Books in series
#1
The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2000
When fellow fourth grader Shirley Chameleon asks Chet Gecko to find her missing brother Billy, Chet follows a mysterious trail of clues that includes the Rat Sisters, a riddling junkyard dog, and a vicious Gila monster named Herman.
#2
The Mystery of Mr. Nice
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2000
Most folks know him as the best lizard detective at Emerson Hicky Elementary, but it's not all knuckles and know-how with Chet Gecko. He's also got his artistic side.
If it wasn't for his art, he might never have been sent to Principal Zero's office, where he stumbled onto the mystery of Mr. Nice. Because whatever you can say about Principal Zero, one thing is He is not nice. Until now.
Chet knows something is wrong with this picture, and he's just the gecko to solve this mystery. After all, who do you think put the art in smart aleck?
#3
Farewell, My Lunchbag
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2001
Danger may be Chet Gecko's business, but dessert is his delight...
Chet Gecko's hunger for mystery is matched only by his appetite for cockroach casserole, mosquito marshmallow surprise, and stinkbug pie. So when the cafeteria needs help nabbing a food thief, Chet digs into the case with a passion he usually reserves only for dessert. But this time Chet may have bitten off more than even he can chew.
Someone has framed him, and now everyone at Emerson Hicky—even his trusted partner, Natalie Attired—thinks the food thief is none other than Chet!
#4
The Big Nap
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2001
Grammar school—it's all about eating and sleeping. Well, for Chet Gecko, anyway.
To Chet, nothing is more divine than a plate of Mrs. Bagoong's Mothloaf Surprise followed by a sweet bit of shut-eye on the playground. (Besides a few Pillbug Crunch bars and a monthlong holiday, that is.)
In this hilarious mystery from Chet's tattered casebook, he and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, foil the sinister plans of a weaselly zombie master . . . and still take part in the Nations of the World PTA assembly. (Fourth-grade detectives get no respect.)
Book Details:
Format: Paperback
Publication Date: 4/1/2002
Pages: 132
Reading Level: Age 8 and Up
#6
This Gum for Hire
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2002
Kidnapped! One by one, the members of Emerson Hicky's football team are disappearing. As far as Chet Gecko is concerned, this is a cause for celebration.
Only trouble is that Chet's old nemesis, Herman the Gila Monster, is the number one suspect, and he wants Chet to clear his (not quite) good name.
Chet and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, must solve the case fast, or Herman will make sure it's their last. But which is more dangerous—Herman . . . or P.E. class?
#9
Give My Regrets to Broadway
2004
It's no Chet Gecko can’t sing. He can’t dance. He can’t act. Heck, he can’t even act normal . So why would he take the lead in Mr. Ratnose’s musical version of Shakespeare’s Omlet, Prince of Denver ? A new case, naturally. The original leading man has disappeared, and something smells rotten in the realm of Ratnose. Did the third-act lip-lock with Shirley Chameleon scare him away? Or is foul play afoot? One thing’s for This mystery won’t be over until the fat gecko—er, lady—sings.
#10
Murder, My Tweet
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2004
In these two wickedly funny, criminally punny mysteries from Chet Gecko's tattered casebook, the detective and his trusty mockingbird associate, Natalie Attired, keep law and order in the halls of Emerson Elementary.
Right in the middle of a run-of-the-mill case, the powers that be finger Chet's fine-feathered partner, Natalie Attired, as a no-goodnik blackmailer and boot her out of Emerson Hicky quicker than you can say, "Boot her out of Emerson Hicky."
Chet, of course, tackles the case for free. Mess with his partner, mess with—well, somebody. (Natalie's the brains of the outfit.) But just when Chet thinks he might clear her name, Natalie disappears, leaving behind a reddish smear that looks kind of like cherry ladybug jam . . . Is it murder, or something serious?
#11
The Possum Always Rings Twice
2006
Get ready for muckraking time at Emerson Hicky Elementary. The race is on for student council president, but it's quickly getting fishier than the bottom of a pelican's lunch box. Someone is sending candidates ominous threats and posting signs with messages like FIR IS FIRST! and DOWN WITH FEATHERS. Could someone be trying to rig the election? Good thing Chet and Natalie are around to expose the filthy frauds!
#12
Key Lardo
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2006
Hold on to your fedoras, Gecko fans, a new detective has arrived at Emerson Hicky Elementary. His name's Bland. James Bland. And he immediately cracks a case that has baffled Chet and Natalie. Do our favorite PIs get jealous? You'd better believe it! When Bland suddenly goes missing, the blame falls squarely on everyone's favorite gecko. So Chet will have to rescue his tubby rival or face a stint behind bars—and we're not talking the jungle gym.
#13
Hiss Me Deadly
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2007
A crime has been committed that strikes at the heart of Chet's very own family. Some slippery sneak has stolen his mother's beloved pearls, leaving Chet angrier than a nest of hornets on eviction day. When additional items go missing, Principal Zero turns up the heat by hiring Chet to flush out the thief. Will our gecko hero deliver the goods before it's too late? He'd better. Because this time, it's personal. This thirteenth entry in Chet and Natalie's tattered casebook is chock-full of the hilarious characters, wacky one-liners, and fast-paced mystery that have made this series a favorite among middle grade readers.
#14
From Russia with Lunch
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2009
Inventions, spells, and bullies—oh my!
It all begins when Chet’s favorite teacher is fired, only to be replaced by the mechanical invention of Dr. Tanya Lightov—a mysterious Russian scientist.
Suddenly, the school seems possessed by forces that are upsetting the natural order of Kindergartners are beating up sixth graders; teachers’ pets are talking back; and worst of all, Chet’s faithful partner and best friend, Natalie Attired, has abandoned him in his hour of need.
Will Chet be able to restore his friendship with Natalie and bring Emerson Hicky back to normal? One thing’s for The crazy, mixed-up mastermind behind this case will be the last creature anyone expects.
#15
Dial M for Mongoose
A Chet Gecko Mystery
2009
The pun-slinging, crime-solving Chet Gecko is at it again in this new mystery of fire and stink!
Author
Bruce Hale
Author · 46 books
A serious book addict, Bruce wanted to be a children's book author since he was in 4th grade (right after he got over wanting to be a pirate, Tarzan, and Daniel Boone). Today he's the author-illustrator of over 70 seriously funny books for kids, so some dreams do come true. The Malted Falcon, one of his Chet Gecko Mysteries series, was an Edgar Award finalist, and Murder, My Tweet won a Little D Award for Juvenile Humor Writing. Bruce has written everything from picture books and easy readers, to graphic novels and novels. Bruce's recent Monstertown Mysteries series blends horror and humor, based on his childhood love of monster movies. His other series include Class Pets, about the secret lives of classroom pets, and the forthcoming Outerspace Mystery Pizza Club books, due in 2024. A Fulbright Scholar (in Storytelling), Bruce is also a popular speaker, both in the U.S. and internationally. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife and knuckleheaded dog Riley. When he's not writing or reading, you may find him hiking, kickboxing, or singing with a latin-jazz band called Mezcal Martini.
