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Ben Hope #12
The Cassandra Sanction
The master bestseller is back with the most thrilling, shocking and utterly compelling Ben Hope adventure yet!
A tragic death, a grieving brother.
A plot to deceive the entire world…
All Ben Hope wanted was a quiet drink in a peaceful Spanish bar. What he got instead was the kind of trouble that only a man like him can handle.
Raul Fuentes can’t accept that his sister, Catalina, took her own life. Ben isn’t convinced, but ghosts from his own past compel him to help Raul discover the truth.
What connects Catalina’s apparent suicide to the suspicious fate of three of her fellow scientists? And why do a gang of professional killers follow Ben and Raul wherever they go?
Ben will soon discover the terrible truth, a fraudulent conspiracy to dupe all of humankind. And those responsible will soon find out they’ve met their match.
BEN HOPE is one of the most celebrated action adventure heroes ever and SCOTT MARIANI is one of the most successful home grown thriller writers of all time. Join the MILLIONS of readers who get breathless with anticipation when the countdown to the new Ben Hope thriller begins …
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2016
265 people are currently reading
825 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
September 4, 2017
Continuing with a new-found vagabond lifestyle, Ben Hope tends to open the novel with more mystery, at the hands of Scott Mariani’s infinite list of ideas. Seeking again to live under the radar, Hope finds himself in Spain and witnesses a dust-up in a bar. Stepping in to help, Hope becomes acquainted with Raul Fuentes, who is trying to defend the honour of his sister, who seemingly committed suicide not too long before. The more Hope learns, the more he finds himself aligning with Raul’s belief that Catalina might be alive, her death part of an elaborate plan. Tracing her steps, Hope and Raul try to determine where she might have gone and for what reason. As they scour the European continent, Hope learns that Catalina Fuentes was known for not only her beauty, but the brains behind it. A solar physicist, her work related to sun spots was known within the academic community. Dodging a collection of men sent to deter them, Hope and Raul soon come face to face with the woman they seek, but this is only the start to their woes. Catalina tries to convince them to let her be, but when that fails, she expounds upon some troubling research that she has uncovered. What she knows might be more deadly to her that the world at large, though there is certainly enough to make headlines around the world. With one man seeking to destroy Dr. Fuentes at any cost, Hope must do all he can to save her before it's too late. Another interesting science-based story from the archives of the master storyteller, Scott Mariani. Series fans will surely want to focus their attention on this one, as it charms and impresses on many levels.
The ongoing metamorphosis of Ben Hope has become a staggered process and one in which the protagonist struggles with shedding his past. Wanting a life free from of drama, Hope seems to be a magnet for it and cannot help but turn towards those in need. However convinced he is to himself, Hope cannot help but crack all mysteries and save all damsels. That said, there is only now a slow thaw as it relates to his family and what he did when he abandoned everyone two novels ago. This progression is an interesting contrast to the aforementioned lifestyle change he seeks. A dozen novels into the series, the story is rich in science and yet the thriller aspect is not lost on the dedicated reader. Things can get a little hung up and this might be one reason I was not able to push through with as much ease as I would have liked. However, that does not mean that its quality was lacking whatsoever. I am highly excited to see where Hope will go and how he will use some of his ever-evolving experience to tackle the next case. I yearn for more, Mr. Mariani and hope you have some real high-impact stories to come, both that address Hope’s need for thrills and his personal struggles that remain unresolved.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for keeping me hooked this far into the series. What a great choice for binge reading and there are still a few more to go.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
The ongoing metamorphosis of Ben Hope has become a staggered process and one in which the protagonist struggles with shedding his past. Wanting a life free from of drama, Hope seems to be a magnet for it and cannot help but turn towards those in need. However convinced he is to himself, Hope cannot help but crack all mysteries and save all damsels. That said, there is only now a slow thaw as it relates to his family and what he did when he abandoned everyone two novels ago. This progression is an interesting contrast to the aforementioned lifestyle change he seeks. A dozen novels into the series, the story is rich in science and yet the thriller aspect is not lost on the dedicated reader. Things can get a little hung up and this might be one reason I was not able to push through with as much ease as I would have liked. However, that does not mean that its quality was lacking whatsoever. I am highly excited to see where Hope will go and how he will use some of his ever-evolving experience to tackle the next case. I yearn for more, Mr. Mariani and hope you have some real high-impact stories to come, both that address Hope’s need for thrills and his personal struggles that remain unresolved.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for keeping me hooked this far into the series. What a great choice for binge reading and there are still a few more to go.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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January 24, 2020
Audiobook - Listened to in mid-2016 (I think)
It appears that I missed reviewing or giving a rating for this Ben Hope novel. Based on my experience reading and enjoying this series, I have awarded 4Stars.
The reading dates are an estimate calculated on my readings of prior and subsequent books in the series.
It appears that I missed reviewing or giving a rating for this Ben Hope novel. Based on my experience reading and enjoying this series, I have awarded 4Stars.
The reading dates are an estimate calculated on my readings of prior and subsequent books in the series.
January 3, 2018
I love the Ben Hope series - and Ben Hope - more than chocolate and The Cassandra Sanction did not disappoint - next to impossible to put down.
January 3, 2024
The first 250 pages were slow but a good mindless read for the holidays. The final 150 pages then descended into chaos with a completely unbelievable plot with very little tying up of the loose ends that had been created previously and then the book just ended. The fact that the 'science' in this book was written so well and seemingly was very well researched cause me concern that many people who do not have any understanding of climate change will take it as fact.
January 7, 2018
Dual review with Swedish first and then English!
SWEDISH REVIEW
Jag tycker om att läsa en bok om Ben Hope mellan varven. Handlingarna är intressanta och har ofta kopplingar till historiska händelser och personer. Kodnamn Kassandra är inget undantag. I denna bok så träffar Ben på Raul Fuentes, en man som nyligen har förlurat sin syster, Catalina Fuentes. Allting tyder på självmord, men Raul tror att syster forfarande lever då man aldrig fann kroppen. Ben har svårt att tro honom, men minns själv hur han gav upp hoppet om sin egen syster när hon försvann när de var små för att sedan få reda på många år senare att hon lever. Ben beslutar sig för att hjälpa Raul trots att han innerst inne tror att Catalina är död.
Kodnamn Kassandra var mycket trevlig att läsa. Även om berättelsen om den försvunna systersn var bra, var jag mest fascinerad över information man fick angående Bens egen barndom. Jag har inte läst alla böckerna i serien, så Bens bakgrund var okänd för mig. Och jag måste erkänna att Bens personliga historia, som bara är en liten del av boken, gjorde ett större intryck än huvudhistorien. Inte för att Rauls jakt på sin syster var tråkig, det var mer den delen av berättelsen kändes en aning förutsägbar mellan varven.
Jag tyckte om att läsa boken och jag ser fram emot att läsa både nästa bok i serien och de andra tidigare publicerade som jag har missat att läsa.
Tack HarperCollins Nordic för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
I always enjoy reading a Ben Hope novel now and then, the stories in the book are interesting and they often have links with historical events and people. The Cassandra Sanction is no exception. In this book, Ben meets Raul Fuentes, a man who has recently lost his sister, Catalina Fuentes. Everything implies suicide, but Raul believes that sister is still alive since the body has never been found. Ben has difficulty believing him, but remembers himself how he gave up the hope of his own sister when she disappeared when they were little only to find out many years later that she was alive. Ben decides to help Raul even though he believes Catalina is dead.
I found this book to be very pleasant to read. Although the story was good, the missing sister, was I mostly intrigued by the snippet we got from Ben's own childhood I've not read all the books so much about Ben is still unknown to me. And, I have to admit that Ben's personal story, although just a small part of the book, made a bigger impression than the main story. Not that Raul's hunt for his sister was boring, it was more that part of the story felt a bit predictable.
I did enjoy reading the book, and I'm looking forward to both reading the next book in the series and getting to the first books that I've missed.
Thanks HarperCollins Nordic for the review copy!
SWEDISH REVIEW
Jag tycker om att läsa en bok om Ben Hope mellan varven. Handlingarna är intressanta och har ofta kopplingar till historiska händelser och personer. Kodnamn Kassandra är inget undantag. I denna bok så träffar Ben på Raul Fuentes, en man som nyligen har förlurat sin syster, Catalina Fuentes. Allting tyder på självmord, men Raul tror att syster forfarande lever då man aldrig fann kroppen. Ben har svårt att tro honom, men minns själv hur han gav upp hoppet om sin egen syster när hon försvann när de var små för att sedan få reda på många år senare att hon lever. Ben beslutar sig för att hjälpa Raul trots att han innerst inne tror att Catalina är död.
Kodnamn Kassandra var mycket trevlig att läsa. Även om berättelsen om den försvunna systersn var bra, var jag mest fascinerad över information man fick angående Bens egen barndom. Jag har inte läst alla böckerna i serien, så Bens bakgrund var okänd för mig. Och jag måste erkänna att Bens personliga historia, som bara är en liten del av boken, gjorde ett större intryck än huvudhistorien. Inte för att Rauls jakt på sin syster var tråkig, det var mer den delen av berättelsen kändes en aning förutsägbar mellan varven.
Jag tyckte om att läsa boken och jag ser fram emot att läsa både nästa bok i serien och de andra tidigare publicerade som jag har missat att läsa.
Tack HarperCollins Nordic för recensionsexemplaret!
ENGLISH REVIEW
I always enjoy reading a Ben Hope novel now and then, the stories in the book are interesting and they often have links with historical events and people. The Cassandra Sanction is no exception. In this book, Ben meets Raul Fuentes, a man who has recently lost his sister, Catalina Fuentes. Everything implies suicide, but Raul believes that sister is still alive since the body has never been found. Ben has difficulty believing him, but remembers himself how he gave up the hope of his own sister when she disappeared when they were little only to find out many years later that she was alive. Ben decides to help Raul even though he believes Catalina is dead.
I found this book to be very pleasant to read. Although the story was good, the missing sister, was I mostly intrigued by the snippet we got from Ben's own childhood I've not read all the books so much about Ben is still unknown to me. And, I have to admit that Ben's personal story, although just a small part of the book, made a bigger impression than the main story. Not that Raul's hunt for his sister was boring, it was more that part of the story felt a bit predictable.
I did enjoy reading the book, and I'm looking forward to both reading the next book in the series and getting to the first books that I've missed.
Thanks HarperCollins Nordic for the review copy!
July 3, 2018
Exciting enough with plenty of Ben Hope action, but a somewhat different take on things in this book. A very chance meeting sees Ben on the lookout for someone who appears to have committed suicide, but whose twin brother dos not believe that to be the case. The premise behind the book centres on Global Green issues, with those apparently protecting the planet from global warming having other ideas. There is a great deal of exposition of such global issues, obviously well-researched by Scott Mariani, although I felt that some of it was a little bit of a stretch. However, I am not an expert, and it did make for a good read. There is a great deal of action in the book, but it did not quite hold my attention as others have. That may have been too much factual detail detracting from the pace of the story. Perhaps the next in the series will show Ben back to his best.
July 1, 2021
'Observe, listen, learn, don’t say more than you have to.'
Ben Hope is at it again! This time he's sunning it up on Spain when he helps Raul in a bar fight. It turns out Raul's sister supposedly committed suicide, and he doesn't believe it.
Ben being Ben steps in to help and uncovers a world bending conspiracy to do with the pending ice age.
More action, more thrills, and more of Ben being Ben.
‘I never walk away,’ Ben said. (We've noticed Ben, we've noticed 🤣)
Ben Hope is at it again! This time he's sunning it up on Spain when he helps Raul in a bar fight. It turns out Raul's sister supposedly committed suicide, and he doesn't believe it.
Ben being Ben steps in to help and uncovers a world bending conspiracy to do with the pending ice age.
More action, more thrills, and more of Ben being Ben.
‘I never walk away,’ Ben said. (We've noticed Ben, we've noticed 🤣)
April 23, 2019
Great book, but ends kinda fast. Definite recommendation!
September 30, 2023
Very good, suspense until the very end
February 27, 2016
The Cassandra Sanction is the 12th book in the Ben Hope series. Poor Ben can't seem to avoid trouble no matter how much he tries. He is in Spain and just wants a drink in a bar. Bad.... move.
He comes to the aid of Raul Fuentes. Raul can't believe that his sister, Catalina, committed suicide. Ben remembering back to the disappearance of his sister, commits to help Raul find Catalina or prove her death.
Ben and Raul come up against some pretty nasty, powerful people who also want to find Catalina.
New love interest or is his heart still with Brooke?
He comes to the aid of Raul Fuentes. Raul can't believe that his sister, Catalina, committed suicide. Ben remembering back to the disappearance of his sister, commits to help Raul find Catalina or prove her death.
Ben and Raul come up against some pretty nasty, powerful people who also want to find Catalina.
New love interest or is his heart still with Brooke?
March 27, 2018
The usual collection of unlikely coincidences mixed in with secret societies and conspiracy theories about the end of the world with a slow start but without the completely over the top ending of some of the previous books.
Ben Hope is still perfect at everything he does - excluding his personal life obviously - in a way that gets a bit annoying, and everyone he meets or gets to know will be in instant danger sooner of later. (probably sooner)
Still it's all very well done and fun, so who cares?
Ben Hope is still perfect at everything he does - excluding his personal life obviously - in a way that gets a bit annoying, and everyone he meets or gets to know will be in instant danger sooner of later. (probably sooner)
Still it's all very well done and fun, so who cares?
August 8, 2023
I was very disappointed by this book, I know all about global warming ETC but to have more or less to read about 80% of the book about it was a no from me. the end was so quick , I was totally disappointed.
having enjoyed the previous books in the series very much I wonder what Scott was doing in this book.
I will read the others in the series , which i hope will be better.
having enjoyed the previous books in the series very much I wonder what Scott was doing in this book.
I will read the others in the series , which i hope will be better.
February 1, 2016
Fast paced ,,Brilliant.. a Great series of Books ...Here's to the next episode
April 29, 2016
3.5 stars
You know what you get with Ben Hope.
I love this series of books and this one was not a disappointment. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
You know what you get with Ben Hope.
I love this series of books and this one was not a disappointment. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 20, 2016
3.75 stars
March 27, 2021
Quite a frightening thought if it’s true.
October 6, 2019
I gave this 5 stars due to the huge twist which at first I didn’t expect, but then it came to me that there’s always and usually a twist at the end of each Ben Hope thriller!
Catillina did in the end get slightly annoying with the obsession of her work and I know it was all part of the story leading up to Maxwell Grant, but I did feel once she did find Maxwell the ending was finished with a click of the fingers. I’m not saying it wasn’t good because it definitely was hence why I think it was a big twist, at first I thought she was off to run away again but then the story went on.
Enjoyed the read, looking forward to the next chapter of Ben Hope and his confused way of life!
Catillina did in the end get slightly annoying with the obsession of her work and I know it was all part of the story leading up to Maxwell Grant, but I did feel once she did find Maxwell the ending was finished with a click of the fingers. I’m not saying it wasn’t good because it definitely was hence why I think it was a big twist, at first I thought she was off to run away again but then the story went on.
Enjoyed the read, looking forward to the next chapter of Ben Hope and his confused way of life!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2022
Ben Hope encounters Raul in a bar in Spain. The story he hears about Raul's dead sister, that he believes is still alive, makes him decide to help the man. They travel across Europe to find out exactly what happened to Catalina. It soon becomes apparent that her suicide was not as it would appear and their are others who are interested in her death as well. Even though it's been three months since she had died and Ben's deadly talents are soon put into action.
The reasoning behind all the death in this book doesn't really make sense. It lacked a certain believability. But it was still entertaining enough even though in places it was repetitious in it's explaining of events.
The reasoning behind all the death in this book doesn't really make sense. It lacked a certain believability. But it was still entertaining enough even though in places it was repetitious in it's explaining of events.
August 14, 2020
The Cassandra Sanction by Scott Mariani is action packed from start to finish. If you believe global warming is not happening, you will love this book. However, if you believe global warming is happening, will hate this book.
The first half of the book was great, but the second half of the book, and the whole basis of the plot, is based upon the premise that global warming is fake science, and that powerful people will murder any scientist who realises it is fake. In short, it both unscientific and unbelievable.
The first half of the book was great, but the second half of the book, and the whole basis of the plot, is based upon the premise that global warming is fake science, and that powerful people will murder any scientist who realises it is fake. In short, it both unscientific and unbelievable.
January 21, 2022
Original argument for the 12th Ben Hope's novel.
I already knew he is a specialist to track disappeared/hidden people but this time he is going to search for a girl who has commited suicide...
Although I like Ben Hope's series, I would like to read some changes in future novels (checking right now the next one) as I feel like I read very similar book last three novels on this serie (girl in deep troubles crosiing Ben's way and even when he is not looking for any situation ,he got involved on this situation).
I already knew he is a specialist to track disappeared/hidden people but this time he is going to search for a girl who has commited suicide...
Although I like Ben Hope's series, I would like to read some changes in future novels (checking right now the next one) as I feel like I read very similar book last three novels on this serie (girl in deep troubles crosiing Ben's way and even when he is not looking for any situation ,he got involved on this situation).
January 20, 2022
I really love the Ben Hope series, and this was enjoyable but in my opinion was probably the weakest of the series so far. Felt like the end was a bit rushed and was left unsatisfied by it. Similarly the relationship between the brother and sister didn't quite click for me, the lead woman felt a bit one dimensional. That being said, it's always enjoyable to follow Ben Hope, he's a great character and this book, while not the best in the series, was still engaging and I flew through it
September 29, 2024
This is the 12th Ben Hope book and he shows no signs of being anything less than invincible.
Following the breakdown of a relationship Hope finds himself meandering around Europe drowning his sorrows until a chance encounter (fight) in a bar leads him to a distraught Spaniard and his seemingly dead twin sister.
Just as pacy and well-plotted as all the previous instalments and just far-fetched enough to be an enjoyable adventure.
Following the breakdown of a relationship Hope finds himself meandering around Europe drowning his sorrows until a chance encounter (fight) in a bar leads him to a distraught Spaniard and his seemingly dead twin sister.
Just as pacy and well-plotted as all the previous instalments and just far-fetched enough to be an enjoyable adventure.
May 11, 2017
As usual great reading!!!
Who doesn't love Ben Hope? Action packed as usual! Fast reading conspiracy, good prevails over evil! Great conspiracy that makes you think. Would definitely recommend but if your a big fan already it's on the list. Thank you Scott Mariani for a wonderful character!
Who doesn't love Ben Hope? Action packed as usual! Fast reading conspiracy, good prevails over evil! Great conspiracy that makes you think. Would definitely recommend but if your a big fan already it's on the list. Thank you Scott Mariani for a wonderful character!
August 29, 2017
Brilliant as expected! !
Scott Mariani is an expert at building up the tension and his novels are truly masterful and engrossing. This author is an expert storyteller. His books are difficult to put down . I'm so glad that I found this author long may both himself and Ben Hope continue. Thanks again Scott.
Scott Mariani is an expert at building up the tension and his novels are truly masterful and engrossing. This author is an expert storyteller. His books are difficult to put down . I'm so glad that I found this author long may both himself and Ben Hope continue. Thanks again Scott.
March 2, 2018
Typical but so entertaining.
Pretty much the standard formula for a Ben Hope thriller but with a very interesting premise based on a timely issue - global warming. Is the public being told the truth or are we being misled? Is it for the greater good or a is a faction only interested in money pulling all the strings?
Pretty much the standard formula for a Ben Hope thriller but with a very interesting premise based on a timely issue - global warming. Is the public being told the truth or are we being misled? Is it for the greater good or a is a faction only interested in money pulling all the strings?
April 20, 2018
Never fails to impress me! Every time I start reading a new book, I kind of feel like I'm not gonna be impressed as much as the last time I read one of his books. But Scott is true creative genius! I really enjoy how he blends fiction with reality and history to create an exciting and engaging story-line.
May 4, 2018
I have read other books in this series but this one left me feeling disappointed. The basic idea was good but it felt like the author ran out of steam part way through and the ending was unsatisfactory as if they had got to the point of just wanting to be done with writing the story and didn't have a good way to end it.
June 11, 2018
Goodbye Catalina
Four stars for a Ben Hope story is like a five for
anything else. What's important here is it wasn't
quite as good as previous books. Subject matter
was tedious and depressing and Ben's motivations
were random and too Reacher like. I like Ben the
friend not Ben the longer.
Four stars for a Ben Hope story is like a five for
anything else. What's important here is it wasn't
quite as good as previous books. Subject matter
was tedious and depressing and Ben's motivations
were random and too Reacher like. I like Ben the
friend not Ben the longer.
August 21, 2020
This is my least favourite of the Ben Hope series which I've read so far; the build up: action ratio seemed off, so you end up 300 pages in before you get the back story as to why the bad guys are after the missing sister.
There's also no neat wrap up; as one man can't exactly solve climate change in 50 pages so it seems a rad open ended.
There's also no neat wrap up; as one man can't exactly solve climate change in 50 pages so it seems a rad open ended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2020
I think this could be so much better but this is a template that works and Scott Mariani is capitalizing on this. It is a read that I know will be unrealistic and will start with nothing and end up with a girl and many dead bodies but in this current environment with Covid19 this is a nice escape from current reality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews