Snicket

Having not read the books at length, I can't say whether the following is accurate, but I'm sure others will have an opinion:

"Furthermore, on a Christian note, the books tend to quip some good ethics
(like not staying up too late), and good morals (the children are law abiding
and obedient and courteous), in an attempt to be a sort of morality story out of
the Victorian era, however since the children's predeliction to follow the law
and obey their elders invariably brings on them greater misfortune and
maltreatment, the message is that the law and one's elders cannot be trusted.
"

http://www.christianfantasy.net/lemonysnicket.html