Before the Baudelaires became orphans, before he encountered A Series of Unfortunate Events, even before the invention of Netflix, Lemony Snicket was a boy discovering the mysteries of the world. This is his story. 

In a fading town, far from anyone he knew or trusted, a young Lemony Snicket began his apprenticeship in an organization nobody knows about. He started by asking questions that shouldn't have been on his mind. Now he has written an account that shouldn’t be published, in four volumes that shouldn't be read.   

This is the first volume. The mystery continues in When Did You See Her Last?, Shouldn’t You Be in School?, and Why Is This Night Different from All Other Nights?, all available now.   

"Please, it's Lemony Snicket. Enough said." ―Booklist

A New York Times Notable Children's Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 

★ "Fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events will be in heaven." ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review