Review: The Secret Of Secrets by Dan Brown
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If you’ve picked up The Secret of Secrets hoping for another globe-hopping Robert Langdon thriller filled with symbols, conspiracies, and Google-worthy mysteries, you’re in the right place. Dan Brown’s newest installment returns to everything readers expect from him – ancient legends, modern science, frantic chases – and places it all inside the atmospheric streets of Prague.
But does this nearly 700-page epic deliver the same magic as Angels & Demons or The Da Vinci Code? Opinions are all over the map (to put it mildly), and after reading it myself, I have thoughts – some good, some not-so-good.
Below, you’ll find a spoiler-free overview of The Secret of Secrets, along with my honest review, what worked for me, what didn’t, FAQs, and a fun little “Did You Know?” to wrap things up.
Key Takeaways: The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
- A fast-paced, puzzle-filled thriller with all the classic Dan Brown ingredients.
- Heavy emphasis on noetic science and consciousness studies – sometimes fascinating, sometimes… lengthy.
- Prague provides an atmospheric and richly historic backdrop.
- Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon make a solid duo.
- At nearly 700 pages, the story occasionally drifts into overly scientific explanations.
- My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
What It’s About
In The Secret of Secrets, Robert Langdon travels to Prague with Katherine Solomon, a leading noetic scientist preparing to debut her groundbreaking research on human consciousness. When a high-profile murder occurs and Katherine disappears – along with her manuscript containing explosive scientific claims – Langdon is pulled into another whirlwind of puzzles, historical clues, and shadowy forces desperate to bury the truth.
What follows is a continent-spanning (and sometimes mind-bending) chase involving occult legends, secret organizations, a terrifying figure linked to the mythological Golem of Prague, and a race to uncover the manuscript that many believe could disrupt centuries of belief.
It’s a blend of historical intrigue, real-world artifacts, scientific speculation, and Brown’s signature rapid-fire chapters.
My Review Rating – 3.5 out of 5 stars.
A page-turning thriller with classic Dan Brown charm – though weighed down at times by dense, lengthy scientific explanations.
Review Of The Secret Of Secrets
What I Liked
The Setting:
Prague is at its atmospheric best, and is practically a character in the book – and it’s one of the novel’s biggest strengths. From medieval passageways to Gothic architecture to ancient legends, the city’s historic richness makes the perfect playground for a Langdon mystery. I loved the blend of real locations, lore, and European atmosphere.
The Characters:
Langdon and Katherine work well together. Robert Langdon is still Langdon – curious, brilliant, problem-solving, and occasionally too professorial, but in an endearing way.
Katherine Solomon made a strong addition as both his partner and his intellectual counterpart. Their dynamic felt fresh and balanced.
The Plot & Storylines:
This book is fast-paced, Google-worthy (I did a lot of googling), and signature Dan Brown.
This is what I think Dan Brown always does well, and which he did again in The Secret Of Secrets.
- short, binge-able chapters
- puzzles and symbols everywhere
- real-world references that make you want to open Google every five minutes
Even though Brown emphasizes upfront that every artwork, artifact, symbol, document, and experiment in the novel is real, I still found myself googling nonstop. And honestly? That’s part of the fun.
Despite mixed professional reviews, I still found the core storyline intriguing and entertaining.
What I Disliked
The Length:
I love long books – but this one felt long, even for me. Nearly 700 pages is a commitment, and certain sections dragged, especially the more scientific explanations.
The Science Sections:
I’m all for speculative or emerging science, but parts of the novel felt bogged down by extended explanations of consciousness, noetic theory, and philosophical science. These passages occasionally broke the pacing and made the thriller feel more like a lecture.
Looking for more mystery and thriller recommendations? Explore my full Mystery/Thriller/Suspense collection here.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Secret Of Secrets by Dan Brown
Is this book part of the Robert Langdon series?
Yes. It’s the latest installment, following Origin.
Do I need to read the previous books first?
You’ll appreciate the characters more if you’ve read earlier books, but this works as a standalone thriller.
How long is the book?
Almost 700 pages – one of Dan Brown’s longer works.
Is the science real?
Dan Brown states that all science, artifacts, organizations, and documents referenced are real. However, some critics argue that the scientific conclusions and implications stretch into speculative territory.
Is this book fast-paced like other Dan Brown novels?
Yes – short chapters and big cliffhangers. But the dense scientific passages may slow down some readers.
Is it worth reading if I didn’t like The Da Vinci Code?
Probably not. This book leans heavily into the formula Brown is known for.
If you enjoy his style, you’ll likely enjoy this one, and vice versa.
Conclusion: The Secret of Secrets
The Secret of Secrets delivers exactly what Dan Brown fans come for: symbols, conspiracies, historical breadcrumbs, and a breathless race through a stunning European city. While not perfect – thanks to its length and some overly technical scientific detours – it still provides an engaging ride packed with intrigue and atmosphere.
Personally, I actually liked some of Dan Brown’s earlier books like The Da Vinci Code, and Angels & Demons. But if you enjoy Robert Langdon, Prague, and speculative science, this one is worth picking up. Just be prepared for a few extra-long chapters along the way.
If you love fast-paced thrillers like The Secret of Secrets, you can find more mysteries and suspense picks on my Mystery & Thriller Books page, where I curate all my reviews, lists, and book recommendations in this genre.
Did You Know?
The Golem of Prague – a key figure in the novel – is based on real Jewish folklore involving Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, a 16th-century scholar who, legend says, created a clay guardian to protect the Jewish community. The legend is so iconic that visitors still search Prague’s Old-New Synagogue hoping to glimpse where the Golem was said to rest.
