Leaving Count Olaf behind at the end of the first book, the Baudelaire children who are orphans find themselves now at the home of another relative, Dr. Montgomery, who studies and collects reptiles. Dr. Montgomery, who is kind and loving, to the orphans is about to embark on a fact-finding trip to Peru and plans to take the three children along with him. Then a series of unfortunate events occur when Dr. Montgomery's assistant arrives. Although well disguised it doesn't take too long before the children recognize him as none other than their archenemy, Count Olaf. Readers of the first book will remember Count Olaf as a villain of great proportions who the children lived with after their parent's died. The only interest Count Olaf now has about these children is their large inheritance. As they prepare for the trip, Dr. Montgomery is found dead in the reptile room of his home where he stores his vast collection. Then the banker in charge of the children's money, Mr. Poe arrives but doesn't' realize that Count Olaf is once again involved in the children's lives and the doctors death. The children know the truth and once again fear for their lives. By the end of the book Count Olaf and his one handed cohort are once again sneak away and the Baudelaire children, with the help of Mr. Poe, must once find a home for themselves.

I was encouraged to read this series when I taught 7th grade Language Arts this year and am so glad I began and continue to read this series. While they these books are suggested for young adults, I do think that adults would enjoy reading these books along with their children or even by themselves. I now look forward to continuing the series with the next book, The Wide Window.