In Trust No One by Linda Sue Park, we reach the fifth book of the explosive Cahills vs Vespers series. There are only six books, so.the action is coming to a head. Whereas in previous books Amy and Dan were willing to sit by and wait, things are heating up now as the Vespers are getting closer to their goal.
For those who don’t know, The 39 Clues is a multi-author series in which two orphans, Amy (14) and Dan (11) Cahill discover that they are members of the most powerful family in human history. The source of their families power is scattered throughout the world in the form of 39 special clues.
Unfortunately, Amy and Dan aren’t the only ones after the clues. Their vicious relatives are willing to do anything to get the clues first; even kill.
The first ten books of the series were about Amy and Dan fighting to try and find the clues. The second series, Cahills vs Vespers is about Amy, Dan, and the rest of the Cahills facing off against an evil rival family named the Vespers who want the clues for themselves.
Click here to learn more about The 39 Clues
Summary
At the end of the last book, Vesper 1 informed Amy and Dan that they’d need to steal the Voynich Manuscript. Unfortunately, there is another problem going on as the Cahills have realized they have a Vesper mole in their midst.
Although at first they thought it was Ian Kabra (especially after he disappeared), Amy’s boyfriend Evan discovers that Sinead Starling was actually the one who sold out to the Vespers. She attacks Amy and tries to kill her, but Amy is able to subdue her.
This is a huge shock for Amy because Sinead was an integral member of their team and had even become Amy’s best friend. Sinead admits she did it because the Vespers promised her that they would develop a cure for her brothers ailments if she helped them.
Ian also lets Amy and Dan know about what he’s been to. He traveled to Africa to research his mothers charity, which he learned is just a bogus fake. They are well aware by now of the fact that Isabel is an active Vesper (possibly even Vesper 1).
Meanwhile, Atticus and Jake are continuing to develop as characters. Atticus remembers some of the stuff his mom told him (including about the Voynich), and they keep running into people who do them favors because them remember Astrid. He also knows he’s a guardian, although he’s not exactly sure yet what that means.
They are able to track down the Voynich from Yale to a Dr. Siffright who worked with Astrid. Although Amy and Dan are able to retrieve the manuscript, they keep getting attacked. It doesn’t take long for them to realize Isabel is the one behind it.
With all of the pieces in place for whatever the Vespers are doing, things are about to get bad. Amy and Dan begin to realize what the Vespers may really be planning, and that by trying to save their relatives, they may have destroyed the whole world. Will the Vespers take Amy’s ring? Will Dan take the serum in order to stop the Vespers? Is it too late, or can Amy and Dan still save the world?
Review
This is an excellent book. Even though Park isn’t an action writer, you wouldn’t know it by reading this book. She leaves us in complete suspense the whole way through.
While Park’s earlier contribution to the series was kind of in her own style, it appears she has gotten more in touch with the series now and this book is written very well, much like the rest of the books.
We learn a ton of mysteries in this book, which only make us want to ask more. This is the best part of The 39 Clues, and this book does it masterfully. You won’t be able to wait to read book six after this!
If you haven’t read The 39 Clues yet, I’d recommend starting with the first book of the current series. If you have, Trust No One is a definite slam dunk.