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Ben Hope #9
The Nemesis Program
THE EXPLOSIVE, THRILLING NEW BEN HOPE ADVENTURE FROM THE TOP 10 BESTSELLING AUTHOR
A BRUTAL MURDER.
A SCIENTIST ON THE RUN.
A PLOT TO KILL MILLIONS.
While secretly researching the bizarre discoveries of Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla many years earlier, physicist Claudine Pommier becomes the victim of a remorseless and cruel murderer who breaks into her Parisian apartment. Is he just a serial killer, or is there more to her death than the Paris cops believe?
Maverick American biologist Dr Roberta Ryder receives a mysterious letter from her friend Claudine and travels to Paris to see her, only to learn of her shocking death. Before she knows it, Roberta becomes the target of ruthless men with a deadly agenda that only the letter can unmask. She’s alone and vulnerable. But she knows someone – the only someone – who can help her.
Ben Hope, ex-SAS soldier and Roberta’s old flame, now trying to retire to a life of peace with his fiancée Brooke, suddenly finds his life turned upside down by Roberta’s sudden arrival in England. She needs his help; he can’t turn her down. In a frantic race to Paris and halfway around the world, Ben and Roberta battle to uncover the mystery of Claudine’s research, with the killers just half a step behind. In the process they uncover a global conspiracy that will claim the lives of millions of people . . . unless Ben can stop it.
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…
A BRUTAL MURDER.
A SCIENTIST ON THE RUN.
A PLOT TO KILL MILLIONS.
While secretly researching the bizarre discoveries of Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla many years earlier, physicist Claudine Pommier becomes the victim of a remorseless and cruel murderer who breaks into her Parisian apartment. Is he just a serial killer, or is there more to her death than the Paris cops believe?
Maverick American biologist Dr Roberta Ryder receives a mysterious letter from her friend Claudine and travels to Paris to see her, only to learn of her shocking death. Before she knows it, Roberta becomes the target of ruthless men with a deadly agenda that only the letter can unmask. She’s alone and vulnerable. But she knows someone – the only someone – who can help her.
Ben Hope, ex-SAS soldier and Roberta’s old flame, now trying to retire to a life of peace with his fiancée Brooke, suddenly finds his life turned upside down by Roberta’s sudden arrival in England. She needs his help; he can’t turn her down. In a frantic race to Paris and halfway around the world, Ben and Roberta battle to uncover the mystery of Claudine’s research, with the killers just half a step behind. In the process they uncover a global conspiracy that will claim the lives of millions of people . . . unless Ben can stop it.
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…
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2014
185 people are currently reading
1210 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
August 25, 2017
Just when series fans are likely prepared for Scott Mariani to run out of ideas, Ben Hope emerges in yet another life path, prepared (yet again!) to settle down. Having left Le Val and his training facility in his past, Hope has settled in nicely at the vicarage and serving in the accompanying capacity. Convinced that he ought to finish his theology studies, Hope is also preparing to marry Brooke Marcel after their harrowing proposal in the Peruvian jungles. A few days before the nuptials, Hope and his son, Jude, are busy working on the property when they are visited by an American. However, this is not just any American, but scientist Roberta Ryder, a former flame of Hope’s (from the beginning of the series). She tells of how her close friend in the scientific community, Claudine Pommier, has been murdered. Paris authorities feel that she is the latest victim of a serial killer, but Ryder is not convinced. She uses her wiles and persuasive arguments to convince Hope to follow her to Paris to help investigate. Hope has no bones asserting his decision on Brooke, who protests this gallivanting behaviour, especially this close to the wedding. Refusing to listen, Hope dashes off with Ryder and makes plans to investigate further. While being attacked by a handful of henchmen, Hope learns that there must be something more than a simple murder at play here. Ryder explains more about Pommier’s research into some of the scientific discoveries of Nicola Tesla, who was at work on experiments using energy waves. The Serbian had also begun work on a weapon of sorts that utilised these ideas. Pommier knew secrets related to the weapon that many would either like for themselves, or out of the hands of others. Working with Ryder to locate the other scientist in whom Pommier confides, they head to Sweden, only to learn just how devastating Tesla’s invention could be, if put in the hands of the wrong people. Hope and Ryder must work together to get their hands on Tesla’s research and prototypes, which were confiscated upon his death in the 1940s by the American Government. However, nothing is as easy as it seems, especially with a branch of the US Government working hard to develop a weapon of mass destruction. Victor Craine is at the head of this and Hope must stop him, before the world order shifts permanently. Another wonderful thriller by Mariani, which pushes the Ben Hope character in new and troubling directions. Series fans will surely enjoy this next instalment in the series, though Hope’s troubling behaviour will surely leave some less than impressed with the protagonist.
As I continue my Ben Hope binge, I have come to see much growth and development in the narratives, as well as with the protagonist. Mariani works hard to keep each story unique, though there is still the ‘save the world man’ inherent in the Ben Hope persona. Hope takes his personal life and tries to reinvent himself, though seems weak in his attempts, as he is derailed by a simple plea from a damsel in distress. How he is able to easily to push aside his latest ‘love of my life’ seems problematic, especially in the face of strong criticism by his own son and sister. Mariani uses this novel to draw on a number of the characters that have entered Hope’s life and offers them a part, even if it is only a small role. Returning to historical science, Mariani leads readers down an interesting path and presents a thriller around the ‘what if’ possibilities. Dedicated series fans will likely enjoy something with a little more meat, based on history, as the narrative take some literary freedoms to strengthen its foundation. However, there is a niggling issue that I have wanted to address for a while. I admit, this is fiction and so the reader ought to suspend their beliefs in some form, but Hope seems to always have oodles of money whenever he needs it, cached away in a million spots. I can only imagine that his diamond-encrusted four poster bed awaits him in a future novel. It seems he can always fly to the far corners of the world and just HAPPENS to have tons of cash for anything at the drop of a hat. There, rant over. Bring on the tenth novel!
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for keeping me entertained throughout. I am grateful to have found this series and love how things are developing.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
As I continue my Ben Hope binge, I have come to see much growth and development in the narratives, as well as with the protagonist. Mariani works hard to keep each story unique, though there is still the ‘save the world man’ inherent in the Ben Hope persona. Hope takes his personal life and tries to reinvent himself, though seems weak in his attempts, as he is derailed by a simple plea from a damsel in distress. How he is able to easily to push aside his latest ‘love of my life’ seems problematic, especially in the face of strong criticism by his own son and sister. Mariani uses this novel to draw on a number of the characters that have entered Hope’s life and offers them a part, even if it is only a small role. Returning to historical science, Mariani leads readers down an interesting path and presents a thriller around the ‘what if’ possibilities. Dedicated series fans will likely enjoy something with a little more meat, based on history, as the narrative take some literary freedoms to strengthen its foundation. However, there is a niggling issue that I have wanted to address for a while. I admit, this is fiction and so the reader ought to suspend their beliefs in some form, but Hope seems to always have oodles of money whenever he needs it, cached away in a million spots. I can only imagine that his diamond-encrusted four poster bed awaits him in a future novel. It seems he can always fly to the far corners of the world and just HAPPENS to have tons of cash for anything at the drop of a hat. There, rant over. Bring on the tenth novel!
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for keeping me entertained throughout. I am grateful to have found this series and love how things are developing.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 23, 2024
Ben Hope has put his past behind him and is about to get married. Then an old girlfriend turns up seeking help and he drops everything to help after the pair are attacked while talking about her problems. It's the start of a journey that will take them around the world hunting those responsible for the attack. They find they are up against an organization so secret that to even mention it will likely lead to a person's death.
It's clear that nothing can kill Ben, no matter how many people are sent after him to kill him by whatever method they choose. He always comes out on top.
This is a bit of a long read, but unfortunately, the ending is short sharp and incomplete. It really felt like the author had reached a certain number of predetermined pages and stopped. Very disappointing conclusion.
It's clear that nothing can kill Ben, no matter how many people are sent after him to kill him by whatever method they choose. He always comes out on top.
This is a bit of a long read, but unfortunately, the ending is short sharp and incomplete. It really felt like the author had reached a certain number of predetermined pages and stopped. Very disappointing conclusion.
February 21, 2021
'It’s just who you are, she thought. You can’t repress it, and you know it.'
Ben is trying to leave his old life behind. He starts a new chapter in his life. A wedding on the way with Brooke and back to his Theology studies.
When an old flame arrives at his door. Roberta is once again mixed up in some mad pseudoscience . Which is led by a tip secret government organisation.
‘That not all of the large-scale disasters of recent times, the mass destruction, the loss of countless human lives … were necessarily down to such natural causes as we have all been led to believe.’
I won't say too much more so as not to give anything away. But this book literally has everything! As always magnificently written, full of action, twists and shocking revelations.
We see Ben beaten down more than we ever have which I always love seeing, the heroes can't always be untouchable.
I will say that finally Ben's friends all muck in to help which was brilliant to see!
Can Ben every truly lead a normal life, well the fact that there is a lot more books says no 🤣
Great for us! Not so great for Ben 😬
'Focus. Survive. Fight. Win.'
Ben is trying to leave his old life behind. He starts a new chapter in his life. A wedding on the way with Brooke and back to his Theology studies.
When an old flame arrives at his door. Roberta is once again mixed up in some mad pseudoscience . Which is led by a tip secret government organisation.
‘That not all of the large-scale disasters of recent times, the mass destruction, the loss of countless human lives … were necessarily down to such natural causes as we have all been led to believe.’
I won't say too much more so as not to give anything away. But this book literally has everything! As always magnificently written, full of action, twists and shocking revelations.
We see Ben beaten down more than we ever have which I always love seeing, the heroes can't always be untouchable.
I will say that finally Ben's friends all muck in to help which was brilliant to see!
Can Ben every truly lead a normal life, well the fact that there is a lot more books says no 🤣
Great for us! Not so great for Ben 😬
'Focus. Survive. Fight. Win.'
![Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief old bloke's hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 28, 2018
Audiobook - 11:44 hours - Narrator: William Rycroft
3.5 stars out of 5.0
After two DNF's in a row, I am glad I chose Ben Hope #9, The Nemesis Program, for my next audiobook. The plot was a bit far-fetched, in fact the whole story was quite zany, but as a light entertainment, the book was very enjoyable. Scott Mariani writes well, with short chapters pretty much full of action and touches of suspense. I don't think the story was quite up to scratch compared with most of the previous novels in the series, hence the 3.5 stars are not rounded up, but I look forward to listening to the next in the series, "The Forgotten Holocaust".
3.5 stars out of 5.0
After two DNF's in a row, I am glad I chose Ben Hope #9, The Nemesis Program, for my next audiobook. The plot was a bit far-fetched, in fact the whole story was quite zany, but as a light entertainment, the book was very enjoyable. Scott Mariani writes well, with short chapters pretty much full of action and touches of suspense. I don't think the story was quite up to scratch compared with most of the previous novels in the series, hence the 3.5 stars are not rounded up, but I look forward to listening to the next in the series, "The Forgotten Holocaust".
July 29, 2018
Another great book in the Ben Hope series. As always Ben finds his life disrupted and endangered by a call for help. This time it’s an old friend who asks for help and leads them on a journey fraught with danger, action, thrills and a plot that could endanger many lives. Only Ben can try to save the world in his own inimitable heroic style.
February 23, 2018
Well where to begin?
This was recommended to my by my mother who is a big reader.She suggested I could read them out of order and it would not matter. I'm not certain that is the case and I do have more of this series to read. It may be that the impact has been weakened by my going out of order, I'km not sure yet.
I am all for a good high action lone wolf tale but like Robert Ludlum novels, if you read too many in a row you can start to tire. Now I have read far more Lee Childs books than these and those I find engaging but with these there were niggles. These might be because I am out of order but here are the reasons why I only gave this 2 stars
3 books in and there are some tropes which could do with a rest. The Ex-beau damsel in distress which he helps but insists on following along could be parked for a while. Some of the side missions might be interesting to read about.
Some of the action in the book has a real 'made for the movies feel' to it. While it would look great on the screen there were a number of moments where credibility was stretched so thin it took me out of the story
Too many all powerful organisations and they appear to me going down a hint too readily. The stories are good enough to just be about survival, it does not need the extra level of threat t be present all of the time.
Its not a terrible book, I read it quickly and to the end. It certainly is a page turner but the presence of the same tropes and the extreme action did make my suspension of disbelief more difficult to maintain at times.
I'll keep going, I could be entirely wrong. Perhaps a break or a different type of book is what I need.
This was recommended to my by my mother who is a big reader.She suggested I could read them out of order and it would not matter. I'm not certain that is the case and I do have more of this series to read. It may be that the impact has been weakened by my going out of order, I'km not sure yet.
I am all for a good high action lone wolf tale but like Robert Ludlum novels, if you read too many in a row you can start to tire. Now I have read far more Lee Childs books than these and those I find engaging but with these there were niggles. These might be because I am out of order but here are the reasons why I only gave this 2 stars
3 books in and there are some tropes which could do with a rest. The Ex-beau damsel in distress which he helps but insists on following along could be parked for a while. Some of the side missions might be interesting to read about.
Some of the action in the book has a real 'made for the movies feel' to it. While it would look great on the screen there were a number of moments where credibility was stretched so thin it took me out of the story
Too many all powerful organisations and they appear to me going down a hint too readily. The stories are good enough to just be about survival, it does not need the extra level of threat t be present all of the time.
Its not a terrible book, I read it quickly and to the end. It certainly is a page turner but the presence of the same tropes and the extreme action did make my suspension of disbelief more difficult to maintain at times.
I'll keep going, I could be entirely wrong. Perhaps a break or a different type of book is what I need.
June 18, 2015
Just finished this great book courtesy of Goodreads and am now going to do some reading up on Tesla! This truly shocking, easy to believe story gripped me from the outset and I loved the thrills and spills that Ben Hope gets himself into. I've not read anything of Scott Mariani's before but I shall certainly add him to my "go to" pile. The writing is fast paced and slick and any fans of the conspiracy type of books will love this.
August 11, 2018
If someone was to tell me that Scott Mariani was a pen name for Andy McDermott I would not be surprised. Ben Hope is a somewhat younger, less Yorkshire Eddie Chase, Roberta Ryder is a kissing cousin of Dr Nina Wilde.
If you enjoy Andy McDermott's work (and I do) then this is for you. Perfectly good enough beach holiday reading.
If you enjoy Andy McDermott's work (and I do) then this is for you. Perfectly good enough beach holiday reading.
December 10, 2015
3.5 stars
This was another good book in the series although it read a bit like an action film. I love this series of books and will continue to read them as long as the author continues to write them.
This was another good book in the series although it read a bit like an action film. I love this series of books and will continue to read them as long as the author continues to write them.
October 6, 2015
Another very good book in the Ben Hope Series. Just when you felt he was settling down, his life is thrown in turmoil once again and he goes racing off around the world in search of a Doomsday weapon.
June 29, 2014
Meh. Too much time spent on gunfights and other mayhem and not enough on the story. Enjoyed the others in the series, this one, not so much.
December 13, 2014
I enjoy a good Ben Hope adventure but this was just a little too unbelievable and whacky , wish the story had been more reasonable .
September 14, 2017
Fast paced and action packed. Slightly far-fetched like James Bond. Plenty of excitement and fights and any normal human being would be dead by page 20! But good fun. Pure escapism.
March 10, 2018
I. Love. Ben! My God, he's so... awesome! I love reading about Ben Hope and I can't get enough of him, really! His books are the best, congrats to Scott Mariani for creating such a fabulous exceptional character you can "fall in love with slowly then all at once" as a quote I recall now says.
Ben was just going to marry his fiancé Brooke after proposing to her in the jungle when he rescued her in the Armada Legacy. But guess what, the plan didn't go as expected. A few days before his marriage, Ben had an unexpected guest - his ex-girlfriend Dr Roberta Ryder which we recall from the very first Ben Hope books The Alchemist's Secret. I think Ben likes smart women, scientist... Well, both women have a PhD, so... Roberta is desperate and has no one to ask for help except Ben because he's the only one who is capable of helping her. One of her friends, a scientist from Paris was murdered in her flat and Roberta is sure they're after her now and only Ben can help her. It wasn't as he seeks for trouble, on the contrary, trouble finds him. What seemed a friendly conversation in the park, turned out to be a chase and gunshots. So, does Ben has any choice but fight back? You can guess what was his answer to Roberta's plea.
And so the story began. Ben is one kind of a character. He's this type of hero who always saves the world and trouble is always at his door. I remember something a cop from Paris Ben had met in The Alchemist's Secret at the beginning. He had told him that men like them can't settle in one place and make a family. Turns out be true. Ben is not exactly the family guy. But you can't blame him for all the evil in the world and he's one of the very few men capable of stopping it. When the world is at stake, personal and love lives don't have a chance. So I don't think Brooke is exactly right for blaming him and expecting him to settle as a clergyman, no, that was an option gone a long time ago, maybe in some other life. Somehow that contrast and how she wants him to be a peaceful ordinary man made me don't like her that much. A side effect of psychology maybe, that's why I hate it so much.
On the other side, I'd liked Roberta from the very first moment. She's a hothead just like Ben and they're so much alike. You know, the "opposites attract" is a complete bullsh*t. That's not true and it never, never works fine. The truth is, you fall for a person similar to you, not opposite.
I like so much how the author chooses his topics and builds them. The Nemesis Program is a huge disaster in every possible meaning. I think I've learned about Nicola Tesla in my Physics class at high school but I'm not pretty sure; I'm both awful at Physics and I hate it. But the whole idea is pretty brilliant. I can bet the author does a lot of research on every topic he chooses and that's a lot of work. So a writer does not only writes; in order to do so, he (or she) must learn a lot of things about what he/she's going to write.
I have so much fun when reading this books. Ben has this sarcastic humour which I love so much. I don't think I should've enjoyed so much how he killed one stupid bastard but I did. But hey, Ben was so f*cking awesome as a sexy predator, how can't I adore him? Ben's my true bookish soul mate, I'm certain. He doesn't hesitate when he has to and doesn't have a second thought about killing a bastard who just deserve it! That's my vision of justice and I absolutely admire Ben; he's an absolute sweetheart in my eyes. (yeah, that sounds... incredible, I know)
I feel a bit sorry for Ben because he's not able to settle and start the new life he's so much hoping for. But you know - once a warrior always a warrior. He obviously has quitted the army years ago but... he's still the extraordinary good soldier he once was and he's a hero. So I'd like him to be happy at last but not like a boring ordinary countryman. That's not the life for him and I don't think he would be happy doing nothing at all.
With these books, you have everything - action, suspense, fun, mystery, history... The next one is even more dangerous than the previous and you're just... obsessed with these books. As the quote "I can quit as soon as I read one more chapter" you "can" quit as soon as you read one more book. Or until you have to wait for the newest one to be released but I have some time until I face that problem(about 7 more books till then). So please, read the Ben Hope series, you won't regret it! Ben's absolutely freaking awesome and adorable, he's unique and badass. You'll simply fall in love with him from the very first page! ❤️
Ben was just going to marry his fiancé Brooke after proposing to her in the jungle when he rescued her in the Armada Legacy. But guess what, the plan didn't go as expected. A few days before his marriage, Ben had an unexpected guest - his ex-girlfriend Dr Roberta Ryder which we recall from the very first Ben Hope books The Alchemist's Secret. I think Ben likes smart women, scientist... Well, both women have a PhD, so... Roberta is desperate and has no one to ask for help except Ben because he's the only one who is capable of helping her. One of her friends, a scientist from Paris was murdered in her flat and Roberta is sure they're after her now and only Ben can help her. It wasn't as he seeks for trouble, on the contrary, trouble finds him. What seemed a friendly conversation in the park, turned out to be a chase and gunshots. So, does Ben has any choice but fight back? You can guess what was his answer to Roberta's plea.
And so the story began. Ben is one kind of a character. He's this type of hero who always saves the world and trouble is always at his door. I remember something a cop from Paris Ben had met in The Alchemist's Secret at the beginning. He had told him that men like them can't settle in one place and make a family. Turns out be true. Ben is not exactly the family guy. But you can't blame him for all the evil in the world and he's one of the very few men capable of stopping it. When the world is at stake, personal and love lives don't have a chance. So I don't think Brooke is exactly right for blaming him and expecting him to settle as a clergyman, no, that was an option gone a long time ago, maybe in some other life. Somehow that contrast and how she wants him to be a peaceful ordinary man made me don't like her that much. A side effect of psychology maybe, that's why I hate it so much.
On the other side, I'd liked Roberta from the very first moment. She's a hothead just like Ben and they're so much alike. You know, the "opposites attract" is a complete bullsh*t. That's not true and it never, never works fine. The truth is, you fall for a person similar to you, not opposite.
I like so much how the author chooses his topics and builds them. The Nemesis Program is a huge disaster in every possible meaning. I think I've learned about Nicola Tesla in my Physics class at high school but I'm not pretty sure; I'm both awful at Physics and I hate it. But the whole idea is pretty brilliant. I can bet the author does a lot of research on every topic he chooses and that's a lot of work. So a writer does not only writes; in order to do so, he (or she) must learn a lot of things about what he/she's going to write.
I have so much fun when reading this books. Ben has this sarcastic humour which I love so much. I don't think I should've enjoyed so much how he killed one stupid bastard but I did. But hey, Ben was so f*cking awesome as a sexy predator, how can't I adore him? Ben's my true bookish soul mate, I'm certain. He doesn't hesitate when he has to and doesn't have a second thought about killing a bastard who just deserve it! That's my vision of justice and I absolutely admire Ben; he's an absolute sweetheart in my eyes. (yeah, that sounds... incredible, I know)
I feel a bit sorry for Ben because he's not able to settle and start the new life he's so much hoping for. But you know - once a warrior always a warrior. He obviously has quitted the army years ago but... he's still the extraordinary good soldier he once was and he's a hero. So I'd like him to be happy at last but not like a boring ordinary countryman. That's not the life for him and I don't think he would be happy doing nothing at all.
With these books, you have everything - action, suspense, fun, mystery, history... The next one is even more dangerous than the previous and you're just... obsessed with these books. As the quote "I can quit as soon as I read one more chapter" you "can" quit as soon as you read one more book. Or until you have to wait for the newest one to be released but I have some time until I face that problem(about 7 more books till then). So please, read the Ben Hope series, you won't regret it! Ben's absolutely freaking awesome and adorable, he's unique and badass. You'll simply fall in love with him from the very first page! ❤️
June 3, 2017
Ben Hope is my favourite action hero. I have all the books. Why 3 stars?
This book is about Ben chasing some villains who control what happens when the Earth goes through tsunamis, earthquakes and the likes. Basically not all of these occur naturally, there some kind of New World Order that causes these disasters for political reasons. Without giving much away the scientist Nikola Tesla has something to to with this.
I have no great objection with that.
My main gripe was that, having read all the books so far, I found myself thinking that, in a couple of instances, Scott Mariani had placed Ben in some situations where I was thinking "How is he going to get him out of that one?" Well, groan, he does. But then he has to or we wouldn't have Ben Hope. May be a bit more believable next time, Scott.
Now the endorsement on the back cover. " Scott Mariani is an awesome writer" By that literary genius Chris(Little did he know that in two hours, he would be dead)Kuzneski. As I don't rate Kuz I thought "Ah that kind of spoils it before I start." Then inside the book some idiot put "I rate Scott Mariani right up there with Chris("Little did she know that she held in her hands a secret that could destroy history) Kuzneski.
All I am goind to add before I go is...GOLD and LEAD.
This book is about Ben chasing some villains who control what happens when the Earth goes through tsunamis, earthquakes and the likes. Basically not all of these occur naturally, there some kind of New World Order that causes these disasters for political reasons. Without giving much away the scientist Nikola Tesla has something to to with this.
I have no great objection with that.
My main gripe was that, having read all the books so far, I found myself thinking that, in a couple of instances, Scott Mariani had placed Ben in some situations where I was thinking "How is he going to get him out of that one?" Well, groan, he does. But then he has to or we wouldn't have Ben Hope. May be a bit more believable next time, Scott.
Now the endorsement on the back cover. " Scott Mariani is an awesome writer" By that literary genius Chris(Little did he know that in two hours, he would be dead)Kuzneski. As I don't rate Kuz I thought "Ah that kind of spoils it before I start." Then inside the book some idiot put "I rate Scott Mariani right up there with Chris("Little did she know that she held in her hands a secret that could destroy history) Kuzneski.
All I am goind to add before I go is...GOLD and LEAD.
April 7, 2024
Ben Hope series is a good read. At least it was. After reading through the entire series I feel oddly empty. Maybe it was because there was not a lot of character development to ex SAS Major Ben Hope. Maybe because he is already a developed character with "medals coming out of his a** ". As someone said, the more you read the more you become bored. The plot always include someone close to Ben hope getting killed and him going on a revenge spree and finding out that his enemy are very 'bad' guys who are plotting the end of world. It goes to such a extent that if trouble didn't find ben hope, the universe he was will fall into oblivion. Anyway this is the last book I will read from these series. Also this book ruined Jack Reacher for me. I always find myself comparing the two personae. Concluding I wouldn't say I wasted my time reading this series. Its a good way to kill time, Just don't expect anything more.
May 25, 2022
So in this one some fiend has constructed a giant vibrator. Ben Hope can scarcely believe such a device exists. He likes good clean fun without utensils. But the vibrator has already destroyed Ben’s prospects of marriage, and if he doesn’t kill an extraordinarily high number of men in the next few days, it’s going to destroy the earth.
An enjoyable thriller with the most ridiculous premise I’ve ever encountered and an interesting sexual subtext. Good holiday read, or if you need to reboot your brain after a long squawk.
An enjoyable thriller with the most ridiculous premise I’ve ever encountered and an interesting sexual subtext. Good holiday read, or if you need to reboot your brain after a long squawk.
August 11, 2017
The best yet?!!
The description of the motorway crash and Ben's evasive driving was so believable that I felt as exhausted as the characters. Scott's knowledge of geography and history are so impressive that I cannot put his books down. As the tension ramps up I find myself reading more quickly until as an elderly lady I feel quite exhausted. Just about to start reading book 10 now that I have my breath back. An excellent thriller!!
The description of the motorway crash and Ben's evasive driving was so believable that I felt as exhausted as the characters. Scott's knowledge of geography and history are so impressive that I cannot put his books down. As the tension ramps up I find myself reading more quickly until as an elderly lady I feel quite exhausted. Just about to start reading book 10 now that I have my breath back. An excellent thriller!!
January 31, 2019
9th Ben Hope thriller. After rescuing kidnapped Brooke from a maniac drug lord and business man, Ben plans to marry brooke and leave all his adventures behind. But fate plans something else. Just two days before his wedding, Roberta (Old crush) arrives there with a new problem. Ben had to cancel his wedding and going to help her. Their journey takes them half around the globe in a quest to save millions of lives. This book filled with more adventure as usual.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2020
The author is undoubtedly talented, but I am done with this series.
I am tired of the constant weird relàtionship crap and the fact that the most dangerous thing a person can do is be a friend or acquaintance of Ben Hope.
Not to mention that for a certified badass former sas troop he is indecisive, and has the intimate relàtionship skills of a Trappist monk.
Obviously there are people who enjoy the series and this is not meant to disparage them or the author, I simply needed to vent.
I am tired of the constant weird relàtionship crap and the fact that the most dangerous thing a person can do is be a friend or acquaintance of Ben Hope.
Not to mention that for a certified badass former sas troop he is indecisive, and has the intimate relàtionship skills of a Trappist monk.
Obviously there are people who enjoy the series and this is not meant to disparage them or the author, I simply needed to vent.
November 14, 2020
Decent, believable storyline. Good action sequences, as always. It got a little beyond plausible at times (I don't care how good an Ex-SAS soldier he was!). Some technical inaccuracies too. Right towards the end, for example, Jeff (Ex-SBS) is described putting on his "oxygen" tank (any diver knows it's air, not oxygen - unless you're diving mixed gases); they also referred to his "flippers" - no diver would ever refer to them as anything but "fins"! Spoiled it a bit for me.
January 30, 2022
The Ben Hope is my new guilty pleasure that cleanses my palate between the heavy stuff. Mariani's shtick is to take a scientific oddity, historical mystery or urban myth and get ex SAS man Ben Hope to take out the bad guys in a usually improbable globetrotting adventure. If you can past the implausible coincidences - and trained killers who can never shoot straight ever or don't just a bullet into Ben's heat when he is invariably captured - then these are superior thrillers.
March 8, 2024
Always Brilliant!
I absolutely love Ben Hope, and it has been a while since I have read one, and yet again Scott Mariani comes up trumps. Very interesting concept incorporating Tesla, especially in the technology of it all, in this day and age. It was a shame that the author felt Ben has to postpone his wedding to help an old flame! Hmmfph! Not happy! Despite that a very cleverly constructed story line, can't wait to read the next one!
I absolutely love Ben Hope, and it has been a while since I have read one, and yet again Scott Mariani comes up trumps. Very interesting concept incorporating Tesla, especially in the technology of it all, in this day and age. It was a shame that the author felt Ben has to postpone his wedding to help an old flame! Hmmfph! Not happy! Despite that a very cleverly constructed story line, can't wait to read the next one!
October 1, 2017
This slightly unbelievable tale reminded me of the cowboys of my youth.
WhO always. Survived the most horrendous and outrageous circumstances. Against all odds. But it so much more enjoyable and better than killing off the heroes. I really enjoy the live to fight another day mentality of this exciting author. Better to be an injured survivor than. A dead hero.
WhO always. Survived the most horrendous and outrageous circumstances. Against all odds. But it so much more enjoyable and better than killing off the heroes. I really enjoy the live to fight another day mentality of this exciting author. Better to be an injured survivor than. A dead hero.
February 20, 2018
Hold on ....it's quite a ride!
Nothing is ever quite what anyone would call normal for Ben. Set to settle down, a past love calls on him for help and while he wants to resist, he simply must do what he does best. A believable albeit frightening scenario pulls the reader into another wild ride.
Nothing is ever quite what anyone would call normal for Ben. Set to settle down, a past love calls on him for help and while he wants to resist, he simply must do what he does best. A believable albeit frightening scenario pulls the reader into another wild ride.
April 21, 2021
Maybe I have just read too many Scott Mariani books in close succession because I just got bored with this half way through. Ended up giving up and just reading the end . Will give myself a break from this author and see if that improves my enjoyment as they just seem to be blending into 1 . Too much time spend on describing guns and gun fights and not enough story .
November 18, 2021
Hard to go wrong with this series! Ben Hope, unassuming all action hero! Plenty of happenings to keep him on his toes and jetting across the world from disaster to disaster. Plenty of twists to keep the storyline moving and the adrenaline flowing. And just enough humanity to make you embrace the story all the more.
January 9, 2022
Following previous novel, Ben is retiring to a small english village to get married...but this would end with the saga :-)
Old friend visit him in his retirement just before the wedding looking for his help.
This time, situation involves Nikola Tesla work and it could cause an enormous disaster; therefore, Ben is not only fighting usual villains but needs to face earth nature phenomenon.
Old friend visit him in his retirement just before the wedding looking for his help.
This time, situation involves Nikola Tesla work and it could cause an enormous disaster; therefore, Ben is not only fighting usual villains but needs to face earth nature phenomenon.
January 29, 2024
I love the hi-octane writing of Scott Mariani but this one was relentless. You get dragged in an instant from normality through life threatening chases and fights, deadly technology, a villain that sends chills through you with his psychopathy and closed room situations where escape seems impossible. I loved it!
October 31, 2017
Quite exciting, haven’t read any of the prequels but scene set and understood character relationships quickly and easily. Felt that didn’t quite finish and next book (which I probably won’t read) would continue the story. Swapped this book on hotel foyer bookshelf.
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