The Moscow Cipher

Ben Hope #17

by Scott Mariani, Colin Mace (Narrator)

When twelve-year-old Valentina fails to return from a visit to her father in Moscow, alarm bells start ringing. Her rich and powerful family know there’s one man they can depend on to bring her back safe: former SAS major Ben Hope.

But what starts off as an apparently straightforward case of parental child abduction quickly takes on more sinister dimensions as Ben travels to Moscow and starts to investigate the whereabouts of Valentina and her father, Yuri – a man with a hidden past not even his ex-wife knows about.

Now that past has caught up with him, it’s not only Yuri’s life that is in danger, but Valentina’s too. If Ben Hope can’t save them, nobody can.

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

Audible Audio

First published May 31, 2018

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott Mariani is back with another Ben Hope thriller, placing him in the middle of another harrowing adventure to uncover mysteries that would shock the outside world. Yuri Petrov thought he had left his life as a Russian spy in the past. However, when approached by his former superior to help with a coded message that was found inside an old Moscow building, he is wary of what awaits him. After starting the process, Petrov realises that he must flee with his daughter, Valentina, to ensure they are both safe. Meanwhile, back at his compound in France, former SAS Ben Hope is enjoying his life of leisure, working for himself and at his own pace. An old acquaintance arrives with some worrisome news, his grand-niece seems to have been kidnaped by her father—Yuri Petrov—after she was not returned back to her mother in a timely manner. Hope, who spent many years honing his work in kidnap and ransom has much experience working with children and he agrees to help. Sent to Russia, Hope must find young Valentina and extract her quickly, though he is unsure what awaits him, having never ventured into this massive country. Met at the airport by a young guide, Hope begins his search, using intuition and cyber clues to locate Petrov and Valentina. It is at this point that Hope learns about ‘Operation Puppet Master’, a Soviet-era experiment that could control the mind of any subject and wreak havoc. With the Russians inching closer and Valentina his primary concern, Hope must not only extract the young girl, but ensure that Puppet Master in its resurrected form is terminated before it can be put to use. This may be the most harrowing adventure yet, for Hope cannot tell how to locate his enemies or what they might do after placing him in the crosshairs. Mariani has done well with this book and keeps the reader involved. Series fans will surely enjoy this one, as will those who like thrillers with a ‘revived Russia’ theme.

I have enjoyed Mariani’s work since I binge-read much of the Ben Hope series last summer. Each book serves to build on the previous novels, advancing not only story arcs, but well-balanced plots and timely situations. Ben Hope has undergone much change in these seventeen novels, progressing and regressing in equal measure, but there is always room for more, as the reader discovers with each passing piece. Hope is away from home for much of the book and his past does not rear its head throughout, but his compassionate nature is on offer for the reader to weigh against the deadly force he is willing to use against those who threaten his safety, as well as that of his client. A handful of supporting characters help keep the story moving, both key allies and those with dastardly intentions to wrestle control away from Hope. The story is one that seems to be reappearing in thrillers of late, the renewed rise of Russia and its cutthroat push to regain control, flexing muscles in an effort to return to past glories. Reality or fiction, Mariani paints a dark image of what could be to come, should the Russians possess or utilse Operation Puppet Master to its full effect. The reader is left to wonder and potentially quake as this spine-tingling technology is explained in depth, as well as the fallout that awaits. Could it already be in use, in communities around the world? Mariani leaves that opportunity open for discussion as the reader pushes through this latest novel in the Ben Hope series. There does not seem to be any loss of momentum, so one can only hope that Mariani has many more adventures in store for his rugged protagonist.

Kudos, Mr. Mariani, for another well-crafted piece. I thoroughly enjoy the mix of adventure and historical analysis you offer the reader. I am pleased to see another piece is ready for publication and eagerly await its release.

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

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[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic Ben Hope, one of the better stories in the series, certainly better than the 2 African adventure books.

Starts with secret agent complexities based in Russia in 1957,but then moves to present day with Ben at Le Val training up a group in stealth pursuit, Until an old client and friend gets in touch with what seems to be a case of parental child abduction. At first he doesn’t take the job, having left behind the Kidnap and Ransom cases. He soon changes his mind and soon finds himself off to Moscow where it is anything but a case of child abduction. There are some complexities and twists in the story, to the point the book could have been a little longer, but then what good book couldn’t…

As always the pace is phenomenal, the action extremely violent, but with a lot of detail to the history and background to the story that we have come to expect. Always finish a Ben Hope book, having learned something. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ben Hope series is my favourite of all thriller series and when one arrives I drop everything. I loved The Moscow Cipher - so exciting, brilliantly written and Ben Hope is as magnificent as ever. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.

[Becci Snape · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of Scott Mariani’s novels I have read and this one is just as gripping. The central character is SAS major Ben Hope and what a character he is! This starts as a seemingly straightforward job soon turns into a far more complex and dangerous pursuit. I was gripped from start to finish and I can’t wait to read more of the Ben Hope thrillers.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moscow Cipher is my first Scott Mariani novel. A good premise kicks off the start of the story, executed with a haunting revelation. Some of the action scenes throughout are not wholly believable, yet entertain nonetheless. A story of good versus evil, of demented science & globalists drunk on power, trying to snuff out the last freedoms of the people.

I would read another Mariani for sure.

Four and-a-half stars.

[Martin Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, it always keeps your attention and plenty of action, with a very good story line.

[Andra Nicoara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling, as usual, packed with action and an interesting plot development. I end up reading the Ben Hope books way slower than usual, so I don't reach the end of them too soon, and this one was no exception. I can't wait to get my hands on the next volume!

[Melly Dimitrova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, maybe I expected a little bit more. I love it when Ben destroys whole secret organisations to the ground. Everyone eliminated and the whole project is no more. Don't get me wrong, I'm perfectly satisfied with the damage Ben caused but still... this stupid organisation can go back to their work, nothing was initially destroyed and they can continue with their malicious plans. That was a pity.
Anyway, back to the start. I love ciphers! I just love challenging my brain with riddles and games... By the way, I have a Ciphers and Cryptography module next year in my Computer Science course(I do hope it'll be at least a bit as exciting as the ciphers in thriller books). Russia has always seemed like an interesting destination, something different to the West and such. I might like to visit Moscow one day but most surely during the summer, I'm not particularly a fan of the ice age. 😅
Surely, The Moscow Cipher has a lot in store for you. It's very daring from Scott to pick such a topic as one from Rusia's 20th-century history. You know, the whole previous century seems to be a taboo overall, people don't like talking about particular leaders, there's also the world wars... yeah, sensitive topics. However, I am a person with unlimited curiosity and interest in History, I have a wide perspective and I wish to know, there's no such as off-limit subjects and knowledge is power. I know, I went off-topic again.
The book is quite interesting, action-packed and Ben Hope is as charming as always. I swear this is my most favourite book character, he has everything from personality to abilities and of course, that dark sarcastic sense of humour. He's better than any Prince Charming if you ask me. No wonder little Valentina grew a crush on him. *wink, wink*
I can't wait to start with the next one but first, I'll have to finish some uni stuff. *sighs* Oh and let's not forget Valley of Death's coming out very soon next month, I can't wait!

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book in the Ben Hope series, slightly stretching credulity as usual and written with good pace apart from a section about brain implants which was way too long

[Dchamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, REALLY good book!
Lots of unexpected things, harrowing escapes... one of the best yet!

[Ray O'Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Great!!!!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual a really good story that kept me engrossed from start to finish. If you love Ben hope then you're going to enjoy this book.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another fantastic and fast moving adventure for Major Ben Hope!
I even pre-ordered the next book--The Rebel's Revenge--before reading this one. I love these stories so much. I hope Scott Mariani never runs out of ideas for the retired SAS Major.
The story starts in the communist former USSR in the late 1950s. The Soviets were developing chips to be inserted into human brains, so that the 'victims' could be controlled remotely to commit various crimes when instructed to do so, then they would have the memory of their action erased. Eventually, the 'victims' would have their minds totally wiped and reprogrammed to have false memories put in the place of their former lives. If this were not possible, then the people with chips in their heads were expendable.
Enter Ben Hope, who is hired to find the grand-niece of an extremely rich German living in France. The twelve year old was on a visit to her father in Moscow when they went on the run to avoid being taken by the Russians who wanted to obtain the microfilm and original 1950s chip.
Kaprisky hired Ben Hope as the last best chance of getting the child out alive. Needless to say, Hope goes in, all guns blazing (literally, at some points of the novel) and does what he does best.
The action ebbs and flows throughout the novel, with the inevitable twists and turns, where the reader believes that all is almost lost. But, if you know anything of the character of Major Ben Hope, you'll know that this is when he's at his best when he's facing his imminent demise.
The identities of one or two characters are not always revealed, so they can possibly be reused in future novels. Clues are given, but there is not always direct evidence as to their actual identities.
Another book that I couldn't put down, but I didn't want to finish either.

[Trevor Snape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Major Ben Hope finds himself drawn into conflict with some very violent and unsavoury characters. It all starts with a visit from a very old friend who's grand-niece has failed to return home from a visit to see her father. The child's grand-uncle lives in France but her father lives in Russia. So Ben Hope is persuaded to travel to Russia to find the child and her father and find out what her father wants to return the child to France, there are suspicions that the father may holding the child for ransom. Once in Russia Ben Hope finds that the father and daughter have disappeared, so the hunt begins with the help of a local female private investigator. The story revolves around an incident that happened in 1957 during the cold war involving secrets stolen and hidden in Moscow by the British secret service from the Russia's concerning mind control of people. Whilst demolishing some old buildings in Moscow a coded message concerning these long ago stolen secrets is found and the child's father is asked to decode he message by some people in Moscow. Ben has to find the father and daughter, understand the significance of this secret message and evade these people from Moscow. Ben's skills are put to test time and time again, and his live and the lives of those around him are put in danger in a variety of ways. This book has everything, gun fights, car chases and moles. It is a brilliant addition to the Major Ben Hope series and for fans of the series it is a must read. The next book is out in November 2018 can't wait.

[Balthazar Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben Hope use to specialise in kidnap & rescue work but had given that away to a more mundane life training others to do that sort of work, among other things. But when a billionaire former client asks him to rescue his kidnapped great niece he reluctantly takes the job. The girl had been kidnapped by her father, a Russian living in Moscow, while she was visiting him as her parents had divorced. It seemed a straight forward job for Ben but it all changes when he realises that he is not the only person looking for the missing pair and that the others are not adverse to the use of violence to achieve their goal.

The only issue I have with this book is the unresolved issue behind everything happening. A secret organisation that runs the world and wants to assert more control and not wanting the secret revealed. That issue hasn't gone away, so I'm left feeling that it will be making a return visit to the series at a later date. There is no way that such a situation can be left hanging. A word from a mystery voice at the end of the phone saying it's all forgiven and they will go their separate ways with no come back.

Otherwise, this is an enjoyable read with plenty of the usual action you would expect from Ben Hope, a man who can handle any situation with calm determination.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a highly-rated 17th book in the series, but the first one I've ever read. I thought it was a very ordinary action thriller, with some really bad writing. (For example, the seldom-used word 'lugubrious' occurs at least four times - really?) Ben Hope, the protagonist is a likeable man of action with a heart of gold, but actually a two-dimensional cut-out figure. The action consists of gunfights, car chases, more gunfights, more car chases, and frequent long, tiresome monologues. One such monologue features the villain espousing his convoluted plan for world domination, which went on for pages and pages. It reminded me of Goldfinger or Blofeld in a James Bond movie, where the villain had Bond tied up and ready to be killed, but instead of killing him, launched a long explanation of his masterplan, thus giving our man Bond enough time to make his escape. This book was like that, only even more contrived. The action sequences were mildly entertaining, but the rest of the story was hokum. I won't be reading any more Scott Mariani books.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way, way over the top: Ben Hope at his James Bond on steroids caper. Yuri
Petrov is a master code cracker, but now in retirement until his ex boss, a vary nasty man, wants him to crack a code planted 70 years ago. If he does he will be killed likewise if doesn’t. He’s also the father of little rich girl Valentina whose grandfather is extremely rich. Valentina is visiting Petrov but has gone missing: Hope is brought in by rich grandpa to bring her back. A long and farfetched story about a little capsule that when placed in a brain of a person makes them totally controllable: the nasty Russians (and a traitor Englishmen) plan to implant the whole world and bring about world peace. Hope finds Petrov and Valentina but then the nasty Russians are onto them, bringing about wild impossible car chases, Ben against 21 gun fights, which Ben wins single handed , etc etc. True I stuck with it to the end but now reviewing the book I reduce my 3 stars to two. Just melodrama , impossibilities, sentimentality, oh dear. Mariani’s worst. I liked others of his.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much a book of two halves. It starts well - Ben Hope sets off towards Moscow to find a girl seemingly abducted by her father. He follows clues and eventually finds the pair holed up in the countryside, along with a renowned conspiracy expert. And then they are attacked by a small army and eventually captured.

The second half involved all sorts of fantasy conspiracies and a secretive device developed by the secret cabal that really runs the world ... An interlude akin to Dan Brown on acid is followed by a daring escape attempt where Hope attempts to take down the rulers of the world single handed.

[Tamil · Rating 4 out of 5]

17th book of the Series. No matter you read whichever book in the series it's as good as the other books. Even getting better. As usual Ben thought he finally left his adventurous life behind him. But one of his old friend requests him to find his kidnapped niece's daughter. First been refuses to help them but later he's on mission to Moscow to retrieve the kid. What he thought as a simple father's abduction case goes South when he was attacked by a group of trained mercenaries. Time is ticking fast, can Ben Hope save himself and the kid? A well action packed, fast paced story woven around human mind control.

[D.S. Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Any more tips for me?’ he asked. She shrugged. ‘Drive as if everyone wants to kill you, and you will be okay.’ ‘I appreciate the advice. Now where to?’

Absolutely loved this one! Ben almost met his match on what he called one of his most disturbing missions.

Up against the Russians and mind control devices, Ben has to save a little girl who has seemingly been kidnapped.

Brilliant story, and plenty of action.

‘Terrorists,’ Ben repeated. ‘A twelve-year-old girl and her father, on the run and scared half to death. And what about this tub of lard here?’ Ben pointed at Grisha. ‘You think he looks like a terrorist? He couldn’t terrorise a three-legged gerbil.’

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Ben Hope which starts with Ben at Le Val training up a group in stealth pursuit, when an old client and friend gets in touch with what seems to be a case of parental child abduction. Deciding to help an old friend Ben soon finds himself off to Moscow where it is anything but a case of child abduction and the usual shitstorm of violence and adventure begins…
One that the Ben-Addicts will enjoy, full of the usual page-turning, bone-crunching, bullet-strewn face-paced action that we've come to love and expect.
Recommended.

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moscow Cipher. Scott Mariani

A relic of the cold war. Before computers ruined his profession. The cipher. Now his old boss has ordered him against his will to unmask one last secret. He knows he is a dead man even if he is successful or not. They have kidnapped his young daughter to obtain the the information they need. Then they will eliminate them both. Problem is the leader a brutal prior KGB boss didn't bargain on Ben Hope as part of the equation. This is a rip roaring spectacular read!! Enjoyed tremendously!

[Heather McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Triumph for the Best Hero in Literature

Scott Mariani's Ben Hope is surely one of the most just and caring tough nuts ever written. Like James Bond with more heart and a better taste in alcohol, he ploughs through the enemies of the good guys with his usual finesse. The Moscow Cipher is typically fast-paced and cinematic with all the action drama a fan of the genre could hope to have, including an epic car/van chase across the backdrop of Moscow. Can't wait for the next one!

[Joe Geesin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic Ben Hope, one of the best stories and better written in the series. Some secret agent complexities based in Russia, the cipher itself starts as an important part of the story, but less so later on. Some complexities and twists in the story, to the point the book could have been a little longer. Needs a few breaks in the longer passages, whether the action or Bond-esque "Bad guy explaining the plot" parts, but apart from that, I really enjoyed the book. Looking forward to the next in the series already.

[Ian Pennock · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first Scott Mariani book & it wasn’t great. Started well with all the excitement of cracking a cipher in Moscow and I thought I was in for a good mystery read. The main character appeared and his initial part in the story continued to hold me. Then it turned in to one of those action movie type stories where the hero blasts his way out of impossible situations & car chases. The ending was perhaps inevitable for our Bond like character. I may give Mariani another chance if I find a cheap book in a charity shop but won’t be rushing to look for one of his books.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent adventure from Mariani

Another fast paced novel from this author. Full of the usual twists and turns, this latest book keeps you on edge from page one. Ben Hope fights back against wrongdoing, this time from a ruthless group of Russian Mafioso hell bent on new world order. Setting the scene for another encounter with the faceless Grand Fromage in the future. Bring on the next book!

[Pam Boulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant novel from the master.As always it proceeded with breakneck speed. As a woman nearing 80 I was exhausted and fulfilled by I finished this brilliant thriller . Keep writing Scott ,or what will I have to look forward to reading :)?.e

These novels starring Ben Hope are so well-written and the action and settings so believable that I am addicted to them. Thank you Scott!!

[MR D J ALLMARK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cipher

Yet again just as you think that Ben has just had his ultimate adventure, then up pops another. I have read all 17 of Scott's Ben hope series, and have never been disappointed. Although the books that featured the likes of Darcy Kane, and his long suffering fiancee Brooke Marcel i thought where the most exciting. I would like to see the likes of Darcy, Brooke, Jude, Ruth, and Boonzie feature again soon in the Ben hope saga.

[Hilary Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again an excellent read .The pages of the book seem to turn on their own.
I can feel my pulse racing as the story streams ahead .
The plot was excellent , quite complicated at times .
Hope seems too invincible at times but actually it doesn't really matter as you are carried along on the roller coaster .
As the genre of these novels go , Mariani and Hope are one of the best pairings and never fail to keep me interested and waiting to read the next one .

[Chris Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great tale and mystery for our hero to unravel. Ben Hope pipe and slippers ? not likely. More thrills to come please Scott. Thanks

Another great tale and mystery for our hero to unravel. Ben Hope pipe and slippers?I don't think so. More thrills and adventures please Scott. Thanks