The Conspiracy (Animorphs)

infobox Book |
name = The Conspiracy
title_orig =


image_caption = Jake morphing into a peregrine falcon
author = K. A. Applegate
illustrator = David B. Mattingly
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = Animorphs #31
genre = Science fiction novel
publisher = Scholastic
release_date = July 1999
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 139
isbn = 0-439-07031-7
preceded_by = The Reunion
followed_by = The Separation

"The Conspiracy" is the thirty-first book in the "Animorphs" series, authored by K.A. Applegate. It is known to have been ghostwritten by Laura Battyanyi-Wiess. It is narrated by Jake.

Plot Summary

Jake returns from school to discover that his great grandfather has died. His father insists that the family go to his home in a wooded cabin far away and help plan the funeral arrangements. They plan to be gone for three or four days; however, this presents a problem for Tom, who can not stay away from the Yeerk Pool for more than three days at time. Tom fights relentlessly with Jake's father about going and when they leave for a Sharing meeting together Jake fears that Tom may force their dad into involuntary Yeerk infestation, or even kill him. Jake must save his father, but for the first time, his quick thinking tactical mind freezes up. A slight power struggle ensues between Jake and Marco who insists that Jake isn't thinking clearly on this matter. After several close calls protecting Jake's father, the Animorphs decide to make a distraction for the Yeerks so that Tom is no longer their top priority. The Animorphs kidnap Champman holding him hostage in an abandoned house to distract the Yeerks from taking care of Jake's father. To make the kidnap seem convincing they have Ax interrogate Chapman for hours. Afterward, they allow him to escape, and Ax insists that he will never do such a thing again as it is not the conduct of a warrior. After this Jake insists on handling the situation by himself. With the distraction successful, Tom heads up to the cabin with the rest of the family. In the middle of the night, he tries to kill his father, but is stopped by Jake with the help of rest of the Animorphs, whom are running a plan devised by Marco. Tom is injured and taken back to the hospital in the city where he has access to a Yeerk pool.

Trivia

* According to the Anibase, Jake's great-grandfather in the story is a reflection of one of the author's own relatives. "I really enjoyed the WWII tie-in in this book," she says, "as my late father-in-law fought in The Battle of the Bulge, was decorated, and rarely spoke--just like Jake's great-grandfather."
* This is the tenth book to feature a cover morph that was not acquired in the book. Jake acquired his peregrine falcon morph in the second book, "The Visitor".
* The front cover quote is, "When they say, "It's all in your head," believe it...."
* The inside front cover quote is, "No more monkey business..."