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Ben Hope #7
The Sacred Sword
It’s Christmas, and on a trip back to the UK to try to sort out his stormy personal life, ex-SAS soldier Ben Hope runs into two old friends. Simeon and Michaela were once his fellow students at Oxford – now they are the Reverend and Mrs Arundel.
Ben senses that Simeon is deeply troubled and frightened, but before the truth can emerge about his secretive research project concerning a mysterious, ancient ‘sacred sword’, both he and Michael are wiped out in a devastating road crash. Convinced that his friends’ deaths were no accident, Ben is propelled on a global quest to unlock the enigma of the sacred sword. At every step, he is pursued by ruthless agents of the sinister organisation that will stop at nothing to acquire it.
In the course of his investigations, Ben will discover an incredible secret, not just about the history of Christianity but about his own past.
BEN HOPE is one of the most celebrated action adventure heroes in British fiction and Scott Mariani is the author of numerous bestsellers. Join the ever-growing legion of readers who get breathless with anticipation when the countdown to the new Ben Hope thriller begins…
Ben senses that Simeon is deeply troubled and frightened, but before the truth can emerge about his secretive research project concerning a mysterious, ancient ‘sacred sword’, both he and Michael are wiped out in a devastating road crash. Convinced that his friends’ deaths were no accident, Ben is propelled on a global quest to unlock the enigma of the sacred sword. At every step, he is pursued by ruthless agents of the sinister organisation that will stop at nothing to acquire it.
In the course of his investigations, Ben will discover an incredible secret, not just about the history of Christianity but about his own past.
BEN HOPE is one of the most celebrated action adventure heroes in British fiction and Scott Mariani is the author of numerous bestsellers. Join the ever-growing legion of readers who get breathless with anticipation when the countdown to the new Ben Hope thriller begins…
449 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
August 15, 2017
Mariani continues to impress in the seventh Ben Hope novel, pushing much onto the reader about the personal struggles of the protagonist, while entertaining with a high-impact mystery that is full of historical curiosity. Still smarting from the fallout with Brooke Marcel, contract psychologist at his training facility and one-time potential romantic interest, Hope heads to Oxforshire to present an award named after his late wife. While there, he runs into Simeon and Michaela Arundel, friends from his days as a theology student. He agrees to spend time with them, having not seen them for over two decades, though hopes that he is not imposing. Simeon is a vicar now, having completed his studies and moved to work under the umbrella of the Church of England. When he arrives at their vicarage, Ben is met by news that Simeon is writing a highly secretive book about a Sacred Sword, though little else is revealed at the time. Soon thereafter, the Arundels are involved in a car accident, though it smells strongly of a murder plot, and someone arrives at their home to retrieve something. Hope is highly suspicious and wonders if it might have something to do with the book Simeon has been writing. Adding a wrinkle to everything, no one has yet reached out to their son, Jude. Hope makes the effort to track him down and deliver the news, alongside some interesting additional information about a Catholic priest who was part of a recent expedition that Simeon made to Israel. Meanwhile, there is someone who wants access to all the information about this Sacred Sword, if only to destroy its whereabouts. As Hope is armed with a few fragments of information, he must be stopped, alongside Jude, who seems to have latched onto the man in their effort to find out the truth behind what Simeon uncovered. Their journey takes them to the Holy Land as well as to the United States, where a reclusive billionaire might have some knowledge essential to better understanding the Sacred Sword, its historical significance, and why that put Simeon and his friends in such danger. Mariani keeps the tension high throughout this novel and offers up much for the reader to explore as it relates to Ben Hope the character. Series fans will enjoy this and can surely promote it to those who might want to find a new series on which to binge in the near future.
Mariani’s significant time spent on the Ben Hope backstory in this novel is readily apparent and appreciated. As I have been binge-reading the series, I have come across a number of wonderful nuggets that help build the Ben Hope character, but there seems to be a rich find in each successful novel, enough to stun series fans. Taking Hope back this his theology days, if only for a time, proves enriching, as some will know that he had pondered returning before having a lapse of faith during one of his missions. There are some key revelations in this book that will only add new chapters to Hope’s emotional development and backstory, alongside the strain of trying to process where he stands with Brooke Marcel. There are a few tie-ins to past novels, including mentions of some of the storyline from The Lost Relic, but the book does stand on its own fairly well. The story is strong and while it does seem Hope enjoys traipsing all over the place, the story holds up well during this race for answers. Religious relics always hold some strong interest for me, as it allows the writer to develop truths or suppositions and then build on them, though there are surely those who will speak from their ivory towers to dispel myths found embedded in these pieces of fiction. Yes, fiction is supposed to allow a few smudges to tell the story, though some seem to forget that and rant on about the errors. The story moves swiftly as Hope works with Jude as a relatively useful sidekick. There is a sense of a small ‘checklist’ in each novel, but it is not as blatantly presented as some authors might use, allowing the narrative to grow and develop with a number of wonderful surprises.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for another wonderful novel in the series. I am hooked and I cannot wait to dive into the next novel to see where it takes Hope and the rest of those we have come to know so well.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Mariani’s significant time spent on the Ben Hope backstory in this novel is readily apparent and appreciated. As I have been binge-reading the series, I have come across a number of wonderful nuggets that help build the Ben Hope character, but there seems to be a rich find in each successful novel, enough to stun series fans. Taking Hope back this his theology days, if only for a time, proves enriching, as some will know that he had pondered returning before having a lapse of faith during one of his missions. There are some key revelations in this book that will only add new chapters to Hope’s emotional development and backstory, alongside the strain of trying to process where he stands with Brooke Marcel. There are a few tie-ins to past novels, including mentions of some of the storyline from The Lost Relic, but the book does stand on its own fairly well. The story is strong and while it does seem Hope enjoys traipsing all over the place, the story holds up well during this race for answers. Religious relics always hold some strong interest for me, as it allows the writer to develop truths or suppositions and then build on them, though there are surely those who will speak from their ivory towers to dispel myths found embedded in these pieces of fiction. Yes, fiction is supposed to allow a few smudges to tell the story, though some seem to forget that and rant on about the errors. The story moves swiftly as Hope works with Jude as a relatively useful sidekick. There is a sense of a small ‘checklist’ in each novel, but it is not as blatantly presented as some authors might use, allowing the narrative to grow and develop with a number of wonderful surprises.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for another wonderful novel in the series. I am hooked and I cannot wait to dive into the next novel to see where it takes Hope and the rest of those we have come to know so well.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
![Profile Image for Terence M [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1712357414i/6658001._UY200_CR4,0,200,200_.jpg)
September 16, 2017
Audiobook - 10:40 hours - Narrator: Jack Hawkins
3.5 stars rounded to 4.0 out of 5.0
The story and plot line were very good in this episode of the Ben Hope saga and I am chuffed that our protagonist was pretty much at his usual highly energetic standard throughout. Probably because I was abed for a week and unable to concentrate on the book due to the medications and ministrations being forced upon me twice a day, I admit to becoming a little lost with regard to the Sword, the people who wanted it and why. Furthermore, I thought the way the main antagonist for the latter group was portrayed was quite a bit "over the top" - he was after all an employee for the Corporation, not the Grand Duke of Wherever, but I will add no more here for fear of unintended spoilers. And too much comment here about 'Jude', who is an interesting addition to the cast, might also lead to spoilers. Suffice it to say that the ending of the novel, in my opinion, was pretty unsatisfactory, leaving an up-in-the-air conclusion that can only be resolved in book #8, "The Armada Legacy" which I will commence listening to next week.
I was disappointed that Colin Mace was not the narrator for Ben Hope #7 "The Sacred Sword" and sadly, nor is he the narrator for #8 "The Armada Legacy". This was a shame because Colin Mace read with feeling for the narrative, varying his voice from gentle reminiscence mode to full-on energetic mode as the story required. His variation of accents and vocal changes was very good and at no time was I unsure of which character was being depicted during the reading. Alas, these compliments do not apply to Jack Hawkins whose narration was clear and easily understood but lacked the depth of interpretation provided by Colin Mace.
3.5 stars rounded to 4.0 out of 5.0
The story and plot line were very good in this episode of the Ben Hope saga and I am chuffed that our protagonist was pretty much at his usual highly energetic standard throughout. Probably because I was abed for a week and unable to concentrate on the book due to the medications and ministrations being forced upon me twice a day, I admit to becoming a little lost with regard to the Sword, the people who wanted it and why. Furthermore, I thought the way the main antagonist for the latter group was portrayed was quite a bit "over the top" - he was after all an employee for the Corporation, not the Grand Duke of Wherever, but I will add no more here for fear of unintended spoilers. And too much comment here about 'Jude', who is an interesting addition to the cast, might also lead to spoilers. Suffice it to say that the ending of the novel, in my opinion, was pretty unsatisfactory, leaving an up-in-the-air conclusion that can only be resolved in book #8, "The Armada Legacy" which I will commence listening to next week.
I was disappointed that Colin Mace was not the narrator for Ben Hope #7 "The Sacred Sword" and sadly, nor is he the narrator for #8 "The Armada Legacy". This was a shame because Colin Mace read with feeling for the narrative, varying his voice from gentle reminiscence mode to full-on energetic mode as the story required. His variation of accents and vocal changes was very good and at no time was I unsure of which character was being depicted during the reading. Alas, these compliments do not apply to Jack Hawkins whose narration was clear and easily understood but lacked the depth of interpretation provided by Colin Mace.
May 17, 2017
A fantastic action packed highly dangerous and life threatening adventure for Ben Hope. The body count is high and Ben's morals are questionable as he dispatches the villains with highly trained precision. Ben's friends are in danger and he'll do whatever he can to see that justice is done. With a high powered, top secret agency backing the villains with unlimited money and resources though, Ben has a difficult job on his hands. Secrets, a sacred sword, religious conflict, friends, family and life altering revelations are all in store for Ben Hope in this life altering episode.
A great read, page turner and hard to put down!
A great read, page turner and hard to put down!
January 26, 2021
'And yet faith, of some kind, was something that had never quite left Ben – although whenever he tried to ponder on its nature, as he did now, he was left with only the vaguest, cloudiest impression of the strange yearning he felt somewhere deep inside, at the core of his being. Some indefinable sense that one day, maybe, he could find peace within himself. That one day, a guiding hand would appear out of the darkness to steer him on the right path.'
Yet another cracking adventure with Ben Hope.
When a secret anti religious government agency hire an atheist nut job to carry out work to discredit religion, Ben Hopes old friends find themselves on the wrong end of a new world order.
More action, more bad guys, more bodies, more loss, more twists and even more rediscovered family. These books are just brimming with intrigue, completely action packed and unputdownable.
'It was in moments like these that the principles of physics fell away, milliseconds suddenly became like hours and you really did have time to review your entire life in the time it took for a bullet to cross the space between a gun muzzle and your brain.'
Yet another cracking adventure with Ben Hope.
When a secret anti religious government agency hire an atheist nut job to carry out work to discredit religion, Ben Hopes old friends find themselves on the wrong end of a new world order.
More action, more bad guys, more bodies, more loss, more twists and even more rediscovered family. These books are just brimming with intrigue, completely action packed and unputdownable.
'It was in moments like these that the principles of physics fell away, milliseconds suddenly became like hours and you really did have time to review your entire life in the time it took for a bullet to cross the space between a gun muzzle and your brain.'
July 7, 2019
This is a typical Ben Hope adventure with lots of action. Despite the noticeable improvement in style, I found the plot a little weak and the level of violent depravity somewhat disturbing. Almost enough for me to set the book aside without finishing. My message to all the authors I read is tone down the depravity. Adventure and mystery are so much more interesting when they involve cleverness and subterfuge rather than gross physical horrors.
November 4, 2020
Another great book featuring the legendry Major Ben Hope. In this book you learn a lot more about Ben Hope's past, his early years at university, whilst his current day private life is still in tatters following the events in the previous novel (The Lost Relic). Ben Hope meets up with his old university friends who have now married and become the Reverend and Mrs Arundel. His old friend the now reverend Simeon Arundel has become involved with two other people who are trying to prove a sword is the 'Sword of Jesus', and the reverend is about to publish a book hoping it will spark the return of humanity to believing in God. As usual there is a very powerful element that is against, in this case the Reverend and his companions ambitions, and will go to extraordinary lengths to achieve their own aims. Ben has to battle not only for his friends but also to battle his own demons. This book is an excellent addition to this wonderful series as I continue to read the back catalogue of this British Hero.
February 18, 2021
Probably 4.5, very Dan Brown , but more emphasis on the killing.
September 24, 2015
4.5 stars
Yet another brilliant book from Scott Mariani. I abosolutely love this series and look forward to reading the next book. If your life was in danger, then Ben Hope is exactly the sort of person you would want in your corner.
Yet another brilliant book from Scott Mariani. I abosolutely love this series and look forward to reading the next book. If your life was in danger, then Ben Hope is exactly the sort of person you would want in your corner.
February 3, 2024
Бен Хоуп отново в действие. И отново неочаквано замесен в преследване.И за пръв път шокиран от тайната, която негови приятели състуденти са крили цели 20 години.Тайна,засягаща него самия.Безсилен и нерешителен,Бен не знае как да постъпи.Но определено знае как да се справи с всички наемници,тръгнали след него
March 25, 2017
Not bad, easy read.
May 19, 2026
AUTHOR: SCOTT MARIANI
CHARACTERS:
BEN HOPE, FABRICE LALIQUE, SIMEON ARUNDEL, JUDE ARUNDEL, PENROSE LUCAS, WESLEY HOLLAND and others.
LOCATIONS: *MILLAU- Southern France.
*LITTLE DENTON- England
*CAPRI ISLANDS- Italy
*FORTRESS OF MASADA-near Jerusalem -Israel.
* MARTHA'S VINEYARD-Cape Code -Massachusetts -USA.
GENRE: Biblical Thriller.
PAGES: 427.
___________
SYNOPSIS:
THE SACRED SWORD:
THE ANCIENT HISTORY :
In 66 AD when Jerusalem was besieged and sacked, by Romans, many Jewish refugees fled to the Fortess Masada to escape from Roman occupation in the Holy Land. The fortress was situated on a rugged isolated plateau high above the Dead sea near Jerusalem.
Once Jerusalem was captured,the Roman Emperor Titus ordered its complete destruction. At the Masada Fortress, the Jewish rebels commanded by a man named Eleazar ben Yair and the other Jewish freedom fighters had brought with them an unimaginably precious icon and symbol of their struggle. The icon was well concealed in the rampart wall, for the simple reason that the icon should never fall into the hands of the Romans after the defeat of the fortress. After the Masada fortress fell into Roman's hands, all 900 rebels in the fortress committed suicide by slaughtering themselves. Though every rebel died there, the sword was safely hidden in its place unknown to the Romans.
The sword concealed in the rampant wall of the Madasa Fortress belonged to one of the famous Jewish Revolutionary and his name was JESUS CHRIST. When Jesus was captured, arrested at the Garden of Gethsemane and crucified afterwards , some of his men managed to escape,taking the sword with them. It remained in the hands of Jewish rebels who continued the armed struggle against the Romans for years after the crucifixion.
In June 1963, Hillel Zada a local israelite,while working for the excavation of Masada fortress discovered the sword while digging the rampant wall, took the icon secretly to his home, and sold it to a local pawn broker Ali, without knowing its historical importance. Ali the pawn broker in turn sold the sword to a man named Fakkesh in Jerusalem. Finally it found its way to Saudi Arabia,where it was sold to a Saudi prince for a meager value.It was there the sword was seen by an American collector and billionaire Wesley Holland, who bought the sword from the Prince and took to America.
Wesley Holland contacted Hillel through Ali, and brought two other men Reverend Simeon Arundel from England and Father Fabrice Lalique from France to view the exact spot where Hillel found the sword at the fortress.
The three men apologized Hillel for being secretive about their project, and promised him the day, when their research about the sword was completed and truth be revealed to the world, he would be the first to know the incredible secret about the history of Christianity.
THE VILLAINS.
THE TRIMBLE GROUP was owned by a team of well established men who were in the process of creating a new world by dismantling religion. especially the Christianity. For achieving this mission the Group recruited an agent named professor PENROSE LUCAS, who made a career out of attacking and undermining Christian belief and clergyman. He was also known as an author and militant atheist activist with a growing fan following.
The Trimble Group gave Lucas free rein to pick his targets, to set up phone taps and surveillance, hire whatever investigators and administrative staff he may require. He was also given a liaison officer to contact them whenever necessary.Lucas was also provided with a luxurious Villa at Capri Islands in Italy, which Lucas used as his residence and office for his mission.
Lucas's first target was Reverend Simeon Arundel. Lucas suffered great humiliation from Simeon in a TV debate they participated regarding the existence of God. Actually Simeon had trounced him in front of a huge audience and Lucas hadn't forgotten that shameful incident. He was waiting for the right time to strike back.
A phone tapping surveillance operation was mounted on Reverend Simeon Arundel almost everyday. From these surveillance operations, Lucas discovered that Simeon, Father Fabrice Lalique and Wesley Holland were working on a secret research project involving an alleged Sword of Christ. This project, when revealed to the world could cause a stir among the religious community and all Christian fundamentalist movements all over the world. It could also be a major set back for Lucas and Trimble group who were targeting, towards a godless free society and a secular world.
When Lucas uncovered the sacred sword project, the Trimble Group assumed that his response would be simply to discredit it, by using the smear tactics by destroying Simeon and Fabrice's personal and professional reputations with a pack of lies, like he did to other clergyman before them.
But...what followed afterward were not just a discrediting act, but brutal murders, fake suicides and car crashes.It was too late for the Trimble Group people to realise their grave mistake. They had rushed too fast without screening their candidate carefully.Their recruited agent Lucas, was not just an militant atheist but proved to be a sick, and mentally deranged psychopath.
BEN HOPE ADVENTURES.
Ben Hope had been a soldier in British Special Forces . After leaving the Forces he plunged deep into the world of international kidnapping and ransom business.He also ran police training agency at a place called Le Val at a corner of rural Normanday.
Ben Hope was returning to the UK from France to try and set right his stormy personal life. On his way to London he met the two of his old friends from Oxford. His old buddies Simeon Arundel and Michaela were now Reverend and Mrs.Michaela Arundel, both were living in a small vicarage at a village named Little Denton. Ben was invited to stay for a few days with them at their vicarage home.
While staying, Ben sensed Simeon was deeply troubled and frightened,even though he looked very casual and relaxed outward. Ben learnt from Simeon's wife, that he was shocked about the murder of his colleague Father Fabrice Lalique's at a small village near Millau in France and the murder was closed as suicide by the police. When police raided Father Fabrice's apartment acting on a tip off, they found lot of very unpleasent and explicit child porn materials in his computer. Father Fabrice was portrayed as a pedophile by local newspapers. Simeon's other USA colleague Wesley Holland was also running for life in America
from these unknown mercenaries, towards the safety of Martha's vineyards to hide himself from them.
Ben understood that the three of them were working together on a secret research project, of historical importance. Before Ben could ask about the project and its nature both Simeon and Michaela were killed in a devastating road crash. Ben was convinced that his friend's deaths were no accident but a planned murder. After the accident, Simeon's home was broken into by heavily armed thieves with a very clear purpose. After few days, the local newspapers and news channels discredited Reverend Simeon's reputation as a playboy and a reckless driver.
From the group photo found at Simeon's house, which had been taken at Israel, Ben recognized the other three men as Father Fabrice Lalique, American Wesley Holland and third man as Israeli Zada Hillel.
Being a family friend of Simeon Arundel, Ben knew he had a son named Jude Arundel. From the neighborhood he learnt that Jude was with his friends at the Cornwall farm house enjoying his vacation . Ben went to the farm house and broke the news about his parents tragic death to Jude and took with him to the small French village of Millau where Father Fabrice Lalique was murdered. After a complete search of Father Fabrice's apartment at midnight, he found a neat sketch of an ancient sword drawn by the late Father. From a friend of Fabrice, Ben got information about Fabrice's frequent visits to Israel and USA, and also about Hillel Zada,the Israeli friend living in Jerusalem . Ben Hope understood the close association of Father Fabrice, Simeon and Wesley Holland and their involvement in the enigmatic secret project regarding a sacred sword of utmost Historical importance.
When Ben travelled to Cornwall to find Jude Arundel, and while he was in the small village of France, where Fabrice lived, he was ambushed by a group of hit men who were continuously chasing him for the sword. Ben Hope, executed everybody with his experience and training in the British Armed Forces.
Ben flew to Jerusalem from France and met Hillel Zada at his shop with Jude. Ben Hope gave the sketch of the sword drawn by Father Fabrice and enquired about its wheresbouts. Hillel took them to Madasa Fortress and showed them the exact spot,where he discovered the ancient sword. He described Ben Hope, the sword's long journey from the date of its discovery to its final destination reaching American Wesley Holland. Hillel was also shocked to hear the tragic,untimely deaths of two of his friends and Wesley Holland's vanishing act to save himself and the sword from the unknown enemies. Hillel gave Ben an important clue regarding Wesley Holland's secret hiding place, that he was living near a spot where' the tower of light shining in water'.without mentioning his exact location.
At first, Ben Hope and Jude completely mistook Martha as an woman's name. Afterward Jude discovered that it was the name of a place called Martha's vineyard at Massachusetts in USA. They flew to Boston from Jerusalem and reached the island by ferry. Jude also found out that the spot where "the tower of light shining in water" was an isolated mansion near a coastal observatory tower.
When Ben Hope finally met the billionaire Wesley Holland, at his huge mansion, Holland was terrified at first and after learning that Ben Hope was a family friend of Simeon and Jude was his son, he was relaxed and happy to let them in. While Holland gave them tour of his big mansion, he was happy to show the ancient sword ,which was safely kept hidden in a safety valut six feet underneath the basement. Wesley Holland also told Ben the ancient history of the sword that it belonged to Jesus Christ, a Jewish rebel, and how it remained in the hands of Jewish fighters who continued their sruggle against Roman occupation, after the crucifixion of Jesus.
Penrose Lucas was the man behind all the bloodshed and murders followed everywhere in Europe . The murder of Father Fabrice and the fatal accidents of Reverend Simeon and his wife were all his doings. He wanted to destroy the sword, because the very revelation of the sword to the world would be a major set back to his militant atheist attitude and also to Trimble group who were funding him to achieve godless free world.
When Ben Hope, Jude were spending the night together at Wesley's mansion, they were attacked and surrounded by some masked hit men. In the firefight followed Ben Hope was captured and taken to Trimble Group's headquarters. Wesley Holland impaled himself on the sword, which he was keeping to himself, while he came tumbling down the stairs. He died instantly .The sword was also taken by the captors in a large translucent Ziploc bag to the headquarters.
At the Trimle Group headquarters, a man named Brown and introduced himself to Ben Hope. He apologized Ben for the tragic deaths of his friend and wife, Lalique's faked suicide, the attacks on Wesley Holland's mansion in which several people, including Wesley were killed. He declared that these were all Lucas's doing and he was who engineered them all. Brown told Ben, when Lucas uncovered the sacred sword project, the Group assumed that Lucas's response would be simply to discredit it by using smear tactics against Simeon Arundel and Fabrice Lalique that he had been directing against other clergyman before them. But all Lucas did was to carry out the personnel vendetta to commit murder.
Brown gave a proposal to Ben at the end of the meeting, that Ben had to eliminate Lucas who murdered his friends and tried to kill him on many occasions. Just as an act of cleaning up the mess. Untill then Jude will be in Brown's custody. Brown also permitted Ben to take the ancient sword with him, since it had no importance or value to Trimble group.
Brown also promised there would be no repercussions of any kind. After Lucas had been killed , Jude would be released to Ben and they can walk away free men. If Ben refused to cooperate, Jude would be killed and all the murders happened so far would be framed on Ben and he will spend rest of his life as a hunted criminal,pursued by every law-enforcement agency for the murders.
Penrose Lucas was going towards the stage of insanity, at his Italian villa, since his every attempt to get the sacred sword and kill Ben Hope ended in abrupt failure. The international bank accounts in his name had been freezed. Even Trimble group had washed their hands on the project and withdrawn back. At the villa he had hidden millions of money, expecting this moment well in advance to escape unnoticed back to England.
In an attempt to get rid of evidences from the police, regarding list of names, photographs of his victims, the artist's impression of sword ,Lucas collected and put everything in a waste paper basket and started burning them. The fire spread from the wicker basket along with its contents and the fire spread fast throughout the villa.
Ben Hope,reached Italy from America in a private jet supplied by the Trimble group for this special mission. He killed Lucas's mercenaries one by one like a commando warrior using gorilla war techniques.
Finally Ben, came face to face with Penrose Lucas, the enemy who killed his friends.He killed Lucas with the same sacred sword, ((the very same sword,Lucas was obsessed with destroying and dismanteling Christianity) ) by slashing it in his throat which almost severed his head. The villa was also burnt down to its basement with everything in it.. Even though Ben Hope suffered serious injuries in his shoulders and ribs in the encounter with Lucas, he started his journey again to America, to rescue Jude, who was in the custody of Mr.Brown.
MY COMMENT.
JESUS THE CHRIST, son of Bethlahem, preacher of Love and affection , teacher of non-violence ,fighter for providing social reforms to the downtrodden, was portrayed as an armed Jewish gorilla warrior who fought against Roman occupation during his time.
The author also justified his illogical stand by mentioning some incidents from the Bible, that a huge army was sent to arrest Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, and while arresting Him, St. Peter,one his followers slashed Roman warriors's ears with his sword. The author further describes that everybody including Jesus and his followers were fully armed ((with a sword)) at the time of the Last Supper. The author's blabbing goes on and on without any full stop.
Dear fiction writers, please stop making fun of Jesus Christ in the name of Biblical thrillers. He is our Lord and Savior ..!!!
My million dollar question is, whether these portrayals are correct? Whether these are properly verified with experts? these questions remain unanswered, because author 's aim is just to give a "gibberish best seller" istead of real facts to his readers.
The very name "The sacred sword" is itself remain unjustified. The author, at one stage, had completely deviated from telling what actually happened to the sword at the end. Whether its authenticity proved? Kept in an international museum for expert opinion? Nothing. The author shoud have added "epilogue" part to explain all these facts.
The protagonist Ben Hope's journey from England, France,Jerusalem,America and Italy in search of the ancient sword , and murders happening to the colleagues who were involved in the secret project of the sword, were somewhat interesting portions in this novel.
THE SACRED SWORD.
Nothing Sacred ...only SCAM.!!!
MY RATING : 2 //5.
CHARACTERS:
BEN HOPE, FABRICE LALIQUE, SIMEON ARUNDEL, JUDE ARUNDEL, PENROSE LUCAS, WESLEY HOLLAND and others.
LOCATIONS: *MILLAU- Southern France.
*LITTLE DENTON- England
*CAPRI ISLANDS- Italy
*FORTRESS OF MASADA-near Jerusalem -Israel.
* MARTHA'S VINEYARD-Cape Code -Massachusetts -USA.
GENRE: Biblical Thriller.
PAGES: 427.
___________
SYNOPSIS:
THE SACRED SWORD:
THE ANCIENT HISTORY :
In 66 AD when Jerusalem was besieged and sacked, by Romans, many Jewish refugees fled to the Fortess Masada to escape from Roman occupation in the Holy Land. The fortress was situated on a rugged isolated plateau high above the Dead sea near Jerusalem.
Once Jerusalem was captured,the Roman Emperor Titus ordered its complete destruction. At the Masada Fortress, the Jewish rebels commanded by a man named Eleazar ben Yair and the other Jewish freedom fighters had brought with them an unimaginably precious icon and symbol of their struggle. The icon was well concealed in the rampart wall, for the simple reason that the icon should never fall into the hands of the Romans after the defeat of the fortress. After the Masada fortress fell into Roman's hands, all 900 rebels in the fortress committed suicide by slaughtering themselves. Though every rebel died there, the sword was safely hidden in its place unknown to the Romans.
The sword concealed in the rampant wall of the Madasa Fortress belonged to one of the famous Jewish Revolutionary and his name was JESUS CHRIST. When Jesus was captured, arrested at the Garden of Gethsemane and crucified afterwards , some of his men managed to escape,taking the sword with them. It remained in the hands of Jewish rebels who continued the armed struggle against the Romans for years after the crucifixion.
In June 1963, Hillel Zada a local israelite,while working for the excavation of Masada fortress discovered the sword while digging the rampant wall, took the icon secretly to his home, and sold it to a local pawn broker Ali, without knowing its historical importance. Ali the pawn broker in turn sold the sword to a man named Fakkesh in Jerusalem. Finally it found its way to Saudi Arabia,where it was sold to a Saudi prince for a meager value.It was there the sword was seen by an American collector and billionaire Wesley Holland, who bought the sword from the Prince and took to America.
Wesley Holland contacted Hillel through Ali, and brought two other men Reverend Simeon Arundel from England and Father Fabrice Lalique from France to view the exact spot where Hillel found the sword at the fortress.
The three men apologized Hillel for being secretive about their project, and promised him the day, when their research about the sword was completed and truth be revealed to the world, he would be the first to know the incredible secret about the history of Christianity.
THE VILLAINS.
THE TRIMBLE GROUP was owned by a team of well established men who were in the process of creating a new world by dismantling religion. especially the Christianity. For achieving this mission the Group recruited an agent named professor PENROSE LUCAS, who made a career out of attacking and undermining Christian belief and clergyman. He was also known as an author and militant atheist activist with a growing fan following.
The Trimble Group gave Lucas free rein to pick his targets, to set up phone taps and surveillance, hire whatever investigators and administrative staff he may require. He was also given a liaison officer to contact them whenever necessary.Lucas was also provided with a luxurious Villa at Capri Islands in Italy, which Lucas used as his residence and office for his mission.
Lucas's first target was Reverend Simeon Arundel. Lucas suffered great humiliation from Simeon in a TV debate they participated regarding the existence of God. Actually Simeon had trounced him in front of a huge audience and Lucas hadn't forgotten that shameful incident. He was waiting for the right time to strike back.
A phone tapping surveillance operation was mounted on Reverend Simeon Arundel almost everyday. From these surveillance operations, Lucas discovered that Simeon, Father Fabrice Lalique and Wesley Holland were working on a secret research project involving an alleged Sword of Christ. This project, when revealed to the world could cause a stir among the religious community and all Christian fundamentalist movements all over the world. It could also be a major set back for Lucas and Trimble group who were targeting, towards a godless free society and a secular world.
When Lucas uncovered the sacred sword project, the Trimble Group assumed that his response would be simply to discredit it, by using the smear tactics by destroying Simeon and Fabrice's personal and professional reputations with a pack of lies, like he did to other clergyman before them.
But...what followed afterward were not just a discrediting act, but brutal murders, fake suicides and car crashes.It was too late for the Trimble Group people to realise their grave mistake. They had rushed too fast without screening their candidate carefully.Their recruited agent Lucas, was not just an militant atheist but proved to be a sick, and mentally deranged psychopath.
BEN HOPE ADVENTURES.
Ben Hope had been a soldier in British Special Forces . After leaving the Forces he plunged deep into the world of international kidnapping and ransom business.He also ran police training agency at a place called Le Val at a corner of rural Normanday.
Ben Hope was returning to the UK from France to try and set right his stormy personal life. On his way to London he met the two of his old friends from Oxford. His old buddies Simeon Arundel and Michaela were now Reverend and Mrs.Michaela Arundel, both were living in a small vicarage at a village named Little Denton. Ben was invited to stay for a few days with them at their vicarage home.
While staying, Ben sensed Simeon was deeply troubled and frightened,even though he looked very casual and relaxed outward. Ben learnt from Simeon's wife, that he was shocked about the murder of his colleague Father Fabrice Lalique's at a small village near Millau in France and the murder was closed as suicide by the police. When police raided Father Fabrice's apartment acting on a tip off, they found lot of very unpleasent and explicit child porn materials in his computer. Father Fabrice was portrayed as a pedophile by local newspapers. Simeon's other USA colleague Wesley Holland was also running for life in America
from these unknown mercenaries, towards the safety of Martha's vineyards to hide himself from them.
Ben understood that the three of them were working together on a secret research project, of historical importance. Before Ben could ask about the project and its nature both Simeon and Michaela were killed in a devastating road crash. Ben was convinced that his friend's deaths were no accident but a planned murder. After the accident, Simeon's home was broken into by heavily armed thieves with a very clear purpose. After few days, the local newspapers and news channels discredited Reverend Simeon's reputation as a playboy and a reckless driver.
From the group photo found at Simeon's house, which had been taken at Israel, Ben recognized the other three men as Father Fabrice Lalique, American Wesley Holland and third man as Israeli Zada Hillel.
Being a family friend of Simeon Arundel, Ben knew he had a son named Jude Arundel. From the neighborhood he learnt that Jude was with his friends at the Cornwall farm house enjoying his vacation . Ben went to the farm house and broke the news about his parents tragic death to Jude and took with him to the small French village of Millau where Father Fabrice Lalique was murdered. After a complete search of Father Fabrice's apartment at midnight, he found a neat sketch of an ancient sword drawn by the late Father. From a friend of Fabrice, Ben got information about Fabrice's frequent visits to Israel and USA, and also about Hillel Zada,the Israeli friend living in Jerusalem . Ben Hope understood the close association of Father Fabrice, Simeon and Wesley Holland and their involvement in the enigmatic secret project regarding a sacred sword of utmost Historical importance.
When Ben travelled to Cornwall to find Jude Arundel, and while he was in the small village of France, where Fabrice lived, he was ambushed by a group of hit men who were continuously chasing him for the sword. Ben Hope, executed everybody with his experience and training in the British Armed Forces.
Ben flew to Jerusalem from France and met Hillel Zada at his shop with Jude. Ben Hope gave the sketch of the sword drawn by Father Fabrice and enquired about its wheresbouts. Hillel took them to Madasa Fortress and showed them the exact spot,where he discovered the ancient sword. He described Ben Hope, the sword's long journey from the date of its discovery to its final destination reaching American Wesley Holland. Hillel was also shocked to hear the tragic,untimely deaths of two of his friends and Wesley Holland's vanishing act to save himself and the sword from the unknown enemies. Hillel gave Ben an important clue regarding Wesley Holland's secret hiding place, that he was living near a spot where' the tower of light shining in water'.without mentioning his exact location.
At first, Ben Hope and Jude completely mistook Martha as an woman's name. Afterward Jude discovered that it was the name of a place called Martha's vineyard at Massachusetts in USA. They flew to Boston from Jerusalem and reached the island by ferry. Jude also found out that the spot where "the tower of light shining in water" was an isolated mansion near a coastal observatory tower.
When Ben Hope finally met the billionaire Wesley Holland, at his huge mansion, Holland was terrified at first and after learning that Ben Hope was a family friend of Simeon and Jude was his son, he was relaxed and happy to let them in. While Holland gave them tour of his big mansion, he was happy to show the ancient sword ,which was safely kept hidden in a safety valut six feet underneath the basement. Wesley Holland also told Ben the ancient history of the sword that it belonged to Jesus Christ, a Jewish rebel, and how it remained in the hands of Jewish fighters who continued their sruggle against Roman occupation, after the crucifixion of Jesus.
Penrose Lucas was the man behind all the bloodshed and murders followed everywhere in Europe . The murder of Father Fabrice and the fatal accidents of Reverend Simeon and his wife were all his doings. He wanted to destroy the sword, because the very revelation of the sword to the world would be a major set back to his militant atheist attitude and also to Trimble group who were funding him to achieve godless free world.
When Ben Hope, Jude were spending the night together at Wesley's mansion, they were attacked and surrounded by some masked hit men. In the firefight followed Ben Hope was captured and taken to Trimble Group's headquarters. Wesley Holland impaled himself on the sword, which he was keeping to himself, while he came tumbling down the stairs. He died instantly .The sword was also taken by the captors in a large translucent Ziploc bag to the headquarters.
At the Trimle Group headquarters, a man named Brown and introduced himself to Ben Hope. He apologized Ben for the tragic deaths of his friend and wife, Lalique's faked suicide, the attacks on Wesley Holland's mansion in which several people, including Wesley were killed. He declared that these were all Lucas's doing and he was who engineered them all. Brown told Ben, when Lucas uncovered the sacred sword project, the Group assumed that Lucas's response would be simply to discredit it by using smear tactics against Simeon Arundel and Fabrice Lalique that he had been directing against other clergyman before them. But all Lucas did was to carry out the personnel vendetta to commit murder.
Brown gave a proposal to Ben at the end of the meeting, that Ben had to eliminate Lucas who murdered his friends and tried to kill him on many occasions. Just as an act of cleaning up the mess. Untill then Jude will be in Brown's custody. Brown also permitted Ben to take the ancient sword with him, since it had no importance or value to Trimble group.
Brown also promised there would be no repercussions of any kind. After Lucas had been killed , Jude would be released to Ben and they can walk away free men. If Ben refused to cooperate, Jude would be killed and all the murders happened so far would be framed on Ben and he will spend rest of his life as a hunted criminal,pursued by every law-enforcement agency for the murders.
Penrose Lucas was going towards the stage of insanity, at his Italian villa, since his every attempt to get the sacred sword and kill Ben Hope ended in abrupt failure. The international bank accounts in his name had been freezed. Even Trimble group had washed their hands on the project and withdrawn back. At the villa he had hidden millions of money, expecting this moment well in advance to escape unnoticed back to England.
In an attempt to get rid of evidences from the police, regarding list of names, photographs of his victims, the artist's impression of sword ,Lucas collected and put everything in a waste paper basket and started burning them. The fire spread from the wicker basket along with its contents and the fire spread fast throughout the villa.
Ben Hope,reached Italy from America in a private jet supplied by the Trimble group for this special mission. He killed Lucas's mercenaries one by one like a commando warrior using gorilla war techniques.
Finally Ben, came face to face with Penrose Lucas, the enemy who killed his friends.He killed Lucas with the same sacred sword, ((the very same sword,Lucas was obsessed with destroying and dismanteling Christianity) ) by slashing it in his throat which almost severed his head. The villa was also burnt down to its basement with everything in it.. Even though Ben Hope suffered serious injuries in his shoulders and ribs in the encounter with Lucas, he started his journey again to America, to rescue Jude, who was in the custody of Mr.Brown.
MY COMMENT.
JESUS THE CHRIST, son of Bethlahem, preacher of Love and affection , teacher of non-violence ,fighter for providing social reforms to the downtrodden, was portrayed as an armed Jewish gorilla warrior who fought against Roman occupation during his time.
The author also justified his illogical stand by mentioning some incidents from the Bible, that a huge army was sent to arrest Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane, and while arresting Him, St. Peter,one his followers slashed Roman warriors's ears with his sword. The author further describes that everybody including Jesus and his followers were fully armed ((with a sword)) at the time of the Last Supper. The author's blabbing goes on and on without any full stop.
Dear fiction writers, please stop making fun of Jesus Christ in the name of Biblical thrillers. He is our Lord and Savior ..!!!
My million dollar question is, whether these portrayals are correct? Whether these are properly verified with experts? these questions remain unanswered, because author 's aim is just to give a "gibberish best seller" istead of real facts to his readers.
The very name "The sacred sword" is itself remain unjustified. The author, at one stage, had completely deviated from telling what actually happened to the sword at the end. Whether its authenticity proved? Kept in an international museum for expert opinion? Nothing. The author shoud have added "epilogue" part to explain all these facts.
The protagonist Ben Hope's journey from England, France,Jerusalem,America and Italy in search of the ancient sword , and murders happening to the colleagues who were involved in the secret project of the sword, were somewhat interesting portions in this novel.
THE SACRED SWORD.
Nothing Sacred ...only SCAM.!!!
MY RATING : 2 //5.
June 23, 2019
The plot reads like a medicore-to-bad, slightly blasphemous b-movie. The political allusions are somewhat murky. A one-liner comparing Brussels to the Gestapo might strike a chord with hardcore Brexiteers. For others it is a tad too much, to say the least. In a similar vein this also goes for arguing that the Taliban are only defending their country. On top of it all there is this "new world order" that wants to stomp out Christianity and Islam. Why the third major world religion remains conspicuously unmentioned here, is open to interpreation. Maybe stomping out Judaism simply has a connotation not fit for a b-movie, maybe its the old "they"-control-the-world phobia (hopefully not).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2016
I promised myself I wouldn't read anything before I finished my BA thesis, so it was absolutely fantastic reading one of the Ben Hope books again! Love the secrets that surface, the action, everything. The only thing I found a bit disappoint was not having as many details about the sacred sword as I would have liked.
December 5, 2023
How did I miss this review? Its been a while now since I read it so lets keep it brief and to the point. These books are fun quick reads. Very cinematic, the hero is such a hero you need to suspend disbelief to a high degree, he escapes a LOT of danger.
It is a fun page turner however. Action packed. Its a well done lone hero ''going it alone' style of book. A fun, palate cleansing read.
It is a fun page turner however. Action packed. Its a well done lone hero ''going it alone' style of book. A fun, palate cleansing read.
May 8, 2016
Lol..even Superman gets hurt once in a while,but not Ben Hope..coz he was trained by the British army!
February 11, 2018
Certainly not the best of this set - the central conspiracy theory is ridiculous in the extreme, and the ending is deeply unsatisfying.
January 5, 2025
In The Sacred Sword, the seventh installment of Scott Mariani's Ben Hope series, readers are treated to a mix of action, intrigue, and character exploration, but the experience is somewhat marred by an unsatisfying ending. The story follows Ben Hope, a former SAS soldier, as he navigates a complex web of danger surrounding a mysterious sacred sword while grappling with personal struggles and the fallout from past relationships.
One of the strengths of the novel is its character development. Mariani delves deeper into Ben Hope's backstory, exploring his theological studies and emotional turmoil, which adds depth to his character and enriches the narrative. The premise involving the sacred sword is engaging, providing a solid foundation for a thrilling adventure that takes readers across various locations, including Israel and the United States. The action sequences are a hallmark of the series, keeping readers engaged throughout the story.
However, the novel suffers from predictable plot twists that diminish the excitement, as many surprises feel anticipated rather than shocking. The characterization of antagonists also leaves something to be desired, with some villains appearing more like caricatures than credible threats, which reduces the overall tension. Furthermore, pacing issues arise, with certain sections dragging while others rush through critical developments, leading to a somewhat unsatisfactory reading experience.
The most significant letdown comes with the ending, which many readers find open-ended and lacking closure. While Ben does manage to avenge his friends, the resolution surrounding the sacred sword and the powerful figures behind the chaos remains unresolved. This lack of closure can lead to feelings of disappointment, especially for fans who are accustomed to more conclusive endings in previous books. Many expected a more explosive resolution, where Ben would confront and dismantle the ruling powers directly, but instead, the narrative takes a different turn, which may not align with what fans expect from a thriller.
Overall, while The Sacred Sword has its merits, including engaging character development and action, the open-ended conclusion may leave some readers feeling dissatisfied. It seems that many fans were hoping for a more definitive ending, and the lack of closure regarding key plot elements contributes to a sense of disappointment.
One of the strengths of the novel is its character development. Mariani delves deeper into Ben Hope's backstory, exploring his theological studies and emotional turmoil, which adds depth to his character and enriches the narrative. The premise involving the sacred sword is engaging, providing a solid foundation for a thrilling adventure that takes readers across various locations, including Israel and the United States. The action sequences are a hallmark of the series, keeping readers engaged throughout the story.
However, the novel suffers from predictable plot twists that diminish the excitement, as many surprises feel anticipated rather than shocking. The characterization of antagonists also leaves something to be desired, with some villains appearing more like caricatures than credible threats, which reduces the overall tension. Furthermore, pacing issues arise, with certain sections dragging while others rush through critical developments, leading to a somewhat unsatisfactory reading experience.
The most significant letdown comes with the ending, which many readers find open-ended and lacking closure. While Ben does manage to avenge his friends, the resolution surrounding the sacred sword and the powerful figures behind the chaos remains unresolved. This lack of closure can lead to feelings of disappointment, especially for fans who are accustomed to more conclusive endings in previous books. Many expected a more explosive resolution, where Ben would confront and dismantle the ruling powers directly, but instead, the narrative takes a different turn, which may not align with what fans expect from a thriller.
Overall, while The Sacred Sword has its merits, including engaging character development and action, the open-ended conclusion may leave some readers feeling dissatisfied. It seems that many fans were hoping for a more definitive ending, and the lack of closure regarding key plot elements contributes to a sense of disappointment.
October 22, 2017
A difficult read, especially as somebody who didn't particularly care for the Da Vinci Code.
Imagine, if you will, that Robert Langdon was, instead of a professor or symbology, former black ops. Bam! Right there you have the makings of the Sacred Sword. A search for 'insert name of artefact' while being pursued by 'insert name of mysterious group here' while constantly being diverted by exposition about 'insert random article of history'.
The first half of the book moves so slowly that it took me a while to find the energy to actually read on, and by the time it finally picked up the pace, there were so few pages left that I was alarmed that it was going to end on a cliff-hanger, thereby forcing me to read the second book, having not enjoyed the first.
A couple of clichés make their appearance (which I won't spoil for fans of Mr Mariani and Mr Hope) but don't really add anything to the development of the protagonist, or make me give a damn about the minor characters involved.
That being said, I did find the motivation of the 'Trimble Group' to be quite interesting and relatively underexplored in the realms of recent fiction. It effectively offered a counterpoint to Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons'.
I am trying to find something nice to say, but it's difficult. The motivations of the Trimble don't challenge your world view. Ben Hope doesn't inspire you to take up the sword yourself.
I suppose the nicest thing I could say is that it would pass the time on a long haul flight. (Sorry Scott.)
Imagine, if you will, that Robert Langdon was, instead of a professor or symbology, former black ops. Bam! Right there you have the makings of the Sacred Sword. A search for 'insert name of artefact' while being pursued by 'insert name of mysterious group here' while constantly being diverted by exposition about 'insert random article of history'.
The first half of the book moves so slowly that it took me a while to find the energy to actually read on, and by the time it finally picked up the pace, there were so few pages left that I was alarmed that it was going to end on a cliff-hanger, thereby forcing me to read the second book, having not enjoyed the first.
A couple of clichés make their appearance (which I won't spoil for fans of Mr Mariani and Mr Hope) but don't really add anything to the development of the protagonist, or make me give a damn about the minor characters involved.
That being said, I did find the motivation of the 'Trimble Group' to be quite interesting and relatively underexplored in the realms of recent fiction. It effectively offered a counterpoint to Dan Brown's 'Angels and Demons'.
I am trying to find something nice to say, but it's difficult. The motivations of the Trimble don't challenge your world view. Ben Hope doesn't inspire you to take up the sword yourself.
I suppose the nicest thing I could say is that it would pass the time on a long haul flight. (Sorry Scott.)
January 2, 2017
J'ai réussi! Réussi à passer à travers de cet insipide roman thriller socio-religieux brouillon où les personnages ont autant de profondeur qu'une tête à claques ou qu'un romain dans Astérix le gaulois.
Le héros pas tuable s'appelle "Benedict Hope". Il est, admettons, spécialisé dans les crimes reliés aux religions, avec un nom pareil ça démontre le premier niveau d'interprétation que l'auteur nous fait monter. On ne montera jamais à un deuxième niveau, oublié ça. Truffé de clichés, de phrases qu'on devine la fin deux pages en avance, de virage de croches très, très carrés, bref d'un niveau de déjà lu digne de la formule de ghost writer mal choisi. Bon, j'exagère, mais Mariani nous prends pour des abrutis. Pourquoi l'avoir terminé, ce roman, me direz-vous? Pour que je me rappelle très bien de ne plus jamais lire cet auteur. Pour que ceux qui me suivent ne perdent pas leur temps avec cet écrivain.
Le héros pas tuable s'appelle "Benedict Hope". Il est, admettons, spécialisé dans les crimes reliés aux religions, avec un nom pareil ça démontre le premier niveau d'interprétation que l'auteur nous fait monter. On ne montera jamais à un deuxième niveau, oublié ça. Truffé de clichés, de phrases qu'on devine la fin deux pages en avance, de virage de croches très, très carrés, bref d'un niveau de déjà lu digne de la formule de ghost writer mal choisi. Bon, j'exagère, mais Mariani nous prends pour des abrutis. Pourquoi l'avoir terminé, ce roman, me direz-vous? Pour que je me rappelle très bien de ne plus jamais lire cet auteur. Pour que ceux qui me suivent ne perdent pas leur temps avec cet écrivain.
December 12, 2017
Wait, wait... that was the ending?! But I felt it as... unfinished! Now I feel somewhat annoyed. I expected an ending where Ben spreading mass destruction(which he did, of course, but not the way I expected). What I thought is that Ben will finish this whole thing as he always does. He did avenge his friends but... what about the sword and... those ruling bastards on top? Ah, I don't think it was the perfect thriller ending. It's just too open-ended. I think I'm disappointed by this, anyway I liked the book but... I feel uncertain about anything connected with this plot since the next one is the next, that's all of The Sacred Sword.
In my opinion, the author could've done better with this one, the other books are so cool, that too but I can't neglect this no ending and I'm soo sad about it.
In my opinion, the author could've done better with this one, the other books are so cool, that too but I can't neglect this no ending and I'm soo sad about it.
May 10, 2025
While visiting Oxford, Ben Hope meets up with old acquaintances from his days at theology college, who he hasn't seen in 20 years. But tragedy strikes and his friends are killed. Ben sets out on finding those responsible and exacting revenge, which is easier said then done as he has no idea why they were killed. But it all revolves around a sword that people are clearly willing to kill for.
This is a fast paced book of Ben Hope hunting the truth and performing unbelievable acts of survival against all odds. I enjoyed it, up until the ending. That was rather silly and out of sync with the rest of the book. It just didn't gel with me and the ending could have been much better. It felt like it was structured to wrap up the story quickly instead of being a meaningful ending.
Enjoyable but disappointing at the same time.
This is a fast paced book of Ben Hope hunting the truth and performing unbelievable acts of survival against all odds. I enjoyed it, up until the ending. That was rather silly and out of sync with the rest of the book. It just didn't gel with me and the ending could have been much better. It felt like it was structured to wrap up the story quickly instead of being a meaningful ending.
Enjoyable but disappointing at the same time.
May 4, 2021
There is blood, there is gore and lots of action but a bit something missing from why I loved the previous 6 books. I picked up a Mariani after a gap of over 2 years and this was readable.
In stretches the book had a sound premise and a solid looking villain. Ben's characteristics and background are introduced gradually and these help flesh out his character.
The theological side is also well addressed and a difficult genocide is well addressed as the plot point.
I just put the quirks as an aberration and proceed to the next one in this series to see how things pander out. The series regulars are put to a cold storage in this story.
But enjoyable
In stretches the book had a sound premise and a solid looking villain. Ben's characteristics and background are introduced gradually and these help flesh out his character.
The theological side is also well addressed and a difficult genocide is well addressed as the plot point.
I just put the quirks as an aberration and proceed to the next one in this series to see how things pander out. The series regulars are put to a cold storage in this story.
But enjoyable
May 24, 2018
Although I have only discovered Scott Mariani & Ben Hope relatively recently, I enjoy the Ben Hope series very much. I like Scott Mariani's style of writing - I am always left breathless!
This latest episode continues the theme of breathless hunting & pursuing with the historical backdrop that gives each story it's unique twist. But I love the way Mariani has tried to humanise Ben Hope and - without giving anything away and spoiling it for others - this latest twist is very welcome !
I have already made sure I have downloaded the next book in the series!
This latest episode continues the theme of breathless hunting & pursuing with the historical backdrop that gives each story it's unique twist. But I love the way Mariani has tried to humanise Ben Hope and - without giving anything away and spoiling it for others - this latest twist is very welcome !
I have already made sure I have downloaded the next book in the series!
December 17, 2021
Ben is taking some rest in Christmas time when he met a friend from many years ago.. but this is not a casual encounter but a meeting planned by his old friend looking for some help.
Being his friend a vicar in a small town in England, what support he could require from Ben?
Everything is resulting in a hunting across several countries with a young boy looking for some clues to understand why some people is chasing them.
Long time since I read previous book in the serie... but moving forward with next one!!!
Being his friend a vicar in a small town in England, what support he could require from Ben?
Everything is resulting in a hunting across several countries with a young boy looking for some clues to understand why some people is chasing them.
Long time since I read previous book in the serie... but moving forward with next one!!!
September 30, 2024
As per usual, Ben Hope spends this entire book dealing with ridiculous levels of strife and trauma. I know it wouldn’t make for a very good or interesting story if the guy managed to catch a break, but I can’t help feeling bad for him every time I pick up one of these books and read that he’s just going THROUGH IT worse than ever before. Obsessed with how he nearly dies in every book but just manages to shake it off and move on. Need to adopt that resilience in my every day life fr.
May 23, 2026
I did enjoy reading this, but if im honest, it is my least favourite of the Ben Hope books.
I love the skill set that Ben has and the ways in which he helps people, but this one seemed to verge more into Dan Brown territory with the religious undertones and the sacred sword. I also found the letter from his deceased friend regarding the parentage of her son may have given Ben a reason to protect the boy, but I think it muddys the water a little for future books.
I love the skill set that Ben has and the ways in which he helps people, but this one seemed to verge more into Dan Brown territory with the religious undertones and the sacred sword. I also found the letter from his deceased friend regarding the parentage of her son may have given Ben a reason to protect the boy, but I think it muddys the water a little for future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2017
I'll tell you what I like about the Ben Hope books. They are simple. They contain a trace - not an overdose of history schemingly cobbled together. They move quick, and Ben Hope isn't capable of super heroic acts. As I read more of the series, layers of Ben are revealed and I kinda like the character.
March 7, 2020
Another great Ben Hope adventure comes to an end. A great action-packed adventure with a surprise personal story thrown in. I enjoyed the read very much but as someone who has some theological knowledge I did find the sword saga, if I can call it it that, really unconvincing. I mean Jesus as a violent political revolutionary with his own personalised sword - really?
August 29, 2022
I had read The Lost Relic by Scott Mariani few years back. It was good. Even this novel is very interesting and fast paced in the beginning. It wen that way till last 100 pages. Then it became not so convincing. It ends with lot of loose ends which makes me wonder why the author is so irresponsible towards his own story!
January 16, 2024
These Ben Hope stories are incredibly readable. He’s like an angry, British Jack Reacher. He boots about the place being all broody and indestructible. This time out he’s looking for a sword and to avenge the death of an old friend. Plenty of action and enough emotional back story to encourage me back for the next one.
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