From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-With characteristic pizzazz and the help of his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired, the fourth-grade detective takes on two cases at the same time. Freddie Nostrils hires him to locate his "friend's" lost winning ticket to the Malted Falcon contest-a chance to enjoy a favorite dessert once a week for a year-and Lili Padd wants him to retrieve a valentine. The two cases turn out to have much in common. Hale entertains with a noir style adapted for a young audience, and the full-page, black-and-white illustrations are adorable. Those who haven't read a "Chet Gecko" mystery don't know what they're missing.
Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Gr. 3-5. Two cases! What luck for Emerson Hickey Elementary School's brash, young lizard detective Chet Gecko and his mockingbird partner Natalie Attired. Unfortunately, neither case is a snap to solve as the critters quickly discover in their latest mystery, which leaves them scrambling to find both a missing valentine and the winning ticket for a scrumptious, stupendous dessert. With an over-the-top, tough-guy image (think Bogie with a penchant for wacky wordplay) and an antipathy toward the opposite sex (eeeuw . . . "cooties!"), Chet has plenty of personality. The illustrations are a bit sweet for the tone, and some of the allusions and jokes will fly right over the heads of younger readers (Zoomin' Mayta teaches music), but the goofball humor and the wacky goings-on will definitely please Gecko's fans and also win a few converts to the long-running series. Just right for the armchair detective who likes mysteries on the light side.
Stephanie ZvirinCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
