I've read DVC and yes, it is a page-turner, but what a poor ending. As for the quality of the writing, just above Jeffrey Archer in my opinion. For a real thriller it has to be Andy McNab!

His plots are fairly gripping but his style is so hideous. No description, no characterization of people. I have absolutely no idea what the protagonist of Da Vinci Code looks like or thinks like or anything. He's just a plot conduit and it's boring.

The first one I read was "Angels and Demons", and then I couldn't wait for DVC to be published. I've enjoyed both novels EXTREMELY - what a read! I agree that Brown's style is maybe not the best in history, but I wouldn't say that everything is predictable (although it's true that I'd always figured out the main villain by the middle of each book). However, I found the books interesting, suspenseful and fast-paced and I'm looking forward to the next installment of the Robert Langdon series.
"Deception Point" was different, but I also liked it very much.
I agree with a few others here that "Digital Fortress" is his worst. But it was his first novel, and I suppose he hadn't found his true style by then.
Incidentally, "Digital Fortress" has only been published in Germany very recently. I can imagine that many people were disappointed to find the supposedly brand-new Dan Brown book to be so different from the others. But apparently, the German publishers only bought this book after they saw what a great success the other three were.
OK, so my conclusion is - great books

I read Da Vinci code solely due to the hype, and finished it concluding that - it's not just hype. What a great book. Leave the enormous amount of reaserch done by Brown, still it is a classic.

Next I started on with Digital Fortess. And quite unpredictably, it turned out to be such a big bore. I had to leave it in the middle. Anyways, now I'm planning to pick up Angels and Demons, after all that you people are saying.

Could anybody please explain what mickymouse is saying above about the editor thing.

Try Point of Deception - that one's really good too.

I seem to be now addicted to Dan Browns books.

"The Da[sic] Vinci Code" was the first I read and as much as I found it lacking in several areas I had to buy another of Browns books. "Digital Fortress" I read whilst in Belgrade and found it to be very average but once again easy to read. I recently read "Angels And Demons" and enjoyed it though the twist in it almost destroyed my appreciation of Browns writing skills. I`m currently reading "Deception Point" and enjoying it more than any of the other books, I just hope Brown isn`t going to let me down with some stupid ending.

He researches his books well enough [ and I say that despite the fact I read Bursteins "Secrets Of The Code" which details every error in "The Da [sic] Vinci Code"] to give them some feeling of reality but his endings are overly melodramatic for me. That said the fact is that when Browns next book comes out I will buy it "hot off the press".

Yes LKH, I actually do know the answer to the code at the end of Digital Fortress...but I'd hate to spoil it for everyone. PM me if you want a good hint!

when is the next book coming out, anyone know? and what is it about?