Having been an avid fan of Peter James, since well before his Roy Grace crime novels, I broke out in a massive grin of excitement when I saw a hardback version of ‘Absolute Proof,’ on sale in St Catherine’s Hospice charity shop in Redhill, Surrey.

Careful with my pennies, having to survive on the pittance of Universal Credit, I handed over the £1.50 with joy and appreciation, saving a massive £18.50 from it’s original retail price. RESULT!

Described as the international bestselling author of many award-winning novels, I was especially excited about reading this book, because the year before, I picked up a free booklet from WHSmith, promoting the release of the hardback version, with three chapters from the book, wetting the reader’s appetite.

With the passing mention of the legendary King Arthur, and the promise of the Holy Grail thrown in for good measure, it was a story I was eager to read, and frustrated I didn’t have the money to buy the book as a Christmas present to myself!

I always get a cosy, fuzzy and warm feeling when I embark on a Peter James novel. I’m familiar with his style of writing, his pace, chapter length and how he jumps from one scene to another.

I remember with fondness the literal fright I got while reading ‘Twilight.’ That moment when they exhumed a young ladies coffin, only to see scratch marks INSIDE the coffin’s lid; sent a chill of terror down my spine, that still breaks out goosebumps when I think about it.

I’d better put in a disclaimer at this junction in my book review. As much as I’m an avid fan of Peter James, I’m also an avid fan of the historical research of Alan Wilson and Baram Blackett.

Labelled the ‘Forensic Historians’ by documentary maker Richard D Hall; Wilson and Blackett claim that the King Arthur we remember today, was in fact based on a real historical figure, King Arthur II, born on Christmas Day 503AD, in South Wales.

Funnily enough; I wrote an email to Peter James about it; which I may as well share with you now!

Sent on the 11 September 2018, at approximately 9:46am, it read:

So where was I?

I had high expectations of this book, and knowing how much thorough research Peter James does for his novels, I was interested to see whether, (having mentioned King Arthur,) he would follow the discredited route of putting King Arthur in a Glastonbury setting, or whether he may have come across Wilson’s and Blackett’s research himself, and would be brave enough to mention that?

I commend Peter James on his thorough research, because we know he’s a common partner with Sussex police, as he joins patrols and works closely with Dave Gaylor and Graham Bartlett, both retired police chiefs from Sussex police, to ensure his detail is correct.

I often think about a scene in one of his Roy Grace books, in which a criminal was reminiscing about his childhood, and tells a story how his dad once made him stand on a kitchen top and fall forward, under the promise he would catch him before hitting the floor.

As any kid would do, with a solemn promise from his dad, the kid stood up on the kitchen top, fell forward, only to smash his face against the floor, knocking out his front teeth.

“Don’t trust no one son,” the father said, looking down at his bloodied son laying on the floor.

Finishing the story, the criminal said with pride and joy, “That was the best lesson my dad could ever give me.”

I remember reading that chapter with horror, and still believe that Peter James wouldn’t have included it if it wasn’t true. Knowing his appetite for stringent research, I guess that it was a real story told to him by either a police officer or social worker.

So, where was I? Off-track again!

Absolute Proof by Peter James

Loving the book, I noticed Peter James posted the picture above on Twitter, recommending these three books as Valentine Day presents.

Wanting to be like Peter James (an international best-seller), I couldn’t help nicking his idea and putting out my own Valentine Day’s book advert up on Twitter.

I sincerely pray Peter James doesn’t think I’m a stalker (as other people do,) but again, I just couldn’t help myself, and I sent him the following Tweet as a reply.

It was perfect timing because at the time of sending the tweet, I had just finished chapter 94 and had no idea what chapter 95 had in store. It was only in bed that night, that chapter 95 revealed the third set of coordinates – 34°4’56.42″N 118°22’56.52″W’ – to be in West Hollywood, Los Angeles!

I was more than intrigued, I was flabbergasted. Here was I fearing it would have pointed to Glastonbury, hoping it would point to South Wales, and utterly mystified why it pointed to Los Angeles. But of-course, this is exactly why I love reading Peter James. He defies expectation and leads his readers to places they would otherwise never imagine going.

Hey, its 2020 and the book was published in 2018, so I cannot be accused of spoiling the ending for anyone; but here I was hoping that the absolute proof of the son of God would point to the bones of Jesus of Nazarene, when Peter James, had something much better in mind!

Jesus Christ – Mark 2 – in the flesh and blood

A woman with a DNA match to Jesus Christ, married to a man who was also a DNA match to Jesus, who had a son, who to all intent and circumstances, was an exact DNA replica of Jesus Christ.

Only Peter James could have thought up such a scenario!

“I know who I am,” Delaney said….

Brillant, awesome, fantastic, 10/10, Peter James at his very best!

Thank you Peter James; I remain Sir, your avid reader and utterly love your work.

I noted with interest in his acknowledgements that he confessed ‘Absolute Proof,’ to be;

“Undoubtedly the hardest book I’ve ever written, from the sheer scale of the subject matter, but also the one I have learned the most from.”

From a readers point of view, I would have never guessed!

He also mentions his beautiful wife, Lara, who’ve I’ve met myself, as she’s a friend of the wife, of one of my best friends at school.

“Above all, my wife, Lara, who believed in this book from the very start. She has been a constant source of wisdom, and has driven me on with her endless enthusiasm for this project.”

Which makes it only fitting that Lara should get my thanks too…

In a funny way; Peter James knows more about me than anyone, (maybe only equal to what Sussex police know about me), because there was an occasion when Peter and Lara, went for a drink with Lyn and Andy (Andy being my school-hood friend, and Lyn being Lara’s friend), where I know I was a subject of conversation during their meet-up.

I only hope Andy didn’t reveal too many secrets and that I was painted in a good light!

Oh yes; there was one other tweet I sent to Peter James – God I hope he doesn’t think I’m a stalker too!

Sometimes even Peter James couldn’t make it up!

If you enjoyed reading this; would you consider throwing me some cash?

I’d rather you throw me some notes; £1 coins can hurt!

www.PayPal.me/MatthewTaylorGB

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Thanks for reading and please come again!