The Secret of Secrets

The Secret of Secrets is the first Langdon novel since 2017. Did the time away change Dan Brown’s writing style or themes?

The novel begins with Brown’s signature disclaimer: “All artwork, artifacts, symbols, and documents in this novel are real.” How does that statement affect your reading experience? Do you find it makes the story more believable—or more unsettling?

What were your impressions of Prague as a setting? How did its blend of Gothic architecture, folklore, and modernity add to the tone of the novel?

Langdon is known for his rational, academic approach, while Katherine Solomon represents a more spiritual, intuitive mindset. How do their contrasting worldviews play out in this story? What do you think of their personal relationship? Did it add emotional depth, or distract from the central mystery?

The book explores consciousness—lucid dreaming, out-of-body experiences, and even “remote viewing.” Which parts felt rooted in science, and which felt more like science fiction?

How does the Golem compare to previous Langdon villains? What did you think of the integration of Jewish folklore into the narrative?

Katherine defines precognition as “the ability to sense or foresee future events before they happen.” Have you or someone you know ever experienced something like that—or would you want to?

At one point, Langdon visits the Klementinum, which cleverly markets itself to tourists with “a free airport shuttle, luggage check, and donuts.” What did you think of this humorous moment—and how does Brown balance levity with suspense? (And what do you think of that kind of marketing tactic?

The novel briefly touches on surveillance and privacy through the eyes of intelligence officers and embassy staff and surveillance cameras play a pretty big role in unveiling the mystery. Did that feel realistic or exaggerated?

For returning readers: How does this book compare to previous Langdon novels in tone, pace, and character development?