Who is Dan Brown?

Dan Brown is one of the bestselling authors of all time. Books like The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons sold millions of copies. But there are plenty of other books Brown has written that you need to read. These stories are available in English but also in many other languages. Let’s explore more about the author and his work.

Dan Brown – a bestselling thrilling and suspense genre author

Dan Brown experimented with various careers. He was a composer and singer at one point before getting on the bestseller list, but reading The Doomsday Conspiracy by Sidney Sheldon convinced him to try his hand at being a full-time writer.

And no one could have predicted the impact his books would have. The book that changed everything was The Da Vinci Code, but strangely enough, it wasn’t the first in the Robert Langdon series. After the New York Times bestseller, Angels and Demons, The Lost Symbol, and Digital Fortress all gained popularity in an instant.

Family history and writing career

Daniel Gerhard Brown was born in 1964 in New Hampshire, and he is the oldest of three children. Dan Brown grew up on the Phillips Exeter Academy campus, thanks to his father, who was a teacher.

He has a younger brother and a younger sister. From early childhood, Brown was interested in puzzles and secrets. Brown finished Philips Exeter and attended Amherst College after that.

After changing careers, getting married to Blythe Newlon, and deciding to try his luck in writing, the author Dan Brown published his first book in 1998 – Digital Fortress. And the rest is history.

Dan Brown’s most popular novels

When it comes to Dan Brown’s most popular books, it is impossible not to mention The Da Vinci Code. The book received a lot of attention, and the series became one of the bestselling books of all time.

But this doesn’t mean that there aren’t other Brown novels worth checking out. If you like thrillers, you need to check these out as soon as possible. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure with Freemasons, the Illuminati, Leonardo da Vinci, various other dangerous societies, and secrets the Vatican tried to hide.

The Da Vinci Code (2003)

This mystery thriller was released in 2003, and it changed everything. The story follows a professor of symbology named Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu, a cryptologist from France. Trying to solve a murder in Louvre, the pair finds themselves in the middle of a battle between two cults (Opus Dei and Priory of Sion) trying to find the holy grail.

What is interesting is that The Da Vinci Code is the second book in the Robert Langdon novels.

Angels and Demons (2000)

Angels and Demons is the novel that introduces Robert Langdon, and it shares many elements with the rest of the series. It is a mystery thriller filled with conspiracy theories, secret societies, and action.

It is a book you won’t be able to put down, and one of the best in the series.

Inferno (2013)

Inferno is the fourth book in the Robert Langdon series, and it was published in 2013. The story starts with a disoriented Langdon trying to figure out how he arrived in Florence.

It wasn’t long before he found himself on the run from the powerful organization that had been chasing him across multiple cities. With a new accomplice, Langdon will try to solve another mystery filled with danger.

The Lost Symbol (2009)

The Lost Symbol is the third book in the series, and it starts in Washington, where Langdon is supposed to teach a class. But as soon as he arrives, things start getting awry. This is a thrilling story that you won’t be able to stop reading, and you’ll keep aching for more.

Digital Fortress (1998)

Digital Fortress, Dan Brown’s debut novel, is not another Robert Langdon story. In fact, it is a step away from secret societies and ancient mysteries. Instead, we have a powerful techno-thriller that focuses on the theme of government surveillance.

It is also a nice starting point if you’ve never read any of Dan Brown’s books. Why not start from the beginning?

Deception Point (2001)

Deception Point, Brown’s third novel, was published in 2001. It tells the story of an intelligence analyst from the White House, who corroborates with NASA’s big discovery – a meteorite that might be proof of extraterrestrial life.

This is another mystery thriller that bears similarities to Digital Fortress but is its own story in every single way.

Origin (2017)

Origin is the latest book published by Dan Brown, and it is the fifth story in the Robert Langdon series. At the beginning of the book, Langdon goes to Bilbao to witness a major discovery by his former student from Harvard.

Needless to say, things won’t go as planned. It is filled with puzzles, mysteries, and danger, but it also has a big surprise for all faithful readers.

Books that turned into some of our most popular movies

One thing many readers already know is that some of Dan Brown’s books have been adapted to the big screen, with a focus on the Robert Langdon series.

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

The film adaptation of the famous book was directed by Ron Howard and was released in 2006. Robert Langdon is played by Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou plays Sophie Neveu, with Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina, and Paul Bethany in supporting roles.

While there are a few differences between the book and the movie, the adaptation was well-received, and it was a successful start of a new movie series.

Angels and Demons (2009)

The second movie in the series goes a step back and covers the first novel about Robert Langdon – Angels and Demons. Ron Howard was still at the helm, with Tom Hanks reprising his role as Robert Langdon.

Other cast includes Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgård, Ayelet Zurer, and many others. The movie version wasn’t as well-received as The Da Vinci Code, but many people loved it.

Inferno (2016)

The final film in the Robert Langdon movie trilogy is Inferno. Once again, Tom Hanks is playing Dr. Robert Langdon, with Felicity Jones, Omar Sy, and Ben Foster in supporting roles.

There were a few differences between the movie and the book, and many critics disliked the adaptation. Of course, if you want to experience the thrill of the adventure, checking out the book is always the best choice you can make.

Listen to Dan Brown’s infamous thriller novels with Speecify audiobooks

Overall, Dan G. Brown is a well-known American novelist who specializes in writing thrillers. He is the author of a number of novels that have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, including The Da Vinci Code. Yet, this doesn’t mean that any of Brown’s other novels are not interesting enough to read as well. If you enjoy thrillers, start reading one of his most prominent books or listen to the audiobook version of the novels with Speechify Audiobooks. Speechify Audiobooks features a wide range of thrillers, including Brown’s Digital Fortress, Deception Point, and Angels and Demon. Enjoy your first audiobook for free when you try Speechify Audiobooks.

FAQ

Is Dan Brown working on a new book?

Yes. While there is no official confirmation, Dan Brown hinted that he’s working on a new Robert Langdon book. The last book published by Brown was a children’s book called Wild Symphony in 2020.

Is there a season 2 of Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol?

No. The Lost Symbol was not picked up for the second season, but it is not as problematic since the first season covers events from the book.

What is the correct order of the Dan Brown books?

The books in the Robert Langdon series are not as connected as some other stories. You can, without any problems, read in any order you like. But it is always best if you read them in chronological order.