"The Penultimate Peril" is the twelfth book in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. In this installment, the Baudelaire orphans—Violet, Klaus, and Sunny—arrive at the Hotel Denouement, where they must uncover the truth behind the villainous Count Olaf and his schemes. The hotel serves as a gathering place for various characters from previous books, creating a complex web of alliances and betrayals. As the story unfolds, the orphans face moral dilemmas and challenges that test their ingenuity and courage. They encounter familiar faces, including Esme Squalor and Justice Strauss, while trying to protect the Quagmire triplets and thwart Olaf's plans. The narrative builds tension as the orphans inch closer to the series' climax.