The thirteenth and final book in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, aptly entitled The End, ended exactly as he promised from the outset. The finale was as depressing and disappointing as Snicket repeatedly warned readers it would be. What we followers once idealistically shrugged off as his false modesty proved to be truth in dark advertising. I found it difficult (though not impossible) to complain about my crushed expectations when I knew deep down that the author had reserved the privilege to respond, “I told you so.”

Later this year, Snicket’s clever woe returns to the new-release section of our few remaining bookstores with the first in a four-book prequel series under the umbrella title All the Wrong Questions. The first installment, Who Could That Be at This Hour?, appears to star Snicket himself at age 12 and may or may not relate to us the secret history of his initiation into the V.F.D., which may or may not stand for “Vilified Federation of Downers”. Illustrations will be provided by Seth, a much-lauded graphic novelist who prefers to remain mononymous, a word which here means, “distinguished enough to require only a single name.”

Skeptical fans are encouraged to go read the entire first chapter, which is now officially available online. The reader can infer from the opening paragraph alone that, once again, future side effects of partaking in this experience may or may not include unhappiness, heartbreak, and complaints about so many unseemly tragedies.

Entertainment Weekly indicates the release date has been moved from the original December 2012 plan up to October 23rd, all the sooner for us to get it over with — which may be desirous, if this tantalizing sample is an accurate indicator of the surprises and double-takes in store. Lord willing, perhaps the Questions tetralogy won’t also be adapted into a Jim Carrey movie that ends up as neither a series nor an event.