The Hope Vendetta

A Novel

By: Scott Mariani

Narrated by: James Langton

From the author of The Mozart Conspiracy, Scott Mariani’s newest international thriller raises the stakes as Ben Hope returns to prevent an attack of biblical proportions.

Still reeling from a devastating personal loss, ex-SAS operative and hero-for-hire Ben Hope has decided to put down his gun for good and return to the theology studies he had abandoned years ago. When his professor and friend asks him to help find his missing daughter, archeologist Zoë Bradbury, Ben declines, but puts his former SAS buddy, Charlie Palmer, on the case. But when Charlie runs into trouble on the Greek island of Corfu, Ben reluctantly joins him to find out what might have happened to Zoë. Ben has no idea he’s just embarked on the most dangerous mission of his life.

As Ben investigates on Corfu, he realizes that Zoë’s most recent archeological discovery of an artifact related to the Book of Revelation is at the heart of her disappearance. What is the ancient secret that ZoË uncovered? And just who is willing to do anything to protect it? The investigation leads Ben from the Greek islands to Savannah, Georgia, and the holy city of Jerusalem, and he soon discovers that it’s not just Zoë’s life on the line, but those of millions.

Listeners will be on the edge of their seats as Ben Hope battles to prevent a deadly end-of-days attack, staged by those hell bent on gaining political power at any cost.

©2012 Scott Mariani (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Hope stories

loved this book and couldn't stop listening. ready for another Hope story. suspense and the good guy wins

A New Hero for me

Would you listen to The Hope Vendetta again? Why?

Absolutely! There is so much to the story, so many unexpected twists and turns, that I'll have to listen to it again just to pick up anything I might have missed. Also I'll listen because I really enjoy the characters, the narrator and the story. It never lags or gets at all boring.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character, Ben Hope. He's a combination of Jack Reacher (though smaller in stature, but just as lethal) with the evasive ingenuity of Jason Bourne. He has integrity, has a strong quiet center and is always ready to protect the innocent. He admits to his character flaws but doesn't let them deter him from what he feels is the right thing to do. Great hero material!

Have you listened to any of James Langton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listened to "The Mozart Conspiracy" which I liked very much and which I believe was also narrated by him. He makes the Ben Hope character come alive. He is also excellent at a variety of voices, accents and can do women's and children's voices very well. I look forward to more of his narrations. Beautiful, soft English accent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It as hard to put down, but very long. So, as much as I'd have liked to listen all in one sitting it wasn't possible. However, I could hardly wait to get back to it.

Any additional comments?

I am impressed with how Scott Mariani was able to keep such a complicated plot together and keep it interesting. Though the subject of religious fanaticism and power hungry deviousness has been done a lot, he manages to bring a some new twists which keep it from being redundant. I hope that the average British reader will not believe that all Americans are "right wing religious fanatics". Though they are a noisy bunch (the "end-timers") they are by no means a large majority in this country despite what the media would have you believe. I think the average American reader would find these kinds of nut cases very creepy.