Free Download | Da Vinci Code | Dan Brown, Daniel Roche

As a murder mystery with a complex plot, I read the book from cover to cover between shifts and even on shift at work. I always wanted to know what happened next.

The various clues given to Sophie and Langdon were only an iota more complex than a Hardy Boys mystery. I found myself shouting at the book for at least two of the clues (even without having to visit Westminster Abbey and see Newton's tomb). After having figured out the ancient word for wisdom and using Atbash with the Hebrew language, how can anyone miss the Newton clue?

The interesting takes on the Last Supper are not news to me, altough I had forgotten about the hand with the knife. Having never connected the legendary chalice with the painting, that was no surprise, either. LDV wasn't around when the supper happened, and it is his rendition of the scene. The theory of Mary M. being the wife of Jesus is hardly the Holy Grail. At least one very large group of people on earth already have the belief that Jesus married and had children. I am one of those. So when the Grail was revealed, it was a ho-hum revelation to me.

I have only read the book once, and I have to go back to read it again (or the parts that I must have overlooked). I think there is at least one very loose end. At one point Fache was ready to wax Langdon as the killer and relentlessly tracks the fugitives. He has a connection with the Opus Dei, and we start to suspect he has alterior motives. When he finally comes face to face with the fugitives, he is overly nice to them and all is forgiven.

It's a good light read, and I had put off reading it because I heard it made the catholic church upset. I am not catholic, but I don't agree with sect bashing. In the end, the book is entirely fiction and any offense taken by any sect is unfounded. The theories of the "cover up" were laughable in my mind and added no great suspense or value to the murder mystery.

Yes, read it, just because of the interesting historical facts laced with theories.