5.0 out of 5 stars You'll be addicted!

R.R. · 3 June 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I've read the entire series of this book and with the exception of the two in Africa (avoid those nasty long winded ones) every book is magnificent. Ben is my super hero lol and the action is amazing whilst developing his wonderful character. The historical element adds to an already marvellous product. He's unique but like a mixture of Hathaway in Lewis and Reacher. Two great tv characters.

4.0 out of 5 stars Action, adventure and intrigue abound

J.F. · 6 April 2012

I started reading this book prepared to roll my eyes and groan at the implausibility and impossibility that usually makes up the bulk of such novels, half expecting some miracle of alchemy, half some ludicrous stunt defying all laws of physics. Don't get me wrong - there's always entertainment in those novels - but this one keeps it within the bounds of plausible and even believable story telling.The Alchemist's Secret is non-stop action, adventure and intrigue with only the smallest smattering of romantic interest. The hero, Ben Hope, is a character you can accept and fully believe capable of the things he does. He doesn't turn suddenly into some James Bond on speed producing prototype weapons or ludicrous science-fiction gadgets. He has his Browning 9mm, a whole lot of training and is simply good at what he does. Of course, only the SAS really know what the SAS know, and we always want them to be this good, or at least I do.This is a refreshing example of its genre for a couple of reasons. Apart from the fact that it doesn't require too much suspension of disbelief - I never had a "yeah, right, and I'm Catwoman" moment - the characters are not caricatures, the locations are real, the historical background is well researched and the politics too are quite realistic. The women are women and neither wannabe movie stars or screaming, fainting things. They're quite normal for the day and have the strength a 21st century woman should have - not too much, not too little.Hope is a slightly more atypical action hero - the education and extreme training, the tragic past, the tortured soul striving to make things right - but not overstatedly so. He just gets on and does what he has to do. He is likeable, which goes a long way to keeping the reader interested.I started reading this the morning after having surgery and it was just the thing. Not too heavy in the language, not to protracted in the plot. I did think at first that once I came to properly it might be a bit too casual, but it wasn't and when I haven't been sleeping off the aftermath of being cut up, I've been reading The Alchemist's Secret because I've been enjoying it. The fast pace and lack of dragged out details have helped me stay awake to keep myself well, so a great choice it turned out to be! It's a page-turner with just the right amount of twists and turns, although you'll probably spot them coming. That's not the point - the point is how Hope gets through it. Nicely done, Mr Mariani - I shall read more of your work with pleasure.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read

A. · 16 April 2025

Thoroughly enjoyed this read. An unusual subject but with a mix of truth and fiction made this book very unpardonable. Am very keen to read more Ben Hope novels

3.0 out of 5 stars Ben Hope - pure of heart?

A. · 7 November 2011

This is the first of the Ben Hope mysteries. Hope carries a weight of guilt, believing that, as a child, he was responsible for his sister's disappearance. His mission is to use his extensive investigative and military skills to rescue and save as many children as possible. When given the seemingly impossible task of uncovering the alchemist's secret to find the elixir of life, he is persuaded because the elixir is required to save the life of little Ruth, who, coincidentally has the same name as his sister.He tracks down modern alchemists, who are regarded as cranks by the scientific community. He's sceptical, too, but what choice does he have? His actions alert a ruthless religious sect who are also after the elixir to enable them to take over the church, and then the world. One of Hope's contacts is the glamorous, vivacious scientist, Roberta with whom he falls in love. In order to protect her, he sends her away, but at the end he must go to see her one last time. Will the perennial loner be able to share his life with another?There's a trail of violence and destruction as Hope searches for the secret. However, his saintlike qualities are recognised because, although a man of super-efficient violence, he is motivated by doing good. One character puts it into words for us (just in case we missed the subtlety of the text), `My grandfather believed that a true initiate would decipher the clues.....someone pure of heart who would respect its power, never abuse it, or publicise it.' Ben Hope is that pure of heart initiate (incidentally he's also very good looking). Thus, all the murder and mayhem is justified. Despite leaving a trail of bullet-riddled bodies, he manages to befriend the French policeman who is after him. With his super-human skills and the might of the French police, what chance do the evil ones have? But it takes all of Hope's almost magical resources, to continue the quest, and there are plenty of twists and turns on the way especially in his battle with the gloriously sadistic Inquisitor.It's all nonsense and completely unbelievable, of course, but quite diverting if you enjoy the Dan Brown type of thriller - and there are plenty more, too, so why stop now?

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting & a good read

R. · 21 May 2025

An excellent read

WOWZERS!!

J.v.E. · 14 November 2020

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } WOWZERS!! WHAT A READ! Very interesting, I loved it from the very first chapter! The action! The battles! The mystery around alchemy! I am definitely going to read more ben hope!!

Great story, good pace, interesting characters

L. · 25 June 2020

Loved the alchemy theme, loved Ben Hope and the characters representing a spectrum of types of humans that walk this planet, many disguised as something far more twisted and morally and ethically corrupt than they appear. Of course, good conquers evil/the lowly evolved is so satisfying .

Spannender Thriller

M.W. · 7 April 2024

Hohes Tempo. Wilde Wendungen in der Geschichte. Toll wie der Held so nach und nach das Puzzle löst..

Good action thriller

D.F. · 16 November 2016

Scott Mariani's protagonist, Ben Hope, is put through many ordeals in this mystery thriller which takes place mainly in southern France which used to be referred to as the Languedoc, home of the Cathars during the middle ages. Ben reluctantly takes an assignment from a wealthy Englishman to look for an elixir supposedly created by the Cathar alchemists before they were wiped out by the Inquisition in 1243.Unfortunately for Ben, there is an evil group also looking for the discoveries allegedly made by the Cathar alchemists. The group's aim is to acquire the discoveries to achieve world dominance. Ben has to tangle with many adversaries during his complicated search, but manages to find several allies willing to assist him, such as Dr Roberta Ryder, an American biological research scientist.The characters in the book are interesting, including Ben, of course, who is driven by the memory of a tragic event that occurred when he was a teenager.

RAS

C.d. · 3 September 2019

Pour le lire