The Nameless Novel
The Nameless Novel is a website operated by HarperCollins, publishers of the books of A Series of Unfortunate Events, in which knowledge of The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket is available after completing tasks in a day-by-day, calendar format.
The Penultimate Peril has been revealed to be the name of the twelfth book.
Mystery the First
Mystery the First began on July 27 2005. For each task completed, a segment of page 130 from The Penultimate Peril is revealed. There are nine pieces of the page, corresponding to the nine tasks of Mystery the First.
July 10 to July 26 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
July 27 - Mystery the First, Part One: Coded Communication - A coded letter must be deciphered. This can be done by considering the capitalized italic letters. The letters form the message read "FROM THAT SAD AGE, ONE SAD PAGE." You will be rewarded with the third piece of the page.
July 28 - Mystery the First, Part Two: Volunteer/Villian Formerly Described - You must name the described character. The answer is "Mr. Poe". You will be rewarded with the seventh piece of the page.
July 29 to July 30 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
July 31 - Mystery the First, Part Three: Vocabulary Frequently Degraded - You must choose the incorrect meaning for each word. The answers are:
- 1 - a drug given to panda bears
- 2 - a poisonous chemical compound
- 3 - an elaborately dressed European monster
- 4 - used by so, so many Lemony Snickets that by the time a writer uses it, it is a tiresome cliché
- 5 - having the qualities of someone named Rick, or in some rare cases, Ricket
- 6 - a fish commonly found in the Pacific Ocean
- 7 - a condition of the liver
- 8 - made into a crow-shaped hat by three skittish women
- 9 - a page that appears at the beginning of every book by Lemony Snicket
- 10 - removed all fects
You will be rewarded with the first piece of the page.
August 1 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 2 - Mystery the First, Part Four: Vernacularly Fastened Door - Provide the names for the three descriptions. The answers are:
- 1 - DOWN THE RABBIT-HOLE
- 2 - LEAGUE OF NATIONS
- 3 - THEORY OF RELATIVITY
You will be rewarded with the fourth piece of the page.
August 3 to August 4 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 5 - Mystery the First, Part Five: Uncommon Commonplace Quiz - You must answer five questions based on previous calendar dates. The answers are:
- 1 - OLIVES
- 2 - O'LEARY
- 3 - DEVIL'S TONGUE
- 4 - 201
- 5 - ANNA KARENINA
You will be rewarded with the ninth piece of the page.
August 6 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 7 - Mystery the First, Part Six: Volunteer/Villian Formerly Described - You must name the described character. The answer is "Mr. Remora". You will be rewarded with the fifth piece of the page.
August 8 to August 9 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 10 - Mystery the First, Part Seven: Coded Communication - You must decipher a coded script from the film Ants in the Fruit Salad, by Gustav Sebald. Considering every eleventh spoken word, starting with the first one, reveals the message "THE SISTER TOOK THEM". You will be rewarded with the second piece of the page.
August 11 to August 12 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 13 - Mystery the First, Part Eight: Vernacularly Fastened Door - Provide the names for the three descriptions. The answers are:
- 1 - METRIC SYSTEM
- 2 - EMPEROR NERO
- 3 - FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
You will be rewarded with the eighth piece of the page.
August 14 - Mystery One, Part Nine: Vocabulary Frequently Degraded - You must choose the incorrect answer. The answers are as follows:
- 1 - ut
- 2 - a sliver or splinter on one’s foot
- 3 - vulsion, again
- 4 - the location of someone browsing neither small, medium, nor extra large clothing in a store
- 5 - one who smells perfumes and colognes as a job
- 6 - a top diplomat’s orange juice
- 7 - made entirely of tin foil
- 8 - a love of spicy Indian food, usually the product of a culinary mind
- 9 - relating to the operatic composer Giuseppe Verdi
- 10 - salmon cut into pleasing shapes and simply served in puttanesca sauce
You will be awarded the ninth and final piece of the page. If all of the other tasks are also completed, then the page is now complete. Seven of the words on the page are blacked out. No clue to the title of Book the Twelfth is given. The 'V' part of the paperweight on the main desk will turn gold.
Note: There may be other answers that may fit for certain questions.
Mystery the Second
Mystery the Second began on August 18th. For each task completed, a segment of a triptych from Book the Twelfth is revealed. There are nine segments of the triptych, corresponding to the nine parts of Mystery the Second.
August 15 to August 17 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 18 - Mystery the Second, Part One: Uncommon Commonplace Quiz - You must answer questions based on previous calendar entries. The answers are:
- 1 MEMENTO MORI
- 2 GRAVLAX
- 3 HOW WATER IS MADE
- 4 IT
- 5 SEBALD
You will be rewarded with the sixth piece of the triptych.
August 19 - Mystery the Second, Part Two: Volunteer/Villain Formerly Described - You must identify the volunteer/villain described. The answer is "Carmelita Spats". You will be rewarded with the second piece of the triptych.
August 20 to August 21 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 22 - Mystery the Second, Part Three: Vernacularly Fastened Door - Provide the correct name for the three descriptions. The answers are:
- 1 GRIMM BROTHERS
- 2 SORROWFUL SONGS
- 3 GREAT FIRE OF LONDON
You will be rewarded with the ninth piece of the triptych.
August 23 to August 25 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 26 - Mystery the Second, Part Four: Coded Communication - You must decipher the coded communication by considering the letters in red, in order. The answer is "THREE SPIES, BUT NONE SAW THE WHOLE TRUTH!" (including the exclamation point). You will be rewarded with the first piece of the triptych.
August 27 to August 28 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
August 29 - Mystery the Second, Part Five: Uncommon Commonplace Quiz - You must answer questions based on previous calendar entries. The answers are:
- 1 POISONOUS PLANT
- 2 OXYGEN
- 3 ACTING IN THE ROLE OF PARENT
- 4 BANANA
- 5 ELISHA GRAVES OTIS
You will be rewarded with the eighth piece of the triptych.
August 30 to September 1 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 2 - Mystery the Second, Part Six: Vocabulary Frequently Degraded - You must choose the incorrect answer. The answers are:
- 1 a bicycle for one spy, instead of two
- 2 strawberry flavored
- 3 a misplaced apostrophe
- 4 covered in tiny insects
- 5 an electric xylophone
- 6 a drinking establishment frequented by large, black birds
- 7 having the characteristics of an angry orangutan
- 8 the text of a very quiet opera
- 9 the name of a famous Italian sculptor
- 10 a relatively small case of arson
You will be rewarded with the fourth piece of the triptych.
September 3 to September 5 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 6 - Mystery the Second, Part Seven: Vernacularly Fastened Door - Provide the correct name for the three descriptions. The answers are:
- 1 GRAND HOTEL
- 2 DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM
- 3 LES FLEURS DU MAL
You will be rewarded with the fifth part of the triptych.
September 7 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 8 - Mystery the Second, Part Eight: Volunteer/Villain Formerly Described - You must identify the volunteer/villain described. The answer is 'ISADORA QUAGMIRE'. You will be rewarded with the seventh part of the triptych.
September 9 to September 13 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 14 - Mystery the Second, Part Nine: Uncommon Commonplace Quiz - You must answer questions based on previous calendar entries. The answers are:
- 1 HARPOON GUN
- 2 IN MYSTERY
- 3 RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
- 4 MUSTACHE
- 5 RENTED CASTLE
You will be rewarded with the ninth and final piece of the triptych. If all of the other tasks are also completed, then the triptych is now complete. No clue to the title of Book the Twelfth is given. The 'F' part of the paperweight on the main desk will turn gold.
Note: There may be other answers that may fit for certain questions.
Mystery the Third
Mystery the Third began on September 16. For each task completed, a segment of the cover image of Book the Twelfth is revealed. There are sixteen pieces of the cover, corresponding to the sixteen tasks of Mystery the Third.
September 15 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 16 - Mystery the Third, Part One: Coded Communication - You must find the hidden message by typing all the underlined letters from the given passage. The answer is "THE WORST CAME AFTER THEIR COVER WAS REVEALED". You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 2, column 2.
September 17 to September 18 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 19 - Mystery the Third, Part Two: Vocabulary Frequently Degraded - You must choose the incorrect meaning for each word. The answers are:
- 1 SO HAIRY IT MUST BE SHAVED
- 2 MIRACULOUSLY TRANSFORMED INTO A WEALTHY ELDERLY WOMAN
- 3 AS WHITE AS A WHITE FACED WOMAN
- 4 ENLARGED SPLEEN
- 5 TASTING OF TURNIPS
- 6 A BRAND OF FINE TOILET PAPER
- 7 A MANEUVER USED IN THE CARD GAME "OLD MAID"
- 8 IN THE MANNER OF AN ARCHEOLOGIST
- 9 A SPELL FREQUENTLY USED BY WIZARD VOLUNTEERS
- 10 SMALL WOODLAND CRITTER
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 2, column 4.
September 20 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 21 - Mystery the Third, Part Three: Vernacularly Fastened Door- Provide the names for the three descriptions. The answers are:
- 1 MARIE CURIE
- 2 ENOUGH ROPE
- 3 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 1, column 1.
September 22 - Mystery the Third, Part Four: Volunteer/Villain Formerly Described - You must identify the volunteer/villain described. The answer is "JACQUES SNICKET". You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 2, column 1.
September 23 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 24 - Mystery the Third, Part Five: Uncommon Commonplace Quiz - To answer these questions, you must consult your Commonplace Book and the daily clues you have recorded within it. The answers are:
- 1 SAMUEL PEPYS
- 2 INDOSTAN
- 3 CAKESNIFFER
- 4 LARBOARD
- 5 DOROTHY PARKER
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 4, column 2.
September 25 to September 26 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 27 - Mystery the Third, Part Six: Vocabulary Frequently Degraded - You must choose the incorrect meaning for each word. The answers are:
- 1 no tickling
- 2 a very small South American mule
- 3 the tenth planet in our solar system
- 4 the most incredible person who ever lived thinking she’s Count Olaf
- 5 a clergyperson’s residence
- 6 minced with spices and put in an edible casing to make sausage
- 7 endeavoring to scrutinize, in quasi-inclusive breadth, the epistemology of ophthamologically contrived appraisals
- 8 a huge person that is picking his toenails
- 9 a Japanese delicacy featuring rotten fish and seaweed
- 10 impossible to write on with a ballpoint pen
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 3, column 1.
September 28 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
September 29 - Mystery the Third, Part Seven: Vernacularly Fastened Door - You must provide the names for the three descriptions. The answers are:
- 1 BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA
- 2 AL DENTE
- 3 VIRGINIA CLEMM
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 3, column 4.
September 30 to October 2 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
October 3 - Mystery the Third, Part Eight: Volunteer/Villain Formally Described - You must describe the vounteer/villain based on the clues given. The answer is "ESME SQUALOR". You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 1, column 3.
October 4 to October 5 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
October 6 - Mystery the Third, Part Nine: Vocabulary Frequently Degraded - You must choose the incorrect meaning for each word. The answers are:
- 1 the Eskimo word for sea lion
- 2 rubbery
- 3 actors who only play dogs or, in rare cases, cats
- 4 smelling of elves
- 5 pierced with a fork
- 6 things that numerous foolish people manage to do at the same time
- 7 utterly disgusting
- 8 leapt from one rooftop to another
- 9 very, very good at spelling
- 10 the sound made when an easy chair is dropped on someone from a great height
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 3, column 3.
October 7 - Mystery the Third, Part Ten: Uncommon Commonplace Quiz - You must answer the questions by consulting your commonplace book. The answers are:
- 1 BEN
- 2 SEVEN PRECEPTS OF MERLIN
- 3 HEARTS OF PALM
- 4 CLASS C
- 5 PINK
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 4, column 4.
October 8 to October 9 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
October 10 - Mystery the Third, Part Eleven: Coded Communication - Clicking on the link leads to Nick.com's Buzz website. There, click on the advertisement for The Littlest Elf, where you must decipher a code by considering the bolded, underlined letters. The answer is "THE COUNTERFEIT CONCIERGE IS IN." You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 4, column 1.
October 11 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
October 12 - Mystery the Third, Part Twelve: Vernacularly Fastened Door - You must provide the names for 3 descriptions. The answers are:
- 1 SHERLOCK HOLMES
- 2 MURPHY'S LAW
- 3 WAR OF THE ROSES
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 1, column 2.
October 13 - Mystery the Third, Part Thirteen: Volunteer/Villain Formally Described - You must find the answer based on the clues given. The answer is "DUNCAN QUAGMIRE". You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 2, column 3.
October 14 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books.
October 15 - Mystery the Third, Part Fourteen: Uncommon Commonplace Quiz - You must answer the questions by consulting your commonplace book. The answers are:
- 1 VALUABLE POSTAGE STAMP
- 2 FRANZ KAFKA
- 3 VIRTUE
- 4 THE BEARS' FAMOUS INVASION OF SICILY
- 5 NOW COMES THE MYSTERY
You will be rewarded with a part of Book the Twelfth's cover. It should be placed in row 1, column 4.
October 16 - Quotes or multimedia related to the books: The Nameless Novel site gave out a list of phrases that had the initials V.F.D., but had 'The Dastardly Denouement' as an odd one out on the third column. This could be a red herring sent out by HarperCollins.
October 17 - Mystery the Third, Part Fifteen: Coded Communication - Crack the code by looking for letters missing from words. The answer is THIS IS THE SECOND TO LAST ORDEAL. The cover piece should be placed in Row 3, Column 2
October 18 - Mystery the Third, Part Sixteen - Click the given link in the message from the author to receive the last piece of the cover. It sould be placed in Row 4 Column 3. Following, you will receive the Title of the book as being "THE PENULTIMATE PERIL". You will also be given the option of reading the first chapter of book the twelfth. [first chapter].
Absolutely Amazing......