Product Description

Where there's Hope there's trouble! 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. But 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

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2078 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 486 pages

Review
PRAISE FOR The Alchemist's Secret: 'Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure'. Closer Magazine 'The [Alchemist's Secret] establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch.' M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of The Reincarnationist 'Mariani does a great job of balancing the historical stuff with the basic plot to keep the pages turning.' Oxford Mail 'Scott Mariani brings it all to the table in this fast-paced thriller that rockets off the first page and never slows down. The Alchemist's Secret is 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 from finding the secret to an ancient manuscript. It's everything a thriller should be and more.' Joe Moore, international bestselling co-author of THE GRAIL CONSPIRACY

Closer Magazine
`Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure'.

About the Author
Scott Mariani grew up in St Andrews, Scotland. He studied Modern Languages at Oxford and went on to work as a translator, a professional musician, a pistol shooting instructor and a freelance journalist before becoming a full-time writer. After spending several years in Italy and France, Scott discovered his secluded writer's haven in the wilds of west Wales, an 1830s country house complete with rambling woodland and a secret passage. When he isn't writing, Scott enjoys jazz, movies, classic motorcycles and astronomy.

Customer Reviews

The Alchemist 's Secret
This is another story with a seek the treasure in Rennes-le-Chateau, but is well written and entertaining, but not as gripping as Dan Brown or Kate Mosse novel. In this book the hero Ben accepts a contract to find the Fulcanelli manuscript, which is believed to contain the formula for the elixor of life. His hunt attracts the unwelcome attention of Gladius Domini, a catholic organisation, whose leader seeks the same gaol. Ben and his accomplice Dr Roberta Ryder and Gladius Domini leave a bloody trail across France, with the story reaching it's climax at an ancient Cathar temple close to Rennes-le-chateau. There are notes at the back of book informing the reader about the facts behind the story. A good read.

Unputdownable! ! Great stuff!
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.

Lucky read
I purchased this book by chance as I had never heard of Scott Mariani and usually prefer authors I know of psychological thrillers such as Minette Walters, Val McDermid and Nicci French. However, I must say this author has presented this fast moving story well. I couldnt put it down. The characters felt real and the search for the missing manuscript of Fulcanelli was intriguing. It was also very touching in the way Ben Hope had taken on his life challenge of helping to rescue kidnapped children after he had such a heartbreaking experience. I cant wait to read his next book.