"In this entertaining story, the crime is a missing batch of canary eggs and the short-sighted police are Sergeant Loerie and Constable Mole, while the case is solved by Leon Chameleon. What I like so much about this book is that all the small creatures involved are part of our South African animal world, and the author has gone to great pains making sure that all the details of their lifestyle are correct. Illustrator Barbara McGuire has done her homework as well, for the many detailed line drawings and full-page colour plates. Created by Gecko Books, this is well produced, on good paper, with clear text, and a generally satisfying feel about it."

Jay Heale, Children's Book Specialist - Soundbox SABC November 1993

"Now if you're looking for a book for someone in the 9-11 year age group here's a rather charming bit of whimsy for you. It's a slender little detective novel and is written in the best detective story formula and I'm sure it will delight young readers. The author has had a great deal of fun inventing characters to match the various ceatures characteristics, and the illustrations capture the humour without reducing the animals to Disney-type cartoons. There's no doubt that tales of fiction like this can stimulate interest in wild-life for the young and I'm happy to recommend Leon Chameleon PI to young readers."

Sandy Dacombe, Talking of Nature, SABC, December 1994

Janet Hurst-Nicholson has written a quite delightful children's book. All the characters are based on local fauna found in the Pigeon Valley area. We have Leon the private investigator, the pompous Lieutenant Crow and Sergeant Loerie of the police and the nervous underground operator Constable Mole. The case concerns the theft of Mr and Mrs Canary's eggs. There are a number of logical suspects each one of which are questioned with the field being narrowed down to one, as the result of some misleading information given by Stool Pigeon. Leon, however, spots a clue overlooked by the Police which he investigates and which leads to the arrest and trial of the real thief.

This book, well  illustrated by Barbara McGuire, will stimulate the young mind and is an ideal Christmas gift for the 8 - 10 year old.

The Suburban Echo, Durban 24th November 1993

In this book, the story takes place in Pigeon Valley in Durban. It is a humorous story with many animals. The descriptions are excellent making the story very life-like.

Leon Chameleon is a private investigator. The author uses descriptive words for the way the chameleon moves, blends into colours and what it looks like. In part of the book the author says 'his eyes, which sat on the end of bulging conical turrets, swivelled like search-lights.'

In this story, Loerie and Mole are the Flying Squad and are going to investigate the mystery of Mrs Canary's stolen eggs. Stool pigeon tells Loerie that he saw Egg-Eater snake around the the nest at the time the eggs disappeared. Leon introduces himself to Loerie and Mole and together they search for Egg-Eater snake. Leon thinks it isn't Egg-Eater snake and he and Mole go back to Mrs Canary's nest to investigate. They follow a trail of flattened grass that leads to Rat's nest. They tell Loerie and they all plan to arrest Rat.

I think lots of young children should read this enjoyable book. It helps you to understand that you are not always right, because Loerie thought Egg-Eater stole the eggs because he was a snake, but it was actually Rat. Also it teaches you about animals and their habits in a way that is fun. The author makes the book exciting and interesting by bringing animals to life.

Tarryn Lee (aged 10 yrs) Manor gardens Primary School