Start reading The Alchemist's Secret (Ben Hope 1) on your Kindle in under a minute. Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

 
 
 

Try it free

Sample the beginning of this book for free

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

Read books on your computer or other mobile devices with our FREE Kindle Reading Apps.
The Alchemist's Secret (Ben Hope 1)
 
 

The Alchemist's Secret (Ben Hope 1) [Kindle Edition]

Scott Mariani
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (327 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £6.99
Kindle Price: £1.99 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
You Save: £5.00 (72%)
* Unlike print books, digital books are subject to VAT.

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition £1.99  
Paperback £5.24  


Product Description

Review

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

‘Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch.’
M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of The Reincarnationist

‘Packed with dark intrigue, danger around every corner, bullets flying, sexual tension, and an endless assault of nasty villains bent on stopping ex-SAS Ben Hope … everything a thriller should be and more.’
Joe Moore, international bestselling co-author of The Grail Conspiracy

Product Description

THE #1 BESTSELLER

Ben Hope lives on the edge. A former élite 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…


Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 497 KB
  • Print Length: 499 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1847563406
  • Publisher: Avon (5 Jun 2009)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B002UZ5JJK
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (327 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #889 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  •  Would you like to give feedback on images?


More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
255 of 263 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A very lucky find! 10 Aug 2011
By Clara Von Kluk Kluk TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this Kindle version by chance after downloading the Kindle app on my iPad. To be honest the reason I got it was that it was very cheap and I wanted to test out to see if the app worked!

As there was nothing on TV I decided to read a few pages - AND WAS GRIPPED! I could not put the book down and even though it got into the early hours and I had work the next day, I kept trying to take in more and more pages, each one keeping me on the edge of my seat.

The background to the story is captivating and much is baseed on hisorical fact but with a good dose of mystery and intrigue. The main character (Ben Hope, an ex SAS Major) is very likeable and the array of characters he comes into contact with range from interesting to ruthlessly sadistic! I also loved the way his investigation takes him through different countries and settings.

It annoys me when people dismiss this book as a mock up of the De Vinci Code. Why other authors cannot take a similar line and make it their own is beyond me. I for one could not get stuck into the De Vinci Code, however, The Alchemists Secret seduces you from the word go. i thoroughly enjoyed it and will be reading the rest of the Ben Hope series in the next few weeks.
Was this review helpful to you?
134 of 139 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable! ! Great stuff! 12 Mar 2008
Format:Paperback
I've just finished reading this - if you enjoy the DVC type yarns, you'll really enjoy this!! Better - in my opinion - than, say, "The Templar Legacy" by Steve Berry (and I thought that was good!!)
There's plenty of fast-flowing action, believable characters, mystery, deciphering of old manuscripts, codes, artefacts, murder, plots, torture, historical interest, slowly kindling romance, etc.,etc..
I've never read a book as quickly as this, as I found it so intriguing, exciting, and enjoyable that I didn't want to put it down!
I would highly recommend this.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking and Enjoyable 24 Nov 2011
Format:Kindle Edition
Plot and characters count for me in the appreciation of a good book, as does a gripping storyline. I found all of these things in The Alchemist's Secret. I found the middle portions of the book in particular very well done, which is a rarity, since it's precisely here that most prose lines stop to catch their breath before mustering their energies for a run toward the finish. I would have liked to see a bit more verve at the end of the book, which seemed just a touch flat, though I'm possibly being somewhat harsh here. This is a book, though, that I'm putting on my "read again" list, which I assure you is a short one. Consider this book a solid recommendation.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!!!
Full of action and history. Love every single "page". This book will keep you reading until the end of the last page.
Published 9 hours ago by Lulu
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Love his books. Wish I could start from the begging again a fresh. Looking forward to next one . No pressure Scott Mariani hee hee. Thank you
Published 14 hours ago by suzette
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the read
It`s great when you find a new author worthy of reading
Looking forward to the remainder of the series of Ben Hope`s adventurers
Published 10 days ago by Citabria
5.0 out of 5 stars The Alchemist's Secret
Scott Mariani is a great writer. His Ben Hope books are exciting and keep you interested right to the end.
Published 12 days ago by george-bird
4.0 out of 5 stars good story !
This is the first book I've read by Scott Mariani. I bought it to fill the wait for Dan Browns new book, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Karl
5.0 out of 5 stars OMG best book ever !
If you love Dan Brown, Angels and Demons! Da Vinci Code etc you will love love this! Couldn't put it down ! Every girl needs a Ben Hope in her life, ultimate hero
Published 17 days ago by debbiet1609
5.0 out of 5 stars Da Vinci Code2 - with more action
It may have been a lovely sunny day - but I'm stiff and aching because i COULD NOT put this book down. Read it one afternoon. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Galning
4.0 out of 5 stars If you like Dan Brown you'll enjoy this
Good fast paced thriller, l liked the characters and the plot kept me wanting to find out more. It was free and certainly would consider other pay titles by this author
Published 22 days ago by Richard Broderick
4.0 out of 5 stars Not too sure!
It held my interest throughout until the love angle was brought into the equation and 'the realisation that they loved each other' was too Mills and Boon but as a freebie was okay.
Published 23 days ago by TINA Davies
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
An interesting review of the history of alchemy mixed in with an action packed story. Worth a read on holiday
Published 25 days ago by Mrs Christine Spriggs
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Popular Highlights

 (What's this?)
&quote;
to subscribe to the Catholic faith and its legacy was, tacitly or otherwise, to espouse centuries of systematic and unrestrained mass murder, war, oppression, torture and corruption. &quote;
Highlighted by 45 Kindle users
&quote;
It may hurt to draw the poison from the wound–at such times we come face to face with the demon. But once it is brought to the surface and released, you may find freedom.’ &quote;
Highlighted by 37 Kindle users
&quote;
Malleus Malificarum, the ‘Witches’ Hammer’, &quote;
Highlighted by 33 Kindle users

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Want to Live Longer? 0 14 Oct 2011
See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   
Related forums


Customers Who Highlighted This Item Also Highlighted


Look for similar items by category


Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. Privacy Statement Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. Delivery Information Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. Returns & Exchanges