BookPath
Home/Authors/Rick Riordan/The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions)

The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions) Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Rick Riordan
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions) by Rick Riordan with "The Maze Of Bones", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Riordan created the outline for this multi-author series and wrote the first novel.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "The Maze Of Bones"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

Begin Reading Path →
Audible VersionBest for commuting

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions) conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions). The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "The Maze Of Bones" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions)" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "The Maze Of Bones"Explore all by Rick Riordan

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order2 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

The Maze Of Bones

Pub: 2011★ 3.5

Minutes before she died Grace Cahill changed her will, leaving her decendants an impossible decision: You have a choice - one million dollars or a clue. Grace is the last matriarch of the Cahills, the world's most powerful family. Everyone from Napoleon to Houdini is related to the Cahills, yet the source of the family power is lost. 39 clues hidden around the world will reveal the family's secret, but no one has been able to assemble them. Now the clues race is on, and young Amy and Dan must decide what's important: hunting clues or uncovering what REALLY happened to their parents.

2

Vespers Rising

Pub: 2011★ 5

Plot details hidden until you finish "The Maze Of Bones".

The Cahills aren't the only family searching for the Clues. . . . The Cahills thought they were the most powerful family the world had ever known. They thought they were the only ones who knew about Gideon Cahill and his Clues. The Cahills were wrong. Powerful enemies —the Vespers— have been waiting in the shadows. Now it’s their time to rise and the world will never be the same. In Vespers Rising, a brand new 39 Clues novel, bestselling authors Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman and Jude Watson take on the hidden history of the Cahills and the Vespers, and the last, terrible legacy Grace Cahill leaves for Amy and Dan.

Prefer Listening?

Best if you commute

Get the professional narration of "The Maze Of Bones" free with an Audible trial.

Try Audible →

Own the Physical Copy

Best value option

Add "The Maze Of Bones" to your library. Curated links ensure you get the correct edition.

View on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions) series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions)?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Maze Of Bones" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Rick Riordan intended.

Can I read The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions) books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the The 39 Clues (Riordan Contributions) universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.