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Ben Hope #26
Graveyard of Empires
Some wars are destined to be fought forever…
They call it ‘The Graveyard of Empires’ for good reason. For thousands of years, Afghanistan has been the rock that generations of would-be conquerors have perished on. What chance does one man stand in this place?
So when ex-SAS major Ben Hope hears former bounty-hunter, Madison Cahill, needs his help he knows it will test him to his limits – and beyond. As the borders slam shut, he must trace his friend before the new regime does. His only lead? An ancient lost city founded by Alexander the Great and rediscovered by Madison’s archaeologist father.
The mission will take Ben back to a place he thought was firmly in his past, back to someone he can never leave behind – and back to some old comrades. Among these is SAS man turned assassin, Jaden Wolf. Wolf has come to Afghanistan with his own agenda and knows as well as Ben that the conditions they face may prove as lethal as their enemies.
As they uncover old secrets, they find modern ones are just as dangerous. Who is the mysterious ‘Spartan’ that the British officials are so desperate to extract from behind enemy lines? And outnumbered and outgunned at every turn, is the pressure of being the last hope of the innocent too much to bear when surviving past sundown seems impossible?
They call it ‘The Graveyard of Empires’ for good reason. For thousands of years, Afghanistan has been the rock that generations of would-be conquerors have perished on. What chance does one man stand in this place?
So when ex-SAS major Ben Hope hears former bounty-hunter, Madison Cahill, needs his help he knows it will test him to his limits – and beyond. As the borders slam shut, he must trace his friend before the new regime does. His only lead? An ancient lost city founded by Alexander the Great and rediscovered by Madison’s archaeologist father.
The mission will take Ben back to a place he thought was firmly in his past, back to someone he can never leave behind – and back to some old comrades. Among these is SAS man turned assassin, Jaden Wolf. Wolf has come to Afghanistan with his own agenda and knows as well as Ben that the conditions they face may prove as lethal as their enemies.
As they uncover old secrets, they find modern ones are just as dangerous. Who is the mysterious ‘Spartan’ that the British officials are so desperate to extract from behind enemy lines? And outnumbered and outgunned at every turn, is the pressure of being the last hope of the innocent too much to bear when surviving past sundown seems impossible?
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2022
156 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
January 15, 2023
Scott Mariani returns with another high-octane thriller with his gritty protagonist, Ben Hope. In this twenty-sixth installment, Hope returns to work with some SAS members in the ruthless Afghan countryside. Searching for an old acquaintance, Hope will soon find himself grasping to find stability in a country where it’s never been a high priority. Mariani proves his superiority once more in this addictive series.
Ben Hope has made a name for himself over the last number of years, proving to be a dedicated hero to those who need him, while also a keen teacher so that others can defend themselves. When Hope receives a call that a long-ago acquaintance, Madison Cahill, has gone missing in Afghanistan, he wants to help. He is too keen on living to voluntarily return to that part of the world, citing his apologies for not being able to assist.
When Hope is visited by a former SAS superior soon thereafter, he discovers that he is being put back into action, though without the commanding rank. Hope is being sent to Afghanistan to instil some stability with the Taliban back in power. It’s not a mission he relishes, but when called to duty, Hope won’t look the other way.
While trying to acclimate in-country, Hope and his comrades begin their mission, soon locating Madison and learning of her own mission in the country, which includes trying to save a number of items from Alexander the Great. Sure the Taliban will destroy anything they find themselves, Hope and his comrades begin helping Madison retrieve anything they can To get it out of Afghanistan. All while trying to protect a many with royal connections, another enemy of the Taliban. With no rules and few friends, Hope will have to tap into all his skills while staying as quiet as possible if he hopes to leave the country alive,. Mariani impresses once more and keeps the reader flipping pages well into the night.
Since discovering the work of Scott Mariani, I have been highly impressed with the series as a whole, as well and many of the individual books. Mariani uses his strong writing ability to entertain the reader while providing a significant amount of history to prop up the fictional side of the story. There is so much for the reader to enjoy and pique an interest so that they might explore more information on their own. These are stunning thrillers that never lose their impact.
Strong narrative foundations keep the reader on track for a successful experience. Mariani weaves truth and fiction together, forcing the reader to guess which is which. Great characters, mostly new and likely one-off, keep the story intriguing and add a humorous and gritty aspect that is needed to offset some of the more painful realities the subject matter begs exploring. Plot twists and historical moments keep the reader entertained and have them wondering what is to come, without feeling as though things are too predictable throughout the experience. I have loved these novels for many years and Mariani keeps them sharp, even this deep into this stellar series, which shows no signs of fading!
Kudos, Mr. Mariani, for another sensational thriller that left me gasping for breath.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Ben Hope has made a name for himself over the last number of years, proving to be a dedicated hero to those who need him, while also a keen teacher so that others can defend themselves. When Hope receives a call that a long-ago acquaintance, Madison Cahill, has gone missing in Afghanistan, he wants to help. He is too keen on living to voluntarily return to that part of the world, citing his apologies for not being able to assist.
When Hope is visited by a former SAS superior soon thereafter, he discovers that he is being put back into action, though without the commanding rank. Hope is being sent to Afghanistan to instil some stability with the Taliban back in power. It’s not a mission he relishes, but when called to duty, Hope won’t look the other way.
While trying to acclimate in-country, Hope and his comrades begin their mission, soon locating Madison and learning of her own mission in the country, which includes trying to save a number of items from Alexander the Great. Sure the Taliban will destroy anything they find themselves, Hope and his comrades begin helping Madison retrieve anything they can To get it out of Afghanistan. All while trying to protect a many with royal connections, another enemy of the Taliban. With no rules and few friends, Hope will have to tap into all his skills while staying as quiet as possible if he hopes to leave the country alive,. Mariani impresses once more and keeps the reader flipping pages well into the night.
Since discovering the work of Scott Mariani, I have been highly impressed with the series as a whole, as well and many of the individual books. Mariani uses his strong writing ability to entertain the reader while providing a significant amount of history to prop up the fictional side of the story. There is so much for the reader to enjoy and pique an interest so that they might explore more information on their own. These are stunning thrillers that never lose their impact.
Strong narrative foundations keep the reader on track for a successful experience. Mariani weaves truth and fiction together, forcing the reader to guess which is which. Great characters, mostly new and likely one-off, keep the story intriguing and add a humorous and gritty aspect that is needed to offset some of the more painful realities the subject matter begs exploring. Plot twists and historical moments keep the reader entertained and have them wondering what is to come, without feeling as though things are too predictable throughout the experience. I have loved these novels for many years and Mariani keeps them sharp, even this deep into this stellar series, which shows no signs of fading!
Kudos, Mr. Mariani, for another sensational thriller that left me gasping for breath.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
December 16, 2023
A Ben Hope special. A tad unrealistic coincidence meeting skilled comrades in the middle of the Afghan wilderness halfway through and just when they need them the most. Delivers on the action.
December 1, 2022
I’m a massive fan of this series and find them really enjoyable to read. I wasn’t a fan of this one though: I felt the plot were rushed, chance encounters and occurrences were used as a plot device too often and the twist wasn’t very good. Good to see Ben Hope back in action but not very well written.
November 28, 2022
I was initially sceptical and worried this may turn into another ‘Star of Africa’ or ‘Devil’s Kingdom’ which I have enjoyed the least in the series. However the story really came into its own. Lots of suspense and just when I thought I knew what was coming, there was another twist.
Really enjoyed the return of two of my favourite characters from previous instalments. They really supplemented the story. Of course there are implausible odds and outcomes but that’s what makes the series for me.
Spartan was intriguing. Hopefully there may be more of Spartan.
It was a welcome change to have a story relying less on the myths, historical content but more so, current events. Someways made it more feasible and interesting. I will certainly be reading more into Afghanistan and Alexander The Great.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
Really enjoyed the return of two of my favourite characters from previous instalments. They really supplemented the story. Of course there are implausible odds and outcomes but that’s what makes the series for me.
Spartan was intriguing. Hopefully there may be more of Spartan.
It was a welcome change to have a story relying less on the myths, historical content but more so, current events. Someways made it more feasible and interesting. I will certainly be reading more into Afghanistan and Alexander The Great.
Looking forward to the next instalment.
December 3, 2022
Another action packed adventure for former SAS Maor, Ben Hope.
At home in Le Val in Normandy, Ben's restless. Jeff, his business partner has a heavy cold and isn't fit for human company and Tuesday has gone home to Jamaica to see his family.
Ben hears through the grapevine that an archaeologist friend has got into trouble in Afghanistan, looking for her father's unfinished digs. Before Ben can decide whether or not to go and rescue Madison, He's persuaded by the Secret Service to join a small team of soldiers going to Afghanistan to liberate a British Royal Prince.
This mission fails spectacularly, as their local contacts are compromised. However, Ben's secondary mission comes to the fore. He finds himself with a small group of British troops who free people from tricky situations. Their mission is to save the children from an orphanage, his is to get Madison. They combine their efforts, face the Taliban together and eventually both missions are successful.
I love these Ben Hope books. I've done what I normally do and pre-ordered the next one before starting this one. Looking forward to it.
At home in Le Val in Normandy, Ben's restless. Jeff, his business partner has a heavy cold and isn't fit for human company and Tuesday has gone home to Jamaica to see his family.
Ben hears through the grapevine that an archaeologist friend has got into trouble in Afghanistan, looking for her father's unfinished digs. Before Ben can decide whether or not to go and rescue Madison, He's persuaded by the Secret Service to join a small team of soldiers going to Afghanistan to liberate a British Royal Prince.
This mission fails spectacularly, as their local contacts are compromised. However, Ben's secondary mission comes to the fore. He finds himself with a small group of British troops who free people from tricky situations. Their mission is to save the children from an orphanage, his is to get Madison. They combine their efforts, face the Taliban together and eventually both missions are successful.
I love these Ben Hope books. I've done what I normally do and pre-ordered the next one before starting this one. Looking forward to it.
November 5, 2024
Graveyard of Empires is book twenty-six in the long running Ben Hope action adventure series.
This story is set in the war zone of Afghanistan. Ben is recruited to take part in a secret rescue mission, which coincides with a recent call for help to find a missing archaeologist last seen in Kabul. Ben hopes that the rescue mission will be a quick job and then he can go off in search of the lost woman.
There are plenty of twists and turns as plans go awry and Ben is left running from the Taliban. He manages to find a group of ex-military men and together they team up, agreeing to help each other with their different objectives.
I enjoyed learning more about Afghanistan and the area in general, which filled in much of my previously unknown history of the area. There were also enough action scenes to keep thriller fans happy, with a good build-up to a satisfying ending.
This story is set in the war zone of Afghanistan. Ben is recruited to take part in a secret rescue mission, which coincides with a recent call for help to find a missing archaeologist last seen in Kabul. Ben hopes that the rescue mission will be a quick job and then he can go off in search of the lost woman.
There are plenty of twists and turns as plans go awry and Ben is left running from the Taliban. He manages to find a group of ex-military men and together they team up, agreeing to help each other with their different objectives.
I enjoyed learning more about Afghanistan and the area in general, which filled in much of my previously unknown history of the area. There were also enough action scenes to keep thriller fans happy, with a good build-up to a satisfying ending.
Read
May 20, 2023Good story with some very up to date references - No spoilers! Enjoyed this one more than the last couple, definitely a page turner. Enjoy!
August 14, 2025
brilliant absolutely brilliant!!!!
December 6, 2022
As usual, Ben Hope is demanding page turning. From the very first Ben Hope book, I have looked forward to, every book Scott Mariani has written. From his early days of go get ‘em to the more mature and thought provoking, Graveyard of Empires; but together with excitement, characterisation, storyline and plots, comes a history lesson of Afghanistan.
An excellent read; a thoroughly good book and I look forward to the next. Thanks, Scott.
An excellent read; a thoroughly good book and I look forward to the next. Thanks, Scott.
November 26, 2022
Mish-mash plot - not the best in series
I have been a huge fan of the Ben Hope series, but this is not one of the best.
Mixed meandering plot with so many elements (terrorists, orphans, treasure, love interest and a secret VIP) that it becomes convoluted and relies on too many chance encounters to be feasible.
Overall disappointed.
I have been a huge fan of the Ben Hope series, but this is not one of the best.
Mixed meandering plot with so many elements (terrorists, orphans, treasure, love interest and a secret VIP) that it becomes convoluted and relies on too many chance encounters to be feasible.
Overall disappointed.
December 5, 2022
Thrown into a world that he thought he’d left behind, Ben finds himself back in Afghanistan. Between tracking down the bounty hunter Madison Cahill, trying to fulfil the mysterious mission from the British government and helping old comrades with their own personal agendas, how will Ben survive the impossible?
I’ve tried to be as unbiased as I can with this review but to put it plainly, I am a bit in love with Ben Hope. I realise that if he was real and I did meet him, I’d probably die horribly in the next chapter, but he’s still my favourite fictional character. This book takes Ben almost back to his roots by bringing him back to Afghanistan and we see how this affects him with memories of his time there with the SAS and in the military in general. I think that this book really shows that character development that Ben has gone through throughout this series, he’s far more measured than he would have been if this had been towards the start of the series.
This book is a ride from the very first page, it leaves you hanging on to find out what Ben and the team are going to face next. As always, I didn’t want to put it down and I didn’t want it to end. I said this would be unbiased, but it has to be ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve tried to be as unbiased as I can with this review but to put it plainly, I am a bit in love with Ben Hope. I realise that if he was real and I did meet him, I’d probably die horribly in the next chapter, but he’s still my favourite fictional character. This book takes Ben almost back to his roots by bringing him back to Afghanistan and we see how this affects him with memories of his time there with the SAS and in the military in general. I think that this book really shows that character development that Ben has gone through throughout this series, he’s far more measured than he would have been if this had been towards the start of the series.
This book is a ride from the very first page, it leaves you hanging on to find out what Ben and the team are going to face next. As always, I didn’t want to put it down and I didn’t want it to end. I said this would be unbiased, but it has to be ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 1, 2023
I've read all the books in this series and this one was the worst.
The dialogue was some of the worst and cringiest I've ever read, and I have serious
doubts that it was written by Scott Mariani.
So much about the setting sun and all of it in the East. Really? This is just bad.
At last, with the blood-red colours of sunset filling the eastern sky, they rolled to a halt at their destination.
He stared at the red disc of the sun slowly dipping into the band of purple-tinged clouds across the eastern horizon.
The setting sun made a spectacular blaze in the east that lit up the whole landscape...
The dialogue was some of the worst and cringiest I've ever read, and I have serious
doubts that it was written by Scott Mariani.
So much about the setting sun and all of it in the East. Really? This is just bad.
At last, with the blood-red colours of sunset filling the eastern sky, they rolled to a halt at their destination.
He stared at the red disc of the sun slowly dipping into the band of purple-tinged clouds across the eastern horizon.
The setting sun made a spectacular blaze in the east that lit up the whole landscape...
December 24, 2022
The 26th edition in the former SAS Major Ben Hope series by Scott Mariani is yet another explosive, high-octane thriller and one of the best so far in this series. I have been an ardent follower of the Ben Hope series and all of the plots are concoctions of action, conspiracy theories, and historical mysteries. This is no exception to its predecessors, with an archeological twist to Alexander’s lost city and his hidden treasures.
At his home and Tactical Training Center in Le Val in Normandy, Ben is with his business partner Jeff Dekker, who is unwell while his third partner Tuesday Fletcher is visiting his family in Jamaica. One early day, he receives a frantic call from the East coast of the US, seeking his help to find their business owner and Ben’s long-time friend Madison. Following her father’s footsteps, she had gone on an archaeological hunt into the deep mountains of Afghanistan, searching for the lost city of Alexander, the great, and his hidden treasures. However, with the impulsive evacuation of the American troops, the Taliban has taken over the country and imposed their sharia law, implicating and punishing foreign nationals, especially Americans, who held their ground for many years. The regime imposed torture and public punishments like hanging and shooting on those who failed to follow their strict rules.
Before Ben could decide upon whether to take up this solo mission in a hostile country with no logistical and tactical support and no known whereabouts in the huge country, he is called upon by the echelons of the Secret Service of British Intelligence to offer his support to a team of soldiers, who are to find and extradite a high-value asset from deep within Afghanistan, only known as “Spartan”. Ben seizes this as the only opportunity to spin off after rescuing Spartan to find his friend Madison. With their local contacts comprised, the team’s mission fails and Ben is the only survivor of the deadly carnage. He is no clue about the true identity of Spartan but decides on a wild goose chase. He begins his secondary mission to find Madison and soon finds the company of some US army and ex-British SAS officers, who are on a mission to rescue hostages trapped after the US Military pull-out. Their mission is to rescue a group of 40 children from an orphanage along with their matrons and priest, who have been bravely protecting the kids from falling into the hands of the ruthless Taliban soldiers. Ben solicits their support to find Madison and in return promises them tactical support to rescue the children.
Who is the “Spartan” that the British government wants back from Afghanistan and what makes him so valuable? Will Ben be successful in finding him without any slightest clue of his whereabouts and identity? Does he succeed in his secondary mission of finding Madison and returning with her back to the safe house? With two daunting tasks on hand and time running out for him, how does he manage these assignments and still lead the US-British to join forces to rescue the orphanage children? All this, when the ruthless Taliban forces are tailing them at every step, sniffing out foreign forces and brutally killing them as an act of vengeance against the West. The plot is filled with hard-hitting and edge-of-the-seat action that is both scary and unpredictable and can grab you by the throat. The second half of the book leaves you hanging at the end of each chapter to find out what happens next and this makes the book unputdownable. Madison has elucidated the history of Alexander’s invasion and how various cities and treasures were left behind by the great emperor. A Compulsively readable action thriller for all those who love action and history.
At his home and Tactical Training Center in Le Val in Normandy, Ben is with his business partner Jeff Dekker, who is unwell while his third partner Tuesday Fletcher is visiting his family in Jamaica. One early day, he receives a frantic call from the East coast of the US, seeking his help to find their business owner and Ben’s long-time friend Madison. Following her father’s footsteps, she had gone on an archaeological hunt into the deep mountains of Afghanistan, searching for the lost city of Alexander, the great, and his hidden treasures. However, with the impulsive evacuation of the American troops, the Taliban has taken over the country and imposed their sharia law, implicating and punishing foreign nationals, especially Americans, who held their ground for many years. The regime imposed torture and public punishments like hanging and shooting on those who failed to follow their strict rules.
Before Ben could decide upon whether to take up this solo mission in a hostile country with no logistical and tactical support and no known whereabouts in the huge country, he is called upon by the echelons of the Secret Service of British Intelligence to offer his support to a team of soldiers, who are to find and extradite a high-value asset from deep within Afghanistan, only known as “Spartan”. Ben seizes this as the only opportunity to spin off after rescuing Spartan to find his friend Madison. With their local contacts comprised, the team’s mission fails and Ben is the only survivor of the deadly carnage. He is no clue about the true identity of Spartan but decides on a wild goose chase. He begins his secondary mission to find Madison and soon finds the company of some US army and ex-British SAS officers, who are on a mission to rescue hostages trapped after the US Military pull-out. Their mission is to rescue a group of 40 children from an orphanage along with their matrons and priest, who have been bravely protecting the kids from falling into the hands of the ruthless Taliban soldiers. Ben solicits their support to find Madison and in return promises them tactical support to rescue the children.
Who is the “Spartan” that the British government wants back from Afghanistan and what makes him so valuable? Will Ben be successful in finding him without any slightest clue of his whereabouts and identity? Does he succeed in his secondary mission of finding Madison and returning with her back to the safe house? With two daunting tasks on hand and time running out for him, how does he manage these assignments and still lead the US-British to join forces to rescue the orphanage children? All this, when the ruthless Taliban forces are tailing them at every step, sniffing out foreign forces and brutally killing them as an act of vengeance against the West. The plot is filled with hard-hitting and edge-of-the-seat action that is both scary and unpredictable and can grab you by the throat. The second half of the book leaves you hanging at the end of each chapter to find out what happens next and this makes the book unputdownable. Madison has elucidated the history of Alexander’s invasion and how various cities and treasures were left behind by the great emperor. A Compulsively readable action thriller for all those who love action and history.
May 25, 2023
It took a long time to finish this book, it was one of those cases when life got in the way, unfortunately.
It was another great read in the ever-expanding Ben Hope adventures and might I say, one of the most dangerous ones he had to face. The topic choice is brilliantly related to such a big event in the last year. And how fitting the title is - this land seems to be truly cursed, whoever dares come across it loses and it bears fruit to nothing, well nothing good.
I so love how Ben gets pulled into these kinds of missions despite his unwillingness and desire for a mundane life. As if fate wants him to keep doing what he does best let's face it, Ben is one of a kind man with such an incredible and unique skillset, he's what I like to call a one-man army.
I like the fact this book touches on such a notable historical figure like Alexander the Great. Scott Mariani intertwined history in his books in such a skilful manner, keeping it as realistic as possible without it turning into the fantasy genre as it often happens with way too daring subjects (e.g. Atlantis, Excalibur and so forth, these topics almost always resemble more fantasy than a thriller).
It was nice seeing Maddison Cahill again, it was a nice touch to add an old connection of Ben's and have the plot go about her. It's also kind of sad how Ben's love life is so miserable and his flames are so short-lived. I hope these days there will come a woman to stick and accept him for who he is and be there for him. Most of his female companions end up trying to change him which is just no, if one tries to change their partner that's always a dealbreaker.
Oh, let's not forget about Jaden Wolf which I'm so happy to see again. He's got such a mouth to himself and he's a very interesting character. It was a blast to have them team up again after their last encounter (The Demon Club) which was truly mindblowing. I love seeing old secondary characters resurface in Ben's life and we see them team up for more adventures. It's good for keeping consistency without creating more and more new characters. While this is beneficial for new storylines, reusing old characters and adding more plotlines to their story builds on them and adds new layers and plotlines to the whole world of the books.
As always, it was a great read and I had so much fun while reading the book. I absolutely love all the Ben Hope novels, it's always such a pleasure and an entertainment at the same time. I totally recommend this series!
It was another great read in the ever-expanding Ben Hope adventures and might I say, one of the most dangerous ones he had to face. The topic choice is brilliantly related to such a big event in the last year. And how fitting the title is - this land seems to be truly cursed, whoever dares come across it loses and it bears fruit to nothing, well nothing good.
I so love how Ben gets pulled into these kinds of missions despite his unwillingness and desire for a mundane life. As if fate wants him to keep doing what he does best let's face it, Ben is one of a kind man with such an incredible and unique skillset, he's what I like to call a one-man army.
I like the fact this book touches on such a notable historical figure like Alexander the Great. Scott Mariani intertwined history in his books in such a skilful manner, keeping it as realistic as possible without it turning into the fantasy genre as it often happens with way too daring subjects (e.g. Atlantis, Excalibur and so forth, these topics almost always resemble more fantasy than a thriller).
It was nice seeing Maddison Cahill again, it was a nice touch to add an old connection of Ben's and have the plot go about her. It's also kind of sad how Ben's love life is so miserable and his flames are so short-lived. I hope these days there will come a woman to stick and accept him for who he is and be there for him. Most of his female companions end up trying to change him which is just no, if one tries to change their partner that's always a dealbreaker.
Oh, let's not forget about Jaden Wolf which I'm so happy to see again. He's got such a mouth to himself and he's a very interesting character. It was a blast to have them team up again after their last encounter (The Demon Club) which was truly mindblowing. I love seeing old secondary characters resurface in Ben's life and we see them team up for more adventures. It's good for keeping consistency without creating more and more new characters. While this is beneficial for new storylines, reusing old characters and adding more plotlines to their story builds on them and adds new layers and plotlines to the whole world of the books.
As always, it was a great read and I had so much fun while reading the book. I absolutely love all the Ben Hope novels, it's always such a pleasure and an entertainment at the same time. I totally recommend this series!
February 6, 2023
At a bit of a loose end, Ben learns that an old acquaintance is missing in Afghanistan. Madison Cahill has rashly gone in search of Alexander the Great’s ‘lost city’, carrying on where her late father left off, but has not been in contact with her colleagues in recent weeks. Ben has no choice but to refuse. The Americans have just pulled out, and with the Taliban in control again it would be impossible for him to even get into the country. Next thing he knows, he’s been co-opted by his old SAS colonel and is heading for Afghanistan to rescue a high-level target known only as ‘spartan’. Not best pleased at being given no choice, he decides to use the situation to his advantage.
Nothing goes to plan and he needs all of his skills just to survive, but several chance encounters mean he is not on his own for long. Being in Afghanistan again brings back memories of his time in the military, and how nothing much has changed for the people there. As always, there is a historical element to these stories and quite a lot of detail to impart, which slows down the action for a while and gives the rescue party a chance to catch their breath. This time around (she previously featured in The Bach Manuscript), I found Madison’s gung-ho attitude a bit irritating – she doesn’t seem to appreciate that people are risking their lives to help her.
This is book twenty-six in the series and Ben is now a more mature and thoughtful character than he was at the beginning, but he’s still the one you’d want fighting your corner. Scott Mariani skillfully weaves several plot strands together to give us another fast-paced, action-packed adventure. Looking forward to reading The White Knight later in the year.
Nothing goes to plan and he needs all of his skills just to survive, but several chance encounters mean he is not on his own for long. Being in Afghanistan again brings back memories of his time in the military, and how nothing much has changed for the people there. As always, there is a historical element to these stories and quite a lot of detail to impart, which slows down the action for a while and gives the rescue party a chance to catch their breath. This time around (she previously featured in The Bach Manuscript), I found Madison’s gung-ho attitude a bit irritating – she doesn’t seem to appreciate that people are risking their lives to help her.
This is book twenty-six in the series and Ben is now a more mature and thoughtful character than he was at the beginning, but he’s still the one you’d want fighting your corner. Scott Mariani skillfully weaves several plot strands together to give us another fast-paced, action-packed adventure. Looking forward to reading The White Knight later in the year.
July 13, 2025
This is part of a successful series of books featuring Ben Hope. Hope is an ex-SAS major, who quit the service to go freelance, locating and rescuing kidnap victims held for ransom. This is the first one I have read and I appear to have jumped in at the 26th instalment. At the start of this book, Hope is running a training facility for teaching highly specialised skills to delegations of military, police, security and VIP protection personnel. However, he is requested by the security services to undertake a mission in Afghanistan to rescue a mysterious figure with the codename 'Spartan'. He accepts the mission, because this will will also give him a chance to track down missing former bounty hunter Madison Cahill. He drops into Afghanistan and is then beset with all manner of disasters and setbacks that he needs to overcome. Although the atmosphere is quite realistic, with a compelling picture drawn of the chaos and brutality that followed the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, this is really an adventure novel. Nothing wrong with that of course! The action scenes are cinematic in scope and it is a very entertaining read.
February 11, 2023
I read all the books in Hope's series and this is the best I read.
Usually I prefer the ones where Ben's not completely alone and can team with other people... and this time there is going to be a nice team even including old friends presented in previous books.
It's not only having a nice team but also how story is raising interest adding layers of new situations on top of existing ones.
I'm not scoring it 5 stars as I was expecting more details for everybody once situation is over, explaining how they are returning to their "normal" life (e.g. I would have preferred getting Ben back at Le Val with some interaction with Jeff).... but definitively I would score it 4,7 or 4,8 in case decimals would be enabled in the star score
Usually I prefer the ones where Ben's not completely alone and can team with other people... and this time there is going to be a nice team even including old friends presented in previous books.
It's not only having a nice team but also how story is raising interest adding layers of new situations on top of existing ones.
I'm not scoring it 5 stars as I was expecting more details for everybody once situation is over, explaining how they are returning to their "normal" life (e.g. I would have preferred getting Ben back at Le Val with some interaction with Jeff).... but definitively I would score it 4,7 or 4,8 in case decimals would be enabled in the star score
May 27, 2023
When I started this 26th book in Ben Hope series, I felt that the author should conclude this series and give our beloved protagonist some happy ending, which he deserves for long. But as usual, Scott Mariani knows how to hook up readers with his compelling storyline.
In this book, Ben enters into the Taliban occupied Afghanistan to find out his friend Madison, who got stranded there due to the political tension after US military force was withdrawn.
This is so far the deadliest situation and place where Ben had been. Even he starts to think this is the place where it ends for him. Such an action-packed story.
In this book, Ben enters into the Taliban occupied Afghanistan to find out his friend Madison, who got stranded there due to the political tension after US military force was withdrawn.
This is so far the deadliest situation and place where Ben had been. Even he starts to think this is the place where it ends for him. Such an action-packed story.
January 17, 2023
This series is my guilty, embarrassing pleasure. I hate the majority of the dialogue, the character names set my teeth on edge, the unwritten sexual magnetism of Ben which makes him irresistible to whichever woman he's running around with - just, ugh.
All that said, I bloody love the epic battles which have kept me reading way past bed time on many an occasion. The baddies always cop it, Ben always gets at least one bullet graze and as always, his moral compass puts Jesus Christ himself to shame.
All that said, I bloody love the epic battles which have kept me reading way past bed time on many an occasion. The baddies always cop it, Ben always gets at least one bullet graze and as always, his moral compass puts Jesus Christ himself to shame.
June 6, 2025
Another thrilling masterpiece, staged in a world of high-stakes intrigue, that weaves historical mystery with modern danger in a way that feels both authentic and exhilarating. Set against the harsh and evocative backdrop of Afghanistan, the narrative crackles with tension and atmosphere, bringing to life the title's reference to the region's storied past, as well as the downfall of great powers.
Graveyard of Empires blends historical intrigue, military realism, and human emotion. The plot is packed with twists, betrayals, and moments of raw intensity.
A must-read.
Graveyard of Empires blends historical intrigue, military realism, and human emotion. The plot is packed with twists, betrayals, and moments of raw intensity.
A must-read.
November 29, 2022
Noooooooooooooooo. I was getting right into this tale of derring do and excited to visit with Ben Hope when the story just imploded with THE most excruciatingly embarrassing plot twist . Apart from the utter crassness of the character choice, the book ended with a “with one bound he was free” moment.
I will give no more details as I don't like spoilers, just enough to say the plot twist ruined it for me , so much so I can only muster a feeble 1 star and a heartfelt sob.
I will give no more details as I don't like spoilers, just enough to say the plot twist ruined it for me , so much so I can only muster a feeble 1 star and a heartfelt sob.
December 30, 2022
Although I have given this book 5 stars because it is definitely worth everyone of those 5 stars, this is the first book of the 26 in this series that did not have quite the same rhythm as the previous 25. The action scenes lacked a little of what I have come to expect from this prolific writer and there seemed to be less of them. I can forgive him for this, knocking two books year takes some doing. The next instalment is due in may 2023, can't wait.
January 22, 2023
An exciting and well written / well paced read, that takes Ben back to old friends, old colleagues and an old stomping ground.
Definitely one of the most enjoyable and easiest read.
Even with the five stars, the bit that all such action books have, the break in the drama where they sit around a camp fire and give the reader a well written and well researched history lesson, went on a little long. Also, the finale peaked so close to the end that the tying up of loose ends a little short.
Definitely one of the most enjoyable and easiest read.
Even with the five stars, the bit that all such action books have, the break in the drama where they sit around a camp fire and give the reader a well written and well researched history lesson, went on a little long. Also, the finale peaked so close to the end that the tying up of loose ends a little short.
January 26, 2023
Another great read from Scott Mariani. Plenty of action and a good storyline. It was nice to see Ben Hope back in a military role with comrades rather than being a one man force as he usually is.
I felt however that the book slumped a bit in the middle with a rather overlong description of Alexander the Great’s Afghan campaign.
Other than that there was plenty of action and it was definitely an enjoyable read.
I felt however that the book slumped a bit in the middle with a rather overlong description of Alexander the Great’s Afghan campaign.
Other than that there was plenty of action and it was definitely an enjoyable read.
December 8, 2022
As Good As The First
As always dragged into it against his will, against overwhelming odds with a lady involved at some point, that’s a Ben Hope storyline.
But you know what, I don’t care, they are good stories, easy to read, hard to put down.
Light reading between heavier tones.
UK’s Jack Reacher.
As always dragged into it against his will, against overwhelming odds with a lady involved at some point, that’s a Ben Hope storyline.
But you know what, I don’t care, they are good stories, easy to read, hard to put down.
Light reading between heavier tones.
UK’s Jack Reacher.
January 16, 2023
I've read the whole series, some twenty odd books, they have got steadily weaker. This latest escapade into Afghanistan is dreary, lazily written and just plain daft. I have to kick the habit sooner or later. It's a shame as some of the earlier books were very good.
Unfortunately, I have read the last of Ben Dope.
Unfortunately, I have read the last of Ben Dope.
January 20, 2023
Back to his amazing best
Wow absolutely lost for words this is the ben hope and adventure we fell in love with from thr first book, I can't help it but imagine Ben hope as being a real person everytime there is a new installment it's like having a friend round for a great catch up. The pace of the book was amazing non stop action and back to the best for Ben hope.
Wow absolutely lost for words this is the ben hope and adventure we fell in love with from thr first book, I can't help it but imagine Ben hope as being a real person everytime there is a new installment it's like having a friend round for a great catch up. The pace of the book was amazing non stop action and back to the best for Ben hope.
March 29, 2023
Fast paced thriller set in war torn Afghanistan after American and allied forces pulled out. This could be ex-SAS Major Ben Hope's most dangerous and deadly mission yet.
This is my first Ben Hope thriller, (where have I been?) it won't be my last.
Life interrupted too many times for me to finish the book in one sitting. It was tough to put down.
This is my first Ben Hope thriller, (where have I been?) it won't be my last.
Life interrupted too many times for me to finish the book in one sitting. It was tough to put down.
May 5, 2023
I needed this type of read today . It was a very good read - I liked the characters especially Ben and Wolf .
It was a gritty read - set in Afghanistan. The tight knit group that joins Ben on his rescue of originally Madison and then the teacher and kids have a good background to the story .
It wasn't an emotional read , but it was one that kept my interest.
It was a gritty read - set in Afghanistan. The tight knit group that joins Ben on his rescue of originally Madison and then the teacher and kids have a good background to the story .
It wasn't an emotional read , but it was one that kept my interest.
August 30, 2023
Read this book before I read the Alchemists secret. Picked it up by chance after it was left at my work. Immediately was drawn to the Bond, Bourne and Indiana Jones vibes I was getting from the author. Not a bad way to start in the series for myself but it got me interested in starting from the beginning and start a fresh with a new author.
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