Ramblings of a Bibliophile

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Adventure, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Edition: Hardcover, Library Edition
Page Count: 206
Pub. Date: November 3, 2009
Series: 39 Clues, Book 6

My Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
Amazon.com: 4.5 stars
Goodreads: 4.10 (Average)

Recommended For: Everyone - Kids, Teens, Adults - good family series

Book Summary (back of the book):

Fourteen-year-old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan, head to the Land Down Under to discover what their own mother and father knew about the hunt for the 39 Clues. But following in their parent's footsteps brings up lost memories for Amy so awful that she can't share them...even with Dan. Haunted by the ghosts of their past, chased by deadly competitors, Dan and Amy can't see who is an enemy and who is a friend. Their blindness leads to a terrible mistake....and the death of a hidden ally.

My Summary:

Excellent, excellent continuation of the 39 Clues adventure! Amy and Dan Cahill are back and better than ever.

To get you newbies caught up to speed:

Ever since her (Amy) grandmother's will had been read, she'd been chased from one continent to another...by her own relatives. Her grandmother Grace Cahill had laid down a challenge to every branch of the Cahill family - either join the race for the 39 Clues and become the most powerful person in the world... or walk away with a million dollars. Amy and Dan had chosen the chase. Not that a million dollars wouldn't be pretty sweet. But they knew their grandmother wanted them to win.

pg. 3

In Too Deep provides much more of a back story, which is one of the things I was most excited about. The story was driven more by the characters, rather than the search for clues. And we finally get some semblance of an answer to the burning question: "What really happened to Amy and Dan's parents?" (Keyword being, "semblance") Amy and Dan are hit with some shocking news that sends their world in a brief spiral. And not only that, but images from the past are starting to burn their way into Amy's present. Pieces are coming together and new alliances are being formed in coalescence with that one fateful night.

In the 6th book, we see a little separation between the Amy and Dan due to a circumstance that Amy isn't fully prepared to share with her brother. But once the cat is out of the bag, you see an even stronger bond form between them which makes this such a well-rounded book amidst all the craziness.

In addition to the regular cast of characters, Amy, Dan, and their au pair Nellie, are met by two new relatives - one a long lost beach bum of a cousin, and the other a relative they have only known by name and her reputation for ruthlessness. The mother of Ian and Natalie Kabra. And my does her unannounced arrival add much excitement to an already perilous quest. Such an interesting twist! I love being able to glimpse other members of the Cahill family. And it doesn't look like she's going anywhere.

Another interesting turn of events was the discovery that Nellie, their trusted au pair and guardian, may be more than she says. Her character has the opportunity to become a great asset to the series. I just hope the next author follows suit.

The aspect I enjoyed most was the fact that there was a plot and purpose. Some of the other books lead Amy and Dan to wander around the globe, jumping from place to place all while trying to escape the snares of their conniving relatives - yet there's never really any depth to the story. But Jude Watson gave the book plenty. The twists and turns kept me in suspense and were well placed throughout the book. And I thought the storyline was met with a nice mix of history - which a few of the previous books tend to lack. Being the history buff that I am, I was quite thrilled with the direction it took. (Without giving too much away, it involves planes and one lost heroine)

Overall consensus - an exciting continuation that has once again sparked my interest in this series. I have to admit, it waned a little after the fifth book, but this was immensely satisfying. I can't wait to see what happens next! If you haven't read the series, I highly recommend it. The books are roughly 200 pages each and such a fun ride.

Book 7, The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis is slated to be released February 2nd, 2010!