The Alchemist's Secret by Scott Mariani

Ben Hope was a member of the SAS but now he spends his time rescuing children who have been kidnapped. When he's asked to find a manuscript which could provide a cure for a sick child he hesitates but decides that it's the right thing to do. The manuscript was written by Fulcanelli, the renowned alchemist, almost a hundred years ago and it's rumoured that it contains the formula for the elixir of life. What seems like a far-fetched quest becomes dangerous when Hope discovers that there are others in search of the manuscript.

Dan Brown has a lot to answer for. Since the commercial success of The Da Vinci Code there's been a rash of books on a similar theme. A good and honest man accompanied by a presentable female – this time Dr Roberta Ryder who believes that there is something in alchemy – risk life, limb and reputation to solve a series of clues in the hope of finding something priceless. There's the obligatory senior Catholic churchman who doesn't feel that murder is unreasonable if it gets him what he wants, a harking back to some of the baddies of World War II and a trip through some wonderful scenery which will no doubt look great if there's a film deal. This time it's Paris and then the ancient Cathar strongholds of the Languedoc.

Hope has, of course, a dark and guilty secret in his past. Naturally it haunts him and drives him to do what he does in the hope of redeeming himself in his own mind. He's mistrustful, which is perhaps wise when he kills readily, and finds it difficult to get close to women – which might well be a blessing for the women concerned given that his occupation is riskier than most. Roberta Ryder is A Plucky Woman if occasionally a little careless about her own safety. Other characters are generally two-dimensional, but that's not a major problem as most of them are there to die.

The plot is not bad if you don't, as I did, work out exactly what the ending would be before you're 5% of the way through the book. There's a very high body count – nothing too gory but they do die and there's even a bit of torture thrown in for light relief. Coincidences happen a little too regularly and sometimes the way that the plot works out just defies belief.

I know. I'm being very picky. This book is no worse and certainly no better than hundreds of other books which will fly off airport book shop shelves this summer and if you want a light and entertaining read for the beach it might be just the book for you.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

For other books on a similar theme you might like to look at The 13th Apostle by Richard and Rachael Heller, The Crystal Skull by Manda Scott and Extraordinary People by Peter May.

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