Dial M for Mongoose (Chet Gecko Series)

by Bruce Hale

Overview

Chet Gecko’s investigations often show him the seamy underbelly of school life, but this case throws him for a loop. A deadly stink bomb is unleashed, a school building falls to rubble, money goes missing from the principal’s office, and that’s just a start. Chet’s endurance for trouble is tested, but so is his loyalty: Someone is trying to get his mongoose janitor pal Maureen DeBree fired. A true-blue P.I. doesn’t take that kind of monkey business lying down. Standing up, maybe.And stand up he will—to some very shifty school bullies. Chet keeps digging for the truth like a mole after an earthworm sandwich. Oh, foolish detective.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780547480794
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	12/06/2010
Series:	Chet Gecko Series , #15
Pages:	110
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

BRUCE HALE is the author of Snoring Beauty, illustrated by Howard Fine, as well as the fifteen Chet Gecko mysteries. A popular speaker, teacher, and storyteller for children and adults, he lives in Santa Barbara, California.
www.brucehale.com

Read an Excerpt

School-wide sabotage . . .

Jerry Dooty extended his cupped paws. "I found these on the floor in Maureen’s office."

We leaned closer. He held a bunch of little-bitty pieces of wood. Headless matchsticks.

"I thought they seemed a little . . . I don’t know, suspicious?" he whined. "Figured I’d take them to Principal Zero, see what he thought."

Natalie frowned. "You think he’ll think she’s suspicious?""

I think he’ll think she’s not thinking," said Mr. Dooty. "Maybe he’ll think she made the stink."

"The stink?" I snapped. "You think?"

"I think." Jerry Dooty gave an elaborate shrug.

"But who cares what I think? I’m just the assistant janitor."

Could he be right? Could my mongoose pal have sunk so low? I shook my head. Never in a million lunchtimes.

Mr. Dooty shuffled past us, droning, "But I’ll tell you one thing—"

Before he could finish his one thing, three things happened.

First, Natalie sneezed. "Ha-CHOO!"

Second, an eerie creaking, like the front doors to a thousand haunted houses, filled the air.

And third, with a loud FOOMPF! the one-story building next to us collapsed.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the Chet Gecko series:"Those who haven't read a 'Chet Gecko' mystery don't know what they're missing."—School Library Journal"Hold onto your fedoras; this gecko's going places."—Kirkus Reviews"A choice series for reluctant readers."—Booklist"The sleuth with the smart mouth shows no signs of slowing down . . . and should continue to draw fans like fleas to a dog show."—Kirkus Reviews —

From the Publisher