The Malted Falcon: A Chet Gecko Mystery [Hardcover]

Bruce Hale (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Chet Gecko

Freddie Nostrils is a prairie dog with a passion . . . for dessert. In fact, his sweet tooth rivals Chet Gecko's own. That's why when the winning ticket in the Malted Falcon contest goes missing, Freddie hires Chet and his mockingbird partner, Natalie Attired.
Just what is the Malted Falcon? Only the biggest, most chocolatiest, most gut-busting dessert ever imagined. Duh. But even if Chet finds the stolen ticket . . . will he be able to return it to its rightful owner?

Editorial Reviews

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, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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 Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st Ed. edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152167064
• ISBN-13: 978-0152167066
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,671,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Edgar-nominated author Bruce Hale is passionate about inspiring reluctant readers to read. He has written or illustrated more than 25 seriously funny books for children, including the popular Chet Gecko Mysteries series and the comics-novel hybrid, Underwhere, as well as picture books like "Snoring Beauty" and "Moki and the Magic Surfboard."

An actor and Fulbright Scholar in Storytelling, Bruce is in demand as a speaker, having presented at conferences, universities, and schools across North America - from the Maui Writers Conference to the Surrey International Writers Conference in British Columbia. His acting resume includes regional commercials, theater, and an independent film, The Ride. Bruce's book, "The Malted Falcon," was an Edgar Award Finalist. "Murder, My Tweet" won the Little D Award for Humor Writing.

A little-known fact: Bruce loves jazz, and sings with an a cappella group called VocalPoint in Santa Barbara

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for reticent readers, September 19, 2005

By 

K. Rosenfeld "kamr" (Central Rockies) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Malted Falcon: A Chet Gecko Mystery (Paperback)

My son (9) loved this book! I am thrilled because he'd usually rather play sports than sit down and read a book. I met Mr. Hale at a conference recently and was impressed by his intelligence, wit and love of writing for children. Most books mean different things to different people, and some people approach a book, an author or a particular subject with a personal agenda, emotional baggage or ill-conceived notions. The Malted Falcon is a fun story that will delight children with its humor and creative characterizations. Thankfully, children usually appoach books with open minds and objectivity --unlike some 'wiser' adults.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny - Great for kids!, August 13, 2005

By 

hunley "hunley" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Malted Falcon: A Chet Gecko Mystery (Paperback)

I don't understand why Smith doesn't like the Chet Gecko series and felt it necessary to type the same line on the page of every book in the series. I am reading number seven in the series and they have all been great. I am now twelve and I still enjoy them. The Malted Falcon was a particular favorite because I laughed all the way through. If you like funny stories with a little mystery mixed in, these are for you.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amusing take-offs of classic hard-boiled detective fare, September 12, 2005

By 

Peaseblossom (New York State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Malted Falcon: A Chet Gecko Mystery (Paperback)

Kids who enjoy the Time Warp Trio and other volumes with wise-cracking characters will enjoy the Bruce Hale books. I'm not sure why another reviewer felt compelled to give this series one star; he also went to the trouble of repeating the identical review for every book in the series. If he disliked the first one so much, one wonders why--and if--he read the others.