The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown

Robert Langdon, esteemed professor of symbology, travels to Prague to attend a groundbreaking lecture by Katherine Solomon—a prominent noetic scientist with whom he has recently begun a relationship. Katherine is on the verge of publishing an explosive book that contains startling discoveries about the nature of human consciousness and threatens to disrupt centuries of established belief. But a brutal murder catapults the trip into chaos, and Katherine suddenly disappears along with her manuscript. 

Langdon finds himself targeted by a powerful organization and hunted by a chilling assailant sprung from Prague’s most ancient mythology. As the plot expands into London and New York, Langdon desperately searches for Katherine . . . and for answers. 

In a thrilling race through the dual worlds of futuristic science and mystical lore, he uncovers a shocking truth about a secret project that will forever change the way we think about the human mind.

Hardcover, 688 pages

Published September 9, 2025

 by Doubleday

3.5/5 stars

I haven’t picked up a Dan Brown novel in a very long time, so diving into The Secret of Secrets felt a bit like revisiting an old reading era. What I didn’t initially realize was that this book clocks in at a hefty 680 pages, but once I was in I was committed. It did take me a while to get through, but overall I’m glad I stuck with it.

This story stays true to the classic Brown formula:  high-stakes, short timeline, plenty of action  and a pace that moves quickly even when the page count doesn’t. There are bursts of adrenaline, twists layered throughout and more than a few moments that lean heavily into science and technical detail. At times it did feel quite scientific, but that’s part of his style - mixing fact, speculation and high-tension storytelling.

The central mystery itself was intriguing and kept me on my toes, especially when the pieces started clicking into place. Even when things got dense, the momentum was enough to keep me reading and wanting to know how everything would unfold.

A long but engaging ride, it was clever, packed with twists and a classic Dan Brown read. A solid return to an author I hadn’t read in years.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#46)