IncrediDad’s Introduction for Book Review Repost
Hey IncrediFans!
Quick heads up—this review is reposted from my book review blog, The Beginning, The Middle, and The Twist, where I’m on a mission to read a book a week and share my thoughts.
I’ll be honest: I have no idea who’s actually reading these reviews or if anyone really wants to know what I’m reading. But here’s the thing—I love books. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. And I want to share that love of reading with everyone I meet. That includes Boy Wonder, Twinkle Toes, and IncrediMom. If even one person discovers a new favorite book because I couldn’t stop talking about it, then mission accomplished.
So whether you’re here for the dad jokes, the superhero references, or (apparently) to have your innocent classical music choices forever ruined, welcome to my latest reading adventure.
Now, about Dan Brown and that Boléro scene…
After an eight-year hiatus, Dan Brown delivers The Secret of Secrets, the sixth installment in the Robert Langdon series. For longtime fans wondering if Brown still has the magic—spoiler alert: he does. This globe-trotting thriller takes us from Prague’s gothic spires to the cutting edge of consciousness research, and somehow manages to completely destroy the innocence of classical music along the way.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Prague: Where History Meets Mystery
Brown’s decision to set this adventure in Prague proves inspired. The Czech capital’s blend of medieval architecture and centuries-old secrets provides the perfect backdrop for Langdon’s latest intellectual romp. From Prague Castle’s soaring towers to hidden underground laboratories, Brown transforms the city into more than just a setting—it becomes a character in its own right.
The descriptive work here is vintage Brown. You can practically feel the cobblestones beneath your feet as Langdon races through Old Town Square, and the gothic architecture isn’t just window dressing—it’s integral to the puzzle-solving that defines these books.
The Science Gets Deep (In a Good Way)
What sets The Secret of Secrets apart from previous Langdon adventures is its deep dive into noetic science and consciousness research. Katherine Solomon returns from The Lost Symbol, bringing her expertise to the forefront. Brown tackles complex concepts about the nature of mind and memory without making readers’ eyes glaze over—a delicate balance he’s perfected over six books.
The fictional Project Threshold (a covert consciousness research facility) feels grounded enough in real-world CIA programs that you’ll find yourself Googling whether it actually exists. That’s Brown’s superpower: making the extraordinary seem plausible enough to question.
Character Development That Actually Matters
The romantic relationship between Langdon and Katherine adds genuine emotional depth without derailing the thriller pacing. Their partnership feels earned and mature—these aren’t cardboard cutouts running from explosion to explosion. They’re people we actually care about, which makes the stakes feel real.
The antagonists also get nuanced treatment. Rather than cartoonish villains, we get characters driven by genuine beliefs about national security and scientific progress. It’s more chilling because their motivations are understandable.
About That Boléro Scene…
Okay. We need to talk about the Boléro moment.
There’s an intimate scene late in the book between Katherine and Robert that features Ravel’s “Boléro.” Katherine puts it on. Langdon recognizes it immediately. And then Brown drops this absolutely delightful exchange:
“Wait…is that Boléro?” She gave an innocent shrug. “Maybe.” Ravel’s orchestral masterpiece was widely considered the most erotic piece of classical music ever written. Often called “the perfect soundtrack for lovemaking,” Boléro was fifteen minutes of insistent, pulsing rhythm that crescendoed into a full orchestra fortissimo climax that reviewers had referred to as a C-major orgasm.
Langdon’s response? He grabs Katherine’s phone, turns up the volume, pins her to the bed, and then… waits. For ten seconds. Just listening.
“Um, Robert?” Katherine finally said. “What are you doing?”
“Waiting for the clarinet entrance in measure eighteen,” he replied. “I’m not a savage.”
It’s perfect. Quintessential Langdon—erudite, precise, and completely charming. It’s the kind of character moment that reminds you why you love these books.
But here’s my confession, and Dan Brown, if you’re reading this: My mom used Boléro as my son’s lullaby for YEARS when he would sleep over. It worked so well that I started using it too!
Years. Plural. Many, many bedtimes with that snare drum and flute duet gently lulling Boy Wonder to sleep.
And NOW—thanks to Brown’s detailed explanation of it being “the most erotic piece of classical music ever written” with its “insistent, pulsing rhythm” and “C-major orgasm” climax—I will NEVER hear that clarinet solo the same way again.
Every. Single. Bedtime. Has been retroactively recontextualized.
This once-innocent little lullaby has been permanently transformed into something I can never unknow.
Thanks for that, Mr. Brown. Really. I’m going to need another lullaby.
The Formula Still Works
Look, let’s be honest: The Secret of Secrets follows Brown’s established pattern. It’s another globe-trotting romp through history, symbolism, and breathtaking locations. The plot unfolds like a fever dream stitched together by someone who fell asleep during a History Channel marathon and woke up convinced they’d uncovered ancient secrets.
But here’s the thing—Brown has perfected this formula. He knows exactly what readers want and delivers it with confidence. The short chapters end on cliffhangers. The puzzles feel solvable if you’re paying attention. The exposition never bogs down the action for too long.
It’s comfort food, but it’s really good comfort food.
The Nitpicks (Because No Book Is Perfect)
The novel’s ambitious scope occasionally leads to rushed moments, particularly in the final act. Some revelations about Project Threshold could have used more setup. The technical aspects of consciousness research sometimes slow the thriller pacing—though Brown generally balances this well.
The ending leaves certain questions deliberately ambiguous, which may frustrate readers who want definitive answers after following such a complex mystery. But honestly? That ambiguity feels appropriate given the subject matter.
Final Verdict
The Secret of Secrets proves that after more than two decades and six books, Robert Langdon still has mysteries worth solving. Brown successfully ventures into new scientific territory while maintaining the historical intrigue and puzzle-solving that define the series.
The Prague setting dazzles. The science fascinates. The character development satisfies. And the Boléro scene will haunt me forever.
Most importantly, it reminds us why we read Dan Brown: for intelligent escapism that makes us think while keeping us up past bedtime. For stories that respect our intelligence while delivering pure entertainment. And occasionally, for life-altering revelations about classical music that we absolutely did not ask for but will carry with us for the rest of our lives.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Recommended for: Longtime Langdon fans, thriller readers who appreciate intellectual puzzles, anyone interested in consciousness research, and people who want to ruin perfectly innocent classical music
Not recommended for: Parents currently using Boléro as a lullaby (you’re welcome for the warning)
Have you read The Secret of Secrets? Did the Boléro scene catch you off guard too? What’s your favorite Langdon adventure? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!