"The second book in the unfortunate series!"

Well, on to the second book in the Series of Unfortunate Events. It seems the Baudelaire children found just a bit of contentment with Uncle Montgomery Montgomery or more affectionately known as Uncle Monty. Uncle Monty had a huge house with a nice library and he let the children each have their own room. He even allowed them to work with him in The Reptile Room where he had all sorts of toads, lizards and snakes, poisonous and non-poisonous. Uncle Monty even discovered a new species of snake that he named The Incredibly Deadly Viper which really was quite a misnomer for this very friendly snake.

It seemed as if the children were finally getting the happy home they are overdue for but alas it was not to be. Uncle Monty's assistant quits on him so he has to hire a new assistant named Stefano. The first time the children meet Stefano they know something is wrong. At first they don't figure it out until they get a look at Stefano's tattoo of an eye on his ankle and they know at once it's Count Olaf after them and their fortune yet again. The problem is they cannot convince anyone that Stafano is not who he purports to be! They just have to keep a close eye on him and hope that he doesn't do any bodily harm to anyone!

These books may be unpleasantly depressing but Lemony Snicket knows just how to grab and keep your attention from first page to last! My daughter and I are there silently urging the Baudelaire children to find their happy ending in any way they can even if they have to content with Count Olaf in one way, shape or form! My daughter and I both read these books in a matter of hours so we can delve into the next one and see what fate awaits the poor Baudelaires.

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted December 7, 2004