When Robert Langdon receives an early morning phone call he has no idea what it will lead to. Requested to attend the scene of a brutal murder is discovers the true reason behind the call – the victim has a mysterious symbol burned onto his chest. Close examination reveals this to be the work of the Illuminati; a secret brotherhood with an ancient vendetta against the Catholic church.

Following the death of the incumbent pope the cardinals have been summoned into Conclave to perform a traditional task – the election of his replacement. Little do they know that somewhere beneath the Vatican the Illuminati have secreted a bomb powerful enough to destroy not only the holy city but also a large proportion of Rome itself. It is up to Robert and his companion, Vittoria, to follow a series of clues leading to the final location of the bomb but will the complete their task before time runs out?

Angels and Demons is another book from the pen of the highly popular author Dan Brown. Once again we are presented with an ancient mystery set within the confines of a religious community following codes and symbols laid down many years earlier.

Having visited Rome last year it was nice to be able to picture the various locations identified within the books and with there having been a papal election also this year it brought everything a little closer to home.

There is no doubt that Dan Brown is a good author. His books are extremely well researched and very easy to read but having already read The DaVinci Code (like a good proportion or other readers) I was struck by the similarity of the storylines. OK, so this story is based in Rome and much of the action takes lace within the confines of the Catholic church but it still follows the same basic premise as The DaVinci Code – ancient mystery, religious implications, hero taken out of his usual way of life and thrust into the midst of a mystery.

These two books are, to me, the best books that Brown has written. Although I quite enjoyed Digital Fortress, I was not so impressed by Deception Point so I will be interested to see what concept he comes up with next.

This book is very entertaining and has some nice plot twists that add an extra dimension to the story – no doubt it is also destined to be filmed for the silver screen.

A scientist is brutally murdered - the body having a mysterious symbol burned into its chest. Robert Langdon (again) is summoned to examine the body accompanied by Vittoria Vetra, an Italian Scientist. The whole scenario is set in Rome, in and around Vatican City during the time of the choosing of a new Pope. The symbol is recognised as that of the Illuminati, a secret brotherhood presumed to have been dissolved many centuries ago.

The Brotherhood is intent to fulfil their vendetta against the Catholic Church and plant a bomb beneath the walls of the Vatican. Langdon and Vetra have to find the clues leading to the bomb before it destroys the Vatican and all within.

Another surpurbly researched story, similar to the Da Vinci Code. The map of the Vatican on the frontispiece and the descriptions of the interior of the palace make the reader feel as though they are there. It is very educational as far as the choosing of a new Pope is concerned and the workings of the Vatican itself. This I found most fascinating, and not being Catholic myself - quite informative.

The characters are again very real and the members of the Palace very down to earth. I did feel that the final scenes were a little far fetched especially the escape of Langdon, but it still makes a great read.