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 Now he has written an account that should not be published, in four volumes that shouldn"t be read.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 and enormously enjoyable". (Guardian). "Wonderfully eccentric and addictive ...Just beautiful writing". (Observer). "Better than ever". (Independent). "A dazzlingly clever, funny and literary concoction". (Irish Times).