To provide absolute proof of a divine existence would trigger worldwide instability, with every one of the major faiths laying claim to such evidence by whatever means necessary. Promising intrigue, action and conspiracy on a global scale, this electrifying novel will have you hooked from the first page.
Peter James’s other series, the Roy Grace novels routinely run up bestseller charts, but it was his risk-taking novel, Perfect People (2011) about genetic engineering, that really showed a departure from the standard baddies vs. the law crime detective format. In Absolute Proof, we have journalist Ross Hunter, a hardened Sunday Times reporter, fresh back and scarred from a ill-fated trip to Afghanistan. He receives a bizarre phone call promising incontrovertible evidence for the existence of a deity: i.e. 'GOD'. So, soon, Hunter embarks on a fraught odyssey that takes him from Glastonbury to the Middle East and America, his footsteps dogged by the evil representatives of none other than 'Big Pharma' and, of course, interference by various powerful forces from the church. Who should Hunter entrust with his incendiary secret? And should he be more sceptical than he appears? We are in Dan Brown blockbuster territory, but both atheists and believers will find food for thought in this globe-trotting epic.
Firstly, I have to admit that I struggled with this book. The first few chapters seemed so cliched and obvious. The seepage of every Dan Brown novel into my consciousness when reading this was knee deep and it was hard to separate the two. My first issue with this book was that the initial puzzle was blatantly obvious to me. When it was subsequently "solved" and the MC so impressed by said solving, I had to just roll my eyes again and put the book down again.
But I persisted and started to invest in the book, determined to see where it went, reading through the plot holes and improbable parts. I guess I really wanted to know how on earth (or heaven) the author would manage to wrap things up. I guess I wanted more from the ending that he was able to give me too.
The ride in-between the shaky start and the flaky ending was good, once I managed to set aside my prejudgements. The tension and build up when Ross is finally on the run makes this a good thriller but I got the feeling James was being paid by the word. His level of detail was just way too thick. The scenes he paints are unnecessary detailed; this is not high literature, so there's no real need for it. A good suspense novel should be atmospheric, quick to move and not too heavy. He fails with this one to really nail that. Sure, it's a quick read but word heavy, too.
Finally, how exactly, does proving the existence of one man prove the whole God thing? If you can suspend belief and go with the flow then I am sure that you will have a much better experience with this book than I did.
Synonymous with plot-twisting page-turners, Peter has garnered an army of loyal fans throughout his storytelling career – which also included stints writing for TV and producing films. He has won over 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award, Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger and a BAFTA nomination for The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons for which he was an Executive Producer. Many of Peter’s novels have been adapted for film, TV and stage.
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