Peter James has written a standalone thriller that has echoes of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. To be honest, it took me a little while to become invested in the story, but once I did I was hooked. Ross Hunter is a well known freelance investigative journalist who has broken important stories, such as the governments lack of resources and vital equipment for the army fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. He is married to Imogen who is expecting their first child, they have papered over the cracks in their marriage after Ross discovered her in bed with another man. He could have had no idea what danger he and Imogen will be engulfed by when he gets a call from an elderly ex-RAF, ex-History of Art professor, Dr Harry Cook. Harry tells Ross that he has absolute proof that God exists. Thinking the man sounds like a nutter, Ross nevertheless agrees to meet him and read a manuscript of which there is no copy.

Harry follows up a lead to Glastonbury where a set of co-ordinates lead him, there he finds evidence of recent digging and eventually finds some items in a well that may well prove to be of significance. Despite having encountered danger, the ambitious Ross is becoming hooked onto the possibility of the greatest story of his career. His conversation with old friend, Bishop Benedict Carmichael, opens his eyes to the vested interests that would have strong interest in squashing the story, the fatal religious divisions that it would ignite and the threats to profits that it would pose to corporate and other parties. As key individuals are found dead in mysterious circumstances, Ross finds himself in Egypt and Los Angeles as other co-ordinates come to be revealed, each provides evidence of and lead to events and a person whose identity will impact the world. As various parties that includes the CEO of pharmaceuticals giant, Kerr Kluge, and an evangelist billionaire preacher of Wesley Wenceslas Ministries, plus others show an increasingly ruthless and malignant interest, Ross's home is trashed with ominous graffiti everywhere. His wife, Imogen, berates Ross for putting them in such danger and suggests they take the huge amounts they are offered from numerous parties thereby solving their financial problems. Ross is having none of it, his integrity cannot be compromised and besides, he cannot help himself following the story that will make his name.

Peter James has written a thriller that is compelling, frenetic and which imagines just how many forces in the world would feel threatened should there be absolute proof of God's existence on earth. The book opens in Los Angeles and a character that is to assume greater importance in the narrative later on as the story develops further. There is a requirement to suspend disbelief to get the most out of this gripping thriller. The story is intricate with complex plotting and inhabited by a wide cast of characters. Ross Hunter makes for a determined central character, married to Imogen whom he can never fully trust given her past betrayals, and an investigative journalist who just will not give up, irrespective of the phenomenal obstacles placed in his path. This is an entertaining read that just carries along the reader with ease, you will want to know exactly how it all ends. Many thanks to Panmacmillan for an ARC.

I really enjoyed this book and it made you think about the role of religion today. If you liked The Da Vinci Code then you will like this.
Ross Hunter is an investigative journalist who gets a call from a gentleman who believes he can provide Absolute proof of God’s existence. Not everyone in the world wants this evidence found or if it is found they want control of it.
I was gripped from the beginning!
I didn’t like the character of Ross’s wife she did not come across well as a loving wife and prospective mother but I believe this is what the author planned.
Very different to Peter James usual novels but certainly worth reading.

This book starts by identifying someone in a lowlife LA bar who then reappears briefly but importantly later on. There is also extensive coverage of investigator Hunter's time in Afghanistan which doesn't seem to have much significance to the story. Then he buzzes about on a pretty stupid errand endangering his wife and himself. Then the two break up and fortuitously she loses her baby just to make the whole thing neater. The story is tortuous and challenges the reader to keep going.