CERN Institute, Switzerland: a world-renowned scientist is found brutally murdered with a mysterious symbol seared onto his chest. The Vatican, Rome: the College of Cardinals assembles to elect a new pope. Somewhere beneath them, an unstoppable bomb of terrifying power relentlessly counts down to oblivion. In a breathtaking race against time, Harvard professor Robert Langdon must decipher a labyrinthine trail of ancient symbols if he is to defeat those responsible - the Illuminati, a secret brotherhood presumed extinct for nearly four hundred years, reborn to continue their deadly vendetta against their most hated enemy, the Catholic Church.

Susan Fletcher has been summoned to the one of the world's most secretive organisations, the National Security Agency. Their unbeatable code-breaking machine has been hacked. Susan is supposed to be able to help. But instead she uncovers the truth. They are being held hostage. Can she protect her country from the most deadly of enemies?