House of War

Ben Hope has a past, as nineteen previous entries in this adventure series will testify. But he also has a present as this exciting novel reminds us. The antagonist, thought to be dead, proves to be a worthy opponent as the body count rises in the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean.. With the help of his Delta force ally, the race is to stop millions more in a battle of stolen artifacts and international terrorism.

An enjoyable book from start to finish, this thrilling ride kept me gripped throughout. Ben Hope is fast becoming my all time favourite fictional character and Scott Mariani's writing is always top class. Can't wait for Ben's next adventure.

House of War has moments of intense excitement. It has a big battle at the climax that was fun to read. It also has numerous digressions to give historical background. I was there for the thriller, not the history, much of which I already knew.As exciting as most of the fighting was, some of it seemed to be there to build the story, some of it seemed, well, a waste of space. So it's a mixed bag. There is a reveal at the end about one of the characters which I found very disappointing. The reader was strung along on that one.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.
3.5 stars

A solid thriller from an established author, which kept me mostly engaged and the pages turning. Recommended for thriller fans.

I really appreciate the advanced copy for review!!

Scott Mariani always delivers with his Ben Hope thrillers. If you like clean cut heroes who are like a cross between James Bond and Jason Bourne, Mariani’s Ben Hope series is definitely worth a read.
This one, the 20th in the series, had me on the edge of my seat and I devoured it very quickly over the course of a few days. In true Ben Hope style it left me wanting more when I got to the final page and as always the author provided an opening chapter to his next Ben Hope book to hook me in!
House Of War is up to date in that Ben is up against ISIS terrorists who are planning an atrocity in Paris. In this book Ben literally bumps into a young woman when he Is walking in Paris and she drops her mobile phone. Whilst trying to return it to her Ben catches sight of a terrorist he remembers from his previous life as a soldier. What was he doing in her flat?
This is a man he believed to be dead so he is somewhat surprised to see him alive and well. He sets out to find him and investigate what he is doing in Paris. He gradually discovers that he is mixed up in a plot to smuggle Syrian statues into the country.
This is an enjoyable and entertaining read which was so exciting I couldn’t put it down. It is truly an escapist novel which was fun to read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent story that will appeal to readers who enjoy this type of book. Definitely recommended to those who are interested in this genre.

The latest adventure for Ben Hope, and everything you would expect from Scott Mariani. Very much up-to-date in both references, and the threat from the 'villains'. A page-turner which makes ideal holiday reading. I'll say little about the plot in order to prevent any spoilers!!

Oh Mr Mariani. I must confess that I think I'm falling a little in love with Ben Hope.
Loved loved loved it.
Fast paced and action packed with just the right amount of doing the right thing mixed with blood guts and gore.
What's not to like?
Superb
Many thanks.

The Ben Hope stories always were a high octane thrilling journey and this one continues; book 20 in the series, wow. I last read book 10 so am definitely out of date. This has the same basic premise though - Ben, ex SAS, previously trainee priest is still running his own security training business in France. On his way home he is run into by a girl in Paris, she drops her bag and contents scatter, he picks them up, she runs off, he then finds her phone and, with his 'spy' skills finds out where she lives. As he's going up the stairs to her apartment a man passes on the way down. Vague familiarity. Girl's flat; girl dead and off we go. Ben realises that the man on the way down is an old enemy and not dead as Ben believed. Muslim terrorists of the most fundamental and nasty kind are involved in stealing historic artefacts and developing a system to spread drugs to slaughter millions of people. They lead Ben and an old mate, ex Delta Force Tyler Roth, round the houses, always one step ahead with murder and mayhem, quick thinking by our hero and so on. There are rather a lot of "just misses" and a bloody finale of the best kind. The only reason I dropped a star, and almost 2, was the frankly, vituperative diatribe by Roth against the Quran and all Muslims with Ben only mildly saying that the Bible has some pretty extreme passages in it too. I suppose he is only a character and that that was his feeling but it felt distinctly uncomfortable and I really hoped that he would get his uppance before the end! If we have that much on the subject then Ben should have argued the case for the non fundamentalist Muslims who are in the vast majority. The book is well-written and I believe that the author does a goodly amount of research given the detailed descriptions of various toys, gizmos and the like. James Bond - you still have a rival and without the girls. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I've read all the previous Ben hope novels and this one didn't disappoint! In fact I devoured it. Scott is a masterful writer and the plots are so well thought out. I felt I was on a roller-coaster of a ride the whole time and I didn't actually want it to end!

I couldn’t put this down!

Thank you to Netgalley for introducing me to Ben Hope-he’s now one of my favourite characters!

I hadn’t read any of the other books and this is still enjoyable without knowing what happened previously. I couldn’t put it down.

If you want a great thriller read pick this up.

I have read quite a few of the Ben Hope series and while I enjoyed this one I prefer the earlier books in the series. The author covered the background and history of ISL which I didn’t previously know. I confess to skipping some of the pages which were a bit of waffle. Fast paced and a good read.

I can't believe this is book 20 of the series and I just found this author. A very good thriller about a group of terrorists that are planning on bringing death and destruction to the West. Ben Hope seems to always be one step behind the bad guys but his perseverance saves the day. A good thriller in the vein of Jason Bourne. Pick it up and you won't be disappointed.
Thank you Netgalley, Scott Mariani, and Avon Books UK for the ARC for my honest opinion.

The twentieth book in the popular Ben Hope series, and I'm still loving the experience! Ben is still running a tactical training centre in Normandy, when he isn't fighting in all four corners of the world, when he comes across a man in Paris, that he believed had been killed many years previous.
The man concerned is a terrorist who is an ISIS/ ISIL trained fighter, and whom Ben last met in the Iraqi western desert. The terrorist is Nazim- al- Kassar, and Ben and his SAS squad were responsible for his capture and detention, later handing him over to the Americans. Ben finds out that there is a plot to smuggle drugs into Western Europe, using stolen Syrian statues, in an attempt to destabilise these nations. Set against the background of the Gilet Jaune riots in Paris, there is both the opportunity to increase the death count and use the confusion to plan smuggling routes in to the country, that work so well.
Using ISIS terrorists was always going to be a difficult play as a story line, and there were a lot of discussions about the religious differences between Muslims and Western infidels, which had the effect of making an escapist adventure thriller, into a pseudo -religious rant. However, it is very well researched, and this book does seem a little more grown up, in its approach to serious worldly matters. It doesn't show the American forces in a very good light!.
I have read every book in this series, and I know I am in for a good yarn whenever I open one of these books. They amuse and completely hold my attention throughout. It is a genre that I keep returning to, because I enjoy the escapism and roller coaster ride they provide. Endlessly inventive, I do hope Ben can delay his long overdue retirement for a few more years at least!.

Very enjoyable story in the Ben Hope series that seemed very well researched, albeit rather scary. I found it a compulsive read!

Now in to its 20th instalment, Scott Mariani continues to entertain with his enigmatic protagonist. The great thing about this series and the one thing you can truly depend on is that you feel at home reading a Ben Hope series. Great characterisation, evil enemies and an almost thrill a minute read.

While perhaps not his best adventure, let’s face it Mariani has set the bar relatively high in his career, the book does flow well enough to keep the reader turning the pages and in Nazeem you have a terrorist and antagonist hell-bent on killing as many infidels as is possible. He is a nasty bit of work, obviously one who takes great pleasure in killing and in books like this you often find yourself taking stock at how the world works and reacts to people like this.

As with all Ben Hope books the ending comes far too quickly and it leaves you wanting more. I’m not a fan of the ending of certain chapters with forewarnings but used sparingly they can work. The opening chapters were my favourite with mariani setting the scene and Hope trying to figure out what’s going on. He rellies on his contacts to help him solve the problem he’s found himself in and as you can probably guess, things don’t always go without a hitch.

I did like Roth’s involvement in the storyline and even though I was unsure whether I should like him or whether I distrusted him, he played his part well.

Another entertaining read and I can’t wait for 21!

Another fabulous and entertaining adventure for Ben Hope. This may be Book 20, but Scott Mariani still delivers fresh and innovative stories with every outing. House of War is set almost entirely in France and is very much set in the present day, incorporating the current French political climate with the story of the conflict in Syria and the criminal underground used to finance terrorist forces. The author does not shy away from the politically sensitive subject, but approaches it with a neutral stance and so does not deflect from the story with his own political or religious views.
A skilled storyteller, Scott Mariani takes his hero on a dangerous ride through France in search of terrorists intent on use historical artifacts - albeit fakes - to finance their actions in Syria and closer to home. As usual, Hope does his best to stop them, though casualties are inevitable. The research done by the author, both of the history and of the geography of France itself is impeccable and adds to the authenticity of the story, helping to create a memorable adventure for the reader.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Scott Mariani, and Avon Books UK for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

A long-time fan of Scott Mariani and his work, I eagerly read this latest Ben Hope thriller when I could get my hands on it. Full of poignant themes and a quick narrative, Mariani does not disappoint his readers. After returning to France from his most recent mission, Ben Hope only wants to enjoy the sights and sounds of home. However, he has a chance encounter when he literally bumps into a young woman. In the scuffle, she forgets her phone and Hope is able to track down her home address. Trying to be helpful in this age of digital technology, Hope arrives to deliver it, only to find that she has been slain in her apartment. He thinks back to the man he crossed in the stairwell and it clicks. It was a man he thought long dead from his days in the SAS. However, it would seem that Nazim al-Kassar is anything but dead. A ruthless fighter for ISIS/ISIL, al-Kassar brings back many a bloody memory for Hope. Trying to find out how to handle locating and instilling his own form of justice, Hope reaches out to some of his former SAS compatriots. In doing so, Hope also discovers that this woman has ties to one Julien Segal, who may be working with al-Kassar. The hunt is on for both men, which reveals an even more complex situation. As the narrative heightens, there is reference to a passage in the Koran, which can be interpreted as seeking a ‘House of War’, whereby the world should be converted to Islam or subjugated by those who follow Allah. Might Nazim al-Kassan have this in mind? When Hope discovers his plan, it’s a no-holds barred attempt to wrestle control away from his madman, which might mean ending his reign of terror once and for all. An energetic new addition to the Hope series, which seems not to wane as the number of books mount. Recommended to those who enjoy something with an action-filled terror theme, as well as the reader who enjoys the Ben Hope series.

While I have long bemoaned that authors have overdone the ‘Muslim terrorist’ theme in thriller books, I found that Mariani took a slightly different approach to breathe a little new life into things. He works along the parameter and keeps the reader enthralled without feeling as though this was yet another copied plot from countless other books. While Ben Hope is well past his character development stage, it is nice to see the slightest backstory related to his SAS days. Hope remains his gritty self, seeking to help those in need, while also pushing his own agenda. Others help complement this throughout, including the hapless victims who seek Hope to release them from the grips of evil. There are some great contrasts in this book between protagonist and antagonist, even if it pushes things into the clichéd Westerner versus Islamic terrorist. The story remained interesting and can keep the reader’s attention as they push through this thriller. There are some intriguing perceptions about Koranic passages, which one can only hope bear some truthfulness, so as not to fan the flames. As the series continues to pile-up, one can only hope that Mariani will keep the novels on-point and ensures they do not go stale. To date, he has completely lived up to expectations.

Kudos, Mr. Mariani, for a solid addition to the series. I am eager to see where Ben Hope takes us next!

House of War by Scott Mariani

Life is never straightforward for ex-SAS major Ben Hope. When he stops off in Paris on the way back from his latest adventure in India (Valley of Death), he longs for home – a farmhouse in Normandy where he and his two colleagues train elite forces to rescue hostages. But Ben’s plans are ruined when a terrified young woman runs into him in the street. Ben picks up her phone and, having traced it, returns it to her home where he finds the woman dead, her neck broken. From the window Ben sees a man walking away, who turns and sees Ben watching him. They know each other. Nazim is a ghost from Ben’s past. A monster believed dead. Ben has no choice but to go after him and put an end to unfinished business. Nazim, however, has similar thoughts of his own.

House of War is the 20th novel in Scott Mariani’s Ben Hope series. I’ve said it before – many times! – and I’ll say it again – this is my favourite thriller series of all. I can’t rave about them enough, although I certainly try, and how wonderful it is that I had Ben’s latest adventure to read while I was on holiday. If ever there’s a series designed to pass the time on planes, it’s this.

The books all follow on from one another (Ben’s life is hectic like none other) but they can also stand alone very well and House of War is no different. There is an archaeological element as there so often is (happily) but this time it relates to ISIS and their destruction of antiquities in Syria. This adds a truly disturbing feel to the beginning of the novel and one which, I must admit, I did find hard to read. The brutality feels very real. But the thriller soon moves on and then we’re in more familiar Ben Hope territory.

The action never lets up and once again Ben finds himself fighting for his life, but also for the lives of others. Ben might be a reluctant killer but there’s nothing he won’t do to right a wrong and put bad guys in their place (usually six foot under).

As usual, Scott Mariani plots impeccably and the pages fly through the fingers. While this isn’t my favourite of the series – I miss some of the other characters that occasionally pop up in these thrillers but not so much in this one, and also this is more of a military action thriller than the others – it is still very entertaining, standing alone particularly well, and it is an absolute pleasure to spend time with Ben again.

Ben Hope will always be my favourite thriller hero, these will always be my Desert Island books, and I long for the next – The Pretender’s Gold is published in May 2020. We are so lucky to have two Ben Hope thrillers a year!

Other reviews
Ben Hope 7: The Sacred Sword
Ben Hope 8: The Armada Legacy
Ben Hope 9: The Nemesis Program
Ben Hope 10: The Forgotten Holocaust
Ben Hope 11: The Martyr’s Curse
Ben Hope 12: The Cassandra Sanction
Ben Hope 13: Star of Africa
Ben Hope 14: The Devil’s Kingdom
Ben Hope 15: The Babylon Idol
Ben Hope 16: The Bach Manuscript
Ben Hope 17: The Moscow Cipher
Ben Hope 18: The Rebel’s Revenge
Ben Hope 19: Valley of Death

Ben Hope is simply doing a good deed by returning a lost phone to its owner when he sees a face from the past, Nazim al-Kassar. Ben and the rest of the world had been told that al-Kassar had died a long time ago so when Ben sees him he knows serious trouble is brewing.
Ben realises that trying to find him will lead Ben into the dangerous world of international terrorism but knowing what al-Kassar is capable of Ben also knows he has no choice.
Now a high flyer in ISIL al-Kassar is planning to hit Paris with an atrocity so big it could bring down the whole structure of French society.
Ben calls on his old friend and ex-American special forces operative Tyler Roth to help him track down and stop al-Kassar.
But it soon becomes clear that Tyler has his own agenda and is deliberately keeping Ben out of the loop. They must work together and work fast to catch al-Kassar before he and his men can carry out their plan.

This is the first Ben Hope book I’ve read despite having several others on my TBR pile. I thought I’d request this ARC and go in at the deep end and I really enjoyed it.
After returning to France, Ben has a chance encounter when he literally bumps into a young woman. He realises she’s dropped her phone and tracks down her home address to return it to her.
He arrives to find the door ajar and the woman lying dead in her apartment. She’s still warm so he thinks back to the man he passed in the stairwell and realises he recognises him.
It’s a man he thought long dead from his days in the SAS - Nazim al-Kassar who is a ruthless fighter for ISIL.
Wanting justice for the woman and also for events from his past, Hope reaches out to some of his former contacts to try and track him down and the situation becomes more and more dangerous.
This is an action packed thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I hadn't read any (any) of the preceding 19 (!) books but was just fine with this one. There's lot of action, a great hero in Ben Hope, and the requisite evil villain in Nazim, an ISIS fighter determined to commit big terrorist acts. Hope and his cohort Tyler Roth work well together (love the dialogue). If this sometimes seems a bit out there, note that you are turning the pages to find out what's going to happen. There are good guys, there are bad guys, and hope triumphs over all. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For action fans.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author, Scott Mariani, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of House of War in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I thought this book was a good, solid read. I was hooked from the start.
The storyline was well thought out and fast paced with compelling characters.
Well worth a read

To Isis terrorists, the world is divided into two houses, the House of Islam and the House of War, meaning the land of infidels who the terrorists will bring to their knees with endless war. Ben Hope learned about this type of thinking years earlier as a British special forces soldier in Iraq. Now, living in Paris, still fighting the bad guys, but privately, he literally stumbles into a nest of vipers intent on bringing endless war to the streets of Paris. This is an action packed bloody black ops adventure that is gripping from the beginning to the end. This is apparently the twentieth book in the Ben Hope series, but feel free to dive in as if it were a standalone novel. Mariani dies a great job of slowly ratcheting up the action and the stakes till it becomes a matter of saving Western Europe from utter destruction. If you like action packed black ops stuff, this is one of the better ones in this genre.

House of War is action packed novel with interesting and well developed characters. This was the first book I have read by this author and I will read more.

I love the Ben Hope books but have fallen behind a bit, the last I read was number 10 I think, and this one didn’t disappoint, and I didn’t feel like the background storyline I’ve missed jarred too badly or affected my enjoyment. Usual body-strewn thriller involving ancient antiquities and a deadly terrorist plot, with Ben Hope. Ring his usual charming flawed hero. Very enjoyable.

20th in the series? No wonder I’m worn out. Keeping up with Ben Hope is a thriller in UHD and best done from a chair! If this is your genre then this will keep you immersed and like the rest of us “Hopefuls” , demanding the next in series.

House of War is the twentieth outing for Ben Hope, and although this has become a long-running series, it doesn't appear to be showing signs of floundering any time soon. It is not necessary to have read any of the previous instalments to enjoy and engage with this story so any potential readers can safely and simply jump right in. This is a very difficult book to describe in terms of the plot without giving away crucial details, and I feel that going in blind makes this all the better. Scott Mariani is such an underrated writer despite being on bestsellers lists. The plot is ripped from the headlines and broaches timely topics that are very much on many peoples minds of late. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotion, tension and excitement from first page to last; this is a real page-turner.

The non-stop action, emotion, thrills and spills and twisty reveals make this an absolute must-read for those who enjoy thrillers that revolve around terrorism, action-adventure and the fight between good and evil. The characterisation is also top-notch with protagonist and ex-SAS soldier Ben being broken but still fighting the good fight as best he can; he is such a memorable character along with similar characters like Jason Bourne and the inimitable James Bond. I have certainly taken him to my heart over the course of the series and he becomes more and more likeable with each instalment. All in all, this is a highly entertaining, politicised thriller which I recommend to those who love high-stakes, high-octane stories. Many thanks to Avon for an ARC.