Angels & Demons
question
Who else writes books like this?
Kristen
Aug 02, 2013 04:27PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Angels and Demons is still my favorite of the Langdon books. I think all three of the others have had their ups, downs, good moments, and bad moments, but none of them have REALLY grabbed me the way this first Dan Brown book (at least, the first one I read...) grabbed me.
So I wonder if maybe I need to read a fresh voice. I would love to find other authors who write this type of story. Specific elements that grabbed me:
1) The mystery: Having a "code" to solve
2) The thriller: Not being able to put a book down
3) The history: True events from the past wrapped up in fiction
4) The science: Ditto: real science playing into the story
5) The travel: Globetrotting through the plot and visiting some cool locations, as long as it's necessary to the story, and not just gratuitous. If it's unnecessary, it bugs me (ahem - Venice and Istanbul - ahem!)
Suggestions?
So I wonder if maybe I need to read a fresh voice. I would love to find other authors who write this type of story. Specific elements that grabbed me:
1) The mystery: Having a "code" to solve
2) The thriller: Not being able to put a book down
3) The history: True events from the past wrapped up in fiction
4) The science: Ditto: real science playing into the story
5) The travel: Globetrotting through the plot and visiting some cool locations, as long as it's necessary to the story, and not just gratuitous. If it's unnecessary, it bugs me (ahem - Venice and Istanbul - ahem!)
Suggestions?
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You might want to check out Steve Berry. I think his series about Cotton Malone (a really lame name for a main character, I know:-) fits most of your criteria mentioned. I read the first two ( The Templar Legacy and The Alexandria Link )a long time ago, and although I can't remember anything about the plots at all, I remember thinking that they were quite similar to Dan Brown's books.
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If you can stand the scientific aspects being mostly medical you might also check out Robin Cook's stuff. Or if Egyptology appeals check out his Sphinx. It's a good travel adventure rooted in an ancient mystery.
I'd highly recommend Steve Berry as well if you like Dan Brown style novels. If you like fiction based upon historical events, try my new novel "Whilst the Angels Slept" (Sorry about the shameless self promotion), based around the fall of the Empire of Atlantis (admittedly not historical fact, more myth)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whilst-Angels...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whilst-Angels...
You may also enjoy reading Steve Berry, James Rollins and Clive Cussler ... they write adventure books similar to Dan Brown's Langdon series. All three are on my "must read" list and I'm never disappointed by any of their books!
Hi! Check out Sam Cabot. Just finished Blood of the Lamb. Very, very Dan Brown. Hubs thought so, as well (we tried a few different authors trying to find one that was like DB as well. Also the team of James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell. Just finished their Innocent Blood. It's part of a series. Happy hunting!
Allan Folsom is much much better than Dan Brown. Begin with "The Day After Tomorrow" If you don't enjoy it I may eat my copy.
James Rollins is a an awesome writer. He meets all your criteria, but also throws in a little science as well. All his Sigma Force novels are amazing. I agree with some of the others, Steve Berry is great and IMO is better that Dan Brown.
Vincent Dohn
I have 4 books of Rollins already. Question, what's better Judas Strain, Sandstorm, The Devil's Colony or The Kill Switch?
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Two titles spring to mind: "Blood of the Lamb" & "People of the Book".
I've read 5 of Steve Berry's books, 4 of them part of the Cotton Malone series - they are awesome. The best one for me though is the latest one "The King's deception". Having said that, I listened to Berry being interviewed by Elaine Charles the host of the Book report radio show, and in the interview Berry spoke of "The Tudor Plot", a short story he wrote as an introduction of sorts to the King's deception. IMHO - Berry is much easier to read than Brown.
Jennie Millerhagen
His Cotton Malone series is good. They have differences in the plots, fast paced, complex characters, a good read.
teh thriller/travel aspects - you could maybe try Matthew Reilly - they are normally trying to solve some kind of mystery - sometimes code related/sometimes not - they are like military sci-fi type books
The Tenth Chamber by Glenn Cooper fulfills your criteria, I think, and does have an original plot: the mysterious past thing is one of the French neolithic cave painting sites. There is a little too much admiration of himself in the mirror by the hero -- you know, a guy perfect in every way but can't commit -- but I did finish it and even admired the plot and enjoyed the story. I may try another of his. And Harper, as Robin suggests: they both show up together on recommendation lists.
Of course the Rule of Four is the classic smart-people Dan Brown story. I've read it twice; migod, it's good. And WHAT a plot! One of the two authors has not written more; the other, Dustin Thomason, wrote 12.21 on the Mayan Calendar thing that I want to read. If it's even half as good as Rule of Four it will be better than most of the Steve-Berry-type stuff out there. IMO.
Of course the Rule of Four is the classic smart-people Dan Brown story. I've read it twice; migod, it's good. And WHAT a plot! One of the two authors has not written more; the other, Dustin Thomason, wrote 12.21 on the Mayan Calendar thing that I want to read. If it's even half as good as Rule of Four it will be better than most of the Steve-Berry-type stuff out there. IMO.
There's a lot of Da-Vinci-Code-copycats, varying in quality. Steve Berry is probably the most popular. My favs are Raymond Khoury and Tom Harper.
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The Templar Legacy (other topics)
The Alexandria Link (other topics)
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Sphinx (other topics)The Templar Legacy (other topics)
The Alexandria Link (other topics)
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Robin Cook (other topics)Sam Bourne (other topics)
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