Fun House

A John Ceepak Mystery, Book 7

By: Chris Grabenstein

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Fun House is the latest novel in the award-winning John Ceepak mystery series, set on the Jersey Shore.

What if a reality TV show like Jersey Shore set up production in the fictional seaside resort Sea Haven? What if hitting the gym, tanning, and doing a little laundry aren't the only things the contestants get into? By-the-book officer John Ceepak and his wisecracking young partner, Danny Boyle, have to babysit the buff and boozy kids partying it up in a Jersey Shore rental house for TV’s summertime hit Fun House, while simultaneously trying to stop the rowdy kids from breaking the law up and down the beach. But even Ceepak and Danny can’t stop one young cast member from being murdered - and others from being threatened with the same fate.

©2011 Chris Grabenstein (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Great Ceepak, annoying reality TV

I’m with Ceepak: I have zero interest in reality TV. So, for me, there were a lot of annoying actor and producer characters. The traditional Ceepak/Danny interactions work. Too bad there’s only the dynamic crime fighting duo and not enough unique series regulars to outweigh the reality TV duds. This mystery was too predictable and this series has become rather formulaic. On sale, still a good listen.

Love this series!

This is a great series to listen to. The narrator does a great job and is a great selection for these books.

I Love Ceepak! and Danny Boyle TOO!

Would you listen to Fun House again? Why?

Yes, I would re-listen to all Ceepak novels

What other book might you compare Fun House to and why?

Rolling Thunder/Tilt a Whirl

What about Jeff Woodman’s performance did you like?

To me he is Danny Boyle

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It definately make me cry!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoy Chris Gaberstein's creations - Boyle and Ceepak and Sea Haven, my only issue is that they are tooo slow in being released by the publisher. Hope we don't have to wait 2 more years for the next Ceepak novel.

Fun addition to the series

Would you consider the audio edition of Fun House to be better than the print version?

I honestly can't compare the audio version to the written version, because I've never actually seen the print version. Because I am the nerves no longer work, I do most of my reading via audiobook. This was??? the same narrator that was used for the other books in the series, and he's good.

What other book might you compare Fun House to and why?

Jeff Woodman narrates _Till-a-Will_,_Mad Mouse_,_Hell Hole_, and the other amusement park mysteries. He has the right kind of deadpan voice for many of the characters, and he imprints the right emotion at the right time. He is generally pleasant voice just the right tone and expression.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The book probably would have been even better all at once, but because of my schedule, I had to break into several.

Best Ceepak book yet, but still just ok....

The author is clearly out of touch with the 20 something crowd this book is centered around, some of the dialogue is rather cringe worthy. I'm in my late 20s and no one I've ever been around talks the way these characters do, we sure as Hell don't listen to Bruce Springsteen either lol. The ceepak character is supposed to be the perfect hero but I find him very annoying and super polarizing, who wants to root for a dude who's the smartest and best at everything ever. Grabenstein also writes danny Boyle like he has a crush on ceepak it's kinda weird. Other then those gripes this is the best ceepak book I've read but still just ok (no idea why I keep reading these things, probably just the completist in me) 3/5 stars.

Reality turns deadly! Favorite series for me.

This one, of course, is another winner. Danny and Ceepak back together again! I am almost through with this series and am looking forward to more from Chris Grabenstein. Both narrator Jeff Woodman and Grabenstein never fail to delight; they are a perfect duo. I almost choked on my wine with laughter mid-sentence. I cannot recommend Danny and Ceepak's adventures enough. Just get this series, you won't be sorry. Well worth the credit.

FIlthy language from the beginning.

I enjoyed the other books in this series, but the language in this was too much. I am truly disappointed.

Maybe it's time for Sea Haven to retire...

I'm a completist and I had to read this book so I would be current with the series. I've read them all, in order, and, unfortunately, this is by far my least favorite.

The characters and setting are the same as the rest in the series. But Danny has been around too long for his point-of-view to be fresh or funny (even though it seems he tries). The mystery was not particularly challenging to figure out, and I'm not convinced the "badguy" was believable in the end... to accept the rationale behind the crimes, you have to suspend disbelief just a smidge too much - more than I expect from a book in this genre.

Even Ceepak seemed to be muted here... or maybe I'm just tired of his goody-two-shoes character which has not shown any growth over time? Not sure, but... I will still probably read the next in the series if there is one. The narration is great as usual.

Totally enjoyable

The other reviewers have said it all beautifully. Another great Danny and Ceepak story that made me laugh out loud numerous times. This narrator is EXCEPTIONAL and makes me want to listen to this again and again. I hate thinking that I'll have to wait 2 years for the next one. I love this series!

A Great Listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to friends and family but would have to with a warning about the language. The language is crude but it make the situation in the book believable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fun House?

Batman testing out a hypothesis and at "Veggie Shack" Danny's reactions and thoughts.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Fried Oreo guy asked Ceepak if he was George f****ing Washington? Danny's answer.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Ceepak meets Reality TV!

Any additional comments?

We listen to this book over the weekend and my wife stated that she was not enjoying the book as much as the other during the first half of the book. I asked "Why?" Her answer was the language and how this generation were treating each other. This lead to two discussions. First author Chris Grabstein go it right with language, actions, and events with reality shows. Then I pointed out how Danny and other locals in the same age group were just as discussed with this show as Ceepak and yet the town leader loved the show. This will be listen to again and would recommend it to friends and family.