The Secret of Secrets

by Dan Brown
The Secret of Secrets cover
Good Books rating 3.38
Technical:
  • ID: 498
  • Added: 2025-09-13
  • Updated: 2025-09-13
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 4
Buy online
Waterstones
Hardback • £17.99–£25.00
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-23
mixed 3.50

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown is a thrilling mystery that combines intellectual intrigue with fast-paced action. While the prose and dialogue may be criticized, the book's engaging plot and nostalgic appeal to the power of written words make it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre.

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown is a captivating mystery that follows Robert Langdon as he uncovers secrets about human consciousness. The book is praised for its brisk plotting and the nostalgic appeal of its themes, making it a testament to the power of the printed word. However, the prose and dialogue are often criticized for being inept and cringingly corny. Despite these flaws, the book's engaging plot and thrilling moments make it an enjoyable read for those who appreciate Dan Brown's style. The intellectual posturing and New Age themes add a layer of intrigue, though they sometimes border on parody. Overall, the book offers a great symphony of murder, mayhem, and mystery that keeps readers hooked.

Quick quotes

    You will find many astonishing sentences in The Secret of Secrets...

    At this stage, everything that needs to be said about Brown’s sentence-by-sentence ineptitude as a prose writer has been said...

    Through some occult alchemy, [Brown's] New Coke is better than the old brew...

bookmarks.reviews · Unknown · 2025-09-23
entertaining 4.00

Dan Brown's new book, 'The Secret of Secrets,' is a 600-page adventure filled with murder, mayhem, and New Age themes. The reviewer finds it entertaining and engaging, suggesting Brown had fun writing it.

Dan Brown's latest installment featuring Robert Langdon, 'The Secret of Secrets,' is a whirlwind of 600 pages packed with murder, mayhem, and a touch of New Age mysticism. The reviewer notes that Brown's enthusiasm for the story is infectious, making it a thrilling read. The book is a testament to Brown's ability to craft engaging narratives that keep readers on the edge of their seats. While the plot may be hectic, the sheer enjoyment Brown takes in writing it shines through, making it a captivating experience for fans of the genre.

Quick quotes

    Dan Brown clearly had fun writing his new book. It’s contagious.

    Robert Langdon is back in “The Secret of Secrets.” Prepare for 600 hilariously hectic pages of murder, mayhem and New Age murmuring.

    In 2003, if you made the mistake of confessing — say, at a barbecue — that you reviewed books for a living, the other men on the patio would look at you piteously until one of them thought to ask, “What did you think of ‘The Da Vinci Code’?

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2025-09-09
mediocre 2.50

The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown is a thrilling conspiracy novel featuring Robert Langdon, filled with cliffhangers and a convoluted plot. The prose is criticized for its ineptitude, but the book's fast-paced action and intriguing concepts keep readers engaged.

Dan Brown's latest novel, The Secret of Secrets, brings back the beloved character Robert Langdon for another adventure filled with conspiracy and intrigue. The story is packed with cliffhangers and a fast-paced plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. However, the prose is criticized for its lack of sophistication, with repetitive and awkward phrasing. Despite this, the book's engaging action sequences and thought-provoking concepts about consciousness make it an entertaining read. The main villain, though, is considered dull compared to previous antagonists. Overall, the novel is a typical Dan Brown thriller that delivers on excitement but falls short in literary quality.

Quick quotes

    The elevator doors rumbled open, and Langdon felt an instantaneous surge of relief to see open air, but that emotion was instantly dampened by disappointment.

    triadic dimensional vortical paradigm; benzimidazobenzophenanthroline; I suggested modifying conductance by adding three millimolars of glutamine to the electrolyte solution — and that’s exactly what they are doing!

    He’s back, baby! Dan Brown’s first novel in nearly a decade reunites readers with the world’s only professor of symbology, Robert Langdon.

washingtonpost.com · Unknown · 2025-09-09
entertaining 3.50

Jayson finds the title 'The Secret of Secrets' fittingly Dan Brown-esque and notes the book's lengthy page count. They appreciate the predictable yet entertaining formula of Robert Langdon books, including the European setting and quick-paced chapters. Despite their mixed ratings for the series, they expect this book to be an engaging read.

Jayson's review highlights the quintessential Dan Brown elements in 'The Secret of Secrets,' starting with the title, which they find perfectly on-brand. The 700-page length is noted with a mix of amusement and trepidation, as Jayson is a slow reader. They mention having to pause their reading due to another lengthy book but express confidence that Dan Brown's signature style—short chapters and shocking twists—will make this a fast-paced, enjoyable read. The review also touches on the familiar tropes of the series, such as the European backdrop and the brilliant yet beautiful sidekick, which Jayson finds entertaining despite the series' inconsistent ratings. Overall, they approach the book with a sense of playful anticipation, acknowledging that while they might not love every installment, they enjoy the ride.

Quick quotes

    The Secret of Secrets has to be the most Dan Brown title to ever Dan Brown.

    Nearly 700-pages? Is Dan Brown trying to kill me?

    Dan Brown books, with their micro-length chapters and shock twists, are sort of designed to be popcorn page-turners.

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