Tilt-a-Whirl

John Ceepak, Book 1

By: Chris Grabenstein

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

There isn't much fun in the sun when a billionaire real-estate tycoon is found murdered on the Tilt-a-Whirl at a seedy seaside amusement park in the otherwise quiet summer tourist town of Sea Haven.

John Ceepak, a former MP just back from Iraq, has just joined the Sea Haven police department. The job offer came from an old Army buddy who hoped to give Ceepak at least a summer's worth of rest and relaxation to help him forget the horrors of war. Instead, Ceepak will head up the murder investigation. He is partnered with Danny Boyle, a 24-year-old part-time summer cop who doesn't carry a gun and only works with the police by day so he has enough pocket money left over to play with his beach buddies at night.

In the first novel in a new series written in the spirit of Carl Hiaasen's work, the Tilt-a-Whirl murder pushes Ceepak's deep sense of honor and integrity to the limits, as unexpected twists and turns keep the truth spinning wildly in every direction.

©2006 Chris Grabenstein (P)2007 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Anthony Award, Best First Mystery, 2006

• 2006 Anthony Award, Best First Novel

"A fast-paced thrill ride with lots of twists and turns and good writing from start to finish." (James Patterson)
"From page 1, this debut stands out as refreshingly different....an absolute triumph." ( Booklist)

Silly but Fun!

This is a book you pick up when traveling when you don't want to think but just be entertained. C-Pak is so robotic while his side-kick so silly that they are perfect together. Could have done without the long barrage of filthy words at times and the over the top portrayal of Jersey, but for guilty pleasure it did it's job. and the narrator was selected perfectly.

A Fun Ride (Get it?)

‘Tilt-a-Whirl’ is a fun romp through the jersey shore. An interesting take this story isn’t told through the eyes of the villain nor the hero, rather the hero’s partner and untrained summer cop who is driving around his partner, an army vet to makes Dudley-Do-Right” look a bit suspect. The story takes plenty of twists and turns keeps the reader guessing from start to finish. The characters are fun and likable (also a bit stereotypical jersey shore), making this story a fun escape. Highly recommended for the mystery lover.

The narration by Jeff Woodman is fantastic. He only has to do one accent (Jersey Shore) but he does it well and really brings the characters to life. I can't wait to start book number two!

Foul play

This is not great literature. That said, it could have been entertaining but for the aggressively foul language. The hero of this book would not have sat through the reading of it. His "code" would not have allowed it.

On the brighter side, the reader does a fabulous job with his voices.

Great Story

I love how Ceepak is very straight and narrow. His partner Danny makes the story because I feel like he tells it from his perspective. Him being younger and less experienced also makes the story interesting. I hate how the story ended and the truth was exposed. This book is full of humor with some serious topics mixed in. Overall great book.

Tantalizing twist of a story.

The story was gripping and kept me listening anxiously. this was not my usual listen but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The narration was great and it had a perfect blend of humour, inttigue, and action.

THE PERFECT COZY MYSTERY

Where does Tilt-a-Whirl rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

For a cozy mystery, it ranks in the top 25%.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Officer Ceepok - straight as an arrow, apparently humorless but troubled and dedicated.

What about Jeff Woodman’s performance did you like?

I especially liked his interpretation of Officer Ceepok.

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

When Ceepok talked about his dead brother and dysfunctional family.

An Insult to Real Mystery Fans!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I was able to listen to the end, which says something. It was unimaginable, though.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Predictable .

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I thought that the narrator did a good job with what he had to work with. I did not like the way the clues were obvious and how the author repeated them throughout the book and just in case the reader didn't get it, made sure that the character Dan made it very clear what the clue meant.

Did Tilt-a-Whirl inspire you to do anything?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

This might be good for a beginner, probably a young person, who is new to reading murder mysteries.

Great series - super narration too!

Would you consider the audio edition of Tilt-a-Whirl to be better than the print version?

(non-reader) This series is great! I can't wait for the next one to come out. The characters are fun and believable. The narration is super. Definitely worth listening to.

Enjoyed the plot twists

If you could sum up Tilt-a-Whirl in three words, what would they be?

many plot twists

Any additional comments?

Purchased on a three for 2 credit deal. A great first novel. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the plot twisted another direction.

Fun and entertaing

Where does Tilt-a-Whirl rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Pretty highly, I listen to a lot and this kept me entertained plus I'm certainly up for following the series now!

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

It wasn't really edge of the seat material? Kept me guessing and interested though.

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

The scene with the mother and daughter at the end. Everything comes out and its pretty twisted for what had been a cozy mystery.