Believe it or not, I don't just sit in front of a TV or computer all day long. On occasion, I do still take a chance to read a good novel. I recently had the opportunity to read Dan Brown's latest, The Lost Symbol; another entry in the Robert Langdon series after Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code. Once again, Langdon is asked to solve ancient and intricate mysteries surrounding a mysterious organization, this time being the Masons.
Most of Brown's trademark writing style remains here, so if you enjoyed the previous novels you will probably enjoy this one. I can't rank this one as high as my favorite, Angels and Demons, however for a few reasons. I found the book a little slow to begin. There just a little too much standing around and talking without equal action going on. Once the plot does pick up and Langdon is on the run from the government, the action is great and it becomes a real page-turner. The book's climax is also somewhat of a letdown. After the bad guy is defeated, there's still another 50 pages of exposition that provides little pay off. Without saying too much, the big secret that's revealed is nothing as scandalous or interesting as what is proposed in The Da Vinci Code. Finally, while certainly steeped in history, I found the book's Washington DC setting lacking in the same appeal and intrique that the Vatican offered in A & D. So while this isn't Brown's best effort, it has enough to make it a decent pick-up during the summer if you're looking for somethingto read while laying out on the beach. Grade: B-
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