Fans flock, critics mock, as Brown unleashes Inferno

The Da Vinci Code writer, whose sales have already exceeded 200 million, has published his latest thriller starring Harvard professor Robert Langdon.

But despite a history of strong sales, the new adventure has once again come under fire for its lack of literary qualities, with one reviewer calling it his worst yet.

Brown’s new work sees Langdon in a number of Italian cities and other European locations, as he tries to stop the spread of a deadly virus.

It managed to top the Amazon book sales chart on the strength of its pre-orders , which were 24 per cent higher than those for his previous book The Lost Symbol which was published in 2009. Many had bought digital versions of the book which were delivered to e-readers such as Kindles at midnight when the book officially went on sale.

The Waterstones store in Piccadilly, London, opened at 8am yesterday with buyers queuing outside to get hold of their copy.

Amazon said interest in the new book has had a knock-on effect for Brown’s back catalogue, with sales for his books rising by 340 per cent year on year as anticipation has grown.

The audiobook version of Inferno – which takes themes from Dante’s Divine Comedy – also topped the iTunes audiobook chart this morning.

Although reviewers were in no doubt that readers will lap the book up, they were scathing about the writing on show.

The Daily Telegraph said: “This is his worst book – his ambition here wildly exceeds his ability.” The Daily Mail called it “bilge, but one hell of a page turner”. The Guardian said it was “a tasty cocktail of high culture and low thrills”.