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'm not entirely sure where I begin while reviewing this one. The premise originally turned me off it because I don't really like reading anything to do with religion. I was afraid that It was going to be a very pro-religion, anti-atheist book, or vice versa. But it wasn't really plugging any kind of stance, and all of the extreme characters were nut-jobs regardless of their religious orientation. Which is the point I suppose. 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. The storyline that takes us from Britain to Monaco, Egypt, and Los Angeles is far-fetched, as is that of any thriller. International readers may not be aware of the legend that Joseph of Arimathea travelled after the death of Jesus to first-century Britain with the chalice from the Last Supper, concealing it near Glastonbury. As an evangelical Christian, that the improbable survival of holy relics (the chalice is not the only one) might play a role in a proof of God’s existence troubled me. However, I don’t suggest you read this book for the realism of the storyline or the subtlety of the characters. What I think James has done successfully is to put forward many of the important ideas and viewpoints in the science and religion conversation in everyday language. As a starting point or an overview in popular and palatable form, this book could be recommended to enquiring young adults. They will be taken on a whirlwind tour of the problem of suffering, the multiverse, Paley’s watch, natural selection, coincidence, miracles, New Atheism, Deism, and Theism. Those more familiar with these ideas who like some escapist reading will also enjoy this book.

Editions of Absolute Proof by Peter James - Goodreads

Now that is out of the way I am going to confess and say I hated this book. I did manage to read it all but it was a good job it was in the stave format from The Pigeonhole as I could portion out the ridiculousness. I was rather sceptically going along with it all (not because of the Religious aspects to the book but rather the main character, Ross Hunter's actions) and then the author showed a basic misunderstanding of Mitrochondrial DNA - numerous times he mentioned it was only in the female line - no it is passed intact through the female line but it is present in all creatures that have a cell structure. As soon as I hit that road bump I realised that the research done for this book was a little scant. The amount of facts, quotes ( and not rambling boring ones), historical info, theological debate ( please dont let the word theological put you off, its anything but boring ) differing religions perspectives and points of debate are mind blowing and what I found fascinating was that with all of those ( intertwined into a story ) it should have been ‘hard going’ or ‘tiresome’....it wasn’t, it was all fascinating ( and for me to say that about discussions on DNA it says a lot )Apologies to you if you loved the book but there was so much I just couldn't get past with this one and we will have to agree to disagree. 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. Ross Hunter recieves a phone call from a man of questionable sanity who tells him that he can lrove Gods existance. Ross's natural natural curiosity gets the better of him . Dr Harry Cook is a retired professor and he asks Ross not to dismiss him as a crazy old man. Ross is always on the lookout for his next big scoop and he's gradually becoming intrigued as he wants to prove the possibility of Gods existance, especially with others also showing an intrest. Ross I'd hoping that this is going to be the biggest story of his career. In writing this review, I have drawn on the following press interviews with the author at the time of its release:

Absolute Proof by Peter James | Goodreads Absolute Proof by Peter James | Goodreads

Ross begins to investigate, this could be the biggest scoop of his career, but others are interested and will stop at nothing to get their hands on the evidence. Another fantastic read from Peter James. This time, it's a stand-alone, 'What if?' story; what if absolute proof was found of God's existence? We follow a vast array of different characters, including the main man, journalist Ross Hunter. He wasn't really all that likeable in my eyes, but I guess it is more about the plot with this read. It wasn't necessarily an edge of your seat read, but suspenseful elements were peppered all the way through, which were enough to keep me hooked start to finish.His father ran the business as well as an accountant. His sister Genevieve now runs the company along with her husband. He attended Charterhouse School and later attended Ravensbourne Film School. James spent a few years working in North America as a film producer and screenwriter. He got his start in 1970 on the Canadian children’s television show Polka Dot Door as an errand boy and later writer. He cofounded Movision Pictures in the nineties. James became a successful producer of 26 films. The first movie he produced was 1971’s The Corpse Grinders. In addition to Corpse Grinders, Peter James has also produced such movies as Under Milk Wood, Dead of Night, Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things, Spanish Fly, Jericho Mansions, Head in the Clouds, and The Bridge of San Luis Rey. He was the executive producer of 2004’s take on Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.

Absolute Proof: The Thrilling Richard and Judy Book Club Pick Absolute Proof: The Thrilling Richard and Judy Book Club Pick

I'm also curious as to how proving the existence of Jesus Christ would constitute definitive proof of God's existence? But that could just be my ignorance showing. 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.

It was a very well written and interesting story and I enjoyed it immensely. If you are a fan of Dan Brown, then you will surely love this book as well. Even though I could have finished this book on my own much faster, I rather enjoyed Hugh Bonneville narrating it. All the hallmarks of James writing is present in this title, the short snappy chapters that make you want to read just one more plus Brighton featuring heavily again (I was looking out for a Grace Easter Egg - but didn't spot anything). 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. 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.