Play Book Tag discussion

The Wide Window is the third in 'A Series of Unfortunate Events.' It describes the lives of the poor Baudelaire orphans, Vioet, Klus, and Sunny, who have been placed in their Aunt Josephine's house. Josephine is terrified of fire and real-estate agents. She lives in an old house on a cliff overlooking Lake Lachrymose, a leach-infested body of fresh water that also happens to be prone to hurricanes.

The plot is good with a great setup and execution. There’s a pretty decent mystery that the kids have to figure out, and it’s one where the reader can solve it along with them. Count Olaf’s latest scheme hits a good balance between horrific and absurd, which is appropriate for the series. Mr. Poe is useless, as always.

This book contains such dangerous incidents as an accidental death-by-leaches, suicide, betrayal, and murder-by-leaches making this the darkest story yet. But Lemony Snicket did warn readers this "may be the worst of them all".

Yes, this is formulaic series, but remember it was written for children. My grandchildren loved it.