The Penultimate Peril

1. Misfortune Teller

"Cootie catcher" distributed physically at bookstores and digitally on Amazon during summer 2005.

2. ISBN t-shirt (HarperCollins version)

Book 12's title was not revealed until release day; during promotions HarperCollins referred to the book by its ISBN number. Bookstore staff were issued black t-shirts with “Watch out for” and the ISBN barcode on the front, and “Snicket’s Back” with publisher logos on the back.

3. Pop-up binoculars

Cardboard binoculars that fold flat and pop open. The top reads, “Watch out for unfortunate events.” Distributed to bookstore customers on release day.

4. Evidence Labels

Sheet of stickers that reads, "Keep track of your evidence with these helpful labels." Distributed to bookstore customers on release day.

5. Alarm clock

Black plastic alarm clock. Lid reads, “Be Alarmed”. Most of the bookstores with event kits held a raffle on release day for customers to win the alarm clock.

6. Pocket mirror

Folding compact mirror. Lid reads, “If you have been reading books by Lemony Snicket, please Pull Yourself Together.”

7. Unfortunate Event Kit

The (distributed to bookstore customer) items listed above were sent to booksellers as part of an Unfortunate Event Kit for The Penultimate Peril. In addition to an alarm clock, 50 pop-up binoculars, and a package of evidence labels, the box contained a booklet of "Reproducible Activities": puzzles and games for booksellers to photocopy and distribute to customers on release day.

8. Floor Display

Cardboard shelf/stand for bookstores to display copies of the newly released book. Stand topper is a 3D version of the front cover illustration.

1. ISBN t-shirt (Egmont version)

Identical to the HarperCollins ISBN shirt except with Egmont's barcode, text font, and logos.

2. Postcard and bookmark set

Set of four postcards and four bookmarks in envelopes. Front has "BORING", "POET", "READ", or "STOP" with an associated quote from the series; back advertises a book release event benefiting a children's charity ("The Big Unfortunate Event in aid of Barnardo's takes place on October 22nd").