By BrainFall Staff - Published: June 18, 2024
If you’ve ever read a Dan Brown book, you know what a thrill it can be! Chasing down historical facts with jaw-dropping fiction is what makes Dan Brown’s books so exciting.
I mean, who knew symbology could be so fun and entertaining?
Dan Brown burst into the zeitgeist with The Da Vinci Code and his hero, Robert Langdon, became one of the most exciting characters over the span of five novels. He has had films and television series made off of his books.
Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon novels aren’t the only books that he has published. He also had two stand-alone books, Digital Fortress and Deception Point, which didn’t discuss historical fiction as much as his other series of books.
Regardless of what you’re reading, Brown’s frenetic pacing and stories steeped in history make for page-turners! With plenty of action scenes set around keeping the world’s best-kept secrets, Brown has made some of the most exciting novels of the past 25 years.
So which one should you read next? Take this quiz and find out.
Dan Brown books
Dan Brown is an American author who has written many historical thrillers. His best-known series, which features Professor Robert Langdon, focuses on different missions highlighting early Christian history and the Catholic Church.
Dan Brown books are known for their exciting chase scenes, short chapters, and ability to make you never want to put them down. His first Robert Langdon book was Angels & Demons and his biggest worldwide hit came next in The Da Vinci Code.
The Da Vinci Code became a global phenomenon, selling millions of copies worldwide. He followed that with The Lost Symbol, Inferno, and Origin.
His debut novel, Digital Fortress, came out in 1998 and is a stand-alone novel. His other stand-alone novel, Deception Point, came out after Angels & Demons.
Tom Hanks starred as Robert Langdon in three films of a major motion picture franchise, The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and Inferno. The Lost Symbol was turned into a Peacock Original series.
Dan Brown was a musician and a professor at his alma mater, Phillips Exeter Academy, before becoming a full-time author. He has a love for art history, which is shown in his writing.
Which Dan Brown Book Should I Read Next?
Deciding which Dan Brown novel to dive into next can be as tricky as one of Robert Langdon's infamous quests! If you're a fan of edge-of-your-seat thrillers packed with historical puzzles, then Brown's books are akin to literary catnip. We've all been there, breathlessly turning the pages well past bedtime, getting lost in clandestine societies and ancient symbols. So, if you've recently had a fling with "The Da Vinci Code" and are now left craving more, you're in good company.
Now, we've got quite the conundrum on our hands—like true Langdon enthusiasts might—we're tasked with deciphering which thrilling adventure should be next on our reading list. Will it be a journey through the Capitol's secrets in "The Lost Symbol" or perhaps a trip to Italy's heart with "Inferno"? The suspense is just unbearable, isn't it?
Why not leave it to the literary fates (or, okay, our nifty quiz) to point us toward our next Dan Brown escapade? Because, let's face it, our inner symbologist yearns for the thrill of the chase, the rush of revelation, and that 'aha' moment when all the pieces fall into place. So, fellow thrill-seekers, shall we embark on this quest together? After all, decoding Dan Brown's next read is one puzzle we're more than excited to solve!
Choosing Your Dan Brown Adventure
Ready to decode some symbols or dodge danger in exotic locales? We've got the ultimate cheat sheet to help you choose a thrilling read!
A Quick Guide to the Robert Langdon Series
Fancy a whirlwind tour with Harvard's sharpest professor of symbology? Robert Langdon's your man, and he doesn't disappoint. He makes cracking ancient codes and puzzle-solving look like child's play (but trust us, it's not!). Diving into this series means you'll hop from Angels and Demons through the world-famous The Da Vinci Code, zip past The Lost Symbol, and into the fiery depths of Inferno. Finally, cap it off with a futuristic twist in Origin. In true Dan Brown style, each book is a page-turner, marrying history, religion, and a dash of conspiracy for good measure.
🔍 Robert Langdon Series Order:
- Angels and Demons
- The Da Vinci Code
- The Lost Symbol
- Inferno
- Origin
Taking the Road Less Travelled: Standalone Novels
Now, if you're one to stray from the beaten path (aren't we all a bit rebellious?), Dan Brown's standalones beckon. Digital Fortress tackles the titans of the NSA with a threat that could crack the country wide open. Prefer science over cyphers? Deception Point will jet you off to the Arctic for a discovery with out-of-this-world implications. And for a laugh, our dear Mr. Brown penned 187 Men to Avoid: a defiantly unserious departure from his thrilling mysteries. Can't get enough of that Dan Brown magic? Let these solo adventures keep you up way past your bedtime!
✖️ Standalone Novels:
- Digital Fortress
- Deception Point
- 187 Men to Avoid (Just for giggles!)
Delving Deeper: Art, History, and Conspiracy Theories
We're about to paint a picture where every brushstroke is a clue and every artifact has a story. It's not your average art history class; it's more like Indiana Jones teamed up with Robert Langdon for an adventure where the footnotes are just as thrilling as the main text.
Deciphering Codes and Dodging Bullets
Let's get real: if we're cracking codes, we’re in for some serious suspense. Picture this: we're leafing through ancient tomes and analyzing Renaissance paintings, when—bam!—a cliffhanger hits us out of nowhere. Yup, we're living the dream of every armchair adventurer, deciphering symbols that twist through the chapters like serpents. And if you thought your last-minute sprint to the coffee shop before closing was a thrill, just wait until you're dodging bullets over a centuries-old secret that could alter the fabric of history!
- Symbology: Every squiggle could mean life or death.
- Mystery: It's like the universe's ultimate 'whodunit'.
- Cliffhanger: The literary equivalent of hanging from a precipice by our pinkies—exhilarating!
The Allure of Secret Societies and Ancient Artifacts
Isn't there something a little bit delicious about secret societies? They've got the allure of the forbidden, the whispers of age-old rites, and handshakes so complex they'd flummox a magician. The Illuminati, the Freemasons—heck, all the heavy hitters—might as well be our forbidden crushes. And those ancient artifacts, they're not just relics collecting dust. They're history’s equivalent of gossip, dishing the dirt on everyone from the Catholic Church to those who've desperately tried to protect them. With each secret society comes artifacts oozing with intrigue, waiting to trust us with their clandestine love letters to the past.
- Intrigue: Oh, the tangled webs they weave!
- Conspiracy Theories: More theories than your uncle at Thanksgiving.
- Secret Societies: They might not have a clubhouse, but you still really want an invite.