The Alchemist’s Secret (Ben Hope, Book 1)

Scott Mariani

Jun 2009 · Ben Hope Book 1 · Sold by HarperCollins UK

About this eBook

THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Introducing the explosive first Ben Hope adventure

‘Compelling from the first page until the last, Mariani and Ben Hope entertain in a gripping tale that will have you turning the pages well into the night’ MARK DAWSON

Ben Hope lives on the edge. A former elite member of the SAS, Ben is tortured by a tragedy from his past and now devotes his life to finding kidnapped children.

When Ben is recruited to locate an ancient manuscript which could save a dying child, he embarks on the deadliest quest of his life.

The document is alleged to contain the formula for the elixir of life, discovered by the brilliant alchemist Fulcanelli decades before. But it soon becomes apparent that others are hunting this most precious of treasures – for far more evil ends.

When the secrets of alchemy hidden within the pages remain impenetrable, Ben teams up with beautiful American scientist Dr Roberta Ryder to crack the code.

It seems that everyone – from the Nazis during WW2 and powerful Catholic organisation Gladius Domini – wants to unearth the secrets of immortality.

The trail leads Ben and Roberta from Paris to the ancient Cathar strongholds of the Languedoc, where an astonishing secret has lain hidden for centuries...

The Ben Hope series is a must-read for fans of Dan Brown, Lee Child and Mark Dawson. Join the millions of readers who get breathless with anticipation when the countdown to the new Ben Hope thriller begins...

Praise for Scott Mariani ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart ... Scott Mariani packs a real punch’ Andy McDermott

‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne meets The Da Vinci Code’ J. L. Carrell

‘Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure’ Closer

'Non-stop action – this book delivers’ Steve Berry

‘If you’ve got a pulse, you’ll love Scott Mariani; if you haven’t, then maybe you crossed Ben Hope’ Simon Toyne

‘Full of authentic detail and heart-stopping action – a real thrill ride’ Ed Macy

‘An author to watch’ M. J. Rose

‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains... everything a thriller should be and more’ Joe Moore



Ratings and reviews

From the strength of a former SAS member to a man in search of saving a dying child the main protagonist engages. The tension is ratcheted up as he competes with some unsavoury characters in his search against time for Fulcanelli's elixir. Shades of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code permeate but this has a distinctive authorial voice.

Think that these books have a great story line to them yes always slow to get off buthen boom he hits you with it and out of no where tou need to turn pag afyer page Just like John Grisham street lawyer madee turn and turn my 2 best writers their!!

implausible. badly researched and predictable characters left me annoyed rather than entertained. it was as if it was written by a child with a 'how to write an action story' brief. go elsewhere for entertaining and even remotely believable fiction.

About the author

Scott Mariani is the author of the worldwide-acclaimed action-adventure thriller series featuring ex-SAS hero Ben Hope. Scott’s novels have topped the bestseller charts in his native Britain and are translated into over twenty languages worldwide. To date the Ben Hope series comprises the #1 Bestseller The Alchemist’s Secret, The Mozart Conspiracy, The Doomsday Prophecy (published in the USA as The Hope Vendetta), The Heretic’s Treasure, The Shadow Project, The Lost Relic, The Sacred Sword and the forthcoming The Armada Legacy (May 2013). Scott is also the author of the bestselling Kindle eBook novella, Passenger 13. Scott’s novels have been described as ‘James Bond meets Jason Bourne with a historical twist’.