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Chet Gecko Mystery #5
The Hamster of the Baskervilles
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
About the author
Bruce Hale
127 books133 followersA 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 29, 2019
When his classroom is vandalized, Chet Gecko's homeroom teacher Mr. Ratnose hires him to solve the mystery, and catch the vandals. Stranger things are happening as a were-monster is sighted across the campus. Principal Zero puts Chet on the case to find the were-monster. Can the vandalized classrooms, and the were-monster be linked together? It's up to Chet Gecko and his partner Natalie Attired to get the clues, and solve this mystery.
May 21, 2011
After classrooms start getting trashed Chet is on the case trying to solve the mystery. Then a second mystery is added to his sluething load. A "Were-creature" has been spotted on the campus of Emerson Hicky. Will Chet solve the case in time or will utter chaos break out at the science fair?
Chet is worried about being late for class, but what he sees when he skids in as the bell rings surprises even him. His classroom has been trashed. His teacher Mr. Ratnose hires him to solve the crime in exchange for 2 get-out-of-detention cards and a box of jelly doughnuts.
Chet's partner in solving crime is Natalie Attired (a mockingbird), together they begin their investigation during morning recess.
First on their list of suspects is Erik Nidd, a tarantula and school bully. When Chet and Natalie question question Erik he seems truly surprised to hear about the trashed classroom. Chet and Natalie then speak with Maureen DeBree, the head janitor, and ask her about the trash taken from Mr. Ratnose's classroom. She shows Chet and Natalie where in the dumpster the trash was taken. The smelly search brought them no closer to solving the mystery.
Chet then questions Bosco Rebbizi, a ferret with an attitude. Bosco refuses to answer Chet's questions, leaving Chet with the feeling that Bosco is hiding something. After school Chet and Natalie discover what that something is, Bosco has joined the Dirty Rotten Stinkers (the same gang that Erik Nidd belongs to).
The next day Chet and Natalie approach the "Stinkers" about joining them to investigate them in secret. Unfortunately the first test is to steal something from their teachers! Chet steals Mr. Ratnose's pointer. Natalie steals her teacher's apple. During recess Popper tells Chet that a werewolf/hamster monster was seen on campus that morning. Chet heads for Maureen DeBree's office but she isn't there, instead Chet finds Luke Busy, a huge badger with a lousy disposition. Maureen DeBree is on trash patrol and when Chet finds her she informs him that Ms. Burrower's classroom had been trashed that morning and there is a large hole under the playground!
During science class Principal Zero calls Chet into his office. He wants Chet to find the werewolf that Ms. LaRue(a teacher) had seen that morning. Chet then questions Cool Beans the librarian about werewolves.
During recess Chet informs Natalie of their new case. Natalie suggests that the two cases may be the same. Chet and Natalie agree to an early morning stakeout. While on stakeout Chet comes face-to-face with the were-creature of Emerson Hicky. Unfortunately in pursuit of the creature Chet knocks himself out so the creature gets away.
The "Stinkers" demand to know what misdeed Chet and Natalie will do so that they can join the "Stinkers". Shirley Chameleon picks that moment to let out that Chet is working for Mr. Ratnose. Chet and Natalie have to make a quick get-away and Chet's is into the dumpster.
That night is the school science fair. Principal Zero orders Chet to find the were-creature. Chet inadvertenly allows it to escape into the midst of the science fair where he tricks it into a wheel where the werehamster starts running. The werehamster was created by Ms. Burrower for the science fair, but the damage wasn't caused by the creature.
Chet is about to expose the Stinkers when Luke Busy confesses to doing the trashing under the orders of Ms. LaRue. Ms. LaRue didn't want Ms. Burrower to get Teacher of the Year.
The Stinkers thinking the were-hamster ruckus was Chet and Natalie's misdeed to join them offer to let them into their gang. Chet and Natalie decline the offer to join the Stinkers. All ends well with the case solved and Chet getting his box of jelly doughnuts.
Chet is worried about being late for class, but what he sees when he skids in as the bell rings surprises even him. His classroom has been trashed. His teacher Mr. Ratnose hires him to solve the crime in exchange for 2 get-out-of-detention cards and a box of jelly doughnuts.
Chet's partner in solving crime is Natalie Attired (a mockingbird), together they begin their investigation during morning recess.
First on their list of suspects is Erik Nidd, a tarantula and school bully. When Chet and Natalie question question Erik he seems truly surprised to hear about the trashed classroom. Chet and Natalie then speak with Maureen DeBree, the head janitor, and ask her about the trash taken from Mr. Ratnose's classroom. She shows Chet and Natalie where in the dumpster the trash was taken. The smelly search brought them no closer to solving the mystery.
Chet then questions Bosco Rebbizi, a ferret with an attitude. Bosco refuses to answer Chet's questions, leaving Chet with the feeling that Bosco is hiding something. After school Chet and Natalie discover what that something is, Bosco has joined the Dirty Rotten Stinkers (the same gang that Erik Nidd belongs to).
The next day Chet and Natalie approach the "Stinkers" about joining them to investigate them in secret. Unfortunately the first test is to steal something from their teachers! Chet steals Mr. Ratnose's pointer. Natalie steals her teacher's apple. During recess Popper tells Chet that a werewolf/hamster monster was seen on campus that morning. Chet heads for Maureen DeBree's office but she isn't there, instead Chet finds Luke Busy, a huge badger with a lousy disposition. Maureen DeBree is on trash patrol and when Chet finds her she informs him that Ms. Burrower's classroom had been trashed that morning and there is a large hole under the playground!
During science class Principal Zero calls Chet into his office. He wants Chet to find the werewolf that Ms. LaRue(a teacher) had seen that morning. Chet then questions Cool Beans the librarian about werewolves.
During recess Chet informs Natalie of their new case. Natalie suggests that the two cases may be the same. Chet and Natalie agree to an early morning stakeout. While on stakeout Chet comes face-to-face with the were-creature of Emerson Hicky. Unfortunately in pursuit of the creature Chet knocks himself out so the creature gets away.
The "Stinkers" demand to know what misdeed Chet and Natalie will do so that they can join the "Stinkers". Shirley Chameleon picks that moment to let out that Chet is working for Mr. Ratnose. Chet and Natalie have to make a quick get-away and Chet's is into the dumpster.
That night is the school science fair. Principal Zero orders Chet to find the were-creature. Chet inadvertenly allows it to escape into the midst of the science fair where he tricks it into a wheel where the werehamster starts running. The werehamster was created by Ms. Burrower for the science fair, but the damage wasn't caused by the creature.
Chet is about to expose the Stinkers when Luke Busy confesses to doing the trashing under the orders of Ms. LaRue. Ms. LaRue didn't want Ms. Burrower to get Teacher of the Year.
The Stinkers thinking the were-hamster ruckus was Chet and Natalie's misdeed to join them offer to let them into their gang. Chet and Natalie decline the offer to join the Stinkers. All ends well with the case solved and Chet getting his box of jelly doughnuts.
February 19, 2014
I picked this story to read because it was both a detective story and a chapter book. It has a fun and lively plot wrapped up in 115 pages...a bit longer than earlier chapter book readers. The pictures are fun. I had difficulty with the over-the-top pun, but I think a 7 year old boy would like it.
September 20, 2026
Chet and Natalie are trying to solve the mystery of who trashed his teacher's classroom. They also pretend to want to join the "Stinkers," a group of ne'er-do-wells at their school. And the principal wants Chet to solve another mystery about a monster on campus. I enjoy the puns and detective lingo.
March 27, 2019
Read around 2016/2017 ish but not a very good mystery or very memorable. I dont recall the main detective being all that competent or clever honestly, and the mystery was weak iirc.
March 16, 2021
I really like the ending.
April 27, 2007
Not the best Chet Gecko book by a long shot.
May 13, 2010
im readin this book its really cute and the cover caught my eye!!!
lets find out what happens when:
science fair geeks go bad...
lets find out what happens when:
science fair geeks go bad...
October 5, 2010
One of my favorite series as a kid.
October 10, 2011
Ugly bad hamster
January 16, 2012
This is a very cute series featuring a gecko, Chet Gecko, and his sidekick, Natalie Attired.k
June 17, 2015
I saw this book at Booksale and was so amused by the fact that spoofs like this one exist. Fun book to read. :) I like the graphics.
November 2, 2015
Great
The book is amazing it keeps you on your toes wanting more.Bruce Hale is great at writing this books. Thank you.
The book is amazing it keeps you on your toes wanting more.Bruce Hale is great at writing this books. Thank you.
June 29, 2021
This is just plain funny
Read
February 7, 2019Ford read this.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews