Although Snicket books are witty, funny and sarcastic, with each book in this series I feel so sorry for him. Lemony Snicket has to dive into more and more treachery to save Stain'd-by-the-Sea instead of trying to rescue his sister Kit from prison. Finally, S. Theodora Markson realises that she isn't a good chaperone nor a good volunteer, which was unexpected because adults almost never admit they are wrong in a Snicket book. 
 This was a great penultimate book in the series - just enough suspense and build-up, a few questions answered, but more questions asked. Is Ellington Feint a villain after all? Will Snicket save his sister? What does the S. stand for in Theodora Markson's name? Is Hangfire somehow connected to Count Olaf? Or these all the wrong questions?