Seacoast Online - NH
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090325-ENTERTAIN-90325034
Report: Dan Brown’s next book not ‘The Solomon Key’
So will it even be about the freemasons?
March 25, 2009
By Gina Carbone
Dan Brown, author of “The Da Vinci Code,” speaks during a sold-out event at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on April 23, 2006, before an interview on stage with N.H. Public Radio host Laura Knoy. File photo by Andrew Moore |
Just that it has always been “reportedly” the title of local author Dan Brown’s third Robert Langdon novel. The loooong-awaited follow-up to both “Angels & Demons” — which was published first, curse you, revisionist Hollywood — and “The Da Vinci Code.”
But one of Dan Brown’s reps told a British journalist — who then called me — that “The Solomon Key” is “completely out of date” as a title.
Which opens Pandora’s Speculation Box of what else might be out of date.
Is the book no longer about masons? Has it been too long with too many people already filling in the gaps with their own “Solomon Key” freemason stories? Is the book even done?
Poor Ron Howard. When he spoke (out of turn, it seems) to Entertainment Tonight last February, the Dan Brown frenzy picked up.
On the set of “Angels & Demons,” Howard told ET that Brown had not only finished his next book, he was excited about it. That started a whole new slew of speculation about the release date.
Right now, for whatever reason, Dan Brown's Wikipedia page has the next book as "The Solomon Key" with a note reading "late in April is probable."
Why late in April? This April? Probable? Who says so?
The Wall Street Journal played the “when is it coming out?” game a while back:
“Since some of the leaders of the American Revolution were masons, including George Washington, an obvious reference point would be July Fourth. In addition to it being Independence Day, the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4, 1848 in a ceremony hosted by the Freemasons. ... On Sept. 18, 1793, President Washington led a Masonic parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to lay the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol. It is considered one of the most important events in Masonic history. ... The cornerstone of the White House was laid on Oct. 13, 1792, during a Masonic celebration. (On that date in 1307, the King of France ordered the arrest of Knights Templar. There has been speculation connecting the Knights and the origins of the Masons, although the matter is in question.)”
But what if it’s not even about the masons anymore?
As a local person I have an interest in this story, but also want to keep a respectful distance. The reporter herd rushes to and from various stories, but I’m the one who has to live here. (So, no, I am not going to try and climb the fence around Dan Brown’s house just to find out about the book and whisper the answers to you.)
However, when someone calls me with intriguing information, I like to share with the class.
So about that call from the aforementioned British journalist. ... She has been following this story pretty closely and called one of Brown’s New York representatives for some kind of status update for her hungry readers.
During a conversation about the book, which the journalist repeatedly called “The Solomon Key,” Brown’s rep seemed to get exasperated and stopped her:
“You are using a title that was used several years ago. That is completely out of date.”
The rep also dismissed the ET story, the journalist said, repeating that Brown had not finished the book.
As of last Wednesday, March 18, it’s been six years since Dan Brown’s last book, “The Da Vinci Code.” More than 60 million copies have been sold around the world. It also helped boost the popularity of the Exeter native’s first three books, “Digital Fortress” (1998), “Angels & Demons” (2000) and “Deception Point” (2001).
Back in April of 2006, Brown spoke briefly on the follow-up book at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, N.H. He told a standing-room only crowd that he’s “taking all the time required to make sure it’s as entertaining as ‘The Da Vinci Code.’”
That’s obviously the key to the “Key” or whatever the heck the book will be called. It has to be good. So take your time, Dan Brown, but drop us a few hints now and again so we know we’re barking up the right symbologist. Even Robert Langdon gets a few clues along the way.
Further Reading:
