Young Lemony Snicket investigates a rash of fires that have plagued the town of Stain'd-by-the-Sea, revealing secrets that involve the Department of Education and the notorious villain Hangfire.

I think I have read too many of these...I can't remember the characters names and who they are or maybe they appear so infrequently or are part of the underlying story? Who is Jospephine? The biggest mystery to me is Lemony Snicket and his tattoo....reminds me of Series of Unfortunate Events Count Olaf... I am hoping the 4th book wraps up some of the loose ends. ( )

The plot thickens as more mystery and suspense is added.
We finally get some answers right... The meaning of VFD was answers in book 10 to ASOUFE. I don't think a lot of people cot on to it. Which debunks my theory that VED doesn't officially stand for anything.

The plot feel full and a good cast of characters. There some reference that ties this series to ASOUFE which is well done. Now on to the fourth book, hopefully getting some answers to the sugar bowel.
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This series just gets better and better. Some of my favourite lines, too! Snicket writes in such a satisfying way.

"You cannot wait for an untroubled world to have an untroubled moment. [...] In the meantime, it is best to grab whatever wonderful moments you find lying around."

He uses so many tricks like momentarily switching to third person, then back to first, his craft is really evident in all his work. (Although I am still so salty about Snicket being a pseudonym, my 12 year old self will never forgive Handler for that.)

So much wit and sarcasm. I love the characters. I love that there's somehow a 13-year-old boy detective with a femme fatale? I will read the short story collection and then the last book in this series.

I'm not ready for his bittersweet endingfdsgfhdgjdhfsgdafs
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With more fires to put out, Lemony Snicket has to run to find what Hangfire plans to do with all the schoolchildren from Stain d'by the Sea. Since he can't count on his chaperone to help him unravel the truth, Lemony Snicket has to gather his most trustworthy associates and hope everyone can keep their part of the plan. Can't wait for the grand finale. ( )