Next To Last

A Series of Unfortunate Events #12: The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snickett

Adolescent Thriller

This book was the thickest yet in the series, with information flying so fast and furious that it felt like a crescendo--a race to get it all in before the final act.

Th Baudelaire trio has met up with Kit Snickett, shadily related to Lemony, and she has taken them to safety, to a hotel where many other volunteers for good will soon arrive and assures them that many of  their questions will be answered.  'Safe' is a word that doesn't usually apply to the Baudelaires.  Soon, the hotel is crowded and they don't know who to trust, regardless of the murky clues and ridiculous passwords.

This one is much better than the last six in the series, probably because it was less formulaic.  It was also much darker and more desperate than the others, as if the Baudelaires know their story is almost over.  Some of the story is the same--ridiculous characters in unbelievable situations.  Why does it always seem to work?  Although, after twelve of these, I am definitely ready for this to be over and jump into something new by this author.  I do so enjoy Snickett's writing style, his strange wit and sense of humor.  I also always love the formats of the hard cover editions.  The front cover art and deckled edges are so classically SUE.   This phenomenon will be missed.  This series has been so unique and will not be triumphed, a rare compliment from a bibliophile.