Absolute Proof

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I also wasn't a fan of the ending. It felt unresolved and I was angry about where his relationships went. An emotional educating thrilling book ( the list of ‘thanks’ at the end has to be seen to be believed )

Absolute Proof by Peter James | Waterstones

Investigative reporter Ross Hunter nearly didn’t answer the phone call that would change his life – and possibly the world – for ever. Investigative reporter Ross Hunternearly didn't answer the phone call that would change his life - and possibly the world - for ever. I was a little skeptical about the subject matter and whilst I can see the parallels to The Da Vinci, it made me wonder why James took so long to write this book both with his own experience and using Dan Brown's hit as a perfect opportunity to release something similar. The writing is elaborate and fast-paced. The characters are troubled, tireless, and multifaceted. And the plot is an intricate tale that will have you contemplating the possible final resting place of historical artefacts, the complexity, and significance of DNA testing and our genetic ancestry, and the enormous effects and implications actual proof of God would have on various organizations around the world. 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.

Publication Order of Roy Grace Short Stories/Novellas Books

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... And Ross himself. I had major issues with Ross. For a smart guy, he made some incredibly silly decisions. His relationship with his wife... Whatever that was going on with Sally... His decisions and naivety through 99% of the book floored me and I got so frustrated with him. I enjoy a book with romance, I don't enjoy a romance when the man is married to someone who is NOT the love interest. It felt like his wife's behaviour in the beginning of the book was used as an excuse to why he was behaving like he was later on, even though years had passed. The thing about this book is that there’s so much going on here that there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Even though the majority of it is all about action and the oddities of religion, there’s also a bunch of other stuff along with great characterisation and an ensemble cast where no one is safe. You never know who might die next. 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.

Absolute Proof by Peter James - Pan Macmillan

But even with the negatives, I still thought it was a pretty good read, although I’d have to say that James’ Roy Grace books are better. I also quite like his standalone ghost stories. This was a nice little addition to James’ oeuvre, but I also think that he has a lot of better ones. So yeah, there’s that. An elderly academic Dr. Harry F. Cook approaches Hunter, claiming that god has spoken to him, initially through mediumship and later directly, culminating in him possessing 'absolute proof' of gods existence. Cook believes that Hunter is the only person who can help him spread his message to all of mankind.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. Ross is sceptical at first, curiosity takes the better of him and when Dr Cook ends up dead he knows that there is something too this and with the help of Dr Cook’s solicitor he agrees to start the investigation, did god really exist? He is given sets of co-ordinates to follow to gather evidence of God’s existence.

Standalones – Peter James Standalones – Peter James

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. After finding a couple of relics which he has had scientifically analyzed, his final answer to the mystery and proof is in Los Angeles. His fearful and angry wife insists that he sell his objects to the Vatican or the pharmaceutical company, both having tempted them with huge sums of money. In Los Angeles he meets with a mysterious man whom we met very early in the story, and is vital to the plot. Pursuing Ross to LA are a contract killer who is eavesdropping on his hotel room, and several members of the pharmaceutical company. His life is in jeopardy as well as his marriage. The characters are above interesting as is the ‘plot’ ( I say plot because at times I forgot this was a work of fiction ) 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. 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?I am a stay at home mom and the closest form of toddler entertainment is about an hour away in Portland. So a few times a week I spend about 2 hours on the road. My little boy is perfectly content watching traffic going by or playing a game. Now mommy on the other hand likes to multitask. So when this audiobook came up, I was intrigued and since I have been driving so much more lately, I was eager to give this one a try……plus I love Hugh Bonneville so there’s that. As Ross follows co-ordinates around the world, which are supposed to lead him to this proof, a whole host of other characters are introduced – including wealthy evangelist pastor’s, high profile militant atheists, monks in an isolated monastery and an American magician – colliding in a roller coaster ride to the hunt for proof of God’s existence and those who, for whatever reasons, are desperate to stop Ross discovering the truth. 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 ) Thanks to NetGalley and Publishers Group Canada for an advanced copy of this thought provoking and interesting book. It raises important concerns about the nature of God and science. The plot ventures into Dan Brown territory, which to me is a positive thing. The story is long and complex, but easy and compelling reading.

Absolute Proof” by Peter James - ISCAST “Absolute Proof” by Peter James - ISCAST

I liked the extreme characters who were so determined to get what Ross had, even though they all had very different reasons for doing so. Hunter experiences inner turmoil. As an agnostic, his own belief system is called into question when he has an other-worldly experience of his own, leading him to question the existence of a higher intelligence.

Plus I tend to get interrupted a lot during the day so having to stop what I am listening to is sometimes harder than just putting a bookmark in. However, I have been spending more time in my car lately with my little one. In short avoid this book. It has a meandering and unconvincing plot, characters that are simply laughable (even the peripherals such as Ainsley Bloor, Big Tony - yes, REALLY, Harry F Cook and Wesley Wenceslas are all caricatures) and so many holes in the research that it is really a chore to read.