The Wide Window is the third book in A Series of Unfortunate Events by American author, Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler). As we once again join the unlucky Baudelaire orphans, they are about to be deposited by their banker, Mr Poe, with another distant relative, Aunt Josephine, who lives, fearful on many things in a house precariously perched above Lake Lachrymose. Having already suffered the loss of their parents, the threat of marriage, and the murder of their Uncle Monty at the hands of the evil Count Olaf, the siblings are ever-vigilant of his reappearance. Luckily these well-mannered and uncomplaining children are also very resourceful: Violet invents, Klaus reads and Sunny bites. Snickets tone throughout is apologetic, sincere and matter-of-fact as he relates the unfortunate events in the childrens lives; his imaginative and even surreptitiously educational style will hold much appeal for younger readers. This instalment, cucumber soup, sailing on a lake in a hurricane, hungry leeches with teeth, peppermints and the importance of grammar all have a part in the tale. The alliterative titles are delightful and Brett Helquist provides some wonderfully evocative sketches. What will befall the Baudelaires in The Miserable Mill?