Try free for 30 days

  • The Alchemist's Secret

  • Ben Hope, Book 1
  • By: Scott Mariani
  • Narrated by: Will Rycroft
  • Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (260 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Alchemist's Secret cover art

The Alchemist's Secret

By: Scott Mariani
Narrated by: Will Rycroft
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.82

Buy Now for $25.82

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

The number one best seller. 

Ben Hope lives on the edge. A former élite member of the SAS, Ben is tortured by a tragedy from his past and now devotes his life to finding kidnapped children. 

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....

©2007 Scott Mariani (P)2007 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic Reviews

"Fans of Dan Brown will love this thrilling adventure." (Closer)

"Establishes Scott Mariani as an author to watch." (M. J. Rose, international best-selling author of The Reincarnationist)

"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...everything a thriller should be and more." (Joe Moore, international best-selling coauthor of The Grail Conspiracy)

What listeners say about The Alchemist's Secret

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    135
  • 4 Stars
    78
  • 3 Stars
    32
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    143
  • 4 Stars
    70
  • 3 Stars
    16
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    112
  • 4 Stars
    71
  • 3 Stars
    32
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

nice take on a story

I enjoyed the story... was fast paced and a bit of action too... narration felt suitable to the story also...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable

When I first started listening to this book I felt it was familiar then it came to me, this was very much a Dan Brown story but still enjoyable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It is ok

A bit of Dan Brown but not as good as Dan Brown (at least his earlier novels). I found the story predictible so can't wait to finish to see if I was right and I was.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!!!

a great story, interesting and compelling storyline.
a must read/listen for anyone who likes adventure and mystery and a bit of romance

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining(which is the point really)

The story was entertaining.Although quite predictable in parts it still packed a handful of unexpected twists.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good

For some parts I couldn't stop listening but other parts I needed motivation. Maybe the end took too long? Yes I'll listen to second book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

new Dan Brown

very Di Vinci code without the architecture. Well paced story with a solid wrapped conclusion

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

it was ok

it was ok but still worth listening to. Could have been better if it was not so rushed

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • HR
  • 14-10-2020

Almost great

This was well written with an interesting plot however I feel the author has rushed to complete it. Given a bit more time and work, I feel he could have gone through and fixed a few lackluster parts and delivered a better ending. Despite this I still give it 4/5 stars. 👍

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

action packed, nail biter!

Loved this! Mariani's skilful prose and relentless imagination created a powerful and gripping story that captivates the listener . I want to read and listen to more of Marianis work. What a writer!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.