Uncovering Secrets in Portsmouth

Kelly Swan Taylor
Sep 26
4 min read

Inside the Red-Carpet Reveal of Dan Brown’s New Thriller...

Earlier this month, quaint Portsmouth, New Hampshire glowed like a Hollywood premiere. The red carpet stretched down the street for the keynote event of the inaugural Seacoast Lit Festival: hometown hero Dan Brown launching his newest thriller, SECRET OF SECRETS. I couldn’t resist making the trip to witness the sold-out spectacle firsthand—and it was every bit as pulse-pounding as one of his novels.

But before the spotlight shifted to the red carpet, I had time to begin my own little adventure. It started at The Hotel Portsmouth, a charming New England Victorian where every room has its own unique decor and quirks. As you enter, you wheel your luggage past a working vintage red phone booth and bookshelves groaning with old titles, then later help yourself to coffee and snacks in the kitchen at any hour, and, if insomnia strikes, sneak downstairs for billiards, cornhole, or chess. The mystery writer in me couldn’t stop thinking it would be the perfect setting for a Clue remake.

Once checked in, we wandered Portsmouth’s sun-splashed, tree-lined streets, dipping into boutiques and restaurants until we stumbled upon The Music Hall mid-set-up for the night’s big event. Hours later, I returned to a scene out of a novel: illuminated life-size books flanking a plush scarlet trail that led to cocktails, smoke machines, red-carpet photo ops, and—best of all—stacks of signed first editions handed to every guest. I caught myself scribbling mental notes, dreaming that one day I might borrow a little of this grandeur for my own book launch.

Inside, velvet seats, vivid lighting, and an ornate ceiling set the stage. The scent of buttery popcorn wafted around us as the red curtains parted, revealing a rock band tearing into guitar riffs worthy of an arena. Then, Dan Brown’s father appeared, charming the audience with stories of his son’s childhood—with the reveal that Dan himself had composed the music that had opened the show.

When Brown finally settled into a wingback chair beside witty NH Public Radio host Rick Ganley, the conversation flowed from behind-the-scenes film anecdotes to his meticulous research process. As a pantser author myself, I was fascinated by his slow, methodical way of plotting out a thriller—so different from my own. He teased the crowd with details of Secret of Secrets, including the bombshell announcement that Netflix had already acquired the series rights. Whether Tom Hanks will reprise his starring role is another secret that Dan is keeping close to his vest.

So, why did it take eight years for this latest Robert Langdon thriller, set in Prague, to hit the shelves? Brown chalked it up to extensive research and intricate plotting on the elusive subject of human consciousness. He admitted the process reshaped his own perspective on life after death and the possibility of immortality. What stuck with me most, though, wasn’t the Netflix news, his writing advice, or the dazzling production; it was his closing note of optimism: his belief that there is far more good in the world than bad—a powerful way to end the night.

After the curtain call, we slipped out to Clipper Tavern for haddock tacos, a shrimp po’ boy, and cold beers, still buzzing from the experience. It was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable evening before setting out the next morning to explore more of Portsmouth itself.

The next morning greeted us with sunshine and a decadent breakfast spread at the hotel. But we couldn’t resist venturing out for popovers from the iconic Popovers on the Square, followed by macarons and croissants from a French bakery. We browsed shops brimming with Celtic, British, and Scottish goods, artisan pewter, and nautical gifts before losing ourselves among the town’s historic brick facades and flower-draped gardens.

The highlight came at Oar House Gardens, where seemingly endless Monarch butterflies fluttered and floated through the air, settling on blooms as vivid as bright pink dahlias and purple Ageratum. I honestly have never seen so many Monarchs clustered in one area before, and it was nothing short of magical.

Later, at Water View Grille, I toasted the day with a margarita and bacon-wrapped scallops while gazing at the (literal) water view of Maine. Between the haddock, scallops, and every other fresh catch, it was impossible not to savor being in the heart of New England’s fishing coast.

That evening, we devoured gooey gourmet grilled cheeses at Cheese Louise, played late-night billiards and chess back at the hotel, and capped the night at the bustling Thirsty Moose Taphouse. When the town finally went quiet, we roamed the hotel’s hushed hallways, ending up in the kitchen for midnight coffee. And I can guarantee our next visit will include a candle-lit dinner at the swanky Library Restaurant, where the French onion soup and risotto are calling me.

And what better way to end a bookish Portsmouth getaway than with more books! First, we stopped by the Book Nook to chat about my New Hampshire-inspired thriller, FROZEN IN TIME. Then, we happened upon the local library's Little Free Library (tucked in a lovely courtyard) to leave behind signed copies of my novels and bookmarks—a small way of paying forward the literary magic that had sparked my trip in the first place. On the LFL's bright blue frame, a yellow butterfly decal summed up my New Hampshire adventure to perfection: LIVE FREE & READ!