The first volume in the highly anticipated new series by Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events. 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 began asking questions that shouldn`t have been on his mind. Now he has written an account that should not be published, in four volumes that shouldn`t be read. This is the first volume. ” Charming, clever & enormously enjoyable”. (Guardian). ” Wonderfully eccentric & addictive.. . Just beautiful writing”. (Observer). ” Better than ever”. (Independent). ”A dazzlingly clever, funny & literary concoction”. (Irish Times).