• Free Fall

  • A John Ceepak Mystery, Book 8
  • By: Chris Grabenstein
  • Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
  • Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (1,123 ratings)

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Free Fall  By  cover art

Free Fall

By: Chris Grabenstein
Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
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Publisher's summary

“I didn’t do it!” is something cops hear all the time. But when the plea comes from a close friend who’s fallen on hard times, it’s tougher to ignore, especially for young Officer Danny Boyle. It’s the start of another action-packed summer for the wisecracking Boyle and straight-arrow cop (now chief of detectives) John Ceepak down the Jersey Shore as they do their best to help Danny’s friend, a young nurse who claims she has been falsely accused of aggravated assault by a prestigious Sea Haven doctor.

Ceepak’s unshakable code of honor is tested when he trusts that the nurse is telling the truth. It’s stretched to the limit when one of the nurse’s home health care patients turns up dead. Now Ceepak and Danny must answer the hard and horrible question: "Did we just help a friend get away with murder?" Get ready for another fun and fast-paced listen from Anthony and Agatha award-winner Chris Grabenstein.

©2013 Chris Grabenstein (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Free Fall

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just another great Ceepak book

Where does Free Fall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really like Fun House but, this is just a better story. It could be the best because Danny is a very competent detective. He is growing up and now make decision on his own plus the give take during interview with Ceepak.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

At no point during the investigation does Chris Grabenstein tip his hand and let you know would be the guilty person. On the hand with Danny knowing everyone on the island it is almost heart breaking when they are investigate another one his friends.

What does Jeff Woodman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

By far one my favor readers. What is now happening now is you'll hear an old or dead character in a new character voice. I just hope there is not a change here.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Danny's friend explains her job in advance age home care. When Danny's and his friend at the picnic table at he fish place.

Any additional comments?

I just love this series. I hope they keep coming each May for the next several years.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

absolutely fantastic. perfect narration and story

A wonderful listen. Jeff Woodman should win an award. He is I think, the best narrator on Audible. His different voices are perfect and he gets male and female spot on. Unbelievably good narration.

The story was great too. I always enjoy this author and he is the only person I will download without bothering to listen to a sample.

Keep them coming. A brilliant, wonderful combination of author and narrator. Well done.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • KM
  • 05-06-13

Great series!!! Read EACH book twice!!!!

Danny and John Ceepak make a great team. "Sunny, Funderful Sea Haven" is a town full of adventure. The chemistry between the two lead characters makes the series. Truly a fun mystery, with Jeff Woodman returning as the narrator in the 8th book of the series. I know you will enjoy it!!! I would start at the beginning, you will appreciate John's character so mch more.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ceepak is BACK!

John Ceepak is BACK! He is one of my many guilty pleasures and I don't mind everyone knowing. Grabenstein's books are fun, clever, and entirely delightful. Consistently a great choice for reading/listening pleasure.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Now what?!

I can't decide which is best between the narration or the story but together they are the best audible series I have listened to. My only problem now is after dragging this "listen" out over 2 days I can't wait for the next one! Fabulous stories that suck you in to the world of Danny and Ceepak, mysteries are resolved (not always a soft ending, unusual but real!) and the character development is always progressing.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Back on track with a solid Ceepak storyline

I had been disappointed in the book just before this one in the series. I thought in that book Danny was getting tiresome, and Ceepak was not featured very much. This book has gotten back on track.

The mystery is a bit more detailed than usual, and there is a huge personal component to the story that had been missing in the last book. Some things were resolved in a very unexpected (but much welcome) way... I am not sure what this will mean for the next book in the series (assuming there is one), but I think the resolution here was fitting, and necessary.

Otherwise... the tone and pacing, and mystery level of this novel are pretty much the same quality as they were in the other books in the series: A+.

The narration is excellent. There is some minor swearing, no gore and no sex.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Roger that.

This was my first Ceepak book and, since I had no prior experience with the characters, I had no idea what to expect. The reviews were good but that did not guarantee that I would enjoy the book. For me, a good mystery has to include interesting and believable characters, a decent plot and a light-enough touch to relieve the tension. Robert B. Parker, great, Ellery Queen, good, Dashiell Hammett, not so much. What I found was an absolute delight.

First, the characters. John Ceepak, the main character, is a bit of a stretch. A completely by-the-book ex military detective who would never bend the rules or lie, it is hard imagining anyone so bound to the straight-and-narrow. Still, the character is interesting and his companion, Danny Boyle, fills out what John Ceepak lacks. The two, mentor and apprentice, form an almost perfect team with the believability, honesty and humor that makes the tension bearable. The mystery, involving the poisoning of an elderly man, has enough suspects and red herrings to keep the tension alive and enough twists to keep you guessing and the solution, although not a big surprise, provides a satisfying end to the story. The extra characters, Ceepak's mother, Ceepak's father (a reader will understand why I listed them separately rather than as a couple) and the suspects round out an interesting cast of characters although mostly not a group I would be interested in meeting.

The narration is almost pitch perfect with Ceepak's flat tone as a counterpoint to the more well-rounded Danny Boyle. This is book 8 in the series and I enjoyed it so much that I bought book 1 so I can start the series from the beginning. Most of the mystery books I have bought in the past have been more story than mystery (for example, almost all of the Robert B. Parker Spenser books) and this, as a real who-dun-it, forms a nice other-side-of-the-coin book. Highly recommended as a light read.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Don't miss this book or this Series

This time we see the Jersey shore recovering from hurricane Sandy. I really love the characters and the humor in this series. The Narrator really captured the voices and personalities, particularly of a female villain in the story. The story is really good, and the old adage, "no good deed goes unpunished" is amply demonstrated. I know that I miss some of the cultural references, since I am not a Bruce Springsteen fan, but that doesn't bother me. This series is always fun and lighthearted, even when it deals with the ugly crimes and people. I hope John Ceepak comes back for many more chapters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite Ceepak to date! Write faster, Mr. G!

I totally love this series of books. It is a guilty pleasure but so perfectly done. The mysteries are fun and full of flavor. The characters have grown over the 8 books. Jeff Woodman is so talented he does every voice in a different and completely believable style. You will have no problem telling who is talking. He makes it all sound effortless.

Ceepak Mysteries are like your favorite dessert. You love seeing it in front of you and enjoy the anticipation. You love devouring it. And you are so sad when it's over.

Mr. Grabenstein, please write faster!

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3 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Dull, dull and dull

I was excited to try this new series based on the many positive reviews. I was extremely disappointed. Eight chapters in and absolutely nothing has happened; no character development, no plot no reason to continue listening.

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2 people found this helpful