The Hope Vendetta    by Scott Mariani Order:  USA  Can Touchstone, 2012 (2012) Hardcover Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth For a really quick read, The Hope Vendetta (second in a series that began with The Mozart Conspiracy) by Scott Mariani is the book for you. Quick because you won't be able to put it down. Once started, it won't leave your hands. Ex-SAS operative Benedict Hope has decided to change his life, and returns to Oxford to pick up where he left off in his studies of theology. A professor friend asks him to find his daughter, Zoe Bradbury. The Professor tells Ben that he and his wife have not heard from her. She was to have returned home and there has been no sign of her. An archeologist, Zoe had been on a dig in the Mediterranean and had discovered an artifact related to the book of Revelation. Ben sends his friend Charlie Palmer (also ex-SAS) to find her as he returns to his studies. Charlie realizes he needs Ben's help to find Zoe on the island of Corfu. This starts an unending series of kidnappings, bombings, close calls, greed and murders as well as miscellaneous happenings that slowly build to a crescendo. Ben travels from England to Corfu to Savannah, Georgia where he discovers a horrendous plot aimed at End-of-Days believers, which would affect the whole world and millions of people. All to enhance one man's political career. Ben is a great character. He has experienced more in his life than most of us ever would and is not untouched by all that has happened to him. He has a soft side as well, one that allows him to reflect on past happenings and to regret his part in them. I recommend The Hope Vendetta to you and plan to read The Mozart Conspiracy as well. I'm sure it too is a winner. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews