Dan Brown: Master of the thrilling novel Robert Langdon series

Dan Brown is a name synonymous with thrilling, edge-of-your-seat novels that keep readers hooked from start to finish. Best known for his Robert Langdon series, his writing style is distinctive and engaging, often characterized by the following elements:

• Fast-Paced Narrative: Brown's novels are known for their quick tempo and short chapters, which keep readers on the edge of their seats.

• Cliffhangers: He frequently ends chapters with cliffhangers, prompting readers to continue to the next chapter to find out what happens next.

• Detailed Research: Brown incorporates a wealth of historical, scientific, and artistic details into his stories. His thorough research adds depth and authenticity to his fictional worlds.

• Complex Plots: His novels often involve intricate plots with multiple twists and turns. Brown expertly weaves together various narrative threads, which come together in unexpected ways.

• Symbology and Puzzles: A hallmark of his writing is the use of symbols, codes, and puzzles that characters must decipher to advance the story. This element engages readers' intellect and curiosity.

• Themes of Conspiracy and Secrets: Brown often explores themes related to hidden truths, conspiracies, and secret societies, adding an element of mystery and intrigue.

• Third-Person Point of View: He typically writes in the third person, providing multiple perspectives and insights into the minds of different characters.

• Visual Descriptions: His descriptive language paints vivid images of the settings, from historic landmarks to hidden chambers, which helps readers visualize the scenes.

• Educational Elements: Despite being fiction, Brown's novels often educate readers on a variety of topics, from art history to cryptography.

His most notable works include "Angels & Demons," "The Da Vinci Code," "The Lost Symbol," "Inferno," and "Origin." These novels weave together elements of cryptography, art, and conspiracy theories, creating a rich tapestry of mystery and intrigue.

Brown's achievements in the literary world are remarkable. His books have sold over 200 million copies globally and have been translated into 57 languages. In 2005, TIME Magazine recognized his influence by naming him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Whether you're a long-time fan or new to his work, Dan Brown's novels offer an exhilarating journey through the world of secrets and codes. Prepare to be enthralled!

Belle Plaine Books has the following Dan Brown books available:

Angels & Demons: A Novel (Robert Langdon #1)

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Angels & Demons

Book 1 of the Robert Langdon series published in 2000

The story follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as he is called to investigate the murder of a physicist at CERN. He discovers that the murder is part of a conspiracy involving the secret society of the Illuminati. Alongside scientist Vittoria Vetra, Langdon races against time to prevent a catastrophic event in Vatican City.

The story takes readers to various iconic locations, including CERN in Switzerland and numerous landmarks in Rome, such as the Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Pantheon.

The novel delves into themes of science versus religion, the conflict between faith and reason, and the hidden influence of secret societies. It also explores the concept of antimatter and its potential uses.

Inferno: A Novel (Robert Langdon #4)

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Inferno

Book 4 of the Robert Langdon series published in 2013

In "Inferno," Harvard professor Robert Langdon wakes up in a hospital in Florence, Italy, with no memory of the past few days. He quickly discovers that he's at the center of a dangerous plot involving a biomedical crisis. Langdon, along with Dr. Sienna Brooks must decode clues related to Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy" to prevent a global catastrophe.

The story takes readers to several iconic locations, including Florence, Venice, and Istanbul, with detailed descriptions of famous landmarks like the Palazzo Vecchio, the Boboli Gardens, and the Hagia Sophia.

The novel explores themes such as overpopulation, bioethics, and the influence of literature and art on contemporary issues. It also delves into Dante's work and its historical and cultural significance.

Origin: A Novel (Robert Langdon #5)

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Origin

Book 5 of the Robert Langdon series published in 2017

The story follows Robert Langdon as he attends a presentation by futurist billionaire Edmond Kirsch at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain. Kirsch claims to have discovered the answers to humanity's two biggest questions: "Where do we come from?" and "Where are we going?". However, before he can reveal his findings, Kirsch is assassinated. Langdon, along with museum director Ambra Vidal, must uncover Kirsch's secret and reveal it to the world while evading deadly threats.

Journey along to iconic locations in Spain, including the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Sagrada Família, and the Royal Palace of Madrid. Brown's detailed descriptions bring these landmarks to life.

"Origin" explores themes such as the intersection of science and religion, the impact of technology on society, and the quest for knowledge and truth. It delves into questions about the origins of life and the future of human evolution.

Have you read any of his books? If so, which one was your favorite?

Happy Reading!

A Love of Cooking

My mother had a passion for cooking, as a family, we often became reluctant participants in her daily culinary experiments. There was a time when I asked her not to tell me what she was cooking because, as a child, just hearing the name of a dish (like oxtail soup) could make me lose my appetite before dinner. Interestingly, the unnamed dinners often turned out to be the tastiest. The successful dishes earned a bookmark or folded page in the cookbook, while the unsuccessful ones were discarded along with the recipe.

Her passion for cooking was matched only by her pursuit of tasty family recipes. Over the years, this pursuit led to an impressive collection of cookbooks, including those small specialty recipe booklets found at the grocery checkout. She even compiled her own cookbooks by clipping recipes from newspapers or magazines and arranging them in a binder for future reference, one of which she made for my 33rd birthday that I still often refer to.

After Mom passed away, I inherited the majority of her cookbooks to include in my collection. One of my favorites is an old one that belonged to my grandmother, titled: Culinary Arts Institute Encyclopedic Cookbook. It was a Christmas gift from my grandfather in 1948. I am sure my grandmother did not find it amusing since, like me, she didn’t enjoy cooking.  Considering my collection, which is quite ironic! Honestly, we loved to eat but preferred that someone else managed the cooking and cleanup!

Now, years later while I'm out selecting books for the business, I find myself drawn to purchasing cookbooks. Like Mother, like Daughter, I'm sure both of our collections will continue to grow.

Iris Johansen

Is an American writer of romance, crime fiction, and suspense fiction who has written 105 books and has achieved an impressive milestone with more than 30 consecutive New York Times best sellers!

She began her writing career in the early 1980's after raising her children by writing romance novels. She changed direction slightly and began writing historical romantic suspense novels in 1991 starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. On her website Johansen says she began writing romance novels because she loves happy ever after endings, but she wanted to challenge herself more. That led to her genre shift, following which she began the Eve Duncan series, featuring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan has been particularly successful, selling over 20 million copies worldwide. The second book in the series "The Killing Game" was adapted into a Lifetime television film in 2011 staring Laura Prepon as Eve Duncan with Noami Judd playing the role of Eve's mother Sandra Duncan.

Johansen lives near Atlanta, GA and works very closely with her children. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an award-winning author and screenwriter and has co-authored series with his mother. Her daughter, Tamara, is her research assistant.

Listed below is more information about the series of books we have available by this prolific author.

The Eve Duncan series is about a fictional forensic sculptor known for her expertise in reconstructing the faces of victims from their skulls, helping to identify them. She has a tragic past that drives her dedication to her work—her daughter, Bonnie, was kidnapped and presumably murdered, and Eve has never given up on finding her daughter's remains and bringing her killer to justice.

Throughout the series, Eve's work often draws her into dangerous situations as she assists law enforcement in solving cases. She is known for her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. Her personal life and relationships, especially with her partner Joe Quinn and her adopted daughter Jane MacGuire, are also central to the series.

The Eve Duncan series is beloved for its intricate plots, emotional depth, and strong, compelling characters.

The first Eve Duncan trilogy series in 2011 by Iris Johansen refers to a specific set of three novels within the larger Eve Duncan series that focus on Eve's search for her kidnapped daughter, Bonnie. This trilogy delves deeper into Eve's personal journey and her relentless pursuit of justice.

The trilogy includes:

1. Eve - The first book provides a background on Eve Duncan's life, her early struggles, and the events that led to her becoming a forensic sculptor. It also explores her deep love for her daughter, Bonnie, and the devastating impact of Bonnie's abduction.

2. Quinn - The second book centers around Joe Quinn, Eve's partner and a former Navy SEAL turned Atlanta detective. It delves into his perspective, their relationship, and the lengths he goes to support Eve in her quest.

3. Bonnie - The final book in the trilogy brings Eve's journey to a climactic conclusion as she uncovers the truth about Bonnie's disappearance. It's an emotional and suspenseful story that ties together the threads of Eve's past and present.

This trilogy is a must-read for fans of the Eve Duncan series, offering a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations.

Catherine Ling Books is another spin-off series from Iris Johansen’s Eve Duncan series. Catherine Ling has been a CIA operative since she was fourteen and grew up on the streets of Hong Kong. Beginning with Chasing the Night is the crossover novel where Catherine enlists the help of Eve Duncan to identity her son Luke's kidnapper. This series is filled with suspense, action, intricate plots making them a must for fans of crime fiction and espionage.

The first series co-authored with her son Roy Johansen is the Hannah Bryson Books which consists of two books: Silent Thunder and Shadow Zone. They introduce the character Hannah who is a marine architect who gets involved in a dangerous adventure when she's tasked with inspecting a newly acquired Russian submarine. Both books are filled with suspense, action, and intrique.

Another series co-authored with her son is the Kendra Michaels series which follows Kendra Michaels, a former music therapist who was blind for the first twenty years of her life. After undergoing a stem cell procedure that restores her sight, Kendra discovers she has an extraordinary ability to observe and analyze her surroundings, making her a valuable asset to law enforcement agencies

The Standalones

Iris Johansen has published eighteen fiction standalones throughout her career as an author, these are great options without committing to a lengthy series.