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ashley_choo's review against another edition
5.0
WHO DONE IT?
If it were any other writer, I would be embarrassed that I had to rack my brains so hard to figure out some of the suspicious incidents.
However, this WAS written by the legendary Lemony Snicket, aka Daniel Handler, and I have always been in awe of his clever writing.
This was a fun and amusing read, and I wish there were more mysteries for me to solve!
If it were any other writer, I would be embarrassed that I had to rack my brains so hard to figure out some of the suspicious incidents.
However, this WAS written by the legendary Lemony Snicket, aka Daniel Handler, and I have always been in awe of his clever writing.
This was a fun and amusing read, and I wish there were more mysteries for me to solve!
jhamm's review against another edition
4.0
A neat little spin-off that fleshes out the setting and characters.
It’s very reminiscent of the “Encyclopedia Brown” series as each of the 13 short stories are separated from their solutions and invite the reader to try and solve them on their own. In typical Snicket fashion, this book also tends to poke fun at that format as well, and some of the stories have humorous, off-the-wall solutions.
The one thing I didn’t understand was why there were “extra” solutions that didn’t connect to anything, but I’m assuming that’s by no accident.
Is this essential reading? Nope. Is it still fun to read and learn more about the characters/world? Definitely!
It’s very reminiscent of the “Encyclopedia Brown” series as each of the 13 short stories are separated from their solutions and invite the reader to try and solve them on their own. In typical Snicket fashion, this book also tends to poke fun at that format as well, and some of the stories have humorous, off-the-wall solutions.
The one thing I didn’t understand was why there were “extra” solutions that didn’t connect to anything, but I’m assuming that’s by no accident.
Is this essential reading? Nope. Is it still fun to read and learn more about the characters/world? Definitely!
kaylielongley's review against another edition
3.0
When reading File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents, I am reminded of Encyclopedia Brown, where the answers to his cases are found by simply flipping to the book’s end. While Encyclopedia Brown’s cases were longer and required thoughtful examination of each detail, in Lemony Snicket’s attempt, each chapter reads like a vignette: short, often simply solved, but still insightful. Other solutions, without their matching cases, are found in the back, so reading the book might be confusing at first.
I enjoyed reading these tiny tales, as it shows more about the wild characters and happening in Stain’d by the Sea. By describing both ordinary and outrageous cases and solving them quickly, we learn how much Lemony has learned (often without his chaperone). Most 12-year-old detectives solve cases like these, so it’s a bit more realistic than the first two books.
File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents felt sloppily put together, but I know Snicket has a plan for the final two books in this series. Some cases were too simple, like a pie thief who still had blueberry stains on his t-shirt, while other cases were too convoluted to understand. It's still amusing and clever, but it simply felt like an unnecessary intermission. I've placed a hold on Shouldn't You Be in School? and can’t wait to continue reading! Until then, I’ll be returning to another noteworthy author of young adult books: Scott Westerfeld.
I enjoyed reading these tiny tales, as it shows more about the wild characters and happening in Stain’d by the Sea. By describing both ordinary and outrageous cases and solving them quickly, we learn how much Lemony has learned (often without his chaperone). Most 12-year-old detectives solve cases like these, so it’s a bit more realistic than the first two books.
File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents felt sloppily put together, but I know Snicket has a plan for the final two books in this series. Some cases were too simple, like a pie thief who still had blueberry stains on his t-shirt, while other cases were too convoluted to understand. It's still amusing and clever, but it simply felt like an unnecessary intermission. I've placed a hold on Shouldn't You Be in School? and can’t wait to continue reading! Until then, I’ll be returning to another noteworthy author of young adult books: Scott Westerfeld.
abbbyyy's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
I read this with my 9yo who loves Sleuth & Solve stories. Not all of the mysteries are satisfying, but we had a few good chuckles which made up for the lackluster stories.
We have read all of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but haven't read any of All the Wrong Questions. I think we'll start ATWQ now that we've had this teaser.
I loved the references to other books and had to go to the Snicket Wiki to look a few up that I didn't recognize.
We have read all of A Series of Unfortunate Events, but haven't read any of All the Wrong Questions. I think we'll start ATWQ now that we've had this teaser.
I loved the references to other books and had to go to the Snicket Wiki to look a few up that I didn't recognize.
bear_calderon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
caroliney514's review against another edition
3.0
It was fun to read each incident and try to see if I could solve it before I read the solutions in the back of the book. I did find it tiring to be introduced to recurring characters like the police officers after a few chapters.
thingsreadinbed's review against another edition
5.0
Read this aloud to our 2 nine year olds. Snicket snarkiness and innovation never disappoints me.
kpelech's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75