Dear Reader, If you have picked up this book with the hope of finding asimple and cheery tale. I'm afraid you have picked up the wrong bookaltogether. The story may seem cheery at first, when the Baudelairechildren spend time in the company of some interesting reptiles and agiddy uncle, but don't be fooled. If you know anything at all about theunlucky Baudelaire children, you already know that even pleasant eventslead down the same road to misery. In fact, within the pages you nowhold in your hands, the three siblings endure a car accident, a terribleodor, a deadly serpent, a long knife, a large brass reading lamp, and thereappearance of a person they'd hoped never to see again. I am bound torecord these tragic events, but you are free to put this book back on theshelf and seek something lighter. With all due respect, Lemony Snicket