Robert Langdon Books in Order (With an Overview)

If you love treasure hunts and fast-paced adventures filled with ancient mysteries, hidden codes, and breathtaking locations, you will LOVE the Robert Langdon book series by Dan Brown. These books follow the brilliant Harvard professor and expert on symbols Robert Langdon, who always seems to find himself caught up in high-stakes global conspiracies.  (Seems normal for a Harvard professor, right?)

Whether you’re new to the Langdon series or looking to revisit your favorites, this guide will walk you through each of the Robert Langdon books in order, with insights into their plots, settings, and cultural intrigue.

I’ve personally read all the books and am working my way through them all again. I’ve also visited some of the real-life locations mentioned—including Florence, Rome, Paris, and Prague. These novels always leave me eager to explore more of the world, and they’re excellent choices for travel lovers, mystery buffs, and book clubs alike.

Who is Robert Langdon?

Langdon is a Harvard University professor specializing in religious iconology and symbology (a fictional field that combines art history, religion, and semiotics—the study of signs). He’s brilliant, curious, and a bit of a reluctant action hero (have you heard of an action hero with claustrophobia?). Most of the books in the Robert Langdon series open with a murder or mysterious event that pulls him into a race against time to stop a global catastrophe—all while decoding cryptic messages, art, and architecture.

One of the things I appreciate most about this book series is how much I learn along the way. Each story blends fact and fiction in a way that inspires curiosity—even though that means I spend half my time looking up things to see if they’re real. And, of course, I appreciate that the vivid descriptions of churches, galleries, monuments, and museums feel like a whirlwind travel itinerary—and they’re almost all real places you can go visit yourself!

Robert Langdon Books in Order

Here’s a chronological guide to the Robert Langdon book series as of August 2025, including brief overviews and links to my related blog content (which is continuously being worked on!).

Angels & Demons (published in 2000)

• Locations Visited: Geneva, Switzerland; Rome, Italy; Vatican City
• Overview: When physicist Leonardo Vetra is found murdered and branded with a mysterious symbol, Robert Langdon is called to CERN (a super secret research facility in Switzerland) to investigate. He soon learns the secret society of the Illuminati may be behind the murder—and a deadly device threatening to destroy the entire Vatican City and all the leaders of the Catholic church during a papal conclave. Partnered with the beautiful and smart Vittoria Vetra, Langdon must follow a secret trail through Rome’s most iconic sites before it’s too late.

The Da Vinci Code (Published in 2003)

• Locations Visited: Paris, France; various European locations
• Overview: When the curator of the Louvre is found dead inside the famous museum surrounded by strange symbols, Langdon is pulled into a secret world of codes, religious history, and ancient societies. With cryptologist Sophie Neveu, he deciphers clues left in Da Vinci’s artwork and by the dead Louvre curator, unraveling a mystery that could shake the foundations of Christianity. A global bestseller, The Da Vinci Code is the one that sparked international debate (you’ll understand why when you read it) and brought Langdon into pop culture stardom (see notes below about Robert Langon on screen).

The Lost Symbol (Published in 2009)

• Locations Visited: Washington, D.C., United States
• Overview: In the third installment, Langdon is invited to the U.S. Capitol by his mentor, Peter Solomon (a well-known philanthropist), but arrives to find Peter missing and a strange symbol left behind. Partnering with Solomon’s sister Katherine, Langdon uncovers secrets hidden within Masonic traditions, American history, and the architecture of the nation’s capital. This is the only Robert Langdon book that takes place entirely in the United States.

Inferno (Published in 2013)

• Locations Visited: Florence, Italy; Venice; Istanbul
• Overview: Langdon wakes up in a hospital in Florence with no memory of the last two days, including no idea how the macabre object he finds made it into his belongings. With the help of Dr. Sienna Brooks, he pieces together clues tied to Dante’s The Inferno, a mad scientist’s twisted plan, and a rapidly approaching global crisis. The art, architecture, and literary references make this one of the most atmospheric novels in the series.

Origin (Published in 2017)

• Locations Visited: Barcelona, Bilbao, and Madrid, Spain
• Overview: At the famous Guggenheim Museum, tech billionaire Edmond Kirsch is ready to reveal a secret that could answer humanity’s oldest questions: Where did we come from, and where are we going? But when he’s assassinated during the unveiling, Langdon (who used to be Kirch’s professor) works with museum director Ambra Vidal to uncover and protect Kirsch’s discovery. This high-tech thriller explores the intersection of faith and science in the digital age.

Book Review for Origin (coming soon); Book Club Guide for Origin (coming soon)

The Secret of Secrets (Published in 2025)

• Locations Visited: Prague, The Czech Republic
• Overview: After nearly a decade away, Langdon returns to the heart of Prague for a mystery that blends science, spirituality, and ancient secrets. He’s invited by noetic scientist Dr. Katherine Solomon to consult on a research project exploring the power of thought to influence matter, but then a colleague’s disappearance and the resurfacing of an ancient manuscript—the Secret of Secrets—plunge them into a web of conspiracy and symbolism. As they race through Prague’s cathedrals, libraries, and underground passages, Langdon and Solomon confront questions about consciousness, faith, and the limits of human potential. Full of historical intrigue, esoteric codes, and philosophical debate, The Secret of Secrets delivers Dan Brown’s trademark mix of suspense and intellect, inviting readers to question where science ends and the mysteries of the mind begin.

Robert Langdon Films

The popularity of the Robert Langdon series exploded after The Da Vinci Code became an international phenomenon. Three of the novels have been adapted into major motion pictures directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks as Langdon:

• The Da Vinci Code (2006) (Yes, it’s the second book, but it was the first movie)
• Angels & Demons (2009)
• Inferno (2016)

The Lost Symbol was also adapted into a short-lived television series, which reimagined Langdon’s early career. While the adaptations received mixed reviews, they introduced the stories to new audiences and inspired thousands of travelers to seek out the sites featured in the books, so they’re a success in my book.

(And there are rumors that The Secret of Secrets has already been bought up by Netflix for a future film.)

Why I recommend the Robert Langdon Books

I’ll be honest, Robert Langdon books are probably not the greatest writing award-winning books, but the series holds a special place in my heart. It’s the perfect combination of action and adventure, brainy puzzle-solving, real-world history, and global travel. I often find myself Googling the buildings, paintings, or phrases mentioned and have added more than a few destinations to my bucket list thanks to these books.

They’re also great for discussion—whether you’re talking about fact vs. fiction, religion vs. science, or just debating which story is the best. (For me, it’s probably a tie between Angels & Demons and Inferno.)  Read through my ideas for a special Robert Langdon Discussion which has ideas for how to read the books/watch the movies, suggested questions for discussion, and some fun ideas to make the event memorable for your group—there’s great opportunities for learning, discussion, and fun.

Final Thoughts: A Journey of Secrets, Symbols, and Discovery

Reading the Robert Langdon book series is more than just solving fictional crimes—it’s about understanding how history influences today and how science, religion, and art intersect. These books challenge you to think critically, reflect spiritually, and dream globally.

What more could you ask for?