Hello X-Factor … or should I say, MetalDragon74?  Thanks!  I can’t wait either!

Hello, Hennry! Many thanks for this message. I’m delighted you enjoyed THE SWORD THIEF and took such time and care to explain why. You clearly read the book closely! At the start of THE 39 CLUES project, a basic outline of the series was given to the writers. The outline was developed by Rick Riordan and our editor. It was important to pace out when the various parts of the mystery would be revealed — and because there would be different authors involved, we all had to know this plan. The outline also contained very basic suggestions about the location and plots of the various adventures. But they were just that — suggestions —and we were free to change whatever we wanted. Of course, we also had to abide by what the previous author provided at the end of his or her book. For example, Gordon Korman mentioned a plane heading for Japan at the end of ONE FALSE NOTE. So I knew my adventure would have to take place in Japan. This was fine with me! But I like surprises, so in my book, THE SWORD THIEF, we find that Dan and Amy are actually not on that plane! As you know, they do eventually go to Japan. But while I had been researching THE SWORD THIEF, I became interested in Uncle Alistair. He was such an important character in the plot, that I thought it would be fun to take the adventure to his home in Korea. My research showed that Hideyoshi did indeed travel to Korea — so the original plan to stay in Japan changed, and off to Seoul they all went!
The reason I didn’t write all the books in the series is that I was invited to write two. (And then one-fourth of VESPERS RISING, and then THE DEAD OF NIGHT in CAHILLS VS. VESPERS.) From the very beginning, Scholastic planned to have multiple authors. This is because writing and publishing a book takes a long time, and if one author were writing them all, there would be about nine months to a year between each volume. Imagine! The eleven books of THE 39 CLUES may have taken eleven years to come out! By using multiple authors, one person could be writing a book, the next could be outlining the next book, and the next could start researching yet another book — all at the same time.
Here’s how we were able to connect the endings of the books: each of us writes a detailed outline of the book we plan to write. The outline is about fifteen or so single-spaced pages. It tells the plot of the book and how it will end. We do this before we begin actually writing the book — and we give this outline to the author of the next book. So the next author knows exactly how the previous book will end. That said, sometimes an author will change the ending of a book. This happened to me. After I started writing THE VIPER’S NEST, I learned that Jude Watson had changed the ending of IN TOO DEEP. It was way different from the outline. This meant I had to go back to the beginning of my book and rewrite it. But that was fine. Jude’s new ending was spectacular. I had time to adjust, and no one ever knew what had happened!
Yes, I think trust is one of the themes of the book — and of the whole series. Thanks again for writing, Hennry, and I hope you have a great summer!

Hello, Galini.  Well, THE DEAD OF NIGHT is my last book in the series, so any malevolent (or benevolent) actions involving Evan are in the capable hands of Mr. Smith, Ms. Park, and Mr. Baldacci.  As for a new series, it’s too early to tell (we’re only halfway through this series!), but keep an eye on the 39 Clues Message Board and this website for news.

Hello, Abigail.  It was Rick, along with our brilliant editor at Scholastic.  Dear Adele had nothing to do with it.

Hello, LilyTomas1!  It’s too early to tell just yet, but keep an eye on my home page and on my “Author Visits/Where I’m Going” page for any breaking news about future tours.  Also, I do visit schools throughout the year, wherever I’m invited.  Teachers and school personnel can find info about these visits on my “Author Visits/What to Expect” page.

Not insane.  Just unicorn-loving!

Hello, Abigail!  The truth is, I don’t have much to do with the website, but feel free to send your request directly to the web people via [pl-popup content="http://www.the39clues.com/info/contact" title="Cahill Command Message Board Administration" width="1000" height="640"]this link[/pl-popup].

Hello, Fernanda!  Looks good to me.

It looks like everyone is having a great time. What’s not to like?