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The third of seven brand new 39 Clues stories, leading up to one explosive reveal. The Vespers are looking for new recruits and have targeted a few the Cahill children on the hunt for The 39 Clues. Uncover the Vespers' chilling plan to monitor the Kabras, the Holts, Jonah, and the Starlings, and learn who they picked as the most promising Vesper . . . and future Cahill traitor.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 27, 2011
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2164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 23, 2012
I LOVE THIS! It gives you more insights about the Vespers and how dangerous/worthy opponent for the Cahills. It is a sad thing to know that they're monitoring every move the Cahills make during the Clue Hunt and deciding to whom they should give the privilege to be a Vesper. The candidates were Ted Starling, Jonah Wizard, Hamilton Holt and Ian Kabra.
Ted Starling: This happened during the Franklin Institute where the Starlings are spying on Amy and Dan. Ted used his genius skills that made the watcher impressed.
Jonah Wizard: I must admit, I kind of dislike this. It's personal really, but it is written great! Jonah went to Caracas, Venezuela for he heard from Cora that there was a hidden clue on Bolivar's tomb. The watcher was also impressed. There are also some Spanish involved. Ok, so I hate where Jonah went. Of all places, why does it have to be on Caracas, Venezuela ? It's personal for... Ok, I'll give you hints: Friendship, rejection and the one who did those all to me lives on that place. Thank you.
Hamilton Holt: This happened when the Holts are climbing Mt. Everest. The Holts found tents and bonfires while climbing and without thinking, Eisenhower concluded they were Cahill agents. Ham hesitated and just left. After thinking for a few moments, he retraced his steps but then, suddenly he got lost. It was already night and he saw someone with a flashlight. He followed the man and he got away. Suddenly, turning his back, he saw a male polar bear, ready to devour him. He ran and thought of some ways to escape. He saw some pointed rocks covered with snow and proceeded there. He took advantage of polar bears being inquisitive on foods and left his pack while running away. The watcher was impressed on Ham's speed, agility and smartness and said that he was the smartest of all the Holt family.
Ian Kabra: Ah, this is the most interesting of all and fun to read. Isabel called Ian and Natalie worthless, useless and many more thus, Ian wanted to prove himself he can get all of the 39 Clues. He went to Cambodia, to the Angkor Wat where he heard many rumors that there were a clue hidden in that historical place. No one dared to go near it for it was secured by the Madrigals but Ian was prepared. He went inside and saw 'Madrigals' guiding it. He eventually found a way inside and started searching for the clue. He got inside a room full of 'Madrigals', grabbed one of them and pointed the dart gun he brought to his neck and threatened everyone to give him the clue. One of them stepped forward and said that they were only guardians and there were no clues in Angkor Wat. Ian, in frustration just left, not after shooting some dart guns. The watcher was very pleased and impressed on Ian's performance. She stated that he'll make a great Vesper. Ian was someone who will not let anyone to get on the way and was ready to threaten just to get what he needed. The watcher then typed a report about Ian and sent it.
It hurts me to know that Ian must be the traitor, but still I believe that he wouldn't leave the Cahills no matter what. Besides, that happened during the Clue Hunt and Ian already changed.
Ted Starling: This happened during the Franklin Institute where the Starlings are spying on Amy and Dan. Ted used his genius skills that made the watcher impressed.
Jonah Wizard: I must admit, I kind of dislike this. It's personal really, but it is written great! Jonah went to Caracas, Venezuela for he heard from Cora that there was a hidden clue on Bolivar's tomb. The watcher was also impressed. There are also some Spanish involved. Ok, so I hate where Jonah went. Of all places, why does it have to be on Caracas, Venezuela ? It's personal for... Ok, I'll give you hints: Friendship, rejection and the one who did those all to me lives on that place. Thank you.
Hamilton Holt: This happened when the Holts are climbing Mt. Everest. The Holts found tents and bonfires while climbing and without thinking, Eisenhower concluded they were Cahill agents. Ham hesitated and just left. After thinking for a few moments, he retraced his steps but then, suddenly he got lost. It was already night and he saw someone with a flashlight. He followed the man and he got away. Suddenly, turning his back, he saw a male polar bear, ready to devour him. He ran and thought of some ways to escape. He saw some pointed rocks covered with snow and proceeded there. He took advantage of polar bears being inquisitive on foods and left his pack while running away. The watcher was impressed on Ham's speed, agility and smartness and said that he was the smartest of all the Holt family.
Ian Kabra: Ah, this is the most interesting of all and fun to read. Isabel called Ian and Natalie worthless, useless and many more thus, Ian wanted to prove himself he can get all of the 39 Clues. He went to Cambodia, to the Angkor Wat where he heard many rumors that there were a clue hidden in that historical place. No one dared to go near it for it was secured by the Madrigals but Ian was prepared. He went inside and saw 'Madrigals' guiding it. He eventually found a way inside and started searching for the clue. He got inside a room full of 'Madrigals', grabbed one of them and pointed the dart gun he brought to his neck and threatened everyone to give him the clue. One of them stepped forward and said that they were only guardians and there were no clues in Angkor Wat. Ian, in frustration just left, not after shooting some dart guns. The watcher was very pleased and impressed on Ian's performance. She stated that he'll make a great Vesper. Ian was someone who will not let anyone to get on the way and was ready to threaten just to get what he needed. The watcher then typed a report about Ian and sent it.
It hurts me to know that Ian must be the traitor, but still I believe that he wouldn't leave the Cahills no matter what. Besides, that happened during the Clue Hunt and Ian already changed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2023
Oh my god, the elimination as to who will be Vesper Three!
I honestly didn't expect Ted to be a better candidate than Sinead. I suppose they only got her cause she was terrified for her brothers.
Smart of them not to make a move on Dan or Amy, they never would have turned. For once, ignorance actually made someone stronger and more loyal. Who would have thought?
I honestly didn't expect Ted to be a better candidate than Sinead. I suppose they only got her cause she was terrified for her brothers.
Smart of them not to make a move on Dan or Amy, they never would have turned. For once, ignorance actually made someone stronger and more loyal. Who would have thought?
October 27, 2024
even though i know who joins the vespers, this was interesting to see
April 4, 2014
love jonahs pose in the front cover, great book. enjoy
February 19, 2024
This story showed where some of the other clues were. I’m still confused on how they’re put on a different path if they were all given the same clue after the will reading.
I love the aspect of the watcher
These were released before the cahills v vespers series, but i’m reading them after. It’s interesting to see that the vespers didn’t get what they wanted. Unless thwy had a different plan from the beginning and never told us exactly what it was
- “The watcher”
- Cahill’s are a threat to her
- Recruiting a cahill to the vespers!
- The watcher wanted ted
- Jonah is on his own quest for a clue in Venezuela
- Struggled getting in the building because couldn’t unhook and guards were trying to pull him out
- Changes into guard clothes
- Convinces guards there’s a bomb in the sarcophagus so they help
- Broke a few skeleton bones while looking for the clue
- Holts are Clue hunting in the attic and run into a polar bear
- Ian tried to put his mom in her place for saying they are the worst Clue hunters
- Ian is attacked by madrigals
- Said they’re only guardians. Either they’re lying or someone is lying about astrid being the last guardian. Unless it’s the last in the US
I love the aspect of the watcher
These were released before the cahills v vespers series, but i’m reading them after. It’s interesting to see that the vespers didn’t get what they wanted. Unless thwy had a different plan from the beginning and never told us exactly what it was
- “The watcher”
- Cahill’s are a threat to her
- Recruiting a cahill to the vespers!
- The watcher wanted ted
- Jonah is on his own quest for a clue in Venezuela
- Struggled getting in the building because couldn’t unhook and guards were trying to pull him out
- Changes into guard clothes
- Convinces guards there’s a bomb in the sarcophagus so they help
- Broke a few skeleton bones while looking for the clue
- Holts are Clue hunting in the attic and run into a polar bear
- Ian tried to put his mom in her place for saying they are the worst Clue hunters
- Ian is attacked by madrigals
- Said they’re only guardians. Either they’re lying or someone is lying about astrid being the last guardian. Unless it’s the last in the US
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2025
This one was fine - it takes place during the clue hunt and Vespers have a watcher watching the teams and trying to figure out who they should invite to join them as a mole - we know in later series who the mole is but they explore a few possibilities in this book - it's action packed but short and we don't really get to see who they picked as a mole in the end - so overall not that important or interesting book that would add much to the series.
August 15, 2020
The Vesper watcher is creepy. I enjoyed the snippets of what the rest of the family were up to while Amy and Dan were on the Clue Hunt. Not much happens though, just a brief glimpse of each potential Vesper member; the triplets, Ian, Jonah and Hamilton (which Hamilton really? He does not seem like a good choice at all.). 3 stars.
July 6, 2020
Just like the first 2 in the series, these short installments to the main 39 Clues series provide some nice backstory, but aren't necessary to read to enjoy the books.
January 11, 2022
Esse conto foi mais chatinho e parado, ainda mais que sabemos quem vai ser a pessoa escolhida pelos Vesper. Ham só dando ainda mais motivos para que eu goste dele, sigo dizendo que melhor pessoa da família tirando Amy e Dan
July 13, 2023
Los Vespers estuvieron vigilando paso a paso la cacería de las 39 pistas y le echaron Ojo a Ted, Sinead, Jonah, Hamilton e Ian 😑
January 4, 2025
Closer to 3.5 stars
July 13, 2020
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
The Vespers are recruiting and the Vesper known as the Watcher has zeroes in on the Cahill children on the clue hunt as their potential candidates. As Cahills they’re young, talented, powerful and usually ruthless. Not to mention they’re in a perfect position to betray their powerful family to the Vespers. But which Cahill child will she choose? And will that person be willing to betray their own family?
The story has a decent action filled plot with educational value and interesting plot twists. However, the scene and character contradictions between this story and the original series drove me nuts and so it very hard for me to enjoy the story. First of all in this story Sinead had long auburn hair, I could have sworn her hair was short in the original series. In the Maze of Bones Amy and Dan were not at the museum that long before the triplets arrived, this story sets it at 40 minutes. With as much as Amy reads and how little she read in the original museum scene there’s no way on earth she reads that slow. In the original series Ted lost his vision and Ned suffered debilitating headaches because of the museum accident. The reason I mention this is it was a huge setback for the brothers because Ned was like the most brilliant and Ted did all this invention schematic drawing. If Ted’s thing was computer programming it wouldn’t have been as huge because lots of people with handicaps, even blind ones do stuff with computers. Here however Ned’s just a decoy while Ted is writing programs to decode a lock. It seems backwards from what has already been established for these characters. I don’t know what was off about Jonah Wizard exactly in this story, but I can say it just didn’t’ feel like the same character we read in the original series. The thing that REALLY got me were the scenes with Eisenhower and Hamilton Holt. Hamilton is smarter and more caring than the rest of his family, that part of the portrayal felt right, but the rest was way off. For one Hamilton loves the physical stuff just as much as his family, he’s not the type of character to win about being in the middle of nowhere hiking in snow shoes, he’d consider that fun. And he’d never have trouble keeping up physically with anyone in his family. Eisenhower’s top priority is his immediate family. They are the most important thing in his life. He may ignore his son’s qualms about attacking a random tent, but he absolutely would not call his son a traitor and abandon him in the Arctic. They guy’s a jerk with an off kilter moral compass, yes, but respect and his family are everything to him and the portrayal of him here is insulting at best. The most accurate portrayal would be Ian, but in the original series it wasn’t until the last couple of books of the Clue Hunt that the Kambra children got off from under their mother’s thumb. I can’t see Ian taking off to Ankor Watt without her permission at the point in the clue hunt where this occurs, even if he did want to impress her.
I realize Riley didn’t write any of the original clue books, but his spin off series is supposed to be taking place alongside the clue hunt so the characters should act completely the same. And as his series was published well after the original books, he had more than enough time to read the series and if he wanted to write this, that series should have become his new bible during the process of writing these. Instead his characterization is sloppy, like he figures he’ll make these characters behave how he wants and none of the fans will notice. The only reason I didn’t give this book a lower rating is that if I hadn’t read the original series I probably would have liked the story. Instead I was kind of offended that Riley thought so little of clues fans that he barely attempted to keep their beloved characters the same.
Overall this is a take it or leave it book. I can’t recommend it, but it’s not like it was poorly written, just poorly researched. It has no value to the franchise and could easily be skipped.
The Vespers are recruiting and the Vesper known as the Watcher has zeroes in on the Cahill children on the clue hunt as their potential candidates. As Cahills they’re young, talented, powerful and usually ruthless. Not to mention they’re in a perfect position to betray their powerful family to the Vespers. But which Cahill child will she choose? And will that person be willing to betray their own family?
The story has a decent action filled plot with educational value and interesting plot twists. However, the scene and character contradictions between this story and the original series drove me nuts and so it very hard for me to enjoy the story. First of all in this story Sinead had long auburn hair, I could have sworn her hair was short in the original series. In the Maze of Bones Amy and Dan were not at the museum that long before the triplets arrived, this story sets it at 40 minutes. With as much as Amy reads and how little she read in the original museum scene there’s no way on earth she reads that slow. In the original series Ted lost his vision and Ned suffered debilitating headaches because of the museum accident. The reason I mention this is it was a huge setback for the brothers because Ned was like the most brilliant and Ted did all this invention schematic drawing. If Ted’s thing was computer programming it wouldn’t have been as huge because lots of people with handicaps, even blind ones do stuff with computers. Here however Ned’s just a decoy while Ted is writing programs to decode a lock. It seems backwards from what has already been established for these characters. I don’t know what was off about Jonah Wizard exactly in this story, but I can say it just didn’t’ feel like the same character we read in the original series. The thing that REALLY got me were the scenes with Eisenhower and Hamilton Holt. Hamilton is smarter and more caring than the rest of his family, that part of the portrayal felt right, but the rest was way off. For one Hamilton loves the physical stuff just as much as his family, he’s not the type of character to win about being in the middle of nowhere hiking in snow shoes, he’d consider that fun. And he’d never have trouble keeping up physically with anyone in his family. Eisenhower’s top priority is his immediate family. They are the most important thing in his life. He may ignore his son’s qualms about attacking a random tent, but he absolutely would not call his son a traitor and abandon him in the Arctic. They guy’s a jerk with an off kilter moral compass, yes, but respect and his family are everything to him and the portrayal of him here is insulting at best. The most accurate portrayal would be Ian, but in the original series it wasn’t until the last couple of books of the Clue Hunt that the Kambra children got off from under their mother’s thumb. I can’t see Ian taking off to Ankor Watt without her permission at the point in the clue hunt where this occurs, even if he did want to impress her.
I realize Riley didn’t write any of the original clue books, but his spin off series is supposed to be taking place alongside the clue hunt so the characters should act completely the same. And as his series was published well after the original books, he had more than enough time to read the series and if he wanted to write this, that series should have become his new bible during the process of writing these. Instead his characterization is sloppy, like he figures he’ll make these characters behave how he wants and none of the fans will notice. The only reason I didn’t give this book a lower rating is that if I hadn’t read the original series I probably would have liked the story. Instead I was kind of offended that Riley thought so little of clues fans that he barely attempted to keep their beloved characters the same.
Overall this is a take it or leave it book. I can’t recommend it, but it’s not like it was poorly written, just poorly researched. It has no value to the franchise and could easily be skipped.
January 4, 2023
The Clue Hunt
So far this is the longest of the Rapid Fire Short Stories. It is told in a unique way. The Vespers watcher is tracking some of the Cahills as they hunt for the 39 clues. She is making reports on which of the Cahills might be possible turncoats. She is testing them to determine which have the most potential to become Vespers. Her pieces are between incidents, focusing around different members of the Cahill family. These incidents are told from the first person perspective of the individuals. The Cahill's are:
Ted Starling
Jonah Wizard
Hamilton Holt
Ian Kabra.
It gives us a much greater insight into Jonah, Hamilton and Ian. It is another great short story and advances our knowledge of the 39 Clues world.
I love the original 39 Clues books, and have on my short list to read the second series, The Cahills vs. Vespers. But this short series released between December 25th and December 31st 2011, really caught my attention. 7 Days 7 Short Stories each give us part of a clue and more background information on some of the characters from the books. They are more than worth the price of $0.99 each. Plus each book gives us part of a clue to unlock a new section on the 39 Clues website.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books in the 39 Clues series on my blog Book Reviews and More.
So far this is the longest of the Rapid Fire Short Stories. It is told in a unique way. The Vespers watcher is tracking some of the Cahills as they hunt for the 39 clues. She is making reports on which of the Cahills might be possible turncoats. She is testing them to determine which have the most potential to become Vespers. Her pieces are between incidents, focusing around different members of the Cahill family. These incidents are told from the first person perspective of the individuals. The Cahill's are:
Ted Starling
Jonah Wizard
Hamilton Holt
Ian Kabra.
It gives us a much greater insight into Jonah, Hamilton and Ian. It is another great short story and advances our knowledge of the 39 Clues world.
I love the original 39 Clues books, and have on my short list to read the second series, The Cahills vs. Vespers. But this short series released between December 25th and December 31st 2011, really caught my attention. 7 Days 7 Short Stories each give us part of a clue and more background information on some of the characters from the books. They are more than worth the price of $0.99 each. Plus each book gives us part of a clue to unlock a new section on the 39 Clues website.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books in the 39 Clues series on my blog Book Reviews and More.
May 6, 2013
Very interesting story-telling, it gives me a different point of view on why Sinead became Vesper 3, how Hamilton felt about his dad's clue hunting tactics, about Jonah's and Ian's desire to make their mothers proud. Also how the vespers have been observing them since the beginning...who do you think is the vesper watcher - is it Cheyenne since obviously Sinead is still not part of the vespers? or is it Isabel since I'm not sure when she became vesper 2? or is it Luna?
April 2, 2020
2020: This one was so much better than the last. There were four sections to this one, with different main characters (five if you include the watcher) but they threaded together because of the fifth character. The story made sense, and there was this feeling of unease not knowing who, if anyone, might turn out to be the traitor.
July 2, 2012
Ahhhhh! This book is feeding the paranoia that I developed reading the Cahills v Vespers series. I suppose that's the point. Well played, Clifford Riley, well played! Interesting perspectives come out in this book.
July 9, 2012
Up until now (I'm at book 5) this is my favorite Rapid Fire book. I like Jonah, Hamilton and Ian and Sinead, so it was fun through and through for me. Also, it set me on edge about the whole Vesper mole thing.
March 21, 2014
I was devastated when I read that the Rapid Fire books would be ebooks because I didn't have an ereader at the time. The first thing I did when I bought my Kindle was buy these books too. I love them!
December 28, 2014
Absolutely incredible
I loved this book. It shows the vespers watching the cahills one by one noting possible recruits and it shows exactly how talented Ted, Jonah, Ian and Hamilton are.
I loved this book. It shows the vespers watching the cahills one by one noting possible recruits and it shows exactly how talented Ted, Jonah, Ian and Hamilton are.
December 28, 2011
More insight into the clue hunt.
May 31, 2017
This book is written in most of the kid's POV's (Ian's, Hamilton's, Jonah's etc.) You get to find out a little bit of what the Vesper's are planning and overall really interesting! Whoo!
March 14, 2012
Used to buy these for my son, now I'm buying them for my nephews. Great books for boys!
September 7, 2015
i thought it was really cool how you got an inside look on what the other competitors were doing! now the 4th...
Want to Read
September 6, 2012Where do they get these people to play the characters???!!! Is he wearing lipstick?
July 6, 2013
I liked all of the other teams' point of view, some more than the actual books showed. It was kind of disturbing to know that the Vespers were watching them- for everything.
July 9, 2014
This series is very interesting. I loved this book and I read it nonstop. It so so good and I really enjoyed reading this. I cannot wait to finish this series.
June 17, 2016
Pood Ted got blind during Clue Hunt, future awaited him.
July 29, 2013
Great read as always.. Hmm.. Bite-sized 39 Clues? :)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews