First published 2001
When a string of suspicious fires plagues the town of Stain'd-by-the-Sea, apprentice Lemony Snicket springs into action. Entangled in a web of secrets, he discovers the notorious villain Hangfire is targeting innocent schoolchildren. With the corrupt Department of Education concealing vital clues, Lemony must race against time to uncover Hangfire's sinister scheme before more lives are lost. In this thrilling mystery, Lemony's courageous detective work puts his own safety at risk as the fate of the entire town hangs in the balance.
Genres: fiction, adventure, mystery, young-adult
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, race-against-time
Setting: Stain'd-by-the-Sea
336 pages · Hardcover · HarperCollins