BRUCE HALE is the author of five picture books as well as ten Chet Gecko mysteries. A popular speaker, teacher, and storyteller for children and adults, he lives in Santa Barbara, California.

Right in the middle of a run-of-the-mill case, the powers that be finger Chets fine-feathered partner, Natalie Attired, as a no-goodnik blackmailer and boot her out of Emerson Hicky quicker than you can say, ';Boot her out of Emerson Hicky.' Chet, of course, tackles the case for free. Mess with his partner, mess withwell, somebody. (Natalies the brains of the outfit.) But just when Chet thinks he might clear her name, Natalie disappears, leaving behind a reddish smear that looks kind of like cherry ladybug jam. . . . Is it murder, or something serious?