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librarydreams's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
An interesting solve the mysterious collection that should be manageable for the target age group.
kitsuneheart's review
3.0
Not something I expected! A little mystery book where you ACTUALLY FIND OUT THE ANSWER, INSTEAD OF A NORMAL SNICKET ENDING.
Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it has the normal Snicket quality. While I'm sure this was a fun exercise for the author, it resulted in a book which has basically nothing to do with the larger conflict of the series. Which is somewhat okay, in that it doesn't require readers to buy this book in order to catch up with what's going on, but it also doesn't encourage much interest from the reader.
And, with it being thirteen incidents and the book being set in a town with a very small (shown) population, a lot of the mysteries end up revolving around some random person who is passing through. Even less interest for the reader!
So, an interesting new take for Snicket, but definitely not a must for fans of the Wrong Questions.
Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it has the normal Snicket quality. While I'm sure this was a fun exercise for the author, it resulted in a book which has basically nothing to do with the larger conflict of the series. Which is somewhat okay, in that it doesn't require readers to buy this book in order to catch up with what's going on, but it also doesn't encourage much interest from the reader.
And, with it being thirteen incidents and the book being set in a town with a very small (shown) population, a lot of the mysteries end up revolving around some random person who is passing through. Even less interest for the reader!
So, an interesting new take for Snicket, but definitely not a must for fans of the Wrong Questions.
s_l's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jessethereader's review
5.0
I loved this so much! I'm glad that Mr. Snicket decided to write this. :) I will say that I think it would be a good idea to read at least the first book in the All The Wrong Questions series... maybe even the second book too, before reading this. I think you'll enjoy it more, because you'll go into it knowing the characters already and their quirky personalities. The format of this book was so great! It really added to the reading experience.
kjbmod's review
3.0
So, in my attempt to read whatever Lemony Snicket I can get my hands on, and without the options of the series of unfortunate events, I thought that this was just a stand alone in the same universe. Turns out it’s actually like an optional additional book in the wrong questions series, which I also intend to read eventually. Overall though “Snicket’s” writing is always great and it’s still an entertaining set of stories on if read on its own.
ashley_choo's review
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
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
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
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