Hello dear readers,
I realize I have been gone for quite some time, and can only say as an excuse that life is full. I was able to spend some time with both my children for the holidays, but as they are grown and have their own lives, I did have to travel to one of them this year. I considered the trip very worthwhile, but I have had countless demands on my time, so I haven’t had the luxury to sit and just write for far too long. Of course, I did manage to take a couple of books with me, and so I can finally sit down and offer my latest review.
The Secret of Secrets (Robert Langdon, #6) by Dan Brown (Goodreads Author)
Amy Caudill‘s review
The sixth installment of author Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series features the globe-trotting Harvard symbologist attending a prestigious talk given by new girlfriend Katherine Solomon in Prague. Dr. Solomon, a long-time colleague, has written the definitive text on consciousness theory, a treatise which apparently is so explosive a splinter division from the CIA will stop at nothing to prevent her publishing it.
With Katherine in danger, Robert dives in, literally into an icy river, and figuratively, to protect her and discover who and what is targeting her work. The reader is treated to an exploration of the art and culture of Prague as clues are hidden all around, and under the city.
Meanwhile, others are also searching for answers, including an apparent figment out of local medieval lore. Will Robert be reunited with Katherine, and will they be able to salvage her manuscript, that has somehow been erased from the publisher’s server? And who or what is the mysterious Golem, who seems to be both stalking them and taking out their enemies?
This is certainly the longest novel in this series to date, at more than 670 pages, but the author includes enough action and depth of plot in the story that the word count feels justified. There are twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat for the long haul. Meanwhile, Robert Langdon continues to amaze as he puts together obscure clues with the efficiency of Sherlock Holmes.
The only criticism I have is that there seems to be so little continuity from his other stories; one would think that Langdon’s character would be more effected by some of his past experiences and relationships than his demeanor suggests. The only reference noted to past adventures is made by his editor, in an aside, that Robert is always in the middle of dangerous situations.
All being said, this is an excellent story full of thrills, suspense, and plot twists to satisfy most readers, along with some tender moments of romance that lead fans of the series to wonder if this is the one love that Langdon will keep for longer than the end of one novel. I give The Secret of Secrets 5 stars, and recommend it to fans of thrillers, mysteries and spy novels.
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