Unable to garner the expected excitement, Hope meanders through the Italian countryside and stumbles upon a small art gallery. When a gang of Russian thugs attack, Hope goes into combat mode, helping to keep the casualty count low. Heralded as a hero, Hope tries to dodge the limelight, but remains curious as to why only a single piece of art was sought, surrounded by countless other items whose values are exponentially higher.
Additionally, there seems to her an issue with the stolen artwork, an apparent forgery. It is soon understood that there is a connection with the actual sketch and a priceless item from Imperial Russia, the Dark Medusa. While still adjusting to his hero status, Hope is fingered in the murder of a popular Italian and begins life on the lam. Were that not enough, an organization by the name of SOCA is targeting Hope as well, in hopes of luring the Russians out once and for all. As pandemonium erupts and the Dark Medusa remains hidden, Hope must dodge all those who seek his head while preventing this lost relic from falling into the wrong hands.
Set in various locales around the globe, Mariani keeps the thrills coming and thrusts the reader into yet another Ben Hope adventure where nothing can be completely predicted. Mariani continues to impress those who have taken the time to follow the Ben Hope series with a number of well-paced novels.
The continued evolution of the Hope character, both in his present life and through many pieced of backstory, proves effective in entertaining the reader while allowing the plots to educate on matters of history. Ben Hope remains that man that the reader seems to know well, while always producing new and exciting aspects to add to his already complex nature. In this piece, Hope is not summoned into a dangerous mission by a patron, but seems to stumble upon it, which only goes to support my sentiment that he has some Jack Reacher luck.
Both men seem to be full of backstory that is slowly revealed and prove to be a draw to various women who cross their paths as their respective series progress. Mariani extends the story a little by creating a subplot involving Brooke Marcel, the psychologist who sometimes works with Hope in his training courses and holds out a flickering flame for the man, even if he is too dense to pick up on the signals. This is readily apparent here and it works out so well. There is talk of the Dark Medusa, but it is buried behind all the Italian manhunt storyline that it takes much of the novel to develop and switch while building significant momentum.
The reader will revel in this dual plot development and find much excitement as the chapters build effectively. I know the series has much yet to come, but I have seen so much great writing to date that I can only guess where things will go in the coming novels. Mariani, for another wonderfully developed and executed novel in the Ben Hope series. An ever-growing collection of others appears at: View all 12 comments. Sep 08, Terence M rated it really liked it. I was nicely into this review when my almost new computer presented me with the dreaded 'blue screen of death' on my monitor and I lost my work.
As I was saying Having been a bit disappointed with Ben Hope 5 "The Shadow Project", my favourite hero has returned with a vengeance. I enjoyed "The Lost Relic" for it's energy, credibility and readability. My friend Matt writes: I just wish I was articulate as my friend: He loses guns, ammunition, "ammo clips or mags", and various other bits and pieces, either during battle or he finds out a bit later.
It is not a criticism or an important issue for me, merely an observation, but as I read and Ben loses something, my thoughts are "there he goes again'! I am well into 7 "The Sacred Sword" and wish I didn't keep falling asleep while listening to it. This happens because I listen in bed and naturally I doze a little, but I am loving the novel: Another adventure for our hero Ben Hope. This one is filled with thrills, danger, violence and Ben Hope at his stubborn headed doggedness best, refusing to let it go until he gets to the bottom of a series of murders.
I did find it a bit incredulous at times but it's Ben Hope so all is forgiven. As always a great page turner, filled with thrills, danger and excitement and that keeps you guessing until the end. View all 4 comments. Dec 23, Calum rated it it was amazing Shelves: Without divulging any spoilers in relation to this particular story, the tale begins when Ben Hope unwittingly walks into a deadly mission while visiting a former SAS comrade in Italy.
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When becoming involved as a witness to a brutal gallery robbery, where a seemingly worthless sketch was the principal target, little did Ben Hope know that he would become embroiled in a conspiracy that would involve a Russian gang, their Italian partners, the Carabinieri and the British Serious Organised Crime Agency!
This is the first book written by Scott Mariani that I have actually read and the story held my attention right from the beginning to the very end. Once started, this book is difficult to put down! The historical detail within this story has obviously been very well researched by Scott, and blends in well with his tale as it unfolds.
This is a fast paced story with plenty of adventure and twists, and is not for the faint-hearted in places! This book is an excellent read, and I will not be at all surprised if it fairly quickly reaches the top of the book charts when it is released by its publisher Avon, on 20th January In my humble opinion, this is a 'must' read book! Nov 17, Emanuele rated it it was ok. It does hook you in and it is interesting enough to keep you wanting to read one more chapter, but it is not as good as the best chapters in the Hope series and has suffers from a number of major flaws, in my opinion: Little and fairly obvious mistery and twists and a lot, to many!
If you set up a novel in Italy, at least try to get the names of the citi It does hook you in and it is interesting enough to keep you wanting to read one more chapter, but it is not as good as the best chapters in the Hope series and has suffers from a number of major flaws, in my opinion: I felt like head butting her many times as she strides around another country magically empowered with command over a police operation; 4 wtf View all 3 comments. Aug 18, Wayne Marinovich rated it it was amazing.
Quality read from this reliable author. Quality lead character, and I will be reading more. Sep 03, Karen rated it liked it. I can see why this is popular: Having said that it was exciting at times, surprising some of the time, but predictable at other times.
It won't get me running to the library for more books by this author, and it's a three star rating from me. Four and half stars on goodreads. I'll have to read the reviews at some t I can see why this is popular: I'll have to read the reviews at some time to find what it was that other readers enjoyed about it to rate it so highly.
Jul 04, Simon Lee rated it liked it. Entertaining but not really any better than previous Ben Hope books. Considering in his last book he finally found his long lost sister I'd have thought this chapter would have picked up on that but not a mention of it. His whole persona was based around his guilt of losing his sister and the rubbish that went with it so some things must have cleared up in his mindset so a little surprising how it was not mentioned at all.
Still a decent read though. Dec 04, Melly Kallon rated it really liked it. I've read something about this series which gave me an idea to describe the series on my own. Then Ben Hope is your man.
The Lost Relic (Ben Hope, Book 6),Scott Mariani | eBay
That assumes it pretty good. Well, it goes with some additions such as danger, action, a pinch of violence well, a lot of pinches , mystery and a lot more. After all, there's always the element of surprise, right? With Ben Hope, it's all the time. Ben's handsome, that's bloody true.
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In addition to many other qualities, he's a bit crazy, of course. Which made him the perfect character. Why such men only exist in books?
Well, this is a thriller novel, not contemporary romance. The love story is a somewhat a bonus, but not the main plot. If you want to read about someone's relationship in details, then read a contemporary romance, there's plenty of it. Don't blame the author for leaving their status. Is that what you're more interested in?
And not the mystery going on and the pretty good chase Ben is in? That's a shame to the book and the series. I really liked this book though. Maybe it's like a great action movie written in a book so I can do the filming in my head which is several times better.
To sum up, give Ben a chance please, he won't disappoint you, I promise. Mar 17, Bragi rated it really liked it. A seemingly worthless Goya sketch was the principal target in the bloodbath heist. Now it's up to Ben to find out the truth behind the elusive painting.
Wrongly accused of murder and forced to go on the run, he must get to the heart of the conspiracy while he still has the chance Love the is guy. Love these books, but I'm catching up so write faster. Do I reckoned this series Good story couldn't put it down but ending was disappointing needed to be less predictable. As usual fast moving and exciting. Love the narration his voice is perfect. Will get rest of series as can't get enough. I love these books, plan took get the whole series more words more words more words more words. Hope in the next book the story is more exciting.
Unnecessary and annoying pauses in the narration that should really have flowed seamlessly made listening less enjoyable than it should have been. Yet again Scott Mariani manages to combine an fast-moving action thriller with an archaeological mystery. Ben Hope, a former SAS hero and theology scholar, is unwittingly drawn into yet another exciting adventure when he is unwittingly embroiled in a murderous robbery at an art gallery in which the only thing targeted was a worthless sketch that carried a hidden message.
The Lost Relic
The story offers international conspiracies, adrenalin inducing chases, plenty of action and a high body count. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes thrilling rollercoaster of a book. Ben Hope, Book 6 By: Scott Mariani Narrated by: Ben Hope , Book 6 Length: People who bought this also bought Tom Wood Narrated by: Tom Clancy's Point of Contact By: Mike Maden Narrated by: The Templar Legacy By: Steve Berry Narrated by: Temple of the Gods By: Andy McDermott Narrated by: Clive Cussler, Grant Blackwood Narrated by: Publisher's Summary From the number-one best-selling author.
Carrell, best-selling author of The Shakespeare Secret "Deadly conspiracies, bone-crunching action and a tormented hero with a heart