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Ben Hope #27

The White Knight

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IN THE GAME OF KINGS, THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE VICTOR.

When a devastating attack on billionaire Auguste Kaprisky leaves the old man clinging to life, a trail of bodies and no clues, his last surviving relative calls the only person she can trust to step up.

With precious few leads, ex-SAS soldier Ben Hope must first switch from action hero to detective in order to unravel the mystery. His international quest soon attracts the attention of the faceless plotters, who swiftly make Ben their target.

As Ben moves between Miami and the Bahamas, Rome to Berlin, his investigation seems only to bring him ever closer to death. And as he fights the odds, all questions lead back to one thing: the historic chess set, stolen by Auguste’s attackers, which once belonged to Napoleon.

What is the secret this chess set holds, and who are the all-powerful people who will seemingly stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens to uncover their terrifying plan? Your move, Ben Hope…

464 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 11, 2023

178 people are currently reading
340 people want to read

About the author

Scott Mariani

74 books1,156 followers

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5 stars
1,323 (61%)
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618 (28%)
3 stars
157 (7%)
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24 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
Profile Image for Matt.
4,824 reviews13.1k followers
June 13, 2023
Whenever I see a new book by Scott Mariani, I know that I am in for a wonderful reading experience. Mariani uses well-developed plots and a strong set of characters to present formidable stories that are sure to entertain the reader. Ben Hope is back to help an aged billionaire when his family tells of a recent attack. As Hope digs a little deeper in tot the case, he realises that nothing is quite as it seems and everything ties into a chess set. A chilling story that is full of action. Perfect for series fans!

After a brutal attack on billionaire Auguste Kaprisky leaves him in a coma, his sole remaining family member, a granddaughter, is worried about what has happened. She cannot fathom who would want to kill her grandfather and reaches out toe Ben Hope, the only man she feels his the power to open an investigation and track down those who were responsible.

Hope, a former SAS-soldier who now runs his own training facility in France, is amenable to helping, but will need to look into Kaprisky’s background to better understand those who might mean him harm. The more Hope pushes, the deeper the plot gets and Hope is soon the new target to these attackers, who have yet to reveal themselves.

As the case spans all parts of the globe, Hope comes closer and closer to death, escaping by the skin of his teeth. At the heart of it all is a chess set stolen by Kaprisky’s attackers, one that once belonged to Napoleon. Hope has no idea why, but he will have to determine its significance or be checkmated in the process. Mariani does a wonderful job with this piece and keeps the action high throughout.

This series has proven to be some of the best thriller writing that I have read in a long while. Just when I think Scott Mariani’s has reached his limit, he comes out with another stellar piece. From its strong narrative foundation to the plethora of relatable characters found within, the story moves well and provides an entertaining tale for all to enjoy. Strong plot twists keep things enticing and leave me wanting more, which never seems to dissipate throughout the reading journey. Mariani has not waned as the number of books pile up. If anything, the stories get stronger and more unique. I cannot wait to see what’s to come and for how long Ben Hope can remain upright and fighting some of the most ruthless people in the business.

Kudos, Mr. Mariani, for another strong piece that left me so excited for the next book.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Profile Image for John Paxton.
129 reviews186 followers
December 14, 2023
Hope returns into the action and a definite improvement on the Silver Serpent. Auguste is back as we knew he would be again someday. His Napoleon chess pieces have gone missing after he is attacked. His grand niece is now grown up and plays a big part of the narrative.
Profile Image for Joe Geesin.
174 reviews3 followers
October 1, 2023
An old acquaintance asks for help in one of the best to read yet. Well researched, full of action, and several of Ben Hope's colleagues past and present come to help. Lots of intrigue along the way. On this effort, def looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Geof Turner.
1 review
October 22, 2023
I know these sort of books are meant to be escapism, but this one was so implausible it was ridiculous. A bunch of set-piece action sequences linked together by a very thin plot
Profile Image for Ross Mathieson.
21 reviews
January 1, 2024
Another 'boys own' yarn from the author. Enjoyabe read as always, but I thought there was quite a bit of padding, especially in the middle chapters such as the chess match. However, I've already bought the next book in the Ben Hop series.
Profile Image for Terry Mckay.
13 reviews
May 20, 2023
another Ben Hope epic adventure

I’ve read all the Ben Hope books to date and enjoy each and every one. Whilst I wait for the next new one I go back and start reading the old ones from the beginning. They never grow old!
81 reviews
May 21, 2023
Spot on, Scott. Another page turner. Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for D.S. Mac.
Author 1 book38 followers
August 4, 2023
Just can't get enough of Ben Hope!

Yet another brilliant story full of action. 👌🏻
178 reviews2 followers
May 26, 2023
Very good, but from my simple world, it was a bit far stretched even for fiction.
61 reviews
May 17, 2023
A new Scott Mariani to savour

Once again Scott Mariani has surpassed himself! An exciting page turner from start to finish . He just keeps getting better and Ben Hope is a fantastic character along with some old and new comrades. I love this book and enjoyed every page!
10 reviews
May 16, 2023
Another mile a minute action thriller

Good read from start to finish. Builds up well but feels a little rushed towards the end. As always though a great read and hard to put down.
Profile Image for King Rupert.
97 reviews7 followers
June 3, 2023
I haven't read a Ben Hope for ages. I liked it. The White Knight is good, solid story which I wonder if is referencing one of the older books in this series where there was a mysterious, powerful old man from a secret, shadowy organisation. The plot is a bit close to home with recent real life events, Hopesque revenge massacre aside (there is pretty much always one of those which is one of the things I like about these books). I get the feeling that Scott is very much in favour of liberty and against the big brother style of governing which is getting to be so prominent of late. My view of the world of course, you may well take a different one and it takes different strokes. If you like your action then this could be the book for you. You don't necessarily have to have read the series to get into this one.
1 review
May 23, 2023
As always a great read - extremely engaging page turner with all that you expect from Scott Mariani’s hero. However, why Ben didn’t take the Billion reward I don’t know. Particularly liked the relevancy to highly topical current conspiracy theories which makes you think could this be happening, have happened? You must be the judge of that, I just hope we have a real life Ben Hope when and if that day comes. THRILLING READ!
Profile Image for Keshav Nair.
298 reviews
June 8, 2023
"The White Knight" by Scott Mariani is an electrifying and gripping thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Mariani, known for his captivating writing style and engaging characters, delivers yet another enthralling installment in the popular Ben Hope series.

In this novel, we follow the fearless and charismatic protagonist, Ben Hope, a former elite soldier turned troubleshooter, as he embarks on a high-stakes mission. When a devastating attack on the estate of billionaire Auguste Kaprisky leaves the old man clinging to life, a trail of bodies in his majestic mansion, and no clues of the perpetrators, his last surviving relative Valentina Petrova calls Ben, the only person she thinks can be trusted to unmask the face of the nefarious people behind this attack. He learns that pieces of a historical chess set belonging to the Napoleon era have been stolen by the attackers, while the chess board itself has been left behind.

Auguste Kaprisky, known as Tonton to her grandniece, Valentina is the only heir to the Kaprisky estate after her parents’ unfortunate death in a skiing accident in the Alps. Their estate is managed by their family lawyer and longtime friend, Gabriel Archambeau who breaks the news of the devastation at the estate.

Ben Hope dives headfirst into a dangerous investigation that leads him to uncover a sinister plot involving the highest echelons of power. As he navigates a treacherous web of corruption, secrets, and deadly adversaries, Hope's skills are put to the ultimate test. He soon realizes that not only is he now their target, but also he has to dodge their every move, stay alive and protect Valentina. His clandestine investigation takes him to Miami, Bahamas, Rome, and Berlin and, in his quest to unfold the secret behind this missing chess set and the powerful people behind this crime who will go any length to protect their secrets at any cost, he is joined by his comrades from the Lehval training facility, Tuesday Fletcher and Jeff Decker together with the deadly Jayden Wolf.

Mariani's writing is fast-paced and filled with tension, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. From the very beginning, the author skillfully sets the stage for an adrenaline-fueled adventure, and the momentum never wavers. The narrative is tightly woven, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing and eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth. Ben Hope is a compelling and complex protagonist, balancing his tough exterior with a sense of compassion and a desire for justice. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with each character playing a crucial role in the story.

In conclusion, "The White Knight" is an exhilarating and expertly crafted thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. Scott Mariani once again proves himself as a master storyteller, delivering a pulse-pounding narrative, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes. If you're in search of a heart-pounding page-turner, this book is a must-read.
Profile Image for Sandra.
441 reviews6 followers
July 18, 2023
The White Knight is Scott Mariani’s twenty-seventh Ben Hope adventure in a series that just keeps going from strength to strength. I have to keep reminding myself that this character is not real as he comes to life on the page. Ben Hope usually works best alone, but this time the problem is too big for one man to solve. I really enjoyed that Jeff, Tuesday, and Jaden Wolf came to assist their old friend and would not take no for an answer.
Auguste Kaprisky has always been there for Ben ever since he rescued Auguste’s grand-niece Valentina and her father from Russia in The Moscow Cipher. Auguste’s estate has been attacked leaving nearly everyone dead and Auguste in a coma. Valentina calls in the only person she trusts. Ben has to put on his detective hat, but is soon dodging bullets left, right and centre as the people behind the massacre do their best to eliminate him.
They are up against a shadowy, all-powerful organisation called the Forum whose plan is too heinous to contemplate and must be stopped. This fast-paced, thrilling adventure takes Ben all over the world in pursuit of clues that ultimately lead to a showdown in Lake Balaton in Hungary. There is more of an emphasis on action in this book rather than historical background as in some of the others. Once you start reading it is very difficult to stop and you just have to read one more chapter. I loved every minute of this high-octane thriller and look forward to The Tudor Deception later in the year. I hope Scott Mariani continues to write the Ben Hope books for many years to come.
Profile Image for Louise Ridout.
118 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2023
If, like me, you’ve followed Ben Hopes journey through the first 26 books, you won’t be disappointed by book 27! The White Knight follows a similar formula of someone close to Ben being in trouble, and he and his buddies travelling around the world taking on the bad guys and righting the wrongs, with a few hiccups along the way.

The books are certainly far fetched and unbelievable in terms of action and lack of consequences, but this is what makes them such an enjoyable read - they are our fiction and escapism. What I liked most about this book is that it is focused on Ben and his colleagues, and the action is purely around the main storyline. The last few books have deviated into trying to give Ben a personal life and too many potential love interests, and have become a bit boring as it’s clear how it’s going to end, whereas there is no love interest in this, just Ben and his old buddies doing what they do best and saving the world!

You probably could enjoy these books as a one off read, but in my opinion it’s best to read the whole series to get the full enjoyment.
Profile Image for Balthazar Lawson.
772 reviews9 followers
December 31, 2023
Ben Hope is always willing to help those in trouble. Being offered a billion euros to do a job is not why he does it. He does it out of loyalty and friendship. When an old client, turned friend, is attacked in his home and almost killed, Ben quickly steps up to help find the perpetrators. This sends him up against the most fearsome and skilled killers he has yet encountered and knows he unable to do it all on his own. Normally he doesn't accept the offers of help from his friends, but this time he his unable to reject the help they offer.

This is another excellent read and shows Ben Hope's true character. It's action from the beginning to end as Ben, and his friends, do battle with a shadowy group of billionaires who have their own ideas about how the world should be run and operated. They are not going to get their way if Ben has any say in the matter.

Although there are some farfetched logical steps in this, I still found it very enjoyable and easy to read.
Profile Image for Robyn Balmer.
190 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2024
I enjoyed “The White Knight” by Scott Mariani. It was a great action book with great characters and an extraordinary plot. A billionaire, Kaprisky, was targeted in his home where all staff and bodyguards were killed, and Kaprisky’s grand-niece, Valentina, engaged Ben Hope to track down the murderers and to revenge the attack because of Ben’s successful assistance to the family in the past.
The story includes excellent chess players and a missing chess set, previously owned by Napoleon, and the plot sounds much like our world’s troubles now. Ben Hope’s investigation proves a danger to the rest of the world, and he is grateful to obtain assistance from his friends, Jeff, Tuesday, and Jaden Wolf.
The final chapter leads to a lake in Hungary where there is a lot of action and a satisfactory ending.
I give this story 4.5 stars and I would recommend this fast-paced book to anyone who loves action stories.
760 reviews2 followers
September 22, 2023
A good book, but I think I need to give the "Ben Hope" books of Scott Mariani a rest for a while. I've read all twenty seven of them so far, and have enjoyed them all, but I need to read a different genre for now.
Ben Hope and his ex-military cohorts are called on to help an old friend and his niece. The old man, Auguste Kaprinsky, is in a coma and his rather shady business associates are behind the accident. Valentina trusts Ben to get to the bottom of why the Forum want her uncle dead. Along the way, certain knowledge that Auguste found out about his Forum associates comes to light. This information will dramatically change the world as it's known, unless they can be prevented from putting their plan into action. Enter Ben and his crew. They succeed in foiling the plot, with their usual finesse, and the world is safe once more.
Profile Image for Melly Dimitrova.
119 reviews37 followers
March 9, 2025
Oh, how have I missed Ben Hope! As thrilling as ever, I'm hooked on his constant adventures. The plot is exciting and as catchy as ever. I love how Mariani picks up topics and happenings in the real world to use as creative inspiration for his books. It does provide an endless supply of ideas and materials, I have a few books to catch up on, so I hope to read more Ben Hope stories.
I find the books in this series to be one- or two-day reads. You get sucked in from the beginning and have to keep on reading to find out more and more. It's so cool seeing how the plot unravels and how you discover things alongside the hero. Then the revelations come, and you know all hell will break loose. I really love the series, and Ben is perhaps one of my most favourite literary characters.
714 reviews4 followers
October 21, 2023
Ben Hope is now in his 27th adventure. 27! I must admit I’ve not also been the biggest fan of this series - a criticism being that they are released so often that especially the latter stage of the series has felt rushed and copies of each other.

This is different! It feels like a much needed injection in the arm. The premise is the same but built around a slightly different theft. The usual action sequences are in but they feel a little less like action by numbers and more that thought has gone into how they advance the story.

The characters are on point and there was a real sense of anticipation throughout the plot. In my view, one of the absolute strongest entries out of the 27!
Profile Image for Tamil.
122 reviews5 followers
January 14, 2024
As usual action packed Ben Hope story from Scott Mariani.

In this book, Ben Hope's multi billionaire friend Auguste Kaprisky was gravely injured and in Coma.
Ben was brought to investigate the attack on Kaprisky by his grandniece Valentina. Soon Ben finds that there were very high level people involved in this attack and it is to cover the whistle blow of their sinister plot to exterminate half the world population.

As a big fan of Ben Hope series who read all books, I wish Ben gets his happy ending of leading a normal life without trouble which he longs for. Even though it will be sad to think there will be no more Ben Hope book, he deserves it.
19 reviews
November 28, 2023
Love Ben Hope!

I think it’s a combination of Scott Mariani’s grasp of gallows humour and the knowledge that by the end of the book all shall once more be well with the world… wrongs righted inna properly Old Testament style and fashion… (Hey, don’t knock it, that book’s ANCIENT and still wildly popular… if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it… Even Ben Hope flirted with priesthood!) Highly recommend if you enjoy your adrenaline fuelled fiction tinged with humour “It’s what we in the trade call ‘dead’ ” 😂🤣😂
Profile Image for Mr Michael R Stevens.
476 reviews1 follower
Read
July 14, 2023
Great Books

Some might call the books in the series formulaic but not me, of course they run pretty much the same but each is different. Assuming Ben Hope has one of these adventures each year the series covers twenty-seven years that makes him middle aged.
Do I care, no I read these between all the 'highbrow' books, I enjoy them and you will as well. This one is bang up to date and despite the conspiracy theorists is a good pausible story.
Profile Image for Dave.
460 reviews
July 22, 2023
Another exciting adventure in the Ben Hope series. This time Ben is once again helping Augusts Kaprisky his billionaire friend. There’s not as many action scenes in this one as there are in others in the series but those that are there are exciting and well written.
The book is as enjoyable as this series normally is and features many of Ben’s friends from previous stories.
All in all it’s a great read.
Profile Image for Robin.
432 reviews
May 20, 2025
Bookclub. I did enjoy this novel. The protagonist is well-crafted with loyal companions. The plot is intriguing, albeit somewhat linear, lacking unexpected twists. The action sequences were short, unlike similar novels and there seemed less description of ordinance than I expected. The plot reminded me of Dan Brown’s ‘Inferno’. This may sound rather negative, but it is uncommon for me to complete a book within a single day, but this one held my attention throughout.
Profile Image for Ian.
87 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2023
Another fast-paced action packed thriller from Scott Mariani! I've read every one of Scott's Ben hope series and frankly can't wait for the next. Highly recommended if you enjoy a little bit of history blended in with a pure thrilling action that's hard to put down unless you need to rest the tired brain from all the action.
Profile Image for Jaume Ayala.
410 reviews1 follower
July 6, 2023
amazing story with Ben teaming whit all his friends to defeat a plot against the workd planned by the richest guys.
Althouhg Ben is the main character in the series and he usually "works alone", I enjoy when he is teaming whith additional people especially when that ones are his colleagues at Le Val.
7 reviews
July 30, 2023
Scott Mariani at his best. This is a fantastic, action packed adventure and it’s great for some of the other characters to put in an appearance. Given the world events of the last few years the conspiracy theories resonated. Who knows - perhaps there is actually a global cabal of elites who are pulling the strings…-Let’s hope there are some Ben et al people around to assist if there are!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews

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