'Da Vinci Code' author Dan Brown's new novel set in Barcelona, Sevilla and Bilbao

Origin, the fifth epic to feature the charismatic professor of religious symbolism, starts out in Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum where the hero goes along to listen to a transcedental announcement that will 'change the face of science forever', according to the dust jacket.

But nothing goes according to plan, and Langdon has to flee to Barcelona along with Guggenheim director Ambra Vidal.

The adventure the main characters embark upon culminates in 'ground-breaking revelations about the origin and fate of humanity', the synopsis claims.

Dan Brown, who shot to fame with his world-acclaimed The Da Vinci Code and carried on topping the bestseller lists with Angels and Demons, Deception Point, Inferno, Digital Fortress and The Lost Symbol, says Spain was the first country he ever visited outside of the USA, when he was 16.

He spent time living with a 'marvellous' family in Asturias and 'fell in love with' the culture, history, people and language, the author told Spain's third TV channel Antena 3.

Brown would return to Spain 11 times, and it continues to be the country he has visited most often in his life.

As well as the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Robert Langdon's latest capers lead him to the Montserrat Monastery and Sagrada Família cathedral in Barcelona, and the Royal Palace and cathedral in Sevilla.

Photograph by Waterstones book shop