Who Could That Be at This Hour? (All the Wrong Questions, #1) Summary & Key Insights

Lemony Snicket's "Who Could That Be at This Hour?" introduces young, inquisitive Lemony Snicket, not yet the melancholic author we know from "A Series of Unfortunate Events," but already displaying his characteristic pessimism and penchant for uncovering mysteries. The novel revolves around his involvement in a series of bizarre and interconnected events, primarily focused on his Aunt Josephine and her peculiar anxieties.

The story begins with Lemony's unexpected move to live with his Aunt Josephine, a woman terrified of almost everything, particularly things that could be found in her basement. This fear is amplified by the presence of a mysterious, presumably dangerous, "thing" lurking below. The "thing" however, is soon revealed to be a harmless, though slightly unconventional, collection of things. This sets the tone for the book's exploration of fear and how it can be irrational, yet powerfully impacting on lives.

His interactions with his Aunt are intertwined with his attempts to solve a perplexing mystery involving a series of coded messages, delivered by a rather unusual method, involving a mysterious organization known as the "V.F.D.". These coded messages suggest a vast and intricate conspiracy, hinting at a larger narrative that parallels the adult world's complexities and dangers.

Central to the plot is the enigma of V.F.D, an organization whose nature remains largely mysterious throughout the book, introducing the recurring theme of secret societies and their concealed agendas. Lemony's investigation subtly introduces the reader to the intricacies of espionage and clandestine operations, while remaining appropriately tailored for a younger audience.

The character of Aunt Josephine, despite her overwhelming fear, is surprisingly resourceful and plays a crucial role in helping Lemony solve the mystery. Her seemingly irrational anxieties are revealed to have a surprisingly logical root, highlighting the book's underlying theme of how fear can be a product of both internal and external factors. The book also subtly introduces several other recurring characters from the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and their connections to the V.F.D.

Throughout the book, Lemony grapples with various challenges, including deciphering codes, evading suspicious individuals, and ultimately confronting his own inherent anxieties. The overarching theme is the exploration of mystery and suspense, tailored for a younger readership. The narrative doesn't offer straightforward answers, mirroring the complexities of real-life mysteries, instead encouraging readers to engage actively with the clues and contemplate the implied meanings. The novel concludes with the mystery partially solved but with many new questions raised, setting the stage for future installments in the "All the Wrong Questions" series.