Case #1: THE CHAMELEON WORE CHARTREUSE
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152024859
Ages 8-12
120 pages

Chet Gecko, a fourth-grader at Emerson Hicky Elementary, has always loved mysteries. So when his classmate, Shirley Chameleon, can't find her brother, Chet takes the case. His reward will be not only a job well done, but also luscious stinkbug pie --- yum!

Although Chet expects the case to be solved easily, it isn't. Clues lead to Herman, the Gila Monster, who is not only unfriendly but also as big as a refrigerator. Next, Chet must question Mrs. Toaden, his old first-grade teacher. As the lizardy detective works to unravel the mystery of Billy's disappearance, a number of different questions arise: Who is the Big Baboo? Who left the note on the chocolate-covered termites? Would a mockingbird partner make Chet's life easier?

Before the mystery is solved, Chet stumbles onto an even larger plot --- one that could endanger the football team.

Case #2: THE MYSTERY OF MR. NICE
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152025154
Ages 8-12
120 pages

When Chet is sent to the principal's office, he finds a shocking surprise. Principal Zero (sometimes known as "Big Fat Zero") is acting friendly --- quite unlike himself. He either has become a nice person (nawww!), been brainwashed, or is being impersonated by someone else. Chet and his mockingbird partner, Natalie, find a suspicious class schedule:

· Pocket picking
· Robbery
· Grand theft auto
· Spelling
· Advanced lying
· Assault and battery

Hmm. Could it be the bogus principal has a sinister plan for the students? Chet and Natalie must find out!

Case #3: FAREWELL, MY LUNCHBAG
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152026290
Ages 8-12
107 pages

Cafeteria lady Mrs. Bagoong is in trouble. Someone is stealing food. The theft could result in the cafeteria closing down and Mrs. Bagoong losing her job. She turns to Chet for help.

The trail leads the detectives to Rocky Rhode, "a horned toad with a short fuse and a rap sheet as long as an elephant's suspenders." And then, what a twist! Chet is framed for the dirty deed. He ends up in lifetime detention, with a side of dishwashing duty, cafeteria-style. If he doesn't solve this case, he's facing a future of no friends and prune fingers.

In the meantime, Chet's classmates rehearse for the upcoming open house show --- which just may hold the key to cracking the case.

Case #4: THE BIG NAP
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152024794
Ages 8-12
110 pages

Meena Moe hires Chet to find out why her sister, Eena, is acting so strangely. Next, Chet's friend turns passive --- obeying teachers, loving science class, and otherwise acting suspicious. One by one, Chet's classmates at Emerson Hicky Elementary School turn into zombies. Even Chet's little sister is more interested in her video game than in being a pest.

In the meantime, Chet admires the new kid's coolness and the hip new librarian, Cool Beans. Surely, they have nothing to do with the weird mindlessness spreading through the school. Or do they?

When Meena ups the ante with a reward bonus (unlimited mosquito milkshakes), the race to solve the case is on.

Case #5: THE HAMSTER OF THE BASKERVILLES
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 015202509X
Ages 8-12
115 pages

Mr. Ratnose hires Chet to find out who messed up his classroom. The reward is to be two "get out of detention free" cards and a box of jelly doughnuts. Irresistible!

The mystery occurs just before the science fair. Chet's trail leads to the usual suspects: Erik Nidd, a tarantula bully, and Bosco, a ferret with a chip on his shoulder. The case is further complicated by the rumors of a werewolf (or a wereHAMSTER?) at school.

Chet and Natalie must go undercover as members of the dread gang, the Dirty Rotten Stinkers. Proving themselves to be worthy of the gang isn't as easy as (stinkbug) pie. Will the detectives come through for Mr. Ratnose?

Case #6: THIS GUM FOR HIRE
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152024972
Ages 8-12
115 pages

One of Chet's enemies, Herman the Gila Monster, hires him. The mystery revolves around the disappearing football team. Herman plans to reward Chet with cake after Chet finds the missing players.

Chet, whose exercise philosophy is "no pain, no pain," is forced to go way undercover this time. He actually joins the football team. The suspects include the coach's ex-girlfriends and a skunk with a grudge. The clues? Football players with stomach problems, free gum, and a mysterious polecat.

Can Chet and Natalie solve the case and save the school's football team?

Case #7: THE MALTED FALCON
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152167064
Ages 8-12
107 pages

Frog dame Dot Matrix hires Chet and Natalie to recover a valentine she regrets sending. But is that really her name? Is that really her game? The detectives soon have suspicions about their ribbeting client.

Chet takes on a second case when Freddie Nostrils hires him to find a missing winning ticket. The bearer of that ticket will feast on the ultimate dessert, the Malted Falcon.

Could the two cases be connected? As the deadline to claim the Malted Falcon nears, Chet and Natalie are under pressure to discover the truth.

Case #8: TROUBLE IS MY BEESWAX
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152167188
Ages 8-12
111 pages

Shirley Chameleon is a dame in distress. She's been framed as a cheater! Chet sets out to save her honor by finding the true cheater. However, what looks to be a straightforward case gets more and more complicated. As the plot unfolds, even Chet (with his so-so grades) is accused of being a cheater.

Could there be an actual cheating ring? And what's the story with the mysterious cheating-aid watches?

The suspects include the lovely Lacey Vail and her brother, Noah. Magpie Jackdaw Ripper also comes under suspicion. But the true culprit will probably surprise the reader.

Case #9: GIVE MY REGRETS TO BROADWAY
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152167005
Ages 8-12
115 pages

The school play's leading man, Scott Freeh, has vanished. Chet, who can't act, dance or sing, must fill in. What's worse is that he'll have to kiss the female lead, Shirley Chameleon ("Smooch Monster and Cootie Queen of the Known Universe"), in the play's finale. Needless to say, Chet is motivated to find Scott and avoid the dreaded lip-lock!

Chet's detective work is complicated by the appearance of a ghost. Did the spook "spirit" Scott away? Or could the culprit be involved in the group called KOWS ("Kids Opposed to Wrecking Shakespeare), who are mooo-ved to picket against the play?

By the time the curtain comes down, there are surprises in store --- for everyone.

Case #10: MURDER, MY TWEET
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt
ISBN: 0152050124
Ages 8-12
136 pages

Parakeet Anne Gwish (Anguish, get it?) hires Chet and Natalie to tail her two-timing boyfriend when disaster strikes. Vice Principal Shrewer accuses Natalie of blackmailing her. Natalie is suspended and Chet is instantly on his friend's case, which leads him into danger and many snack feasts.

Will Chet be able to finger the culprit and get his partner back? Even when Chet knows whodunit, he can't prove the culprit's guilt. He must lay a trap that could jeopardize the detective partners. When he searches for the reason behind the evildoings, the answer is as plain as the robot dishing up blowfly lasagna in the Emerson Hicky Elementary lunchroom.

CHET GECKO'S DETECTIVE HANDBOOK (AND COOKBOOK): Tips for Private Eyes and Snack Food Lovers
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt Children's Books
ISBN: 0152052887
Ages 8-12
272 pages

Do you yearn to be a detective? Then let Chet Gecko instruct you with his "how to be a sleuth" manual. The first thing you notice on the cover are all the "Keep Your Paws Off!" and "Top Secret!" warnings. When you crack open the handbook, you find "Don't you listen? You opened the book --- after I told you not to!" and then "I'm not fooling. Close this book right now!" Of course, we ignore that foolishness and plunge right on in, to read "Oh, all right. Since you seem to be reading it anyway..." It's obvious that we're in for a hilarious read!

The handbook is written by Chet, but includes many big-mouthed comments from his detective partner, Natalie. Chet gives us the scoop on detecting with tips such as how to find clients, communicating in secret code, what kind of suspects to watch for, how to interrogate, how to tail someone, searching for clues, holding a stakeout, information sources, going undercover --- in short, anything a detective-in-training might need is covered here!

But, hey --- that's not all you'll find in this handy-dandy detective handbook. We all know how important Chet's stomach is to him, so it's not too much of a surprise to find that Chet includes some pretty, uh, astonishing recipes. You could make his "Pillbug Crunch Candy Bars" (yum --- isn't your mouth watering?!), which includes a back-up ingredient, Cocoa Krispies, on the off-chance you can't find any pillbugs. Then again, you might try your hand at Chet's "Sweet Potato-Bug Pie" (you can substitute Rice Krispies for the crunchy bug shells, if you must!)

As a matter of fact, any recipe in the DETECTIVE HANDBOOK would fuel a person for a day of detecting or just an afternoon of reading this crazily funny book.

   --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

Case #11: THE POSSUM ALWAYS RINGS TWICE
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt Children's Books
ISBN: 0152050752
Ages 8-12
128 pages

Dirty politics stalk the corridors of Emerson Hicky Elementary. Sandpiper Viola Fuss nervously hires Chet and Natalie. Viola is running for student council president, but it appears that someone is determined to stop her. Chet and Natalie suspect another candidate might be sending Viola threatening notes. They're off to stake out Viola's locker and interrogate suspects. As the two PIs investigate, they notice bullies banding together in a most suspicious manner. Meanwhile, the threats keep rolling in.

When Viola suffers the ultimate indignity and quits political life, Chet is bent on revenge --- which is how he finds himself running for office. Soon, Chet is the one receiving threats while he searches for a mysterious creature known as "Glog." Chet's quest to clean up school politics leads him into the worst mess of his life. But then, that's the life of a private eye for you!

Case #12: KEY LARDO
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt Children's Books
ISBN-10: 0152050744
ISBN-13: 9780152050740
Ages 8-12
128 pages

The trouble begins when Chet meets a new student. The name is Bland, James Bland, and he's a penguin from Down Under who sweet-talks the cafeteria lady out of the muffin Chet's mouth is watering for. Then things really go downhill. Chet's friends love James, who dazzles them with his accent, his travels and his punny jokes. What's worse, James announces that he's a detective who has done work for the Queen of England.

Chet is relieved to be hired to keep his eye on a sparrow in danger. The client, Ginger Vitus, is concerned for her sister, Connie. As Chet watches Connie, he snoozes. He awakens in time to see the little sparrow vanish with some rough-looking characters. When Chet follows, he is knocked out by a tree branch.

To Chet's dismay and disgust, Ginger hires what she calls a "real" detective --- James Bland. Suddenly, Chet's reputation and self-esteem are on the line. Will he be able to solve the mystery of the missing sparrow before the smooth-talking penguin can?

The trail leads Chet and Natalie to confront some bad characters, such as the infamous seagull, Charles de Gull. Although they search everywhere, they can find no clue as to Connie's whereabouts. However, they continue to find fans of James Bland everywhere. Chet must locate that sparrow and show the world that he is the best detective in the world, or at least at Emerson Hicky Elementary School.

Imagine Chet's shock when James Bland solves the mystery. Oddly enough, however, he does not bring in any suspects. He can't quite explain any clues or the process he went through to find the missing sparrow. As the penguin basks in his fame, Chet prepares to prove that something is just not right about Bland. His investigation has just begun, but it's going to be a difficult one since everyone is shunning him as a has-been, no-good, very-bad detective. And then the unthinkable happens: there's a new missing person --- uh, "penguin" --- case and Chet is the cops' suspect.

Can Chet find James Bland (and also hopefully get to the bottom of the missing sparrow caper) before he lands in prison?

   --- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

Case #13: HISS ME DEADLY
by Bruce Hale
Harcourt Children's Books
ISBN: 9780152054823
Ages 8-12
144 pages

Chet's little sister Pinky takes their mother's pearls to school for show-and-tell. When they vanish, Chet is determined to investigate. After all, he must protect Pinky --- plus, it's personal! First, of course, he must carbo-load with a huge lunch of squash-bug blintzes, fruit-fly borscht and other delicacies. He begins his investigation with a trip to the janitor's office where he meets a new janitor helper who is rather twitchy (then again, she is a rabbit).

Chet and Natalie brave Principal Zero's lair where the plot thickens: Pinky's teacher is complaining about the theft of her tiara. Soon a third robbery is confirmed. Chet's trail leads him to the most notorious crook on the playground, past a sticky romantic situation, through a herd of picketing snakes, and into the rowdy first grade class. Along the way, Chet is hired by someone he never dreamed would hire him. But there are too many suspects. Will he ever be able to find the culprit and uphold his family's honor?

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