Member Reviews

I usually love Peter James's books but, although I thought this was very well written, I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd expected to. Interesting concept but not for me though I'm sure it will be very successful.

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Peter James I do love your books and still have Perfect People as my favourite. This is my new favourite. There's something delicious about a conspiracy theory book and this one looks at the existence of God. Someone claims to have absolute proof that He exists.

Now I’m not religious by any means and I suppose you will get something different out of this book depending on what you believe, but this is still a riproaring thriller which questions the existence of God. Fast paced and action packed. I just loved the way in which there was an actual trail to follow with map coordinates and everything! The geek in me rubbed my hands with glee,going from one place to another, map in hand and legends falling from the pages.

There’s a lot to like in this book - maps, manuscripts, monuments, monks and murder. Think the 5 M’s might be an idea for an alternative title.

Subject wise it’s a bit Dan Brown but it’s definitely got the Peter James stamp of gold on the front. It’s clever, addictive and a race around the world with locations and legends dripping out of the pages.

There IS Absolute Proof that this is a thriller you won’t want to miss!

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Fantastic novel which explores a number of themes that writers normally steer clear from. Great character development and fast paced storyline.

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Peter James never disappoints! I am a huge fan but have only read his Roy Grace range of books so this was a departure for me but I was not disappointed. This book is a fast paced ride of a thriller mixed with murder and mystery that you won’t put down. At the end of the day is it worth loosing everything and possibly your own life to prove that God exists and if you do prove it what’s next? That’s the concept of this story and I couldn’t put this down.

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For me Peter James became an author to watch with Perfect People that had me thinking what if. But he surpasses himself with Absolute Proof. I had shivers down my back on occasions and loved the whole concept of the return of Jesus Christ. But there were tiny things that didn’t quite gel and I felt slightly disappointed with the ending, because of this it is a four star rather then the five star it deserved to be.

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I enjoyed this book. It seemed to be a more English, more intellegent Da Vinci Code. None of this exciting tearing around the world being chased by gun wielding enemies. Yet it was an interesting read for all that.

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Absolute Proof, a challenging title as Peter James takes on Dan Brown in a similar genre.
I certainly found it a rip roaring read and it touched many of the thoughts I had posed myself over the years. How would Jesus be received if he put in an appearance? I have also wondered about the whole DNA thing. If the conception is to be believed then it would be pretty magical stuff from the Father's line.
Peter did give the novel a greater depth than most in the genre as he really explored the dilemma all religions and governments would face if there was Absolute Proof, and more explosively if it had a particular bias. I notice he didn't get too controversial in his choice of religions wishing to get hold of, or even bury the Absolute Truth.
As a work of fiction, and bearing in mind the title, the ending had only a few ways to go. I wonder if Peter knew the meaning behind the rainbow as explained in the O.T.?

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This is a conspiracy theory thriller very much in the vein of Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code”.
It has a very interesting premise- what would happen if someone found absolute proof of the existence of a higher being. Which religion would be correct- Christianity, Judaism, Islam? However it does rely heavily on the Christian faith and belief that Jesus Christ was the son of G-d.
Ross is an investigative journalist married to Imogen. They have a baby on the way but their marriage has become a bit lack lustre after Imogen has an affair whilst Ross is in Afghanistan on a job.
One day Ross is contacted by an elderly retired art professor who claims to have proof of G-d’s existence. He asserts that only Ross can help him save the world. At first Ross is rather dubious but then some strange things begin to happen as he tries to read the Professor’s manuscript.
Meanwhile the reader is transported in various alternate chapters to a preacher called Wenceslas who is obviously a sham, only interested in money and also a large pharmaceutical company. Both of these are interested in finding out what Ross knows for different reasons- mainly to make money out of the knowledge.
Suddenly murders start to mount up and Ross and Imogen are in real danger. Ross only manages to avoid being killed by keeping his wits about him.
Ross was a great lead protagonist who seemed honourable and dedicated to finding the truth.
I didn’t warm to Imogen particularly although to be fair she was in a difficult situation once Ross decided to investigate.
It was an interesting thriller which did make you think about faith and what would happen if proof of the existence of G-d was discovered. Would some seek to exploit this knowledge and would people really believe it to be true?
This is a long book but once I got into it I did read it quickly in order to discover what the outcome would be. There were many twists and turns along the way and it certainly kept me on the edge of my seat - or sun lounger as I was reading it on holiday! Peter James obviously knows how to write a gripping story with an interesting plot. I would definitely recommend it to thriller lovers and those of you who like a good conspiracy theory book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review

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Do you believe in God? If not, would you if there was absolute proof? Peter James has based his latest offering on that very concept. Journalist, Ross Hunter, must collate the evidence and present his case before a bullet finds him. A global thriller that I would certainly recommend.

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Dan Brownesque thriller by Peter James. As an avid reader of the Roy Grace series, I was really looking forward to this book. It is brilliantly written and painstakingly researched, with a galloping plot and fabulous characters. The only reason I have given it four stars instead of five is because of the elongated bible passages, which, in my opinion could have been shorter. This would then have upped the pace somewhat. Nevertheless this is a true blockbuster of a novel.

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I am an absolute fan of Conspiracy Theory books,I love Scott Mariani,Steve Berry and others,and who hasn't read The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown? Is there a great mystery that hasn't been answered yet,and do we really need to know in order to believe?
Ross Hunter is an investigative journalist with a nose for trouble. He is contacted by Dr. Harry. F. Cook,an art professor at Birmingham University,who states he has been given Absolute Proof of God's existence and he needs Ross to find three pieces of information that will help to restore faith in God. The first proof concerns the location of the Holy Grail. The second is the location of a significant item belonging to Jesus Christ. The third proof relates to the Second Coming of Christ.
This is a gripping read,a real page turner,full of suspense and mystery. I thought I would read a couple of chapters one night at 22.00hrs,before I went to bed,and the next time I checked the clock,it was 01.15hrs and I was hooked!! It was throughly engrossing and utterly believable.
It posed the question,would the Church be happy if God was proved to be accessible to all,and didn't need organised religion? Would pharmaceutical companies be happy if Christ could cure people and medications were unnecessary?. Which religion would be considered the true religion,if God was proved to exist? This book asks many questions of the reader,and the ending is sufficiently ambiguous to please all.
I liked the character of Ross Hunter,I wasn't a huge fan of his wife,she didn't come over as loving or supportive of her husband. She seemed preoccupied with herself and obsessed with money and material possessions,that didn't chime well with the underlying theme of this book. I loved the descriptions of Glastonbury Tor and the Chalice Well,they conveyed the special atmosphere of these places so well. I felt the almost mystical aura of these places when I visited them a few years ago.
In short, a brilliant book that I have really enjoyed. One of the best of this genre and it deserves to be a much anticipated read for 2018.
I have posted this review to Goodreads today with a five star rating.

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The absolute proof of why Peter James is such an amazing author. This ranks up with Perfect People for me, which means it cannot get higher praise. I was blown away by the concept and writing. I feel unable to do it true justice in a review as it really is on another level!

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I am a big Peter James fan and this book is totally different to anything that I have read written by him. The ideas are similar to the Da Vinci Code but the book itself is written in Peters own unique style. The overall story was enjoyable and the plot was well thought out and put together.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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Investigative journalist Ross Hunter has tackled various topics of interest over the course of his career, many of them involving political corruption and corporate wrongdoing, and as a result he’s received a fair amount of death threats for exposing their criminal activities, but when he takes a phone call one night, he will be faced with more than just empty threats, and more to the point, the beliefs of millions of people around the world are about to be challenged.

The phone call that could ultimately change the whole of mankind, is from an elderly gentleman claiming that he has absolute proof of God’s existence, and he believes Ross is the only person who can help him get the message out there, and ultimately save the world!

‘Absolute Proof’ is something of a departure for Peter James. With this standalone he promises us intrigue, action and conspiracy, and he has certainly fulfilled that promise. The story was extremely complex with a large cast of characters, and it demonstrated how absolute proof of God could prove a threat for those with opposing beliefs, bringing not only civil disorder to a world already beset with violence, but certain death for anyone involved in bringing this proof to the world.

The pace was perfect, suffused as it was with an air of tension and expectation, as Ross becomes the focus for those desperate to get their hands on the evidence - people with inordinate amounts of money but lacking any kind of moral compass. He may have found himself in dangerous situations in the past, but this fades into insignificance with what he is about to face!

I found that the storyline required the reader to suspend disbelief at times, but you know something? I was happy to do just that, for such an exciting and compelling read!

* Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for my ARC, for which I have given an honest unbiased review *

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It’s a while since I’ve read a book that gripped me the way this one did. ! I found the theoretical and theological debates fascinating and I was on the edge of my seat! Couldnt figure out how it was going to end, but wow! Well done sir!

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This book is so different from the authors usual books however if you like Davinci code you'll love it
Took me a few chapters but then was hooked from the lowlife in the bar to a whirlwind adventure
Standalone novel well done
Thanks netgalley for allowing me to read

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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.

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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.

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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.

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