The novel, released on 9/9, marks the return of the 61-year-old author since his last book, "Origin," in 2017. The story continues the adventures of symbologist Robert Langdon, the protagonist of Brown's renowned series, as he deciphers historical mysteries. A Vietnamese translation by Bach Viet Books is slated for release in 2026.
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Author Dan Brown and his new novel. Photo: AP |
"The Secret of Secrets" is primarily set in Prague, Czech Republic, where Langdon attends a lecture by his new love interest, Dr. Katherine Solomon. Solomon, a scientist researching spirituality and human consciousness, is about to publish a book that threatens to shatter centuries-old beliefs. A murder leads to Solomon’s disappearance along with her manuscript, prompting Langdon to embark on a search for her.
Langdon's quest expands to London and New York. Throughout his journey, he finds himself confronting a powerful, shadowy organization and pursued by someone connected to Prague's ancient myths. According to Brown's website, the novel is a dramatic race between the worlds of future science and mystic occultism, where the symbologist uncovers a truth that could alter our understanding of human intelligence.
In an interview with the Associated Press (AP) on 9/9, Brown discussed his new book and his creative process. He explained that thriller writers need a plan from the outset, maintaining a firm grasp on the narrative's development.
"Certainly books of this nature are complex. One way that I've kept things straight is by writing every day just to keep the story fresh in my head. If I go two nights without writing, things start to evaporate. I also have sort of a detective precinct chalkboard of plot points. I also have photographs, string, notes, and Post-it notes all over my house to keep everything consistent," he added.
The AP noted the importance of setting in Brown's novels. When asked if he had a list of cities he wanted to use as backdrops, the author admitted to having a few in mind but declined to name them for fear of causing a tourist influx. He said that he largely favors less-traveled locations like Prague.
"I like to use place as character. I want to make sure that any book I write could only take place in that location. For example, ‘The Lost Symbol’ takes place in Washington, D.C., because it's about the symbols of the capital," he said.
He explained his choice of Prague for the new novel by noting the book's focus on human consciousness and Prague's history as the "occult capital" of Europe since Emperor Rudolf II (1552–1612) brought occultists, scholars, and alchemists there. He added, "As a character, Prague is a perfect place for Robert Langdon. It's filled with secret passageways, massive cathedrals, and monasteries—that's Langdon's world."
Born in 1964 in New Hampshire, USA, Dan Brown is a best-selling author known for his Robert Langdon series. His novels have sold over 250 million copies and been translated into 56 languages. Several, including "The Da Vinci Code," "Angels & Demons," and "Inferno," have been adapted into films starring Tom Hanks. "The Lost Symbol" was adapted into a television series in 2021.
Phuong Thao (via AP)
