PHOTO: Scott Mariani, bestselling author of the Ben Hope series, photographed at his home in rural Wales, where many of his stories take shape.
Bestselling Author Talks Historical Mysteries, Writing Process, And The Evolution Of Ben Hope
Scott Mariani discusses his bestselling Ben Hope thrillers, blending action with history, sharing insights on character development, inspirations from ancient cultures, and his personal journey to becoming a global author.
Scott Mariani has become a household name among thriller enthusiasts, thanks to his long-running and globally successful Ben Hope series. With his compelling blend of historical intrigue and high-octane action, Mariani has crafted a literary universe that continues to grip readers with every new release. His protagonist, Ben Hope, a former SAS operative turned kidnap rescuer, anchors each story with grit, intelligence, and emotional complexity.
Raised in Scotland and educated at Oxford, Mariani’s path to literary fame was anything but straightforward. He tried his hand at various careers—including teaching and running a burger bar—before devoting himself fully to writing. It was in the peaceful countryside of west Wales that he found the inspiration for The Alchemist’s Secret, the novel that introduced Ben Hope to the world and soared to the top of bestseller lists.
Scott Mariani masterfully combines history and suspense, crafting unforgettable thrillers that entertain, enlighten, and keep readers hooked from start to finish.
In an exclusive interview with Reader’s House, Mariani opens up about the personal passions and deliberate choices that fuel his creative process. A lifelong fascination with history plays a central role in his storytelling. “When all the other kids were out kicking footballs around,” he recalls, “I was the one in his room reading about the Crusades or the Napoleonic Wars.” This enduring interest eventually found its way into his fiction, giving each thriller a richly researched historical backdrop.
Writing historical mysteries within the frame of contemporary thrillers has allowed Mariani to explore diverse topics and cultures. In The Golden Library, for instance, Ben Hope travels to China and becomes entangled in secrets surrounding the Terracotta Army. The inspiration? Mariani’s deep personal interest in ancient Chinese culture, martial arts, and medicine. “I’ve studied Tai Chi sword fighting, spent time in Taiwan, and I’ve always been fascinated by Chinese traditions,” he explains. That background not only informed the setting but also added authentic texture to the story.
The journey of Ben Hope from obscure literary character to international icon wasn’t an easy one. “Thanks to the awful literary agent I had then, the novel almost ended its life as a small-run library-only book,” Mariani says, reflecting on the rocky start of The Alchemist’s Secret. Despite those early setbacks, the book found its audience and launched a series now approaching thirty installments. Key to Ben’s uniqueness among thriller heroes is his theological education, a trait not typically found in ex-SAS characters. It’s this unexpected depth that sets him apart.
Maintaining momentum over dozens of novels requires a careful balance of plot, character, and innovation. “It’s a very organic process,” Mariani says of crafting his complex plots. “The running theme is Ben’s own personal journey. Over a thirty-book series it’s vital not to become repetitive and to keep things fresh and varied.” That sense of evolution, both personal and narrative, ensures that readers stay invested—not just in the action, but in the man at the center of it.
While Mariani doesn’t view his past jobs as directly shaping his fiction, he acknowledges that all life experience leaves its mark. His love of music, for example, is reflected in titles like The Mozart Conspiracy and The Bach Manuscript. But the constant throughout his life has always been history. “I suppose I haven’t changed much since then,” he admits with a laugh, referring to his childhood days spent immersed in historical tomes.
As his fanbase grows and the Ben Hope series continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: Scott Mariani has mastered the art of the modern thriller. With a scholar’s eye for the past and a storyteller’s pulse for suspense, he continues to captivate readers around the world.
Source: Reader’s House Interview with Scott Mariani
