Page 23 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 49

STAR INTERVIEW
“The Ben Hope series masterfully
blends modern thrill- er elements with his- torical mysteries.”
Scott Mariani shares his passion
for history and how it shapes his best- selling novels.
SCOTT MARIANI
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Scott Mariani is the author of the bestselling thriller series featuring ex-SAS hero Ben Hope. Scott’s novels have topped the charts in his native Britain and are translated into 25 languages.
Scott’s novels combine thriller action with historical mystery, forming the backdrop to the modern-day adventures of hard-driving soldier Ben Hope as he travels all over the globe in an unending quest to protect the innocent and bring bad guys to justice – as only he can.
Scott was born in Scotland, later studied at Oxford and ended up living there. Deciding after university that a career in academia didn’t suit him, he pursued his ambition to write for a living. During what turned out to be a long process of reaching that goal, he worked in various jobs from teaching English and music, running a burger bar, and playing in bands. Eventually leaving Oxfordshire and moving to the tranquil and beautiful setting of rural west Wales, the idea for the Ben Hope character came to him while hiking in the countryside with his dogs. The first Ben Hope book, The Alchemist’s Secret, went on to spend six straight weeks at #1 in the charts and sell publishing rights across the world. Every book since has been a bestseller, and there is no end in sight for the Ben Hope series.
When he isn’t hard at work on his next book, Scott can be found (and sometimes heard) pursuing his other interests which include shooting, archery and astronomy.
“I’ve always had a deep interest in
history, from child- hood.”
How Scott’s life- long fascination with history and medieval
literature inspired the historical depth in his thrillers.
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