Before he formed the famous Mysterious Benedict Society, Mr. Benedict was just a nine-year-old boy named Nicholas with an unfortunate nose and a whole lot of problems. As an orphan with narcolepsy, Nicholas tends to fall asleep at the worst possible moments, often leading to terrible nightmares. When he is sent to a strict new orphanage, he immediately faces vicious bullies, selfish adults, and a host of strange circumstances. But Nicholas has one massive advantage: he is an absolute genius. Soon, he uncovers a mind-bending mystery hidden within the walls of his new home, a secret that could change his life forever. On his quest to solve the puzzle, Nicholas must dodge enemies around every corner while discovering true friends in the most unexpected places. Dive into this brilliant prequel and follow a young mastermind as he learns that the greatest riddle of all might just be himself.