The last few weeks, I have been very busy re-reading some Dan Brown books, in order to be all “ready” to read the latest one: The Secret of Secrets. I have the first 4 books as paper versions, the first two in paperback, the second 2 in hard cover. But, I read all the books on my Kobo eReader, which was a lot easier on my hands. Plus… It has a backlight function, so I can relax in a darker room, with just some candles on, and enjoy my books to the fullest.

In 4 weeks time, I was able to finish the first 5 books, and I recently started the latest one. I won’t discuss anything about the endings, as I don’t want to spoil the books for anyone willing to read them. Even though the books have been out for a while, execept for the latest one. And, three of the books have been made into movies. I heard one of the books became a TV mini-series, but I haven’t been able to watch that yet.

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The first book of the series, Angels & Demons. I think it became more popular after the first movie had come out, which was based on the second book, The Da Vinci Code. Somehow, they chose to make a movie of the second book, before they made one of the first. After reading the first 5 books, I think Angels & Demons is still one of my favorites. I know it’s my favorite movie, but that also may be because I loved the settings of Rome and the Vatican.

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown is a fast and intense thriller that keeps you reading “just one more chapter”. It mixes history, religion, science, and mystery in a way that feels exciting rather than heavy. The story takes place mostly in and around Vatican City and Rome, which gives it a very atmospheric and almost cinematic feeling. Which is, as I mentioned, also one of the things I love most of the movie they made.

What I really like about this book is how it makes old symbols, secret groups, and famous places feel alive and important, without turning it into a boring history lesson. There’s a constant sense of time pressure, so everything feels urgent and tense. Even when the book explains things, it does so in a way that’s easy to follow. While it’s a work of fiction, there are many things that are based on real-life places, art, people, and organisations, as the author states at the start of his book.

I would definitely recommend this book! If you enjoy mysteries with puzzles, hidden meanings, and a bit of “what if this were real?”, this is a very gripping read. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in quickly and doesn’t let go until the last pages. I know I read it before, but still I managed to read this book again a few weeks ago, in the span of just 4 days.

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The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown is one of those books that really pulls you in from the start. It mixes mystery, history, art, and secret symbols, all set in famous places like museums and old cities. While you’re reading, it feels a bit like walking through Europe, but with a big puzzle hanging over everything. Of course, this book was the “screen introduction to Dan Brown” for many people, as the movie based on this book became a great hit.

The story moves very fast, with short chapters and lots of little twists, so it’s easy to keep reading for hours. Even when the book talks about art or religion, it stays quite accessible and doesn’t feel too heavy or complicated. You don’t need to know much beforehand to enjoy it. All the details that you need to understand the story are well explained in an easy to read and understand kind of way.

If you like stories about hidden meanings, old secrets, and the idea that history might have more layers than we think, this book is a very entertaining read. It’s exciting, mysterious, and definitely one of those books that makes you curious to look things up afterwards. And, along the way, you learn a bit about some historical things, as many of the things that the author mentions are based on real art, locations, people, and organisations, as mentioned at the start of the book. This book, I managed to read in about 4 days as well, but of course, it was a re-read for me as well.

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The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown is another fast and puzzle-filled thriller, but this time it focuses a lot on symbols, codes, and hidden meanings connected to old buildings and secret groups. The story is set mainly in Washington, D.C., which gives the book a different vibe compared to his Europe-based stories, but it’s just as mysterious. But it was the one where I struggled most to “keep reading”, maybe because I had never been to Washington, so I felt “less connected” than I did about the first two books, as I had been in Rome and Paris.

The book has the same short chapters and constant sense of urgency that Dan Brown is known for. Things keep happening, and there’s always another clue or question waiting around the corner. Even when the book talks about history or symbolism, it stays quite readable and doesn’t feel too heavy.

If you enjoy stories about secret societies, old knowledge, and the idea that there is more hidden behind famous places than we normally see, this is a very entertaining read. It’s the kind of book that makes you look at monuments and symbols in a slightly different way afterwards. And, along the way, you learn a bit about some historical things, as many of the things that the author mentions are based on real art, locations, people, and organisations, as mentioned at the start of the book.

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Inferno by Dan Brown has a much darker and more intense feeling than some of his earlier books. It leans heavily into art, history, and big ideas about humanity, all mixed with the usual codes, symbols, and time pressure he is known for. A lot of the story is connected to Dante’s Inferno, which gives the book a very haunting and thoughtful atmosphere. This fourth book became the third movie adaption, with Tom Hanks portraying Robert Langdon one more time.

The setting plays a big role here, especially the historic cities and famous artworks. While reading, it often feels like you’re walking through museums and old streets, with something unsettling hanging in the air. Even though the themes are quite heavy, the writing stays readable and moves along quickly. Details that are important to the story are well explained, in a light and easy to understand kind of way.

If you like Dan Brown’s mix of puzzles, culture, and fast-paced tension, but don’t mind a slightly darker tone, Inferno is a very gripping read. It’s the kind of book that stays in your head and makes you think a bit more after you close it. I liked the book a lot, but Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Origin are still my top 3. (Of course I’ve not finished the 6th book yet, so who knows if it may bring some changes to my “list”.)

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Origin by Dan Brown feels more modern and thoughtful compared to some of his earlier books. It still has the familiar puzzles, symbols, and fast pace, but it also focuses a lot on big questions about where we come from and where we might be going as humans. Science and technology play a bigger role here, mixed with religion and philosophy. And, the way things are evolving with tech these days, the book shows you both the positive as the negative way, which also is a strong part of the story, at least for me.

The settings are very atmospheric, with modern architecture and famous places that give the story a sleek, almost futuristic feeling. At the same time, there’s still that constant sense of tension and urgency that keeps you turning the pages. The book makes you think, but without becoming too complicated.

If you like thrillers that combine mystery with big ideas about life and belief, Origin is a very interesting read. It’s one of those books that doesn’t just entertain, but also leaves you thinking about things long after you’ve finished it. Especially with the way AI is getting more included in our lives these days, whether we want to or not…

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The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown feels very familiar if you’ve read his other books, but it also has a slightly more mysterious and thoughtful tone. It revolves around hidden knowledge, symbols, and old ideas that are still influencing the world today. Time, science, and history all seem to play an important role here.

Like his other novels, the pace is quick, with short chapters and a constant feeling that something important is about to be uncovered. The themes sound complex at first, but the writing stays clear and readable, so you don’t feel lost while reading. It’s the kind of book where clues slowly connect, and you keep wondering what they all mean.

If you enjoy Dan Brown’s mix of puzzles, secret meanings, and big questions about humanity and knowledge, this book fits right in with the rest of his work. It’s engaging, mysterious, and very easy to get absorbed in.

I recently ordered the movie box-set from Germany, as it seemed impossible to get an affordable version here in the Netherlands. I have been watching the movies a few times lately on HBO, and I wanted to have my own “copies”, just in case they’re taken offline. When I saw the 4K + Blu-ray version with a decent price, it was the one I grabbed.

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