The Lost Symbol
Dan Brown
2009

Recommendation: Present from a friend.
Each time I read a Dan Brown novel I say never again, and then fall for it! I really don't know how the man can write such TEDIOUS thrillers. There is simply too much going on in too short a space of time and far too much formulaic writing. You're mentally ticking the boxes as you read – romantic interest appears, anonymous villain, 1st chase - on foot, 2nd chase - by car, naming of villain, 1st coded message, etc. This time the events of the book are supposed to have taken place in the space of just one evening – even more compressed than The Da Vinci Code and with government agencies involved there is no way this would happen! Almost a rerun of the Da Vinci Code, set in Washington and involving Masonic symbols. The problem at the end is that Dan Brown has to come up with a meaning for his Lost Symbol, beyond that understood by the villain, and here he stretches the credibility still further.
OK for reading when you're feeling ill, or on a long haul flight, but otherwise don't bother.
Read November 2009