New Dan Brown Book Coming in May

Best-selling author Dan Brown, a Phillips Exeter Academy graduate whose early books were sold at Exeter's Water Street Bookstore, is releasing his latest book in May.

"Inferno," the latest in his wildly popular Robert Langdon series, will be released May 14, the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group said in a statement Tuesday.

The publishing group said Brown's novel is set in Italy and focuses on the "Inferno," the first part of Dante Alighieri's 14th-century "Divine Comedy" poem.

“Although I studied Dante’s 'Inferno' as a student, it wasn’t until recently, while researching in Florence, that I came to appreciate the enduring influence of Dante’s work on the modern world,” Brown said in a statement. “With this new novel, I am excited to take readers on a journey deep into this mysterious realm…a landscape of codes, symbols, and more than a few secret passageways.”

"Inferno" is the latest in Brown's series that includes "The Da Vinci Code," "Angels & Demons," and "The Lost Symbol." The first two were adopted into Hollywood movies featuring Tom Hanks as Langdon.

One of Brown's first books, "Digital Fortress," was sold at Water Street Bookstore, which is owned by Exeter Selectman Dan Chartrand.

In 2011, Brown visited Water Street Bookstore to help celebrate its 20th anniversary. 

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• IMAGE GALLERY: Dan Brown at Water Street Bookstore