What Are The Best Dan Brown Books? 8 Top Reads

The best Dan Brown books can pass a few hours if you want to expand your literary horizons. Our list rounds them up.

Dan Brown is one of the most popular contemporary American thriller novelists. His published titles focus on the Louvre, the Vatican, and the Catholic church, with his Robert Langdon series being among one of the most popular book series of all time. He was put on the map when Tom Hanks played a pivotal role in bringing The Da Vinci Code to the big screen.

Many readers are curious about what the best Dan Brown novel might be, as many have landed on the New York Times best-seller list. Take a look at a few of the best books by author Dan Brown.

1. The Da Vinci Code, 2003

The Da Vinci Code

Of course, any list of the best books by Dan Brown has to include The Da Vinci Code. It has received positive ratings from nearly every major literary outlet, including Goodreads. Furthermore, this book can be read by teenagers and adults alike.

This book follows Robert Langdon and popular cryptologist Sophie Neveu, who get wrapped up in a murder that takes place in the Louvre museum in Paris. Eventually, the pair started exploring Mary Magdalene, Jesus Christ, and a number of other important religious topics. This book has been translated into dozens of languages and is one of the most popular books.

The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon)
  • Paris symbologist phone call murder painter
  • Brown, Dan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 597 Pages - 03/31/2009 (Publication Date) - Anchor (Publisher)

2. Deception Point, 2001

Deception Point

Even though Deception Point is frequently overlooked because it falls outside of the Robert Langdon books series, it is still one of the most popular books by Dan Brown. It showcases his ability to write on numerous topics that are otherwise outside of the Robert lines in the area.

This book focuses on an intelligence analyst at the White House looking for signs of alien life. Eventually, she realizes that she is in a conflicted position. Her estranged father, Sedgwick Sexton, is running for office against her current employer. What will this situation be like? There are a number of twists and turns in this book. If you’re searching for more thriller books to binge on a weekend, check out our list of the best authors like Mark Edwards. You can also search for thriller authors using our search bar at the top right of the post.

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Deception Point
  • Brown, Dan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 752 Pages - 04/01/2006 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)

3. Angels & Demons, 2000

Angels & Demons

Angels and Demons is another one of his most popular titles. This is the first book in the Robert Langdon books series, and it focuses on a conspiracy theory that involved the Catholic church. This is where we first meet Robert Langdon, who comes from Harvard, and we are introduced to the Illuminati.

The plot focuses on a murdered employee, the Illuminati, and a secret power that can destroy the world. This book was another best-seller, and it was adapted for the big screen in 2009.

Angels & Demons (Robert Langdon)
  • Dan Brown (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 736 Pages - 04/01/2006 (Publication Date) - Pocket Books (Publisher)

4. The Lost Symbol, 2009

The Lost Symbol

The Lost Symbol is book number three in the Robert Langdon series. It follows The DaVinci Code, and it begins with Robert Langdon being invited to the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to deliver a lecture. They are, he realizes that his mentor, Peter Solomon, has been kidnapped. As a result, Robert Langdon joins forces with Katherine, Solomon’s sister, to figure out what happened to him. This book was released after Dan Brown took a six-year hiatus, but it is clear that he did not have a lot of rust when he put this story together.

The Lost Symbol (Robert Langdon)
  • Brown, Dan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 656 Pages - 10/19/2010 (Publication Date) - Anchor (Publisher)

5. Wild Symphony, 2020

Wild Symphony

Wild Symphony represents a significant departure from numerous other titles on Dan Brown’s list; however, it is very important. It is humorous, musical, and entertaining. Furthermore, any and all royalties stemming from the proceeds of this publication are donated to music education for children. Therefore, there are plenty of reasons to give this book a read. While it is not necessarily an adventure or a thriller, like many of his other titles, it is still something that everyone should check out.

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Wild Symphony
  • Hardcover Book
  • Brown, Dan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 44 Pages - 09/01/2020 (Publication Date) - Rodale Kids (Publisher)

6. Origin, 2017

Origin

Origin is one of the most recent publications by Dan Brown, and it is an addition to the line in the series. It is the fifth book in line, and it was also at the top of the New York Times bestseller list. This book takes place in Spain, and it follows Robert Langdon when he is invited to the Guggenheim Museum. There, he is supposedly about to see an amazing discovery that will change the face of science. Even though this is one of his most recent titles, it is already one of Brown’s most popular books.

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Origin: A Novel (Robert Langdon)
  • Brown, Dan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 656 Pages - 07/17/2018 (Publication Date) - Anchor (Publisher)

7. Digital Fortress, 1998

Digital Fortress

Digital Fortress is Brown’s first book. Even though it might not be one of his most impressive writing accomplishments, it is still popular. It is not a part of the Robert Langdon Series, so this might be a good place to start if you are looking to branch outside of that list of books. This book focuses on electronic surveillance by the government, and it shines a light on numerous ethical issues that people have to deal with. Even though it is a thrilling story, it is also relevant to the modern era. There are a lot of unexpected plot twists, and it will make you think carefully about the role that electronic surveillance plays in modern society.

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Digital Fortress: A Thriller
  • Brown, Dan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 544 Pages - 04/19/2024 (Publication Date) - St. Martin's Paperbacks (Publisher)

8. Inferno, 2013

Inferno

Inferno is the fourth book in the Robert Langdon series. It begins with Robert Langdon waking up in an Italian hospital. He appears to have lost a significant chunk of his memory, and there is a mysterious biohazard sign on the outside of his stuff. Eventually, he is forced to run when an assassin is sent to kill him.

This book has a lot of thrilling twists and turns, and it will keep you on your toes from start to finish. How is Robert Langdon going to escape the assassin who has been sent to take his life? Even though this is not necessarily his most popular book, it is still an important installment in the series. If you enjoyed our round-up of the best Dan Brown books, you might also enjoy our list our round-up of best Sidney Sheldon books.

Inferno (Robert Langdon)
  • Brown, Dan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 624 Pages - 05/06/2014 (Publication Date) - Anchor (Publisher)

The Final Word On The Best Dan Brown Books

Ultimately, Dan Brown is one of the best thriller authors writing today. Brown relies heavily on symbolism and historical stories in his works. He also writes about secret societies and urban legends. Whether you’re interested in Freemasons or are simply looking for a thrilling adventure novel, you should check out some of the Robert Langdon novels. Dan Brown is a talented author, and all of these books are worth exploring.

If you’d like to write like Brown, check out our guide on how to become a thriller author. You might also find it helpful to take another course in writing thrillers like the David Baldacci Masterclass.

FAQs About The Best Dan Brown Books

What is the Robert Langdon series about?

These represent Dan Brown’s most popular works. The Robert Langdon series focuses on mysterious symbols throughout history. Langdon goes on adventures to figure out what they might imply about where we have come from, where we are going, and what they mean for current society. There are many challenging puzzles to solve, and some of them lead to dangerous situations.

Why do people like Dan Brown’s books?

There are a few reasons why people like his work so much. First, he can hold your attention from the first page to the last page. Second, he draws on events that many people have heard of. Even though he puts his own stylistic twist on them, it makes it easier for people to relate to his work. Finally, some of his books have also been made into movies, making it easier for people to envision.

Where can I find books that have been written by Dan Brown?

You should be able to find his books on Amazon, but you can also check your local bookstore. Because he is one of the most popular contemporary authors, his books should be on the shelf.

What Is Dan Brown’s Most Popular Book?

Dan Brown’s most popular book is arguably The Da Vinci Code, but surprisingly it’s not the first in its series. The correct order to read the Robert Langdon series of books is to start with Angels and Demons(published in 2000), then the Da Vinci Code(2003). The next three books are The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013) and finally Origin (2017).

Are Dan Brown’s books real?

While Brown’s books are very much works of fiction, they draw on real locations and organizations as their starting point, such as the use of the Catholic Church in the Robert Langdon series. They also draw on popular theories and ideas that existed prior to Brown’s writing of the series, such as the mystery concerning the 13th apostle in the Last Supper painting.

Is Dan Brown Still Writing Books?

Dan Brown is still writing books, although it has been some time since he wrote a new book for the Robert Langdon series. His most recent book was Wild Symphony (2020), a children’s illustrated novel, although he has also been involved with film and television adaptations of his other works.

Are Dan Brown Books connected?

The Robert Langdon series of books are all connected to each other. However, Brown has other novels not connected to each other, such as the novels Digital Fortress (1998) and Deception Point (2001), which explore aspects of modern America through fictionalized narratives.

Are Dan Brown’s books suitable for Twelve Year Olds?

In general, the recommended age for The Da Vinci Code is 14+, as the series deals with themes that would be quite heavy for younger readers. However, Brown’s writing style is incredibly accessible, so if the parent felt their twelve-year-old could appreciate it and handle a moderate amount of violence and some conversations around sex (regarding Mary Magdalene and Jesus having a child) then it should be a perfectly acceptable read.

Are Dan Brown Books Accurate?

While the books are fictional, Brown asserts that the information in them is ‘99% accurate’ in regards to the mysteries uncovered in their plots. This has been challenged over the years, most loudly by religious groups, but historians also take issue with certain details of his books, although some of this could simply be artistic license on Brown’s part.

Author

  • Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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