1. The Slippery Slope This gets number one spot for not only having the suspense of Sunny’s second kidnapping (or perhaps third) but placed in very real danger on the aforementioned slippery slopes. Not to mention, finally seeing the Quagmire triplets again with a rather sweet, censored interaction between Violet and Quigley allowing some happiness for those unfortunate orphans. Also Olaf and Esme adopt Carmalita and it’s as hilarious and horrible as you can imagine.

2. The Penultimate Peril: If a book has a trial in it, I’m sure ot like it and this was no exception as the Bauldiares and Olaf go on trial in a kangaroo court. A rather confused kangaroo court but that only adds to the humor when every ridiculous character gets their chance onto the stand. Plus as it is the 12th book, we get to some very important information regarding the occupation of the Bauldiare parents, the V.F. and we finally meet Kit Snicket.

3. The Austure Academy: An important book that introduces the Quagmire triplets and Carmalita, this is one where the Bauldiares really begin to earnestly investigate the V.F. and find some steadfast allies as they do so.

4. The Grim Grotto: I heartily enjoyed this nautical change of pace with Fiona and the Captain onboard the submarine. Even though it ends up a bit of a red herring as the kids do not find the truth they were looking for. But it provides several important items that will be relevant in later books.

5. The Erastz Elevator: This one was just funny to me even though its another sad chapter in the Bauldiares’ tragic lives. But poor Jerome’s spineless personality along with Esme’s maniacal evil pair-up with Olaf is always surpremely entertaining to me.