Absolute Proof by Peter James

Well, this knocked my socks off, as my Nan used to say. I have to add here, before I go any further, that this was my first step into the literary world of Peter James. And, it has to be said, I’m a little ashamed of that fact. *hangs head*

International bestselling author, Mr Peter James’ books are clearly something that’s been missing from my bookshelves. But no more, I rectified this dilemma without delay as I finished the last page of Absolute Proof, I purchased another – more about that in the near future.

So, here’s your coffee, snuggle in your favourite chair *sips her caramel latte* this is my spoiler-free review of Absolute Proof.

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.

Absolute Proof by Peter James

Investigative journalist, Ross Hunter, famous (or infamous depending on your viewpoint) is renowned for tackling, uncovering, controversial issues in his career, from political corruption to corporate scandals. He’s also no stranger to dangerous threats, always willing to stand up for what’s right not what’s easy. But when he receives a phone call from an old man declaring he has absolute proof of God’s existence, and that he and Ross have been chosen to save the world… well, you can imagine his scepticism, and that too of his expectant wife, Imogen.

With his well-honed curious nature, and look out for the next ‘big story’, Ross agrees to meet Dr Harry Cook, where he produces a manuscript he’d scribed from a direct message from God himself, through a medium. Reluctantly, against his better judgement, opinion that Dr Cook is probably no more than a crazy old man, Ross agrees to read the manuscript. Alas, upon finding the body of murdered Dr Cook a matter of days later, Ross is compelled to take up the staff, beginning his treacherous adventure.

With such a claim, the ‘absolute proof of God’s existence’, it’s no surprise that such momentous news travels fast. Enter here, a spanner in the works; a global household-name pharmaceutical company, a billionaire evangelist, a whoever-pays-the-big-bucks hitman – and the Vatican. Along with a number of other dubious encounters, Ross is on a perilous mission, sending him over the globe to unravel this claim.

There is no doubt that Peter James has done some serious research for this book; by his own admission, ‘a book 30 years in the making.’ Absolute Proof is one hell (excuse the pun) of a rollercoaster ride. It’s fast-paced, with some short concise chapters, from multi-character viewpoints, giving the story a multidimensional feel, with hard-hitting moments that literally take your breath away one minute to making you sit up and think the next. With just the right amount of detail that absorbs you into the page making you one with the plot – there is no escape till that last page.

About two-thirds in I sat and really pondered on the plot, the twists and turns (there are many) on where I really thought the storyline was going, what the outcome would be. After all, what would you do if you were handed the gauntlet to prove to the world of God’s existence, and what would you do faced with perilous hurdles at every turn? Ross Hunter is no way an enviable character, rather an admirable, sometimes foolhardy one, with his tenacious nature, he brings this story to a climactic and extremely clever ending. One I could not have foretold.