Doubleday to offer free digital download of The Da Vinci Code on its 10th anniversary with prologue and chapter one of Dan Brown’s forthcoming novel, Inferno

New York, NY (March 18, 2013) Doubleday announces an unprecedented free digital download in the U.S. and Canada of the #1 international bestseller The Da Vinci Code in celebration of the novel’s 10th anniversary. Originally published on March 18, 2003, the thriller went on to be the fastest-selling adult hardcover of all time with 81 million copies sold. Included in the download is the prologue and chapter one of Dan Brown’s forthcoming thriller, Inferno, to be published on May 14. The free ebook will be available until March 24 through all ebook retailers.

“The landscape of publishing has changed dramatically over the past ten years,” said Sonny Mehta Chairman and editor in chief of The Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. “The original publication of The Da Vinci Code preceded the -book era. What better way to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this modern classic than by making it available on a multiplicity of platforms and devices while simultaneously offering fans a riveting sample of Dan’s latest work.”

Doubleday also announces today that Mr. Brown will speak at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center on May 15 at 7:30 pm. The talk will be his only U.S. appearance, and Doubleday is providing a live stream to bookstores and libraries across the country. To date, 150 outlets have signed on to share the event with their communities. Tickets go on-sale today through the Lincoln Center Box office and www.lincolncenter.org.

Doubleday is an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc. whose parent company is Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA. For more information about Doubleday please visit our website at www.doubleday.com. For more information about Dan Brown please visit www.danbrown.com.