The Bad Beginning, Lemony Snicket. - This one was on the children's cart at work, and is wonderfully irreverent, incorporating Edgar Allen Poe, bits of pseudo-gothic horror and lots of clues that seem like they may lead somewhere eventually. The end of the story is more a stopping-off point, and while I was more interested in the identity of the mystery author I have to admit that whoever it is is pulling it off quite well for a children’s series full of dark humor. The web page is well designed too.

Originally read May 2002