Another - Do you know this book? thread - sorry

[triviadave]

Hello all
I've seen many threads like this and realise that it probably won't get a response but I have to try.
I read "The Da Vinci Code" last year (and then all the other Dan Brown books) and saw a book in Borders.
The only thing I can remember about it is that it had an exerpt from a review saying "The Da Vinci Code for people with a brain".
I can't get this out of my head, can't find any reference to it on the net, and am slowly going insane. If anyone has read this book, recognises the quote or has any more information than my (truly pathetic) knowledge I would be exceedingly grateful.

 

[novella]

I would bet two jelly donuts that it was an ad for The Rule of Four. That's what the publisher is saying about it.

Be warned, though. It was written by two guy just out of college and took about 4 years to write. They did team writing on it. Their rewrite for publication took 18 months because there were so many holes in the plot and poor character development and dialogue. It is their first book, and IMO the publisher took it on planning to sell it on Dan Brown's coattails.

Most reviews said it has many weaknesses.

On the other hand, it may be lots of fun and is indeed supposed to be similar in the main plotline, based on an ancient mystery. The main characters, not surprisingly, are a couple of college dudes.

How's that for running down a book I haven't read? If you buy it and hold it in great esteem, post back and I will retract. Personally, I'd wait for the paperback.

 

[Mouse]

Yes, I've read it and I do remember it being marketed as such...

It did hold a lot of promise - with secret texts to be deciphered and campus murders, but it lead nowhere. It didn't have any great revelations, as the solved puzzle wasn't particularly intriguing and the ending was a damp squib.

It was a bit like Da Vinci and a bit like Donna Tart's Secret History, but not as good as either.

 

[bob 5000]

yo,

I just finished reading "The Rule of Four" (yes, it is the one advertised with "DaVinci Code for people with brains) and I must say I liked it a lot. now the thing is that it is unfortunately hardly the puzzle story you'd expect from the marketing hype. moreso, it seems the deciphering of the book - the hypnerotomachia poliphili - is almost background noise. sure, it drives the main story in terms of action and puzzle, in fact at some point you are somewhat excited by the solving of the puzzle, but in my opinion, it is more a coming of age story. a story about friendship and ultimately love. for that, I liked it a lot, but if you want a "DaVinci Code II" it is not for you.

bob

 

[triviadave]

thanks very much everyone,
it looks like I have found the next book to buy, just as soon as I have finished Decipher by Stel Pavlou (I think I am stuck in a rut, reading-wise)