Hey, Anna.
I've had CMI for several months and just started playing it last week. I loved the first one (I can't find the 2nd one except bundled with the others), and I'm really enjoying it so far. I noticed that Escape from MI is getting cheap, too (I love a bargain).
I haven't gotten as far as you, but I wanted to let you (and others) know of a great hint site -- its hints are designed to -not- be spoilers. It gives you a little bit at a time to get you on the right track, but will give it all away if you're really desperate. It has web-based stuff and also it has a reader that you can download -- this is the only shareware I've ever paid for, which I did because it works so well and I use it quite a bit.
Here's the link:
Universal Hint System home page
The only thing I don't like about the site is that it is not obvious how to get to the general index of hints. On the far right of the dark blue band that reads: Our Newest/Most Popular Hints, you will see a link labeled "More hints >>". Click on that to get an alphabetic index of hints.