15 Books like The Da Vinci Code
Since its publication, Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” has been a bibliophile’s fan favorite with its blend of historical intrigue, religious symbology, and relentless suspense.
Its success has sparked a surge of interest in similar novels that brings together secrets of the past with thrilling narratives.
If you’re a fan of “The Da Vinci Code” and crave more heart-pounding adventures filled with cryptic puzzles and hidden truths, then look no further.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into a selection of books that share thematic elements with Brown’s masterpiece, offering readers a tantalizing journey into the realms of mystery, conspiracy, and revelation.
Get begin.
Books like The Da Vinci Code
1. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
Before “The Da Vinci Code,” there was “Angels & Demons,” Dan Brown’s first foray into the world of symbologist Robert Langdon.
In this thrilling novel, Langdon is swept into a perilous hunt through a real-world labyrinth of art, secret societies, and futuristic science to prevent a deadly plot against the Vatican.
The story blends historical truths with fiction, creating a gripping narrative that challenges the boundary between faith and reason.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels & Demons” combines a fast-paced thriller with a deep dive into historical and religious themes. Both books feature Robert Langdon as the protagonist, whose expertise in symbology and art history is central to unraveling the mysteries presented.
The intricate plots are rich with puzzles, secret societies, and a blend of real historical facts with fiction, making both novels captivating reads for those intrigued by history, religion, and conspiracy.
2. The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell & Dustin Thomason
“The Rule of Four” is a sophisticated thriller that revolves around a mysterious Renaissance text, the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, and its dark history. The novel follows two Princeton students who are close to uncovering the book’s secrets, which have puzzled scholars for centuries.
As they delve deeper, they realize their lives are in danger, propelling them into an intellectual adventure filled with hidden codes, treacherous academics, and a centuries-old mystery.
Major Similarities:
This book mirrors “The Da Vinci Code” in its combination of academic sleuthing with a thrilling narrative. Both stories are deeply entrenched in historical and cultural puzzles, requiring the protagonists to use their intellect and knowledge of history to solve complex mysteries.
The use of a real historical text at the center of “The Rule of Four,” similar to the use of Leonardo da Vinci’s works in “The Da Vinci Code,” provides a rich tapestry of art, history, and intrigue.
3. The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury
“The Last Templar” begins with a dramatic theft at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, leading to a thrilling adventure that ties back to the medieval Knights Templar.
The novel’s protagonist, an archaeologist, finds herself drawn into a dangerous quest to uncover an ancient secret that the Knights Templar discovered and vowed to protect.
The narrative is fast-paced, blending historical facts with fiction and spanning several continents in a race against time.
Major Similarities:
Similar to “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Last Templar” delves into historical religious mysteries and secret societies, with a strong emphasis on the Knights Templar.
Both novels blend historical accuracy with speculative fiction, creating a suspenseful storyline that keeps readers guessing. The themes of faith, betrayal, and the search for truth are central to both stories, offering a compelling exploration of historical what-ifs.
4. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
Set in the mystical hills of southwest France, “Labyrinth” weaves together two interconnected stories separated by centuries. In one, a modern-day archaeologist stumbles upon a cave that contains remarkable carvings and a mysterious labyrinth symbol.
In the other, a medieval Albigensian woman becomes the guardian of a sacred book that holds the key to the Holy Grail. The novel blends historical fiction, adventure, and elements of the supernatural in a quest that spans the ages.
Major Similarities:
“Labyrinth” and “The Da Vinci Code” share a fascination with historical puzzles and the quest for the Holy Grail. Both novels employ dual timelines that enrich the narrative, allowing the past and present to intertwine in the quest for a revered artifact.
The use of historical and religious themes to drive the mystery forward is a hallmark of both books, appealing to readers who love the blend of history, suspense, and speculative fiction.
5. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
“The Historian” is an intricate novel that merges the lore of Dracula with historical research and a pan-European adventure. The story unfolds through letters, as a young woman discovers her family’s past involvement with a scholarly quest to find the real Dracula.
This journey takes her across Eastern Europe, through monasteries and archives, uncovering a centuries-old mystery that blurs the lines between history and myth.
Major Similarities:
Both “The Historian” and “The Da Vinci Code” offer a blend of historical mystery and adventure, with protagonists engaged in intellectual pursuits that turn dangerous.
The novels are rich in historical detail and cultural lore, involving a quest that spans several countries and delves into the past.
The use of historical figures and events as central elements of the mystery links them, providing a deep, immersive experience for readers fascinated by history, legend, and the unexplained.
6. The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra
“The Secret Supper” is a riveting novel set against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy, focusing on the creation of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” The story follows a Vatican emissary who is sent to investigate Leonardo on suspicions of heresy.
As he delves into the mysteries of the painting, he uncovers a complex web of secrets and codes that could shake the foundations of Christianity. The narrative combines art history, religion, and a compelling mystery into a richly woven tapestry of intrigue.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Secret Supper” is steeped in historical and religious mysteries centered around Leonardo da Vinci’s works. Both novels feature puzzles and symbols hidden in art, leading characters on a quest for truth that challenges established historical narratives.
The exploration of secret societies and controversial religious themes echoes the intellectual and thrilling journey found in Dan Brown’s work, making it a compelling read for fans of historical mysteries.
7. The Rosetta Key by William Dietrich
“The Rosetta Key” is part of the Ethan Gage series, which follows the adventures of an American expatriate and adventurer caught up in historical events.
Set in the early 19th century, this installment finds Ethan Gage in a race across the Middle East to find the Book of Thoth, a source of lost Egyptian wisdom.
The novel blends historical facts, adventure, and a touch of humor, as Gage navigates ancient mysteries, secret societies, and the political intrigues of Napoleonic times.
Major Similarities:
This novel shares with “The Da Vinci Code” a fascination with ancient texts and mysteries, set against a backdrop of historical events and locations.
Both books involve a protagonist who uses knowledge of history and symbols to solve puzzles that are intertwined with historical artifacts.
The mix of real historical settings and fictional conspiracy makes “The Rosetta Key” appealing for those who enjoy the blend of history, adventure, and mystery in “The Da Vinci Code.”
8. The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry
“The Templar Legacy” is an exhilarating adventure that follows former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone as he is pulled into a dangerous mystery involving the historic secrets of the Knights Templar.
The novel combines thrilling action with historical intrigue, exploring the Templars’ lost treasures and their long-lasting influence on history. As Malone digs deeper, he uncovers a shocking revelation that could change the world’s view of history.
Major Similarities:
Similar to “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Templar Legacy” delves into the mysteries of the Knights Templar and the search for ancient relics. Both novels feature a blend of suspenseful storytelling, historical puzzles, and a quest for truth that challenges conventional history.
The exploration of secret societies and their hidden knowledge makes both books irresistible to readers who love unraveling the mysteries of the past.
9. The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer
“The Book of Fate” revolves around a young presidential aide, Wes Holloway, who becomes entangled in a deep conspiracy involving a secret society, Masonic history, and a 200-year-old code invented by Thomas Jefferson.
After surviving an assassination attempt that leaves the president disfigured and a colleague presumed dead, Holloway’s life changes dramatically.
Years later, a sighting of the presumed-dead colleague leads Holloway on a chase to uncover the truth, involving historical mysteries and political intrigue.
Major Similarities:
Both “The Book of Fate” and “The Da Vinci Code” feature complex puzzles rooted in historical and secret societal themes.
The use of a cryptic code and the involvement of a secret society parallel the cryptological mysteries and the exploration of hidden histories found in Dan Brown’s work.
The blend of contemporary thriller elements with historical intrigue makes this novel a compelling read for those drawn to the mix of suspense, history, and conspiracy.
10. The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
“The Dante Club” is set in 1865 Boston, where a group of America’s first Dante scholars, including the famous poets Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and James Russell Lowell, come together to solve a series of murders that are modeled after the punishments Dante described in his “Inferno.”
As they delve into the mystery, they must face their own demons and a killer who aims to stop their work. The novel is a rich blend of historical fiction, literary mystery, and thrilling suspense.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Dante Club” intertwines literary and historical puzzles within a thrilling narrative. Both books engage the reader with intellectual challenges and the use of classic texts as keys to solving modern mysteries.
The historical setting, combined with a plot that involves deciphering literary clues to stop a killer, offers a unique twist on the theme of secret knowledge and hidden truths, making it a fascinating read for fans of historical and literary mysteries.
11. The Gaudi Key by Esteban Martín and Andreu Carranza
“The Gaudi Key” is a thrilling novel set in Barcelona, revolving around the architectural masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi. The protagonist, a descendant of the renowned medieval alchemist Arnau, finds herself embroiled in a centuries-old battle between a secret society and the Knights Templar for a legendary lost treasure.
The story blends mystery, history, and esoteric symbols hidden within Gaudi’s works, leading the characters on a dangerous quest through the streets of Barcelona.
Major Similarities:
Similar to “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Gaudi Key” merges real historical figures and locations with a gripping fictional narrative, focusing on the enigmatic works of a historical figure, in this case, Gaudi, as opposed to Leonardo da Vinci.
Both novels involve a protagonist decoding ancient symbols and battling secret societies to uncover a hidden truth. The mix of architectural marvels, historical puzzles, and the quest for a legendary treasure provides a compelling read for fans of art history and mystery.
12. The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell
“The Fifth Gospel” offers a riveting tale set within the secretive confines of the Vatican, involving a rare manuscript, a mysterious death, and the long-standing rift between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
The novel follows two brothers, both priests, who are caught in a web of intrigue, ancient history, and ecclesiastical politics as they attempt to solve a murder that leads them to a shocking biblical discovery. Caldwell’s narrative skillfully combines theological debate, historical insight, and suspense.
Major Similarities:
Both “The Fifth Gospel” and “The Da Vinci Code” are set against a backdrop of Vatican intrigue and secret religious history. The novels share a fascination with ancient texts and their impact on modern faith and society.
The blend of mystery, history, and theology, along with the quest to uncover a truth that could alter the course of religious belief, makes “The Fifth Gospel” a must-read for those who appreciate the interplay of religion and mystery in “The Da Vinci Code.”
13. The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry
In “The Charlemagne Pursuit,” readers are reintroduced to Cotton Malone, a former Justice Department agent, who uncovers startling information about his father’s death.
His quest for the truth leads him to a dangerous secret about an ancient civilization and a covert operation that could change the history of the world.
The narrative is a thrilling mix of historical intrigue, secret societies, and a quest across Europe to uncover a truth buried since the time of Charlemagne.
Major Similarities:
Like “The Da Vinci Code,” this novel features a protagonist skilled in unraveling historical mysteries, with the narrative weaving through various European locales in search of ancient secrets.
The incorporation of historical facts with fiction, the theme of a powerful secret that could reshape historical understanding, and the involvement of secret societies are elements that fans of Dan Brown will find familiar and engaging.
14. The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw
“The Atlantis Code” centers on an archaeologist who uncovers evidence of the mythical Atlantis. His discovery sets off a race against a shadowy organization intent on using the ancient powers of Atlantis for their own ends.
The novel is a blend of archaeological adventure, historical mystery, and conspiracy, taking readers from the sands of Egypt to the icy depths of the Arctic in search of the truth behind one of history’s greatest mysteries: the location and legacy of Atlantis.
Major Similarities:
This book shares with “The Da Vinci Code” an interest in solving one of history’s greatest mysteries through a blend of modern science, ancient lore, and a protagonist who is both an academic and an adventurer.
The themes of a hidden past and a secret society with its own agenda mirror the elements that make “The Da Vinci Code” so compelling. The use of real historical and archaeological research to inform the fictional narrative appeals to readers who enjoy the thrill of discovery.
15. The Alexandria Link by Steve Berry
“The Alexandria Link” features Cotton Malone as he is thrust into a quest to find the lost Library of Alexandria. The discovery of the library could revolutionize the understanding of history and several major religions. \
Malone faces off against a secret society that will stop at nothing to ensure the library’s secrets remain hidden. The novel combines elements of historical mystery, political intrigue, and action, making it a thrilling ride from start to finish.
Major Similarities:
Both novels involve a quest for ancient knowledge that has the power to alter the present world. Like “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Alexandria Link” is imbued with historical intrigue, the hunt for a legendary artifact, and the involvement of secret societies with their own agendas.
Steve Berry’s knack for blending factual historical details with fast-paced fiction mirrors Dan Brown’s approach, offering a similarly engaging mix of history, suspense, and adventure.
