Book Review: Absolute Proof by Peter James

Title: Absolute Proof
Author: Peter James
Publisher: Pan Macmillan 
Publication date: 25th September 2018
RRP: $29.99
Pages: 576
Format Read: Trade Paperback
Source: Courtesy of publisher

Investigative reporter Ross Hunter nearly didn't answer the phone call that would change his life - and possibly the world - for ever.

"I'd just like to assure you I'm not a nutcase, Mr Hunter. My name is Dr Harry F. Cook. I know this is going to sound strange, but I've recently been given absolute proof of God's existence - and I've been advised there is a writer, a respected journalist called Ross Hunter, who could help me to get taken seriously."

What would it take to prove the existence of God? And what would be the consequences?

The false faith of a billionaire evangelist, the life's work of a famous atheist, and the credibility of each of the world's major religions are all under threat. If Ross Hunter can survive long enough to present the evidence...

Out of the blue investigative reporter Ross Hunter gets a phone call from a man claiming he can show him absolute proof that God existed. This man was given Ross’s name as the person to help him find the evidence and broadcast it to the world. Ross thinks the guy is probably some crack-pot but his journalistic instincts override common sense and he agrees to meet the man. Hunter realises this could be the story of a life time, one that could set him up for life.

What follows is a compelling story of murder and mystery told in multiple plot lines running parallel to the main story then diverging with a race against time that ends in multiple deaths.

Born again evangelist Wesley Wenceslas has built a multi-million dollar business around his style of religion, preaching all over the world. Would Hunter’s discoveries ruin his empire and show Wesley as a phoney?

Dr Bloor is experimenting with monkeys and a keyboard. He believes it is only a matter of time before a monkey will type a readable sentence and prove that everything happens by random chance.

Cousins Angus and Pete live in separate monasteries but both live a life of silence, solitude and devotion to The Lord. They need no ‘proof’ to hold onto their faith.

Hunter must first decipher the clues given to him before he can find the ancient relics however there are people willing to kill to get their hands on the items and his every move, every conversation is being monitored. His quest to find absolute proof will take him from England to Egypt then LA and place him, his wife and unborn child in grave danger.

James brings up a lot questions about God’s existence and his motives. If God’s existence was proven would it unite the world or divide it even further? You will not find the answers in this novel only speculation as it is more action/adventure than philosophical.

James doesn’t do a lot of theorising but there is enough, amongst all the action, to make the story interesting and cause the reader stop and think.

“And the irony is that science is asking questions that only religion can answer, but to accept those answers would mean admitting defeat for the scientists.”

Go into this story with an open mind. Some of the plot is convenient, especially the DNA matches. But I’m no DNA expert so maybe it is feasible. I loved the complex plot and the race against the large corporations.

There was no neat wrap up and I was left with a few questions unanswered.

My Rating 4.5/5    🌟🌟🌟🌟.5

courtesy of Pan Macmillan - credit James Clarke

 Peter James is one of the UK's most treasured crime and thriller novelists. His Roy Grace detective novels have sold over one and a half million in the UK alone and five million worldwide in total. The series is now translated into 33 languages. He has developed a close working relationship with the Sussex Police over many years, spending an average of one day a week with them and his writing reveals a unique insight into the reality of modern day police work. He has also carried out extensive research with police in Moscow, Munich, Paris, Melbourne, Sweden, New York and Romania, as well as attending international police conferences to ensure he is at the cutting edge of investigative police work. Peter, an established film producer and script writer, has produced numerous films, including The Merchant Of Venice, starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes. A TV adaptation of the Roy Grace series is currently in development, with Peter overseeing all aspects, including the scriptwriting. In 2009 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Brighton in recognition of his services to literature and the community.

Peter is now a member of the Sussex Police Rape Prevention Team and writing and producing a video for them for schools and YouTube that will warn teenage girls of the potential date rape situations they could find themselves in. He did a lot of research with Lifecentre - for further information on Lifecentre visit their website at www.lifecentre.uk.com
Born and brought up in Brighton, Peter divides his time between his homes in Notting Hill, London and on the South Downs near Lewes in Sussex.