Having run out of relatives to take them in, the Baudelaire orphans are now on their way to Paltryville, where their family friend Mr. Poe has arranged for them to live with a caretaker at the Lucky Smells Lumbermill. Unfortunately, the children are soon put to work in the mill, under a terrible foreman --- and they haven't even met their guardian yet! The tricky work of a hypnotist and an accident at the mill just add to their misery. And, of course, there is always the threat of Count Olaf showing up, eager to get his greedy hands on the Baudelaire money.

   --- Reviewed by Shannon Maughan