Books similar to Dan Brown's

Gazella · 03-05-2013, 01:57 AM

I'm looking for novels where the main protagonist tries to decipher codes and symbols and solve riddles, also I'd be very much interested if the story contains historical/scientific references. Any recommendations?

HarryT · 03-05-2013, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazella20

I'm looking for novels where the main protagonist tries to decipher codes and symbols and solve riddles, also I'd be very much interested if the story contains historical/scientific references. Any recommendations?

Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" is probably the architypal novel of the type that you describe. Dan Brown is a pale imitation.

DiapDealer · 03-05-2013, 08:25 AM

I second Harry's suggestion.

Also, The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason.

HarryT · 03-05-2013, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Also, The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason.

I haven't come across this one. Just looked it up on Amazon UK, and I see it's being released as an eBook (in the UK at least) on 28th March. It sounds like my type of book, so I've pre-ordered it - thanks for the recommendation!

This is a book which seems to polarize its readers. 88 1-star reviews compared with 15 5-star reviews! But, from the sound of it, the 1-star reviews are from people complaining that it's a book which makes them think (as "The Name of the Rose" also does).

Gazella · 03-05-2013, 08:33 AM

Thank you both for the recommendations. The Name of the Rose seems very interesting. Have to read that one.

HarryT · 03-05-2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazella20

Thank you both for the recommendations. The Name of the Rose seems very interesting. Have to read that one.

I do recommend it. It's not a "light read", but it repays the effort required.

There's a very good film version of it, starring Sean Connery.

DiapDealer · 03-05-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I haven't come across this one. Just looked it up on Amazon UK, and I see it's being released as an eBook (in the UK at least) on 28th March. It sounds like my type of book, so I've pre-ordered it - thanks for the recommendation!

This is a book which seems to polarize its readers. 88 1-star reviews compared with 15 5-star reviews! But, from the sound of it, the 1-star reviews are from people complaining that it's a book which makes them think (as "The Name of the Rose" also does).

I'll be honest: I bought/read it on a whim quite a while back and have never bothered to read any reviews of it. This is the first I've seen the general "opinion" of readers concerning this book, and I had no idea it was rated so low (162 5-stars to 392 1-stars in the US). Perhaps I just have bad taste in books.

DrNefario · 03-05-2013, 08:56 AM

I'd have said Eco's Foucault's Pendulum was a more direct analogue to Dan Brown. Dan Brown done right, you might say. I really loved it, but again, not a light read.

HarryT · 03-05-2013, 08:57 AM

Most of the UK 1-star reviews are along the lines of "It's not like The Da Vinci Code". I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, but I also enjoy books which are a bit more intellectually challenging, which this book sounds as though it it. I'll let you know my opinion of it after I've read it

.

Synamon · 03-05-2013, 09:41 AM

Peter May's Dry Bones has many of the elements you are looking for. A forensic scientist unravels clues left from an old murder case in France.

Gazella · 03-05-2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I do recommend it. It's not a "light read", but it repays the effort required.

There's a very good film version of it, starring Sean Connery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrNefario

I'd have said Eco's Foucault's Pendulum was a more direct analogue to Dan Brown. Dan Brown done right, you might say. I really loved it, but again, not a light read.

I've never heard of the author whom I assume is Italian or Spanish until this thread. I browsed his other books and Umberto Eco is exactly the author I'm looking for. Foucault's Pendulum as well as the other one mentioned in this thread have elements of history in them which I love. Also, I've just added The Prague Cemetery and Baudolino to my wish list.

Penforhire · 03-05-2013, 12:27 PM

As noted by others, Brown's works are easy summer reads but Eco is anything but easy. In terms of flavor, I think Ken Follett's historical novels felt similar.

Gazella · 03-05-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penforhire

As noted by others, Brown's works are easy summer reads but Eco is anything but easy. In terms of flavor, I think Ken Follett's historical novels felt similar.

I've been wanting to read his Century Trilogy for some time but never got around to doing so. Is this the one you're referring to?

Apache · 03-05-2013, 01:11 PM

The Name of the Rose is a great book and well worth reading again. And as mentioned was a good movie staring Sean Connery.
Apache

Bookworm_Girl · 03-06-2013, 08:57 AM

I like the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry. Each book revolves around a different historical mystery that needs to be decoded, and his adventures are spread all across the globe.

03-05-2013, 01:57 AM	#1
Gazella Wizard Posts: 1,705 Karma: 4619474 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle Paperwhite	Books similar to Dan Brown's I'm looking for novels where the main protagonist tries to decipher codes and symbols and solve riddles, also I'd be very much interested if the story contains historical/scientific references. Any recommendations?

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03-05-2013, 08:25 AM	#3
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,883 Karma: 207000000 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I second Harry's suggestion. Also, The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason.

03-05-2013, 08:33 AM	#5
Gazella Wizard Posts: 1,705 Karma: 4619474 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle Paperwhite	Thank you both for the recommendations. The Name of the Rose seems very interesting. Have to read that one.

03-05-2013, 08:56 AM	#8
DrNefario Wizard Posts: 2,227 Karma: 12029046 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Device: Kindle, Kobo Touch, Nook SimpleTouch	I'd have said Eco's Foucault's Pendulum was a more direct analogue to Dan Brown. Dan Brown done right, you might say. I really loved it, but again, not a light read.

03-05-2013, 08:57 AM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Most of the UK 1-star reviews are along the lines of "It's not like The Da Vinci Code". I enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, but I also enjoy books which are a bit more intellectually challenging, which this book sounds as though it it. I'll let you know my opinion of it after I've read it .

03-05-2013, 09:41 AM	#10
Synamon Lunatic Posts: 1,691 Karma: 4386372 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Land of the Loonie Device: Kindle Paperwhite and Keyboard, Kobo Aura, iPad mini, iPod Touch	Peter May's Dry Bones has many of the elements you are looking for. A forensic scientist unravels clues left from an old murder case in France.

03-05-2013, 12:27 PM	#12
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	As noted by others, Brown's works are easy summer reads but Eco is anything but easy. In terms of flavor, I think Ken Follett's historical novels felt similar.

03-05-2013, 01:11 PM	#14
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,306 Karma: 90981752 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	The Name of the Rose is a great book and well worth reading again. And as mentioned was a good movie staring Sean Connery. Apache

03-06-2013, 08:57 AM	#15
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	I like the Cotton Malone series by Steve Berry. Each book revolves around a different historical mystery that needs to be decoded, and his adventures are spread all across the globe.