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Ben Hope #23
The Pandemic Plot
When ex-SAS major Ben Hope is urgently recalled to the UK from his base in France to assist with a family crisis, little does he know that he’s about to be drawn into one of the most dangerous missions of his career: his son Jude has been accused of a brutal murder, and all the evidence points to his guilt.
To prove Jude’s innocence Ben embarks on a wild chase, facing up against mysterious killers and piecing together a fragile web of clues. What connects an all-female criminal gang from the early 1900s called the Forty Elephants, a century-old vendetta and a shadowy government conspiracy that claimed millions of innocent lives?
Along the way Ben teams up with his former acquaintance, rugged Detective Tom McAllister. They’re heading for a showdown in the wilds of Cornwall, and the villains have no intention of letting Ben come out of it alive . . .
To prove Jude’s innocence Ben embarks on a wild chase, facing up against mysterious killers and piecing together a fragile web of clues. What connects an all-female criminal gang from the early 1900s called the Forty Elephants, a century-old vendetta and a shadowy government conspiracy that claimed millions of innocent lives?
Along the way Ben teams up with his former acquaintance, rugged Detective Tom McAllister. They’re heading for a showdown in the wilds of Cornwall, and the villains have no intention of letting Ben come out of it alive . . .
397 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2021
275 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
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August 8, 2021When first I discovered the work of Scott Mariani, I could not get enough of the action and great plots of his novels. Now, with the 23rd novel in his Ben Hope series, I still feel the same excitement, something that is rare when things have gone on this long. Hope finds himself in another mess, as his son has been arrested for a murder in England. Hope travels from France, in hopes of untangling the web, only to have the young man land in prison and await trial. Hope traces the murder back to an investigation the victim had been undertaking, which leads to a mysterious journal. Within the pages of this book lies the cornerstone of a secret that could change the face of history. While Hope is baffled by what he discovers, it is more important to find the killer and clear his son’s name once and for all. Mariani pens another winner that had me riveted throughout.
Ben Hope may be former SAS, but even he likes the idea of some downtime on his property in rural France. All that is shattered when he gets a call from his son, Jude, who has just been arrested for the murder of a man staying at the family estate in England. Hope rushes to help, only to find a cocky Jude unwilling to abide by the legal rules. Jude is tossed into jail ahead of his trial, as Hope tries to get to the root of what happened.
Hope soon learns that the victim is a Canadian investigator who’s been hired to look into some family events. At the centre of it all is a journal from almost a century before. As Hope tries to peel back the layers, others who are involved in the investigation turn up dead, leading him to believe that there is cover-up taking place. As he tries to get a handle on what’s taking place, Hope connects with a police detective who is not quite convinced that Jude is guilty either. Together, they try to pry open some doors and figure out what could be fuelling this murder spree.
As Hope reads the journal in question, he learns of a young woman’s path into the criminal world. These petty crimes culminate in the theft of a rare book, which proves to be more than simply a piece of literature. Between scouring the pages of the journal, Hope connects with a man who has much to share about the pharmaceutical world, admissions that could pave the way for ruthless criminals to get their hands on debilitating weapons. These two storylines connect, albeit loosely, to open the door to questions about the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic and what one company might have known all those years ago.
While Hope tries to help exonerate Jude, the young man finds himself making both friends and enemies behind bars. An act of bravery earns Jude the thanks of a ruthless gang leader, who organises a prison escape. Now, with Jude on the lam, Hope must worrry about his son and a killer who is sure to strike again soon. It will take everything Hope has to keep everyone safe, while ensuring he lives long enough to present the truth to the authorities.
While there are some authors who write long series and tend to run out of ideas, Scott Mariani seems to be on point deep into his Ben Hope thrillers. The stories are poignant to the day and the action is never diluted. I have found few series that can say as ‘fresh’ after so many adventures, but Ben Hope seems always to find new ways to entertain readers with his antics. I enjoy whenever I hear of a new novel by Mariani, particularly when Ben Hope is in the middle of yet another adventure.
Ben Hope has lost none of the lustre of the early novels in this series. Passionate about those who matter to him, Hope always finds a way to help them while thrusting himself into the middle of a troublesome situation. The reader usually sees him traversing the globe to find answers, but this novel keeps our protagonist within the confines of England for the most part, using his brains and brawn in equal measure. Hope is fuelled by trying to help his son, a connection that is still fairly fresh for him, as series fans will know well. I can only hope to see more of the softer side of Hope in the coming novels, though his love for the few family members he has shines through this novel.
Mariani offers up a strong cast of supporting characters, both those in a returning role and new faces to keep the story flowing. The reader is able to see things in a new light, particularly in the flashback sequences and those characters who carry the story along in the 1920s and 30s. There is a nice balance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ individuals to keep the plot moving along, something that permits the reader to contrast and compare with ease.
The story was a well-balanced piece of work, something that I enjoy so deep into the series. The narrative flowed well, developing the plot effectively in the two timelines. A mix of chapter lengths allow the reader to get ensconced in all the sub-plots before being thrust into action and cliffhangers as well. All of this permits for a thoroughly enjoyable read. As Mariani is apt to do, there is a spin on history that forces the reader to open their mind, as they wonder how much could actually be truth as opposed to fictional supposition to add spice to the story. Many will ask, can the book be read as a standalone? While I suppose it could, I will repeat what I often do when asked this question. Why would you want to miss out on the nuances that pile up throughout the series and culminate here? Series fans will surely love this one, as it is another winner. Those who are new to Scott Mariani had best decide how much of a ride they want. I’d highly recommend getting their proverbial feet wet at the beginning, as it is an excellent series worth the investment.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what Ben Hope has coming up in the future!
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Ben Hope may be former SAS, but even he likes the idea of some downtime on his property in rural France. All that is shattered when he gets a call from his son, Jude, who has just been arrested for the murder of a man staying at the family estate in England. Hope rushes to help, only to find a cocky Jude unwilling to abide by the legal rules. Jude is tossed into jail ahead of his trial, as Hope tries to get to the root of what happened.
Hope soon learns that the victim is a Canadian investigator who’s been hired to look into some family events. At the centre of it all is a journal from almost a century before. As Hope tries to peel back the layers, others who are involved in the investigation turn up dead, leading him to believe that there is cover-up taking place. As he tries to get a handle on what’s taking place, Hope connects with a police detective who is not quite convinced that Jude is guilty either. Together, they try to pry open some doors and figure out what could be fuelling this murder spree.
As Hope reads the journal in question, he learns of a young woman’s path into the criminal world. These petty crimes culminate in the theft of a rare book, which proves to be more than simply a piece of literature. Between scouring the pages of the journal, Hope connects with a man who has much to share about the pharmaceutical world, admissions that could pave the way for ruthless criminals to get their hands on debilitating weapons. These two storylines connect, albeit loosely, to open the door to questions about the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic and what one company might have known all those years ago.
While Hope tries to help exonerate Jude, the young man finds himself making both friends and enemies behind bars. An act of bravery earns Jude the thanks of a ruthless gang leader, who organises a prison escape. Now, with Jude on the lam, Hope must worrry about his son and a killer who is sure to strike again soon. It will take everything Hope has to keep everyone safe, while ensuring he lives long enough to present the truth to the authorities.
While there are some authors who write long series and tend to run out of ideas, Scott Mariani seems to be on point deep into his Ben Hope thrillers. The stories are poignant to the day and the action is never diluted. I have found few series that can say as ‘fresh’ after so many adventures, but Ben Hope seems always to find new ways to entertain readers with his antics. I enjoy whenever I hear of a new novel by Mariani, particularly when Ben Hope is in the middle of yet another adventure.
Ben Hope has lost none of the lustre of the early novels in this series. Passionate about those who matter to him, Hope always finds a way to help them while thrusting himself into the middle of a troublesome situation. The reader usually sees him traversing the globe to find answers, but this novel keeps our protagonist within the confines of England for the most part, using his brains and brawn in equal measure. Hope is fuelled by trying to help his son, a connection that is still fairly fresh for him, as series fans will know well. I can only hope to see more of the softer side of Hope in the coming novels, though his love for the few family members he has shines through this novel.
Mariani offers up a strong cast of supporting characters, both those in a returning role and new faces to keep the story flowing. The reader is able to see things in a new light, particularly in the flashback sequences and those characters who carry the story along in the 1920s and 30s. There is a nice balance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ individuals to keep the plot moving along, something that permits the reader to contrast and compare with ease.
The story was a well-balanced piece of work, something that I enjoy so deep into the series. The narrative flowed well, developing the plot effectively in the two timelines. A mix of chapter lengths allow the reader to get ensconced in all the sub-plots before being thrust into action and cliffhangers as well. All of this permits for a thoroughly enjoyable read. As Mariani is apt to do, there is a spin on history that forces the reader to open their mind, as they wonder how much could actually be truth as opposed to fictional supposition to add spice to the story. Many will ask, can the book be read as a standalone? While I suppose it could, I will repeat what I often do when asked this question. Why would you want to miss out on the nuances that pile up throughout the series and culminate here? Series fans will surely love this one, as it is another winner. Those who are new to Scott Mariani had best decide how much of a ride they want. I’d highly recommend getting their proverbial feet wet at the beginning, as it is an excellent series worth the investment.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what Ben Hope has coming up in the future!
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
August 31, 2021
Now I am a big fan of this series, but every now and again one of them doesn't quite hit the high standards of the others. not surprising after 23 books and 3? Novellas.
This is quite a good story, fairly well told. But it for me it didn't quite fit with the rest of the Ben Hope Series. Probably a good one if you want a synopsis of the story so far! As a large part of the book is a rehash/summary of who is who, what and why. Great if you are new, but if you are familiar with the books frustrating.
A topical story and maybe it was a problem doing his normal amount of research that resulted in this shadow of the usual standard.
I will continue to read and look forward to the next instalment.
This is quite a good story, fairly well told. But it for me it didn't quite fit with the rest of the Ben Hope Series. Probably a good one if you want a synopsis of the story so far! As a large part of the book is a rehash/summary of who is who, what and why. Great if you are new, but if you are familiar with the books frustrating.
A topical story and maybe it was a problem doing his normal amount of research that resulted in this shadow of the usual standard.
I will continue to read and look forward to the next instalment.
November 30, 2021
Wowza. A terrific thriller using a unique premise. Yes, unique in the true sense of the word. One of a kind.
Our good guy hero - ex-SAS Major Ben Hope - is called again to the UK to deal with a personal, family crisis. Invovling his son Jude.
Brilliantly plotted and plausible storyline, beautifully written and a conclusion that makes sense of the facts.
Unputdownable
Our good guy hero - ex-SAS Major Ben Hope - is called again to the UK to deal with a personal, family crisis. Invovling his son Jude.
Brilliantly plotted and plausible storyline, beautifully written and a conclusion that makes sense of the facts.
Unputdownable
August 12, 2022
The Hope series is still enjoyable after 23 books. This one had a bit too much back story but wont let down the fans.
August 31, 2021
Now I am a big fan of this series, but every now and again one of them doesn't quite hit the high standards of the others. not surprising after 23 books and 3? Novellas.
This is quite a good story, fairly well told. But it for me it didn't quite fit with the rest of the Ben Hope Series. Probably a good one if you want a synopsis of the story so far! As a large part of the book is a rehash/summary of who is who, what and why. Great if you are new, but if you are familiar with the books frustrating.
A topical story and maybe it was a problem doing his normal amount of research that resulted in this shadow of the usual standard.
I will continue to read and look forward to the next instalment.
This is quite a good story, fairly well told. But it for me it didn't quite fit with the rest of the Ben Hope Series. Probably a good one if you want a synopsis of the story so far! As a large part of the book is a rehash/summary of who is who, what and why. Great if you are new, but if you are familiar with the books frustrating.
A topical story and maybe it was a problem doing his normal amount of research that resulted in this shadow of the usual standard.
I will continue to read and look forward to the next instalment.
May 23, 2021
I adore Ben Hope and I am addicted to this series, reading them as soon as they are available. This isn't the best - I suspect that, understandably, the pandemic and Lockdown may be the reason. The title indicates it was certainly on the author's mind, although I don't think it's a particularly fitting title for the book. The story very much revolves around Ben and his son, Jude. Jude is not seen at his best. Ben is fantastic as always. Hopefully, he will put his talents to better use in the next novel, which I eagerly await and will be published in November.
September 26, 2021
I've been a fan of this series since #1 and this was as good as many. Interesting idea for the plot, and Ben Hope at his best. For the large part this was an easy and well paced read, and was very nearly a 5star review.
I enjoyed the obligatory "sit down and listen to a bit of history" bit, and unlike some reviewers I don't think it went on too long, but what did go for too long, and it weakened the intensity of the pace, was the reading from the diary prose. With that in place, I thought the story could have been a little longer, some parts needed to be longer or in more detail. While there was no interaction from Ben's colleagues at La Val, it was nice to spend time with Jude and McCallister.
I enjoyed the obligatory "sit down and listen to a bit of history" bit, and unlike some reviewers I don't think it went on too long, but what did go for too long, and it weakened the intensity of the pace, was the reading from the diary prose. With that in place, I thought the story could have been a little longer, some parts needed to be longer or in more detail. While there was no interaction from Ben's colleagues at La Val, it was nice to spend time with Jude and McCallister.
August 4, 2021
The Pandemic Plot is number twenty-three in the Ben Hope series and, trying not to sound too clichéd, they just keep getting better and better. During a quiet spell at Le Val, Ben gets a frantic phone call from his son Jude; he’s been accused of murder and has been arrested. Ben drops everything and heads for Oxford, but is at a loss as to how he can rescue Jude as all the evidence seems to point to his guilt.
This story is slightly different from Ben Hope’s usual high-octane, action-based adventures, but none the worse for it. There is more detective work in this one, and Ben joins forces with DI Tom McAllister (he previously featured in The Bach Manuscript) to try to find the pieces of the puzzle that will prove Jude’s innocence. This also paves the way nicely for The Cage, the first volume in Scott Mariani’s new detective series. This partnership works well and ensures a much lower body count than usual, or else Ben would probably find himself locked up too.
With very little to go on, Ben’s desperate search for the truth takes him on a journey from Oxford to Hunstanton on the north Norfolk coast, by way of London, and eventually to a showdown on an isolated Cornish farm. There is quite a lot of historical background to take in, as is normal in Ben Hope adventures, but it is introduced naturally into the story until Ben knows exactly what he has to do to clear Jude’s name.
The excellent characterisation is what makes this series so memorable. Ben Hope’s adventures take him all over the world, but the main focus is always on how he overcomes the obstacles placed in his path, and emerges victorious no matter how hopeless his situation appears to be. Ben Hope will return in The Crusader’s Cross later in the year.
This story is slightly different from Ben Hope’s usual high-octane, action-based adventures, but none the worse for it. There is more detective work in this one, and Ben joins forces with DI Tom McAllister (he previously featured in The Bach Manuscript) to try to find the pieces of the puzzle that will prove Jude’s innocence. This also paves the way nicely for The Cage, the first volume in Scott Mariani’s new detective series. This partnership works well and ensures a much lower body count than usual, or else Ben would probably find himself locked up too.
With very little to go on, Ben’s desperate search for the truth takes him on a journey from Oxford to Hunstanton on the north Norfolk coast, by way of London, and eventually to a showdown on an isolated Cornish farm. There is quite a lot of historical background to take in, as is normal in Ben Hope adventures, but it is introduced naturally into the story until Ben knows exactly what he has to do to clear Jude’s name.
The excellent characterisation is what makes this series so memorable. Ben Hope’s adventures take him all over the world, but the main focus is always on how he overcomes the obstacles placed in his path, and emerges victorious no matter how hopeless his situation appears to be. Ben Hope will return in The Crusader’s Cross later in the year.
May 18, 2021
The Pandemic. Scott Mariani
Greed. The word is as old as time, in any language. People who are willing to engage in whatever activity necessary to accomplish their goals. Murder be it by one person's hand or a pandemic they created that killed hundreds of thousands innocent lives. Biological weapons the general public believe will help them. Ben Hope is engaged in battle against them. His son has been charged with a murder he did not commit.The suspects, extremely wealthy corporate heads didn't bargain for the likes of Ben Hope. This is another amazing read in the Ben Hope series. Enjoyed immensely!! My highest recommendation!!
Greed. The word is as old as time, in any language. People who are willing to engage in whatever activity necessary to accomplish their goals. Murder be it by one person's hand or a pandemic they created that killed hundreds of thousands innocent lives. Biological weapons the general public believe will help them. Ben Hope is engaged in battle against them. His son has been charged with a murder he did not commit.The suspects, extremely wealthy corporate heads didn't bargain for the likes of Ben Hope. This is another amazing read in the Ben Hope series. Enjoyed immensely!! My highest recommendation!!
September 14, 2021
This book had a slightly different favour to the usual Scott Mariani/Ben Hope outing. Nonetheless it is still an excellent read and a great addition to the ever growing collection of Major Ben Hope stories. The story revolves around Ben's son Jude who finds himself accused of murder and held in prison awaiting trial. All Ben has to do is to find a way to prove that his son is innocent. But this task is never going to be easy and there is a connection to an all female criminal gang who plagued London's high end shops, shoplifting as much as they could in the early 1900's. This gang soon branched out to fleecing London's high and mighty by becoming maids within their households and stealing everything they could lay their hands on. This period also covers the first world war (1914 to 1918) and the Spanish flu epidemic/pandemic, with more than a pasting glance at mustard gas used during the great war. Ben also teams up with an old friend, the unconventional detective Tom McAllister. This is a great read, it shows a slightly different side to Ben Hope, his requirement to be a good father.
June 18, 2025
Great storyline
May 16, 2021
For the first time I’ve given this a less than perfect 5. I would have given it 4.5 if possible. I love this series and Ben Hope definitely floats my canoe haha. However for the first time Scott Mariani has disappointed me with a continuity flaw. How can Ben come out of a skirmish in a muddy pond and just carry on as normal. Okay we could be expected to just believe Ben gets changed but add to that that the beer mat comes out of his pocket undamaged and is dry enough to place between the pages of an old book. Other than this it was a good read and I’m already looking forward to number 24!
May 19, 2021
Another wonderful addition to the Ben Hope series. This time the story is set in the UK and we find Ben dashing across from France to help son Jude, who has been accused of murder.
As usual, Ben finds himself in several sticky situations and there is plenty of action, plenty of bad guys and a twist on the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918.
Scott Mariani never fails to deliver a great read and this is no exception. Can't wait for the next installment.
As usual, Ben finds himself in several sticky situations and there is plenty of action, plenty of bad guys and a twist on the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918.
Scott Mariani never fails to deliver a great read and this is no exception. Can't wait for the next installment.
May 16, 2021
Little dissapointing
One of my favourite authors I've read everything Scott Marian has written. While I enjoyed the book itself I didn't feel as if the story line was as good as others
One of my favourite authors I've read everything Scott Marian has written. While I enjoyed the book itself I didn't feel as if the story line was as good as others
April 24, 2024
A fun read. I always wondered how the action genre would come through in books. Lots of detail on that side of things. A couple of interesting (and definitely not unrealistic) 1 ex-SAS v multiple goon encounters. Decently interesting plot tying family secrets to historical events.
May 24, 2021
From gung ho shoot em up books at the beginning, to grown up books with this one. You could almost say it’s a different author.
I still miss the action books, but do appreciate that one must move on-change is inevitable. I still enjoy your books, Scott, and am tempted to go back to the good old days of rescue by re-reading some earlier ones.
I look forward to the new book in November with anticipation. Oh by the way, if anyone is thinking of reading any of Scott Mariani’s books, I doubt you’ll be disappointed. They are page turners and no, I’m not on commission.
I still miss the action books, but do appreciate that one must move on-change is inevitable. I still enjoy your books, Scott, and am tempted to go back to the good old days of rescue by re-reading some earlier ones.
I look forward to the new book in November with anticipation. Oh by the way, if anyone is thinking of reading any of Scott Mariani’s books, I doubt you’ll be disappointed. They are page turners and no, I’m not on commission.
June 25, 2021
I love the characters still but this reads a bit antivaccine so put me off
May 29, 2021
This book is so good, each and every one of Ben's adventures is simply iconic. At first, I thought I was gonna read reasonable amounts at a time, well, I did go halfway through the book in one sitting (took me a couple of hours though) - who was I kidding, I always do this.
Now, having this title of a book will most certainly make anyone think the obvious so let's say this loud and clear, it's not about this current situation. It would've been rather lame using this current predicament as "inspiration" to draw up some crazy story. This is about another kind of pandemic, historical wise and that's as much as I'm going to say at this point. I don't want to ruin the experience after all but have warned you to have an open mind and think in the past, no the present.
I so enjoy this kind of thrillers, 23 books in and I'm still as hooked up. Now, if you look at my reviews, I most often give 4 stars as to me, 5 stars mean I really, really love the book and this rating I hardly give unless I'm absolutely in love with the book but 4 to me means great and I've enjoyed it a lot. To make it 5 must be an all-time favourite basically.
Ben's grown-up son seems to be a magnet for trouble but so is his daddy dearest. I think this runs in the family, they don't ask for it, don't look or want it but it just comes their way, you know? So Jude is wrongly accused and once again, Ben's thrown in a whirlwind of trouble and mystery. The usual kind he has to solve from the ground because it's never so easy to uncover the truth all at once. Not when the bad guys are hot on his trail and want the truth to remain buried.
I mentioned the historical part, now to come to think of it, The Pandemic Plot reminds me of another of Scott Mariani's books and I'd say that's The Forgotten Holocaust. Very... similar topics, the damage inflicted... terrible in both cases, maybe worse regarding the numbers in this book.
Scott Mariani's got this fascinating way of writing that keeps you on the edge and it grabs you from the start. He has this sarcastic sometimes dark sense of humour that honestly so fits my own and has me laughing out loud. His ideas are so brilliant, despite the lack of speak peek, I've no doubt the next book will be epic just by the title. There's nothing I love more in thrillers than historical mysteries, The Crusader's Cross will be awesome!
Ben has to put together the clues like pieces of a puzzle. He's dragged into this race to save his son from spending his life in prison while uncovering some dark and horrific revelations. May I say, the ending pleased me SO much. Not to mention how much I love seeing more and more of Ben, on such a note, why, why is the book less than 400 pages?? I'd read any extra more, I SO want to see some of Ben's ordinary life at Le Val, just casual stuff, I want something extra. I also want to see more of Jude and some more father-son bonding, Gods knows they need this reacquaintance after not knowing of each other most of their lives.
As a little downside, I felt like the... let's put it story within the story to be rather long and boring, also the character in question was how to put it... dumb. So yeah, dumb characters annoy the hell out of me, I guess the point was having her this way but still, she was useless and if doing the right thing at the time, she could've saved some drama, not to mention leave some evidence besides her dumb story.
Oh, almost forgot, having DI Tom McAllister appear as a sidekick in this book was so brilliant. He's a cool cop and knowing he's getting his own series and book in about two months is simply amazing. It was an ingenious move on Scott's side to reintroduce him to the readers just before his own solo series come out. At that matter, I can't wait for The Cage, his first book!
Besides this point, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, well reading 250 pages at once is proof enough. The books keep getting better and better and so is Ben - he ages like fine wine and keeps getting better with time. Oh boy, I'm so hyped up for the next book, I already have some ideas about just by looking at the title being a history geek too. It's going to be really good, I know it. I can't wait to read the annotation and I so hope the cover is reddish!
Now, having this title of a book will most certainly make anyone think the obvious so let's say this loud and clear, it's not about this current situation. It would've been rather lame using this current predicament as "inspiration" to draw up some crazy story. This is about another kind of pandemic, historical wise and that's as much as I'm going to say at this point. I don't want to ruin the experience after all but have warned you to have an open mind and think in the past, no the present.
I so enjoy this kind of thrillers, 23 books in and I'm still as hooked up. Now, if you look at my reviews, I most often give 4 stars as to me, 5 stars mean I really, really love the book and this rating I hardly give unless I'm absolutely in love with the book but 4 to me means great and I've enjoyed it a lot. To make it 5 must be an all-time favourite basically.
Ben's grown-up son seems to be a magnet for trouble but so is his daddy dearest. I think this runs in the family, they don't ask for it, don't look or want it but it just comes their way, you know? So Jude is wrongly accused and once again, Ben's thrown in a whirlwind of trouble and mystery. The usual kind he has to solve from the ground because it's never so easy to uncover the truth all at once. Not when the bad guys are hot on his trail and want the truth to remain buried.
I mentioned the historical part, now to come to think of it, The Pandemic Plot reminds me of another of Scott Mariani's books and I'd say that's The Forgotten Holocaust. Very... similar topics, the damage inflicted... terrible in both cases, maybe worse regarding the numbers in this book.
Scott Mariani's got this fascinating way of writing that keeps you on the edge and it grabs you from the start. He has this sarcastic sometimes dark sense of humour that honestly so fits my own and has me laughing out loud. His ideas are so brilliant, despite the lack of speak peek, I've no doubt the next book will be epic just by the title. There's nothing I love more in thrillers than historical mysteries, The Crusader's Cross will be awesome!
Ben has to put together the clues like pieces of a puzzle. He's dragged into this race to save his son from spending his life in prison while uncovering some dark and horrific revelations. May I say, the ending pleased me SO much. Not to mention how much I love seeing more and more of Ben, on such a note, why, why is the book less than 400 pages?? I'd read any extra more, I SO want to see some of Ben's ordinary life at Le Val, just casual stuff, I want something extra. I also want to see more of Jude and some more father-son bonding, Gods knows they need this reacquaintance after not knowing of each other most of their lives.
As a little downside, I felt like the... let's put it story within the story to be rather long and boring, also the character in question was how to put it... dumb. So yeah, dumb characters annoy the hell out of me, I guess the point was having her this way but still, she was useless and if doing the right thing at the time, she could've saved some drama, not to mention leave some evidence besides her dumb story.
Oh, almost forgot, having DI Tom McAllister appear as a sidekick in this book was so brilliant. He's a cool cop and knowing he's getting his own series and book in about two months is simply amazing. It was an ingenious move on Scott's side to reintroduce him to the readers just before his own solo series come out. At that matter, I can't wait for The Cage, his first book!
Besides this point, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, well reading 250 pages at once is proof enough. The books keep getting better and better and so is Ben - he ages like fine wine and keeps getting better with time. Oh boy, I'm so hyped up for the next book, I already have some ideas about just by looking at the title being a history geek too. It's going to be really good, I know it. I can't wait to read the annotation and I so hope the cover is reddish!
June 3, 2021
A spine-chilling, high octane suspenseful plot in the 23rd edition of the Ben Hope series. Having read a few books in the past, I have become an ardent follower of Scott Mariani. The plot orbits around Ben's son being charged for a murder he did not commit and with circumstantial evidence against him, Ben has to enter the fray to prove his son's innocence. What seems to be a simple case of murder and the accused being a victim of mistaken identity, the plot is soon embroiled in a deep-rooted collusion that sends shivers down the spine. As Ben tries to put together loose pieces of the jig saw puzzle of clues, he stumbles upon a memoir dating back to early 1900's that gives him a roadmap to pursue his investigation. As he digs deeper, he is befuddled and aghast at the gargantuan conspiracy and the monstrosity of its devastation during the 1st world war. Ben has an enormous task to challenge these perpetrators and bring them to their knees, while the villains try to safeguard their deep-rooted secrets and not let him survive the D-day. Ben is aptly assisted by his acquaintance Tom McAllister in this journey to prove his son's innocence. As an ex-SAS operative, Ben is very sharp, has a quick recall of discussions, names, and places, and keeps his promise not to kill anyone during the showdown. The duo of Ben and Tom makes a good pair. Although at first, the title does not seem commensurate with the plot, the final revelation is grim and shocking. Looking forward to the next one in the Ben Hope series.
December 1, 2021
i was a little embarrassed repeating the title of this when i asked my local bookshop if they had it in... despite the goofy title, i had 'hope' that this one would be another banger like The Demon Club, but it really didn't hit the same. i read the latter while at the beach and it was such a good time. the reason i decided to get the next was because i thought it would be the same and i also wanted to feel that 'holiday' feeling again. obviously, i know mariani can't do the same story again, but i figured he has a formula he sticks to that's made this the 23rd in the series.
what i liked most about the demon club was one of the side characters, jaden wolf. the most exciting part of this book to me was when ben hope made a reference to his former friend. other than that, i was kind of just ... reading it. not really into it, but still readable. that being said, i did put it down halfway through the lead up to the big climax and not bother with it for a few days. tom mcallister did not fill the hole that jaden wolf left.
i said that the most exciting part was the jaden wolf reference, but the second most exciting part was the fight between ben hope and one of the hitmen that he chases around an estate, when he tries to crush hope with a tractor and they roll into a pond together. that part was cool, i'll give it that.
overall, liked it. easy read. it made me a friend in the line at tesco. someone asked me if it was good. i said it was so-so, but that i was enjoying it anyway. he seemed nice.
what i liked most about the demon club was one of the side characters, jaden wolf. the most exciting part of this book to me was when ben hope made a reference to his former friend. other than that, i was kind of just ... reading it. not really into it, but still readable. that being said, i did put it down halfway through the lead up to the big climax and not bother with it for a few days. tom mcallister did not fill the hole that jaden wolf left.
i said that the most exciting part was the jaden wolf reference, but the second most exciting part was the fight between ben hope and one of the hitmen that he chases around an estate, when he tries to crush hope with a tractor and they roll into a pond together. that part was cool, i'll give it that.
overall, liked it. easy read. it made me a friend in the line at tesco. someone asked me if it was good. i said it was so-so, but that i was enjoying it anyway. he seemed nice.
May 23, 2021
Former SAS Major, Ben Hope, receives a phone call from his son Jude. Jude has been arrested for murder, but both men know he's innocent.
Ben comes over from his home in France to prove that Jude couldn't possibly have committed the crime.
As Ben investigates, a woman's name is given to him. She turns out to be less than helpful, but phones Ben after a while, to talk to him. Before he can get back to her, she and her staff are killed and Ben disposes of the killers in the only way he knows how.
His investigation takes him to London and East Anglia. Ben teams up with an old friend in the Thames Valley police, who helps him catch the main man at the head of the organisation.
The story culminates in the Bodmin area of Cornwall, where Ben and his friend manage to arrest the thugs without killing anyone.
Jude is exonerated of the murder charge, but receives a six month suspended sentence for breaking out of prison.
Ben, yet again, doesn't get into trouble with the law. His only punishment is that he's unable to hire vehicles from any hire company, as he usually wrecks any vehicle he gets his hands on. As Q says to James Bond, "I said to bring the car back in one piece, 007, not to bring back one piece of the car!"
Ben comes over from his home in France to prove that Jude couldn't possibly have committed the crime.
As Ben investigates, a woman's name is given to him. She turns out to be less than helpful, but phones Ben after a while, to talk to him. Before he can get back to her, she and her staff are killed and Ben disposes of the killers in the only way he knows how.
His investigation takes him to London and East Anglia. Ben teams up with an old friend in the Thames Valley police, who helps him catch the main man at the head of the organisation.
The story culminates in the Bodmin area of Cornwall, where Ben and his friend manage to arrest the thugs without killing anyone.
Jude is exonerated of the murder charge, but receives a six month suspended sentence for breaking out of prison.
Ben, yet again, doesn't get into trouble with the law. His only punishment is that he's unable to hire vehicles from any hire company, as he usually wrecks any vehicle he gets his hands on. As Q says to James Bond, "I said to bring the car back in one piece, 007, not to bring back one piece of the car!"
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November 6, 2021I dont like Jude.
Not one of Scott's best.
Any book that has such an unlikeable character as Jude cant be a favourite of mine. Jude is an entitled arse without any endearing quality and I wish hed been left behind on the Star of Africa.
His reckless behaviour then resulted in the deaths of many people and that, plus the sequel seem not to have affected him in any way.
His role in the body count of this book too doesnt seem to disturb his sleep in any way. I truly hope we dont meet him in any future Ben Hope books as I wont buy them.
The overarching story was entertaining but not as good as usual but the information on botox was very interesting as was the historical information about the 1918 pandemic. I'm sure the Forty Elephants was a real thing, too. Who could make up such an unwieldy title for a criminal gang?
I'm sure the statistics are historically accurate as Scott really does his research but I preferred the Forgotten Holocaust to this type of plot.
I still wish Ben would pack in the Gauloise, though.
Not one of Scott's best.
Any book that has such an unlikeable character as Jude cant be a favourite of mine. Jude is an entitled arse without any endearing quality and I wish hed been left behind on the Star of Africa.
His reckless behaviour then resulted in the deaths of many people and that, plus the sequel seem not to have affected him in any way.
His role in the body count of this book too doesnt seem to disturb his sleep in any way. I truly hope we dont meet him in any future Ben Hope books as I wont buy them.
The overarching story was entertaining but not as good as usual but the information on botox was very interesting as was the historical information about the 1918 pandemic. I'm sure the Forty Elephants was a real thing, too. Who could make up such an unwieldy title for a criminal gang?
I'm sure the statistics are historically accurate as Scott really does his research but I preferred the Forgotten Holocaust to this type of plot.
I still wish Ben would pack in the Gauloise, though.
January 3, 2023
Ben's son is arrested for murder in Oxford, so he travels to England to find out what is going on. Ultimately he sets out to find the real culprit and in doing so uncovers a world secret covered-up for over a century. It makes him determined to bring those responsible to account and to free his son from prison.
Coivd-19 is not mentioned in this book but it's clear that it was a source of inspiration for this book, particularly with some of the narrative at the end of the book. The pandemic in this book is the Spanish Flu from 1918, or was it the flu? That's what this book is about plus the evils of corrupt wealthy businessmen who care about nothing but money and their business prospering, despite the misery it may be causing their fellow man. There is lots of action in this plus a visit from an character from a previous book in the series, Inspector Tom McAllister. I really enjoyed this and will continue to read more books from this series. So far I've read half the books and have not really been disappointed.
Coivd-19 is not mentioned in this book but it's clear that it was a source of inspiration for this book, particularly with some of the narrative at the end of the book. The pandemic in this book is the Spanish Flu from 1918, or was it the flu? That's what this book is about plus the evils of corrupt wealthy businessmen who care about nothing but money and their business prospering, despite the misery it may be causing their fellow man. There is lots of action in this plus a visit from an character from a previous book in the series, Inspector Tom McAllister. I really enjoyed this and will continue to read more books from this series. So far I've read half the books and have not really been disappointed.
May 25, 2023
A full on action story in the ilk of Bourne, Die Hard and other franchises. Bet this would be excellent on the screen where you can get lost in the action, the chases, fights, guns and explosions and forget the plot devices and skill sets dropped in to make the scene work. For me this sort of tale should stay the realm of the Screenwriter and special effects gurus. A novel needs to take the time to develop characters, unravel plots and provide a narrative that evokes smells, sounds, emotions and so on. It needs to be able to draw you in and give you a sense of awe when you have finished it.
Don't get me wrong, Scott Mariani has produced a great tale which moves along at a rapid pace and has, for the most part, believable characters and a good storyline and I think I'd love to see it on the big screen. I just didn't get the feeling of satisfaction from reading this.
Don't get me wrong, Scott Mariani has produced a great tale which moves along at a rapid pace and has, for the most part, believable characters and a good storyline and I think I'd love to see it on the big screen. I just didn't get the feeling of satisfaction from reading this.
December 14, 2024
It is quite a long time since I renewed acquaintances with Ben Hope, the very talented and sometimes apparently indefatigable hero of Scott Mariani’s series of books, and even longer since I submitted a book review. However, my re-acquainting was so good that I felt that I should congratulate the author on a roaring success.
The love of Ben for his son leads him to try to help him following his arrest for murder. This leads to connections with other murders and a horror story reaching back to the First World War. A family tries to hide its destructive plans, but Ben is out to find and stop them.
Full of action and intrigue, this book was gripping from beginning to end. I will definitely be following Ben’s further adventures. I have quite a bit of catching up to do!
The love of Ben for his son leads him to try to help him following his arrest for murder. This leads to connections with other murders and a horror story reaching back to the First World War. A family tries to hide its destructive plans, but Ben is out to find and stop them.
Full of action and intrigue, this book was gripping from beginning to end. I will definitely be following Ben’s further adventures. I have quite a bit of catching up to do!
January 26, 2024
I'm not the biggest fan of pandemic based stories, and wasn't a fan of the slight anti-vac references in this. Overall, though, this was a good installment to this series.
I like when characters from previous books comes back and really enjoyed Ben and Tom's dynamic. The story was good, well plotted and easy to follow. I really liked the little addition at the end, it tied the story up nicely.
On another note, Jude is one of the densest people to exist in a book ever. Endearing, but so so dense.
I like when characters from previous books comes back and really enjoyed Ben and Tom's dynamic. The story was good, well plotted and easy to follow. I really liked the little addition at the end, it tied the story up nicely.
On another note, Jude is one of the densest people to exist in a book ever. Endearing, but so so dense.
August 2, 2021
A great adventure which lets Ben Hope hook up with both his son & an old ally from his past. I was a little concerned about this book as I had seen a few reviews which suggested it wasn’t up to the author’s normal standard. I have to disagree with this. Certainly the style is a little different but there were still all the elements that make the Ben Hope thrillers such a good and easy read.
Plenty of action a good storyline and characters you can both get attached to or love to hate.
Plenty of action a good storyline and characters you can both get attached to or love to hate.
July 25, 2022
Good to see Scott Mariani back to his best, and maybe even better than his best. I loved how this book centred around a pandemic, but not the one we are currently emerging from. Taking us back to World War I and the Spanish flu, Mariani uses both to link to the false imprisonment of his son and his subsequent actions to clear his name. Action packed as always with little nods to our lived history - write about what you know, isn’t that what they say?
June 4, 2021
23 stories in and another one that lives up to the high standards set by Scott Mariani.
Hope is a tremendous character and this was an interesting take on the series with the usual mix of action, adventure and intrigue. The central premise felt a little bit simple to resolve so just knocked a star off. But was a fantastic entry in the series and I can’t wait for the next one.
Hope is a tremendous character and this was an interesting take on the series with the usual mix of action, adventure and intrigue. The central premise felt a little bit simple to resolve so just knocked a star off. But was a fantastic entry in the series and I can’t wait for the next one.
June 10, 2021
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I thoroughly the Ben Hope series of books, some might call them formulaic, you know exactly what you are going to get. This, the latest, follows a well tested plot but I find the books easy to read, entertaining and relaxing. I read them as they are published between more weighty books and as said earlier I have enjoyed them all.
I thoroughly the Ben Hope series of books, some might call them formulaic, you know exactly what you are going to get. This, the latest, follows a well tested plot but I find the books easy to read, entertaining and relaxing. I read them as they are published between more weighty books and as said earlier I have enjoyed them all.
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