The Alchemist's Secret [Import] [Paperback]

Scott Mariani (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 486 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847560792
• ISBN-13: 978-1847560797
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #459,209 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Paint by numbers, March 8, 2010

By 

Gary Simpson (Geelong, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Alchemist's Secret (Ben Hope 1) (Kindle Edition)

It's interesting to see that author Mariani has a book out entitled "How To Write A Thriller". Not that I have read it, but I'd be certain that he has religiously followed his own blueprint in creating this novel, the first in a series featuring former SAS soldier turned good guy PI Ben Hope.

All the boxes are ticked in this one:
- a brooding, good looking and rugged leading man with a chequered and troubled history
- a smart, beautiful and vulnerable (and, of course, single and available) female in need of help
- plenty of DaVinci-like codes to decifer
- a ruthless phsycopathic killer under the control of a dark and evil Catholic canon
- a mega-rich businessman in search of a veritable Holy Grail
- comeuppances for the baddies and a happy ending, but with the promise of a volume two

You name it, it's there, all coming out just like the vase of roses in those "paint-by-numbers" books that kids so enjoy. Try James Rollins instead.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Decent Read, December 7, 2011

By 

PollyM - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alchemist's Secret (Ben Hope 1) (Kindle Edition)

Well, I enjoyed this book. Yes, quite like the Da Vinci code but I actually thought it was a better read. Certainly was a page-turner (albeit on the Kindle!). If you're looking for a fast-paced, action thriller - yes, this will do. Guess some of it was predictable and the stuff of fantasy, but if you read for entertainment rather than for literary criticism, you should enjoy this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars an easy read, August 21, 2011

By 

V. Canoro (NYC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Alchemist's Secret (Paperback)

I read this in an afternoon sitting in the garden. A very easy read. I'd say it was a diet version of the Da Vinci Code (story type), with the main character being more of a young Harrison Ford type. I've read the next book in the series as well in the course of an afternoon. Decent entertainment for a relaxing day when you just want to relax and lose yourself in an easy story.