In the tradition of great storytellers, from Dickens to Dahl, comes an exquisitely dark comedy that is both literary and irreverent, hilarious and deftly crafted. Miserably scrawled by Lemony Snicket and respectfully illustrated by Brett Helquist, never before has a series of three likeable and unfortunate children been quite so enchanting, or quite so uproariously unhappy.

Undearest reader, welcome to the second tale in Lemony Snicket's collection about not one, not two, but three unlucky orphan siblings, heirs to a great fortune, who attempt to elude an evil maybe-relative--and his cast of unsavory actors--as they search for a home.

Sadly, the unlucky streak continues for Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, even as they find themselves temporarily sheltered by a friendly and interesting uncle. A deadly viper, a ridiculous disguise, a viewing of Zombies in the Snow, and two hooked hands all figure into this second, slippery entry in A Series of Unfortunate Events, which has been illustrated by the terrifically talented Brett Helquist.

Good luck finishing this unscathed.