3.5 stars

Absolute Proof is a long book and at times I struggled to carry on reading as, although for the most part it is fast-paced, it is slow going in parts. And it certainly tested my ability to suspend my disbelief several times. I’ve only read two of Peter James’ books previously, both crime fiction set in Brighton featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. Absolute Proof is a standalone thriller and is very different from the Roy Grace books. It has similarities to Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, as the search is on for proof of God’s existence.

Ross Hunter is married to Imogen and they are expecting their first child – however he has serious doubts about his marriage and suspects Imogen of cheating on him. The story of their marriage unfolds, underlying the main plotline. Dr Harry F Cook, a former RAF officer and retired history of art professor, contacts Ross and drip feeds him information that Cook claims proves that God exists.

The grid references Cook gives Hunter takes him to various places including Glastonbury, where he visits the Chalice Well in search of the Holy Grail, and Egypt in search of Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple. All the time he is in danger of death as he is pursued by those who do not want Cook’s claims to be made public. It’s a dramatic and hair-raising story that made me want to know what happened next at the same time as it made me question its credibility. It is certainly thought provoking and entertaining.

One of the things that intrigued me was that in his Acknowledgements Peter James explains that the book began with a phone call he received in 1989 from someone who did indeed claim that he had been given absolute proof of God’s existence and that he had been given Peter James’s name as an author who would help him to get taken seriously. This started James’s ‘journey of exploration into what might be considered absolute proof – and just what the consequences might be.’ During the intervening years he has talked to many people from different faiths and had discussions with scientists, academics, theologians and clerics. He has certainly done his research and gives a long list of the people who have helped him, plus a list of his sources of reference, giving me yet more details of books I’d like to read.

Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for provided a review copy of this book.

I love Peter James books and I was very keen to read this. It did not disappoint, although it certainly was a world away from his "Brighton" books.
The story was very plausible and very very interesting. The idea of Absolute Proof was very intriguing and really held my attention.
There were a lot of characters in the book and sometimes I rather lost the plot of who was who and who was after who.
I did find his relationships a little implausible, not to say his attitude to them.
I very much admire the amount of research the author has done to produce this book. He must have been exhausted when he finally delivery the manuscript. It is less of a book and more of a life's work I feel.
Well done.

Ross Hunter is a journalist. Dr Harry Cook contacts him and asks for Ross’ help in showing the world absolute proof that God exists. A gripping story full of conspiracy and intrigue. I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan and Peter James for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, The storyline was very unique but it was extremely thought provoking and a gripping read. I couldn't wait to see how the story unfolded and didn't know how it was going to end!

Being a non-practising Catholic I was given a lot of insight into other religions. Is it really going to happen - maybe!

Interesting premise, and the suggestion it was like the Da Vinci Code led me to want to read this. Dan Brown's book was a page-turning yarn, if even not that well written. This I found to be somewhat turgid, and I didn't really care about the characters. Shame, because the plot began with real potential.

This was a page turner. Not the usual book with ?Roy Grace. Main character lives in Brighton. But like the Da Vinci code. Totally different genre but still very good read

Wow, really enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure that I would to begin with as I'm not religious at all but I found the theology side of things really compelling, coupled with a thriller vibe as Ross battles to find the absolute proof he's been entrusted to seek and keep his findings safe from enemies.. Couldn't wait to get to the end. I've read lots of Peter James in the DS Roy Grace series and while this is quite a departure from that, it's a great read and one that definitely gets you thinking. HIghly recommended!

Ross Hunter is a respected journalist. He is approached by a man who claims he has proof of the existence of God. Is he just another nutcase? Or is this the story of a lifetime for Ross?

I've never read a Peter James book before, and I was excited to see what all the fuss was about. Not surprisingly, it was very well written, fast-paced and tense. I loved the main character, Ross. He is very likeable and I was definitely rooting for him. There was plenty of action and it was exciting throughout. The book was pretty long, but I never felt like it was too long, or boring.

The premise of the book was very much like the Da Vinci Code but set in the UK. There was obviously a lot of religion in this story - I'm not a religious person, and it isn't something I would usually be interested in reading about. However, questioning the existence of God is something I think everyone has done at some point, and it's difficult to imagine what might happen if we really did know for sure whether God exists or not. Either way, there would most definitely be chaos all over the world, and various different views on this are discussed during the course of the book.

I enjoyed this because it was a good thrilling story, and also philosophical, thoughtful and timelessly relevant. It is a very religious book (mainly Christian, for obvious reasons), but I don't think it's offensive and it isn't biased towards any one viewpoint. I'm not sure whether those who hold strong religious beliefs would enjoy this book or not, but I think anyone who enjoys a good thriller, or philosophical debate, would love it.

I totally loved this book. Peter James is a favourite author of mine anyway, but this book is very unlike his others. It definitely has echoes of the Da Vinci Code, but in my opinion this book is far more enjoyable. All of the characters are unique and well developed.

I haven't read any of Peter James's previous books but the subject matter intrigued me. I was riveted from the start , the pace and story kept me interested in the somewhat lengthy story. Alot of research had obviously gone into this creation and it showed. Totally unbelievable premise made to be believable. I feared the conclusion may be a let down but it wasn't. Great story,well told.

Absolute Proof is a cleverly woven story combining religion and the idea of whether the book's title - 'absolute proof' - actually exists, with plenty of action, suspense and conspiracy. This is a standalone story, so a change from the DS Roy Grace novels, centering around journalist Ross Hunter, who has worked on many high-profile cases. He's contacted by someone claiming to have been given absolute proof of God's existance - but the evidence won't fall into his lap, he's got to do some serious digging and take some serious risks to get what will be the biggest story of all time.

The novel has an interesting array of characters - I have to say, I don't know if I really like Ross Hunter. He seems to put work before everything else, including the safety of his wife and unborn child, which is good for the plot but not so much for his family! Then again, his wife isn't the most likable either, and some of the people Ross encounters on his 'mission' seem like absolute crackpots! It makes for interesting reading, and I loved thinking about how this proof could afect so many people, in so many ways. It's fascinating to consider the implications on other religions, to science, to politics... everything, and this novel really makes you think about all that.

There's plenty of action and points where you definitely have to suspend your disbelief, but it's a really enjoyable read. It's a fairly long novel so really settle in and lose yourself in this fun, really entertaining read.

A stand-alone thriller based on proving the existence of God. Ross Hunter receives a phone call from Dr Harry F Cook who wants him to help his quest in substantiating his belief. Though provoking , well written and full of action and adventure.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan for letting me read this. Having been a huge fan of Peter James for his Roy Grace series, I thought I would give this stand alone book a try. The story is not one that I would normally have chosen but again with Peter James as the author I thought it could be good. Was I wrong it wasn't good it was fantastic, gripping from page one to the very last. Highly recommend this book wish there were more than 5 stars to give

A big fan on the author’s Roy Grace series I was looking forward to reading this. It’s a totally different read to the series and I did find it at times a bit but slow going but the excellent writing made me hang in there and I’m glad I did. It’s an interesting and intriguing read.

This one was an interesting idea, what would you do if someone came up to you and said you had absolute proof of Jesus Christ this is what happens to a journalist Ross Hunter when a man shows up with what he says is absolute proof ofJesus, he is given one clue at a time which he has to follow to find the proof he needs, along the way certain religious sects are trying to stop him.

At the same time Ross is trying to service everyone trying to kill and destroy him he has to deal with the fact his wife is pregnant but he doesn’t really trust her after she had an affair a few years before. And she isn’t really supportive of his choices.

It is a little like the Divinchi Code but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

WOW!
First off, if you have read Peter James before and loved his D.I.Grace books then don’t imagine this is like them, its a total stand alone book, and completely different to his other books ( btw I love the D.I.Grace series )
Secondly WOW 😃😃
Right, seriously now...this book is awesome, I guess anyone who writes reviews is guilty of over using ‘unputdownable’ but I can 100% say this book is/was! ( even eating my cheese n mayo sarnie at lunch time I kept reading! )
I initially kept ‘putting off’ reading this book, with my beliefs,did I want to read a book about proving Gods existence? I am so glad I took the risk and read it
Basically Ross, a well known journalist, gets a call from an old man telling him he has proof that God exists!....Ross then tries to confirm/deny this via 3 clues that the man gives him....as I said thats ‘basically’...what is involved is immense and no wonder the book was 30 years in the making!
The amount of facts, quotes ( and not rambling boring ones), historical info, theological debate ( please dont let the word theological put you off, its anything but boring ) differing religions perspectives and points of debate are mind blowing and what I found fascinating was that with all of those ( intertwined into a story ) it should have been ‘hard going’ or ‘tiresome’....it wasn’t, it was all fascinating ( and for me to say that about discussions on DNA it says a lot )
The characters are above interesting as is the ‘plot’ ( I say plot because at times I forgot this was a work of fiction )
I wont ruin it by talking about the 3 clues suffice to say they take Ross around the world and as word of his quest and findings come to light all kinds of people enter the story from a rogue Pastor to atheists to the Pope himself!
The book races on to the ultimate question ‘is there absolute proof’ with these clues that God exists and....well, I will leave that for you to find out...
An emotional educating thrilling book ( the list of ‘thanks’ at the end has to be seen to be believed )
Brilliance
10/10 5 Stars

A search for absolute proof of God’s existence sees veteran journalist, Ross Hunter, revisit his own personal demons and follow clues whilst dodging attempts on his life.

A good old-fashioned treasure hunt, full of adventure, intrigue and action.

A great bit of escapism which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Investigative journalist Ross Hunter is contacted by an elderly academic, Dr Harry Cook, who tells him that God had spoken to him. He had given him details of the absolute proof of His existence and he was to persuade Ross Hunter to pursue these details and then show the world.

I know that this book means a great deal to Peter James who has actually been in the position that Ross Hunter is put in, and has been working on this particular project for over 40 years.

The plot and characters are well formed and you can tell that the author has put in his usual terrific amount of effort and research. The story moves from England to America and on to Egypt in Ross’s attempts to unravel what seems to be an absolutely impossible task. On the way, we meet different types of characters who either help Ross or deliberately impede him in his endeavours. With a subject such as this, very mixed feelings are promoted by the various interested factions.

Having read many of Peter James’s books I did find this one a little difficult to really appreciate as I feel that the topic is rather unbelievable. It is a good read and the pace is maintained right up to the end. However, I did think the book finished with a bit of a whimper rather than a bang.

Sméagol

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

*******full review to come soon*******
cant fucking believe i finally finished a fucking book jfc this life of working and studying and swimming is driving me fucking crazy the last book i finished was 11 sep and this was 13 oct and honestly im just so mad i fucking need to make a time for reading cause like no fucking way in hell ill keep not reading like that lmao

soooo this book was a wild fucking trip honestly to god i dont even know what exactly happened and i was left like ??? it was amazing and so damn interesting ill do a proper review one of these days but i really need to say just read it, i mean its not like a dan brown book but kind of is, so idk just go and read it