When last we saw the three Baudelaire orphans --- Violet, Klaus and Sunny --- they were hurtling down a raging river on a toboggan, headed for certain death. At the beginning of THE GRIM GROTTO, the three children are rescued in the nick of time by a passing submarine. Just when they think they are safe, though, the Baudelaires are in for their most harrowing adventures yet. Unlike the earlier books in this series, Count Olaf is not really a central character here. Instead, this book introduces some new characters and helps shed light on old nemeses such as the hook-handed man. Lemony Snicket continues to be darkly humorous, with jokes that sometimes seem aimed as much at adults as at children.

In the end, THE GRIM GROTTO introduces more mysteries than it solves. But a great book for any reader.