Spymasters

The 39 Clues: The Cahill Files #2-4

by Clifford Riley

Available for the first time in print!

Available in a single edition for the first time, this bind-up contains the three Cahill Files shorts, originally published as e-books:

The 39 Clues: The Cahill Files Book 2: The Submarine Job
The 39 Clues: The Cahill Files Book 3: The Redcoat Chase
The 39 Clues: The Cahill Files Book 4: The Houdini Escape

After 500 years, the Cahill family's most dangerous secrets are about to be revealed. Read at your own risk...

In The Submarine Job
Fourteen-year-old Fiske Cahill thinks he's safe when he hides away on the world's first nuclear submarine… until he realizes there's a Vesper on board. Does he have what it takes to stand up to a ruthless enemy?

In The Redcoat Chase
With the British marching on Washington under the command of a Vesper General, it's up to a young Madrigal in 1812 to save a treasure hidden in the White House. However, the enemy will stop at nothing to seize the artifact, even if it means burning the city to the ground.

In The Houdini Escape
Young Harry Houdini's family is eager for a fresh start in America, but secrets from their past have followed them to New York. When the aspiring magician is kidnapped by a dangerous enemy, the Vespers, Houdini discovers a secret talent: death-defying escapes. Will his rare talent allow him to survive the attack? Or will it get him into deeper trouble than he ever imagined?

Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Young Adult

255 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know my review, check each individual story inside. Either way, definitely worth the read.

[Somnath Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chronological compilation of the three middle stories of the Cahill Clues series.

The stories are pretty well written and full of menacing adventure and a focus on the characters central to them is seems to be theme to Clifford Riley's writing.

While you'll definitely find yourself falling in love with them, I do miss the journey through history following the artifact in these stories. All three stories have very heartwarming struggles and deep losses, but they don't really go into much detail about the actual clue that the Cahills are trying to keep out of Madrigal hands.

A solid read nonetheless and a noteworthy extra.

[aimee · Rating 1 out of 5]

the harry houdini one was marginally interesting, i mean, escape art and heists.
but this was useless and boring

[Priscila · Rating 3 out of 5]

• Spymasters - 3,3/5,0 ☆

The Redcoat Chase - 4,0/5,0 ☆
The Houdini Escape - 3,0/5,0 ☆
The Submarine Job - 3,0/5,0 ☆

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this! The action the adventure! I like those kind of things!

[et106616 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book! Don't read this unless you have completed the ENTIRE 39 clues series.

Book Blurb: Part 1: Fredrick is living a fairly normal life helping his family run the inn, cleaning stables when need be, and replacing sugar with salt in a cranky guest's coffee as a small prank. As a punishment for the salt, he is told to clean the stables. But then, his parents confront him with the news that he is part of a family that goes back many years. A family that is protecting a ring from the ruthless Vespers.

Part 2: Harry has one more act before the end of the night. He slips the card into a kids pocket and shows that the card is missing. He asks for the kid to check his pocket, but the card isn't there. One by one, the crowd moves out and Harry is left alone. Now, Harry must go home with no money to provide for his family. But when he gets home, the house is recked, and the wall is marked with a giant V. Soon, Harry finds out that his dad is in debt to the Vespers and is he is plunged into an adventure that he will never forget.

Part 3: Fiske is completing his school year. He is constantly bullied and hopes for it to end soon. But then, he receives a package from his sister, Grace. She is in trouble and needs his help, but the secretary is making it very difficult to leave. On his daring attempt to escape... On a girl's bicycle, he finds out that she is a Vesper. Eventually, he makes it to Grace and she tells him of the trouble she's in and gives him the ring to safe guard. To keep Fiske safe, Grace puts him on a trip to Puerto Rico on the first ever nuclear submarine, the Nautilus. But on as he boards the sub, what he doesn't know is that a Vesper is also on the Nautilus, watching his every step.

[Magic Shop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read the 39 clues in a while The last one I read was The 39 clues Cahill vs. Vespers: Shatterproof. I was lucky enough to get this book and the next two books in the series. I thought this was a pretty good book and was in typical 39 clues style. The suspense, the big characters, the action. I liked all of them. I also liked that there was a story of Fiske because he is a major character too. I liked all three stories and I thought the authors did a good job. Can't wait to continue on the series and see what else the authors have in store for our beloved characters.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 short Cahill stories. One from the Civil War time period. Second one from Harry Houdini as a child (my fav). And finally characters we know Fiske and Grace Cahill as teenagers. I wish I remembered more details from the main series to figure out what the markings on the stole urn mean and some name that started with a T. Overall a lot of the same quality writing as previous novels. Not necessary to read, but enjoyable if you want to still with the series and learn of more evils the Vespers are responsible for.

[Yukiraking · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this collection. I also think it adds a lush history to the world of the 39 Clues. I also don't think it's necessary at all to read them (which I appreciate) as they don't reveal any spoilers or plot points or any of the mysteries. They're just exciting, action packed stories that were a great distraction while I was on the exercise bike.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories are not bad, but, well, there's not really a big and intriguing link with the main characters of the series themselves. Except for Fiske. Apart from that, they're just… short stories. Fine. Okay. But that's it, I guess? Although I have to be honest and say that I, personally, have never cared much for short stories. So, well.
7/10

[Bethany]

Spymasters was probably the most boring 39 Clues book I’ve read (although it wasn’t the worst—that title belongs to David Baldacci’s “contribution” to the series).

I recommend skipping this book entirely.

[Bookworm007 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy that they're releasing a print version -- keep 'em comin'!!

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved how this book had more than one story in it. It was really enjoyable. I liked every one of the stories in this book.

[Shazzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Involving, but inconsistent.