiet working away. He almost knows who is the killer but its the why and wherefores that he must put together before his work is done.

That is what makes this such an interest, engrossing read. No big action, no big pronouncements, but good solid investigation and lots of thinking about what could be driving the dynamics of this small town and its citizens.

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread 10/8/2021 - no idea why I didn't write a review the first time.

Gregor Demarkian is called to a small North Carolina coastal town to determine who killed an infant during a hurricane. That part of the story is very upsetting.

The characters in this book think A LOT. Since most of my thinking runs on the lines of "what do I have in the pantry for supper" all the deep thinking about religion, differences in parts of the country, women's rights got overwhelming at times. I wanted to get on with what exactly had happened and who did it. On the other hand, I think she got a lot of the differences between big cities in the Northeast and small towns in the South right. In the sense of understanding people, Demarkian is more like Miss Marple, with some Poirot thrown in.

[Lbaker · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book years ago, spotted it at a used store and decided to re-read.

Noted in the front by someone was "This author does not like homosexuality."

I think that is an understatement and would say that this book does not like any type of sexuality, is anti religion, anti atheism, against marriage, does not like the south or normalicy in any manner. Every character is unhappy, disturbed, angry, and ignorant. It is a depressing read, Gregor Demarkin states who the murderer is before he even goes to the town.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disappointing, disjointed story line. Unlike the previous books, this one could never stand on its own and would totally confuse a reader new to this series

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3119469.html

Demarkian here is called in to investigate a small-town North Carolina infanticide, where two different Christian sects are feuding over how best to oppose the lesbian feminist heiress who has established a commune in her ancestral home, and a baby has died. I must say I was not very impressed; there seemed to be little evidence of the local police (or indeed anyone) doing boring stuff like taking evidence and working out who was where and when, and the sexual politics of the town seemed awfully suburban and boring. Demarkian himself is a charming character, but I wasn't convinced by his relationship with the more traditional enforcers of law. An easy read though, and generally pleasant, apart from the murders.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started Baptism in Blood by Jane Haddam some time ago. At first I didn't find the story that interesting because Gregor Demarkian was not in his nprmal surroundings in Philadelphia's Armenian neighborhood. However, picking the story back up, the mystery got slightly more interesting & there was a big shift in Demarkian's personal life. I only gave this book 3 stars because Haddam had the nerve to kill off 1 of the characters I greatly admired.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I intensely disliked the community involved in this murder, particularly in today's political climate, and that tempered my reading. That said, the mystery was interesting, with Gregor and the local police working well together. Two aspects of the ending disturbed me, though I found one more disturbing than the other. I imagine other readers will have the reverse reaction.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say, this is the first Gregor Demarkian book that I have found lacking...Just not as good as the other ones in the series! Guess everyone has an off day every once in a while...I am hoping that the next one is better than this was!

[Sherry Schwabacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I keep telling myself that I don't need to finish every book I start but... I set this one aside for a while but decided for some reason to pick it up again. I finished it. Perhaps the Gregor Demarkian series is worth reading in the earlier installments, but #14 is not.

[Lizzytish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost didn’t read because of the murder involving an infant. The characters were more like caricatures. There were a couple of pondering thoughts about religion. And the ending was just ridiculous in my opinion. I do like Gregor though.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the characters & plot but found it to be slow moving.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be my least favorite Jane Haddam book, but it was still good.

[Eileen Goudge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my introduction to the Gergor Demarkian mysteries. I found it well-written and enjoyable. The plot: When a mother is arrested for the gruesome murder of her infant she alleges was the blood sacrifice of "goddess" worshipping cultists, consultant Demarkian is called to the scene to investigate. The characters were well-drawn and the setting evocative of the South. My only quibble is the number of characters - there were so many, I didn't feel I got to know any one in particular as well as I'd have liked to. Also, Demarkian isn't introduced until midway through the novel, and I'd have liked to have seen him sooner. Other than that, I give Baptism in Blood high marks and would read another book in this series.

[Carol Mello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Haddam is one of my favorite cerebral mystery writers. Each book addresses an issue that is in the news (when the book was first issued) in the context of the case Gregor Demarkian has been called in to assist a local PD. This book is about mothers killing their children. While not one of my favorites in this series, it is still a very good read. The red herrings in this book is a house for lesbians and ex-wives treated badly by their ex - husbands ; another red herring is an independent Bible church. Do not trip over the piles of herrings.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the hurricane hits, we have word of a baby being killed--by whom? Two more murders ensue, but Gregor Demarkian is visiting his friend, from New York, and he comes up with the answers to these murders. He is only too glad to return home--his friend's house is too sunny--only the friend has a room which can block it. In Bellerton, North Carolina, where this mostly takes place, there is a lesbian camp which comes under scrutiny.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

religion gone mad

[Melissa Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

BENNIS AND GREGOR FINALLY GET THEIR ACTS TOGETHER. YAAAAAAAAAAAY.