Customer Reviews

The Mystery of Mr. Nice: A Chet Gecko Mystery

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am still reading to my 5 year old and was looking for a storyline with a little more complexity and depth(I just couldn't survive another trip through Honey Bunny Funnybunny!). Hale is a clever writer that has adopted the style and tone of a 1950's detective novel (think Mickey Spillane). His dialogue is liberally sprinkled with witty quips kids can relate to ("they burst through the cafeteria doors faster than a vice principal after a sassy eighth grader"). The hero, Chet Gecko, is a smart-aleck elementary school age gecko that must outsmart a bevvy of unique characters (rats, gerbils, gila monsters, cats, etc.) and unravel clues to solve a mystery. The underlying mystery in each story is kept simple so as not to overwhelm the target reader. Overall, I would give this series an A+ for creativity and quality of writing.

My daughter loved this book! She read it in 3rd grade and it inspired her to read the rest of the series in 4th grade! She finds the plots very interesting and fascinating.

The puns are great! This book definitely did'nt let me down

Detective-extraordinaire, Chet Gecko, may have the heart of an artist, but he definitely doesn't have the talent, for every time he creates one of his masterpieces, he wins himself a one way ticket to Principal Zero's office. However, this trip was the strangest, for nasty Mr. Zero, was actually...nice to him. Chet knows that something fishy is going on, especially when he finds that there are a bunch of new teachers inhabiting the school who are all up to no good. In fact, they're up to something totally sinister, and it's up to Chet and his loyal mockingbird sidekick, Natalie Attired, to figure out what's going on before the entire school turns criminal.

After adoring the first CHET GECKO MYSTERY, THE CHAMELEON WORE CHARTREUSE, I just had to pick up THE MYSTERY OF MR. NICE, and I was in no way disappointed. Hale has created another fabulous novel featuring everyone's favorite gecko, Chet. Filled with his signature jokes, and quirky characters, Hale proves that this series has staying power. A must-have book for all those who enjoyed the previous book in the series, THE CHAMELEON WORE CHARTREUSE.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

This is a GREAT book!!! it is very funny. I love geckos and when I saw this book i grabbed it. It is also a mystery. A very neat mystery! I recommend this book to ANYONE!! This illisturations are AWESOME!!

My son is 9 years old and hates chapter books, he would much rather be reading non-fiction. When I found the Chet Gecko series at the store, I took a chance and bought the first book. At first my son refused to read it, but after reading the first two chapters aloud as a bedtime story, he was hooked. He has since read all of the Chet Gecko novels and loves each and every one. I have read most of them to my students, (I teach reading recovery in a middle school)and they have always been a huge hit. While he may not be reading Chaucer, I am very happy to see him reading chapter books and enjoying himself. My six year old daughter also loves having the books read to her. I would recommend the Chet Gecko to any child, boy or girl, as a great introduction to mystery novels, detective stories, and bad puns.

Book Review
Something's just not right. It's not like Mr. Zero to be so nice. Is this the real Mr. Zero? Chet Gecko is on the case.
The story starts with Chet and Natalie on the case trying to find something about their school principle. I think that Chet and Natalie are going to find some clues about where the real Principle Zero is. Then after that, they might find the new principle and then when they find the fake principle, they will put the principle in jail.
Then before all that happens the principle tells Chet that he can come in his office anytime. Then after Chet thinks that the principle has gone crazy but he really is just a fake. Then when the principle sees that Chet has a picture of Mr. Ratnoose, he asks, "Can I have this picture?" Then Chet says, "Sure you can have the picture." Then when Chet leaves the principles office he finds his partner and then says, "Have you noticed something different about Principle Zero, Natalie?" Then Natalie says, "No, I haven't noticed something different about Principle Zero," she said, "Why?" Then Chet says, "Because I just went to see him and he told me some things that were nice."

This was one of the best books in the series.I myself do not have these books on my kindle.I got all of the chet gecko books at the libary and have read almost every one.I would not recomend this book for kindle enless you dont want to store the book.Because for one more dollar you can get it in print.I love these book and would recomend getting these books.

What a cute series. I'm a substitute teacher and always looking for titles to pass along to my students that I sub for. I'd say this series is on the level for kids in first to fourth.

The plot is interesting. When Chet is sent to the principal's office, he's in the shock of his life, he's not in trouble for one, and the principal doesn't really care what Chet, or anyone else in the school is doing. Chet knows something has to be going on, and it's up to our favorite gecko to get to the bottom on what's going on. That's all I really want to say about the plot, I don't want to give to much away.

This series is so funny, I actually found myself laughing out loud at what Chet was doing and what he was up to. The Author has a fantastic writing style. The style is set up as if we're watching an old time detective move. The writing is crisp, quick and refreshing. The author does something a lot of children's authors don't do, and that's keeping the ages of his readers in mind. It's right on their level, and will keep adults engaged.

I tell my students about this series. If you want your kids to read, then this is a great series to start with. I love it and can't wait to read more of them to see what Chet is up to.

If your kids start this series, I can promise they'll be hooked.

In the beginning of the book I was convinced that this book was going
to be good. I immediately fell in love with the book. No telling how many times I read this book. It was a little obvious that Chet and Natile [his best friend] was going to investigate because Mr. Zero would not be nice to
Chet. The book was sort of short I wanted the story to keep on going.

He needed to come up with a plan or his school is going to be filled with crooks! Natile is a good detective but Chet is better.
The best part is when you're in the middle of the book. Don't get me wrong the end is just as good. If you read this book you will feel like a detective.

This is such a page turner! If you like mysteries this is the book for you! Even if you don't really like mystery books it's really good. It's like a book of mysteries needing to be solved! It's an awesome book I suggest you read it!