This Gum for Hire: A Chet Gecko Mystery

Chet Gecko Mystery #6

by Bruce Hale

When the members of Emerson Hicky's football team mysteriously vanish, Chet Gecko, who is not the least bit upset by this turn of events, is forced by Herman the Gila Monster, Chet's arch enemy and the number one suspect, to clear his name and find the real culprit. 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Animals, Fantasy, Middle Grade

136 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Football players are missing at Emerson Hicky Elementary, and Chet's old nemesis Herman the Gila Monster hires Chet to solve the mystery that Coach "Beef" Stroganoff has accused Herman of doing. Chet goes undercover and joins the football team to crack the case. His partner Natalie Attired joins the cheer leading team to give him help from a bird's eye view. There's mystery and fun by the yard on the gridiron.

[Cathleen Ash]

Chet Gecko’s a smart mouth - and smart - but he doesn’t know how to avoid Herman - the Gila monster. The Big Bad Wolf could’ve learned something from Herman - his breath was stinky enough to melt a brick house.
Herman corners Chet between classes. Chet’s life flashes before him - it wasn’t pretty, but darnit, it was his life. He wanted to live to graduate.
“Gecko - I got problem,” Herman said.
“You know, I’ve been meaning to mention that - you know, with a little mouthwash…”
“Not funny,” Herman rumbled, “Problem big.”
“What’s on your mind? And I use that term loosely,”
“Team in trouble. Coach blame me.”
Their school took sports seriously - a monster on the front line is hard to find, so there must really be trouble if Herman - the best monster on the field - was in danger of losing his place on the team.
“So why tell me?” Gecko asked.
“Players go bye-bye. Not my fault. Gecko can find players.”
Herman puffed himself up and almost doubled in size while he smacked his fist into his hand - showing Gecko what would happen if he didn’t help.
“Herman will pay - one chocolate cake for every player you find.”
Gecko gets excited - “should’ve been the first thing you said - tell the nice detective all about it.”
Can Gecko find out what’s happening to the mysteriously disappearing football players? Will he survive Herman’s wrath if he doesn’t? Solve the mystery in - This gum for hire by Bruce Hale.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly, silly, silly! Full of corny similes to the point of distraction, it's easy to see why this series appeals to younger readers. Chet is a likeable doofus and Natalie isn't so smarty-pants to be annoying. The solution isn’t transparent, leaving the reader questioning until the denouement. A light read for reluctant readers.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good but kinda wierd at times.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda cute

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite series as a kid.