In the first book, Ian is first seen talking to a preast at Grace Cahill's funeral along side Natalie. The two of them choose to accept the hunt for the 39 clues instead of taking a million dollars each. Later, Ian and Natalie are seen talking to Irina Spasky about where to find the next clue. They attack Amy and Dan with a poison needle gun in The Catacombs, attempting to leave them down there forever. They reveal that they were the ones who ordered Amy and Dan to be cemented underground. Amy and Dan are rescued by Alistair Oh. Later, Ian steals a secret formula from Amy and Dan.