The Martyr's Curse

Ben Hope #11

by Scott Mariani

AN ANCIENT CURSE. A SHOCKING MASSACRE.
A THREAT TO UNLEASH THE ULTIMATE DISASTER.

Ex-SAS major Ben Hope has found sanctuary in a remote monastery in the French Alps. But wherever Ben goes, trouble is not far behind.

When a team of merciless killers slaughter the innocent monks Ben’s revenge quest draws him into a bewildering mystery of stolen treasure, deception and murder.

As he works to unravel the clues he is confronted with a terrifying reality that threatens to cruelly reshape the future of humanity. What is the significance of an ancient curse dating back to a heretical burning? What are the real ambitions of the enigmatic ‘Army of the Prepared’?

The race is on to prevent global devastation, and there’s only one man who can do it.

The exhilarating and addictive new thriller by the master bestseller, Scott Mariani.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Adventure, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks, Action

426 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2015

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeking to reinvent Ben Hope (and have the character do some of that himself), Scott Mariani tries to turn the tables on the traditional path taken by novels in this series. Emotionally lost, Hope spent some time after his last mission in America wandering around the European continent. After settling in a French monastery, Hope uses the kindness of the monks to regroup and turn away from his personal vices. Seven months into his stay, Hope begins to wonder (again?!) if he ought to commit to a life of godliness and away from the toils of the outside world. While running an errand for the monastery, the sole vehicle breaks down and Hope, in a moment of weakness, turns to his old ways of drinking to excess. During this sojourn, Hope encounters someone from his past, only making the situation worse. Picking himself up, Hope returns to the monastery, only to find that all the monks have been murdered. One of the killers appears to have died in the crossfire as well, his getaway bag weighed down by two large gold bricks. After a pat-down, Hope finds a mobile phone and through a series of phone calls, coaxes one of the team to meet him. After grilling her, Hope discovers that this Sylvie Valois is actually working for French Homeland Security, trying to infiltrate a gang headed up by Udo Streicher, Swiss mercenary and devious criminal. Hope and Sylvie begin their slow search for Streicher, learning a little more about some of the hidden secrets the monastery has been saddled with over the centuries, all of which followed the controversial execution of Salvator l’Aveugle. Might Streicher have been stealing the gold as part of a larger plan related to Salvator’s final professions before being burned alive? Heading into Switzerland, Hope and Sylvie do their best to learn more, all while dodging the French and INTERPOL officials. When Hope learns of Streicher’s final plan and a secret kept in ancient documents that could have cataclysmic results, he and Valois must netralise things before they get out of hand. An interesting twist in the series, Mariani shows that Ben Hope can never steer entirely away from trouble or action. Series fans will surely enjoy this addition as Hope continues to show his prowess.

While I prefer not to compare authors or characters, I cannot stop from stating that Mariani’s Ben Hope is becoming more and more like Child’s Jack Reacher with each passing book. Series fans (and those who read my reviews) will remember that Hope messed up with his fiancée Brooke Marcel and left her hanging so that he could go about doing his own thing. As with many of the novels, Hope finds himself working with a female sidekick (though sometimes he is the one following his female companion) and there is always a question of chemistry. Hope tends to keep the females away from his heart (having let two in who pained him) and disappears off to the next location when it suits him. This novel continues that Reacher-esque attitude, with Hope hiding away in a monastery to reinvent himself. Hope wants to live his life and steer away from trouble, but it keeps knocking on his door and he is forced to take action. Mariani offers up Sylvie Valois as the latest sidekick and pushes them into a wonderfully devious story that has history and modern day implications in equal measure. I am happy to see the interactions and can only wonder if Hope will remain the ‘constant wanderer’ that has turned his character into someone new over the last few books. The story itself has some wonderful aspects, to the point that there was a race to see the past in order to stop the future, which always excites me more than a simple “shoot ‘em up” plot. Mariani touches on some of the 21st century technology that keeps thriller novels enticing without needing to use the traditional weapons that find their way into many stories. This new Ben Hope might also prove to be even better, as the reader will remain in the dark over where he is and what he does. Brilliant twist!

Kudos, Mr. Mariani for never bowing to the pressure of the genre and keeping readers on their toes throughout the series.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 3 out of 5]

SWEDISH REVIEW

Martyrens förbannelse är den andra boken jag har läst i Ben Hope serien och jag tycker storyn i denna bok är snäppet bättre än i den förra boken jag läste (Dolda). Men så finner jag begravda hemligheter väldigt fascinerande. Sedan är det så att man kan ju inget annat än tycka synd om Ben Hope som äntligen har funnit den frid han har sökt så länge ska tvingas ta itu med onda människor igen. Denna gång en man som är ute efter något som kan innebära världens undergång. För Ben Hope är detta uppdrag personligt, han är ute efter hämnd. Munkarna som dog var hans vänner och han stoppar inte för något eller något förrän de har fått upprättelse.

Martyrens förbannelse är en snabbläst thriller, perfekt för en mörk vinterdag när man vill tillbringa dagen i soffan under en filt. Jag gillar Ben Hope, han är inte en opersonlig mördarmaskin utan en man som har fått utstå mycket men som nu verkar ha funnit ro. Men så krossas det och än en gång måste han stoppa en galning. Jag fann att handlingen i första halvan av boken tilltalade mig mest, när man ännu inte hade svar på alla frågor. Slutstriden kändes en aning förutsägbar men boken är helt klart underhållande.

Tack HarperCollins Nordic för recensionsexemplaret!

ENGLISH REVIEW

The Martyr's Curse is the second book I have read in the Ben Hope series and I think the story in this book is slightly better than in the previous book I read (The Forgotten Holocaust). But I find buried secrets very fascinating. I don't you can feel anything but sorry or Ben Hope who has finally found the peace he has sought so long to be forced to deal with evil people again. This time a man who is looking for something that could mean the end of the world. For Ben Hope is this mission personal, he's out for revenge. The monks who died were his friends and he does not stop for anyone or anything until they have been vindicated.

The Martyr's Curse is a fast read thriller, perfect for a dark winter day when you just want to spend the day on the sofa under a blanket. I like Ben Hope, he is not an impersonal killing machine, but a man who has suffered much, but who now seems to have found peace. But then it's crushed and once again he must stop a madman. I found the first half of the book appealed to me the most when you have not yet had all the answers. The final battle felt a little predictable, still, the book is certainly entertaining.

Thanks to HarperCollins Nordic for the review copy!

[Giuseppe Ruotolo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoy Ben Hope however this one was a bit below par, hence the 2 stars.
Usual good start couldn't turn the pages fast enough, Then it kind of seemed to sag in the middle with a load of mambo-jumbo about chemical of mass destruction which went for far too long and I found myself skipping to the action.
Let's hope Hope comes back stronger in the next one.

[Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review will follow shortly.
Audiobook - 11:42 Hours - Narrator: Colin Mace
3Stars - I liked it
It is a bit over 15 months since I listened to "Ben Hope #10, The Forgotten Holocaust" (4Stars) and I will wait a few more months be I tackle "#12, The Cassandra Sanction". It appears that I might be a bit fickle in my later reviews of the mighty protagonist "Ben Hope", as my reviews of #8 to #11 alternate between 3Stars and 4Stars, while #1 to #3 and #5 to #7 were all 4Stars, (#4, was 3Stars).

What does it all mean? I have no idea, except that "Scott Mariani" write books that I either "like" or "really like", with out an "I did not like it", or an "it was amazing" and that makes me a happy listener! I still have #12 to #18 to load up on my iPhone and I will start to do so over the next six months or so.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrilling dangerous and life threatening adventure for Ben Hope.
This book is slightly different at it starts with Ben seeking refuge and healing within a monastery. However an horrific event and an ancient curse soon sets Ben on the trail of the people responsible.
As always there are thrills, danger, death and destruction along the way. Another great page turner and thrilling mystery in the series.

[Robert Bradberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

1348

Fantastic transition for an incredible character who
realistically hit rock bottom only to come out guns
blazing as the hero we all know and love. And a great
story to boot. Where will Ben go now? I'm hooked on
this five-star series and can't wait to read on.

[Karen Jarvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit disappointing and a bit too close to home at the moment!

[Ray O'Hare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Scott Mariani masterpiece.

[D.S. Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Before, he’d been upset and angry. Now he was upset, and angry, and focused. Calm. Clear. Cold. And very dangerous.'

Ben is living a life at a monastery in France. Wanting to find peace from his past.

Men like Ben will never find peace as the monastery is attacked, killing all his friends.
What follows is a bioterrorist plot to end most of humanity.

Another fantastic episode of Ben's life 👌

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to see this book get back to the high quality of many of the earlier ones in the series (I just felt one or two of the recent books, although very good, were not at the standard of the earlier ones). If you haven't got the message - I loved reading this book and read it almost non-stop! This book had a quite modern theme that I don't want to give away as a spoiler. There was great contrast in the book from the early parts where we had Ben in great crisis, to Ben at peace and then Ben at his best as avenging angel! However, I do worry about what is next for Ben! This became fast pace, high octane stuff that rivals the likes of Jack Reacher, Mitch Rapp, John Puller and Gabriel Allon. If you enjoy any of these books and characters I am sure you would enjoy this series, especially if you like a historical connection to your books that these always provide. What have you got to lose!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another gripping book in the series. I have already purchased the next book in the series but I'm aware there aren't many left. What am I going to do when I get to the end of the series? I'll have to find something else to replace Ben Hope. Unfortunately Jack Teacher just won't fill the void!!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ben Hope series is my favourite action thriller series. I've read and loved every one of them. I think it's fair to say that this, the eleventh, is the best of them all and that is a considerable achievement.

[Joe Geesin · Rating 3 out of 5]

When it flowed it was as good as the rest, but some segments (notably the monastry) used to set the scene were far too drawn out. We all like a bit of Bond-like fantasy in the drama but final scene pushed the limits of being shot to pieces and walking away just a bit too far.

[Amanda Bayliss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Sally for putting me onto this one

[Melly Dimitrova · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these books too fast and too hungrily. And I know the next one won't last too long unread. Until I am out of published books, hell I have only 5 left, not very comforting thought since I read 4 already for quite a short time. And I'm pretty sure I'll read the next one 'til the end of this week, oops.
I've always taught the worst kind of criminals are lunatics because they're maniacal, extreme in their beliefs and would stop at nothing to achieve what they stand for, usually something very, very massive and destructive. And it just sounds ridiculous to put in jail a person intending to kill millions and what not. No, here Ben Hope's methods work perfectly fine and are the best solution ever. I was pleased to see in this book that for the first time in forever officials gave Ben the carte blanche to act however he seems it's best to do so. There's nothing like death sentence which, unfortunately, we lack nowadays, one thing the past can teach us how efficient it was.
This book reminded me a little bit of Dan Brown's Inferno because of the... main subject. However, I see more reason in Inferno and it seemed almost right to me(yeah, I'm a very extravagant mind for sure). The antagonist there was almost not one at all while in The Martyr's Curse... well, Streicher was a whole lot of a madman ready to spread a massive attack on the world. So no, I don't think such a person has to be put in jail, that's the distorted view of democracy which is anything but fair. I miss the guillotine, at least that's a fair justice to the worst of criminals.
I think I talked too much off-topic. So, in the eleventh instalment of Ben Hope series, Ben himself has begun to find a little peace at last. He is thankful to the monks who saved him from self-destruction and accustomed to their life in the isolated monastery in the French Alps. And is happy to stay as there and maybe start anew the life he was planning for himself a long time ago. Yet, nothing goes exactly as planned, right? In Ben's case, it never does, at least not about his peaceful life far away from danger and trouble. I'm not sure Ben Hope will ever be the guy to settle down peacefully and I'm wondering how exactly this will end. Because at some point the series will have an end so will it be finally a happy ending or...? No, not the second option, I'll be very upset and mad at the author. I wish he could find a woman he can be happy with, one who will be beside him no matter what happens(it's not his fault bad guys exist, right?) just like my favourite duo Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase. Why couldn't he be with a woman and still doing insane heroic acts just like Eddie? Because it really hurts me seeing him like that, especially when drunk and so aimless.
When the people who helped him and accepted him into their home are brutally slaughtered, Ben will stop at nothing to avenge them. And that's something he does perfectly fine. However, what seems like a gold theft soon reveals to be far more dangerous and terrifying than he'd expected. The odds are too big and there's no place so mistake. Ben is soon in a race with time to prevent the ultimate disaster by stopping the leader of an organisation of doomsday preppers.
It was nice to see again the once Paris detective Luc Simon who had said ‘Men like us are lone wolves.’ in the very first book when Ben had met him not in a very friendly environment. He was damn right, they're good men but so unlucky in their personal lives. It makes me sympathise them. But here's another Ben Hope adventure on the road so don't miss it!

[Hano-Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had some conflicted feelings about this book. I started reading it almost a year ago and only now was I able to finish reading it. I liked the beginning very much but then a few chapters in it felt quite boring to me, I kept reading the same page I was stuck at, over and over and over again, not really interested in moving forward. Then, after I finished reading The Bach Manuscript I became excited to finish this one. The later chapters were more engaging and fun to read. 5 Stars like always!

A few quotes I liked:
"Why is it that everyone under the age of thirty seems to think all the mysteries of the world can be solved on Google?" haha!

"A light, delicate and insubstantial pale silk nightdress that seemed to be more holes than material". I found this one to be quite funny because it is how we feel about the fashion industry these days!! It is becoming quite difficult to find a full proper outfit without the need to complement it with something else to cover up the missing material sections.

"Human error. The fallibility principle. No matter how secure the system, there was always a weak link somewhere." Very true, I like it!

[Lukerik · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this one Ben Hope doesn’t actually kill anyone until page 177. Of course, he does threaten to kill people in the run up to it. And he beats a few people up and mutilates a corpse. The reason for this good behaviour is that Ben Hope has become a monk. This might seem like an odd artistic choice on Mariani’s part, but it does give him an opportunity for some character pr

Sorry, I am still here. For a minute there I couldn’t stop laughing.

This instalment has the usual fare: monks with a buried secret, a baddie with an underground lair. Thematically there’re lots of things with are hidden or concealed or underground in some way, but you needn’t pay too much attention. You also don’t have to notice the gaping plot holes if you don’t want to. It’s noticeably not as good as most of the series. Most glaring is the episode where Ben Hope follows a wrong lead. I think this must have been inserted to bring the book up to length. I suppose it was written immediately after The Forgotten Holocaust which I thought was particularly good, so maybe Mariani was a bit tired. It’s a 400 page entertainment and good for when you want to read but don’t have your brain switched on.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good escapist thriller. You know what you are getting when you read Ben Hope. a quick read. Ben Hope saves the world again.

AN ANCIENT CURSE. A SHOCKING MASSACRE.
A THREAT TO UNLEASH THE ULTIMATE DISASTER.

Could Ben Hope have found peace at last?

That’s the question he’s asking himself after his wanderings through Europe have led him to a remote medieval monastery in the French Alps. A haven of serenity, a place he wants to remain.

But wherever Ben goes, trouble is never too far behind.

When a team of merciless killers invade his newfound sanctuary and slaughter the innocent monks, Ben’s revenge quest quickly draws him into a bewildering mystery of stolen treasure, deception and murder.

What is the truth behind the cache of gold bullion apparently hidden for centuries under the monastery? What is the significance of an ancient curse dating back to a cruel heretic burning in medieval times? What are the real ambitions of the enigmatic leader of an organisation of doomsday ‘preppers’ calling themselves Exercitus Paratorum: the Army of the Prepared?

[Sue Morcumb]

I had actually read this book in a book form and not on my kindle and I remembered it as soon as I started reading it, so I have returned it to Kindle store, it is a very good story with lots of feelings and compassion for the main character and for the things he has to do to put things right, a very good read and worth reading. Once you are hooked on Ben Hope you are just waiting for the next exciting book, it is worth starting at One in his selection of books and work your way through as there is always some link to the next book and references to the previous book, but the stories are always different and it is always Ben doing what is right and putting right the wrongs that have been caused by others without any thoughts to himself. He is a wonderful character and I only hope that we may continue to have these books forever, I love them and would recommend them to everyone, there is no sex, or swearing and the only violence is necessary not just for the sake of it, and Ben always gets the bad guy in the end. Great read.

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Hope has reached the lowest of lows, slowly drinking himself to death without a sense of purpose or direction. In this state he ultimately finds himself in a monastery in the French alps where a finds a element of peace and calm. As usual for Ben things never remain calm and his new life is shattered and he finds a new purpose in life; revenge.

It changes everything and brings him into conflict with a secret government operation to find a man bent on death and destruction. Ben wants the same man but to kill him not bring him to justice.

This book has a very slow start and I was really beginning to wonder what it was all about. Usually, a Ben Hope book is into the action very quickly, but not this one. However, when it does get going it has the usual fast paced action that you expect. It's why I've read so many of these books and in the end I enjoyed the book.

[Alan Marston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben is a very determined person, determined to drink himself into oblivion at the start, then determined to dedicate himself to a monastic existence, and finally determined to avenge the deaths of his friends, murdered for a secret buried deep in the monastery.
That secret involves the development of a bio weapon that could obliterate a significant proportion of humanity.
This is a crackingly paced read that l took only a few days to complete, and made me want to move on to the next in the series. Ben takes on cause that most of us would definitely shy away from, in each case with little regard to himself, but reflecting that deep determination to put things right. His methods are not pretty, but can be very effective.

[Trevor Snape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major Ben Hope finds himself in a monastery in the French Alps where he settles in a daily peaceful routine of a quiet life. Has he finally found a place he can call home and live out his days in peace and harmony. Not a cats in hells chance. On returning from a routine trip to the local town he finds that all the monks, his friends and companions have been brutally murdered. A switch is flicked and Ben becomes his former self with only one thing on his mind. To find the merciless killers, and seek retribution in the only way he knows and also unravel the mystery of why his friends had to die. Hold on to your hats, this story has its roots in the past but is very much of the now and the future.

[Sean Loone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again I like the premise of the book. There is a mystery which invites you to find out more. Equally there’s the suggestion of the possibility there might be more to this mystery than meets the eye. It takes me back to the earlier books in the series. So for a about one third of the book we join Ben Hope falling deeper and deeper into the mystique created by the author. We even have time to recap what’s gone before. Then the gear change comes and we find ourselves in a somewhat straightforward revenge story and this where things become disappointing for me. I hope having stuck with Ben for the series so far this rather formulaic approach does not become the norm. We shall see!

[Tamil · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the 11th Ben Hope book we find our hero lying unconsciously in no man's place. He was doing and saved from dying by the monks. Then he spends many months with them and finally about to find peaceful serene life by leaving his past behind him. But as usual fate decides something else. He goes back to usual Ben hope mode full of Vengeance to take revenge for killing the monks whom he considered as his friends. Typical Ben hope thriller with action. But the plot about a manic who was trying to destroy the world by releasing a plague doesn't sounded well.

[Kevin Stumpf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could have been a five star and was tracking to beone and then.....the dreaded, not many pages left, we have a lot of loose ends to tie up......let’s just end it quick. I hate that in a novel that I am really enjoying and that was The Martyr’s Curse.

Enjoyed the plot, the character development, the twists, andthentheletshurryupandgetthisoverwith.

I don’t mind longer books, and I can imagine writers and editors pay A LOT more attention to that stuff than I do, I just want a COMPLETE novel.

[Nancy Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ex-SAS major Ben Hope is caught up in another exhilarating and thrilling adventure.
Monks find Ben half dead in the forests of the French Alps. He is nurtured back to life by the monks, who live in a remote monastery.
When a team of merciless killers slaughter the innocent monks, Ben's revenge draws him into a bewildering mystery of stolen treasure, deception, and murder.
The race is on.
Can Ben Hope prevent global devastation before it's too late?
~Nancy Huber, author of Days of Fire and Homeschooling Against All Odds

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrative is in no rush to take off, as it slowly builds the foundation of the story. Reminiscent of Mark Greaney's Mission Critical in its theme of deadly pathogens, Ben Hope bursts into action with the help from a French female intelligence agent. Motivated by revenge, Ben seeks out a shadowy group known as the Parati. The story is kind of predictable, with the exception of one clever twist.

I still think The Moscow Cipher is Mariani's best so far.

[Andra Nicoara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Ben never seems to catch a break and once again people he cares about get hurt. I enjoyed Silvie's character, gracious and badass at the same time, she balanced the action and ultimately gave Ben the warmth and closeness he badly needed again. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and finding out what kind of shitstorm he's gonna get himself into!

[Sandy Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Perhaps Mariani's books could be called a bit formulaic but they are just so good! I wish the author would do as James Rollins and Steve Berry and end his books with comments on what was true and what was part of his imagination as portions seem to be based on fact. Or maybe he is just that good. Another not to be missed Ben Hope adventure.

[Alistaire King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Hope still going strong

No real surprises here. This is not a meditation on life and death but the usual rollercoaster of action, death and a super criminal. The only complaint is that at the end the baddie behaves in an unexpected fashion going by what we had already learnt. Having said that if you want an uncomplicated easy to read thriller this fits the bill.