Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Friends, villain clash on speeding train in gripping finale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Young apprentice investigator Lemony Snicket is determined to unmask the evil Hangfire, put an end to his murderous deeds, and save the town of Stain'd-by-the Sea once and for all -- but time is running out: He learns that Hangfire will be on a train out of town and vows to be on it (even though he has no money to buy a ticket) to confront him and solve the mystery of the Bombinating Beast. His associates and many of the town's denizens from the first three books end up on the train, too, including his ditsy chaperone; bumbling police officers Mimi and Harvey Mitchum and their rotten son, Stew; librarian Dashiell Qwerty; and the mysterious Ellington Feint. Can Snicket figure out who connects to Hangfire and end the villain's reign of terror before the train reaches the city? And will he ever see his sister, Kit, again?
Is It Any Good?
Like a nail-biting Agatha Christie mystery, this volume gathers all the suspects, schemers, and investigators in one place -- a speeding train -- to expose the murderer. Readers finally learn who Hangfire is, how the various plot threads connect, and see what Snicket is really made of. Two violent deaths make this installment darker and heavier than the others, adding a level of moral ambiguity to both the story and the Snicket character that kids may not be expecting. It's not all dazzling wordplay, sly humor, and savvy crime-solving this time; real life-and-death choices get made.
The writing, as always, is the real star, with fun and clever descriptions ("her hair lay sprawled on the pillow like a mop had jumped off the roof") as well as poignant expressions of self-doubt and regret ("I walked amongst them like a shadow, casting darkness over everyone I knew"). No word yet on whether young Snicket will be back to solve another mystery, but some situations remain unresolved, and Snicket does allow that "there was still work to be done," giving fans hope for more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mystery styles. What makes this a noir mystery?
Did you find this a satisfying conclusion to the series? What surprised you most about the way things turned out?
Would you like to see more mysteries starring the young Lemony Snicket? Do you think there'll be more?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Seth
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Transportation ( Trains )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publishers : Little , Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : September 25, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 295
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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