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)

I loved it -- and the whole series!

This book--and the rest of the author's "John Ceepak" mysteries--are hilarious and entertaining visits to the New Jersey shore, where local cops--a former MP and a surfer dude--track down bad guys in fictional Sea Haven. TILT-A-WHIRL, the first in the series, won the 2006 Anthony Award for "Best First Mystery" and will hook you on going back for more (all available here on audible.com). The dialog is crisp and full of sharp humor, made even better by the delivery of the excellent narrator. (If you've spent any time on the "Joisey" shore, you'll appreciate him even more!)

I got such a laugh from this book I visited the author's Website, which is also funny and entertaining. Be sure to download the perfectly believable Sea Haven visitor map, which shows where all the best spots are located! I'm hopping the next installment will be on audible in time for summer!

The first John Ceepak

Grabenstein's novels are less complex than the best ones, but they are fun to listen to. The John Ceepak character is so straight laced that it is almost painful. Ceepak, and right, always win. Jeff Woodman does a good job as narrator.

Great Read

A funny mystery, a great summer read. Highly recommend it to everyone who likes a good mystery story with some humor to lighten the darkness.

good fun!

This is a fun, lightweight mystery set in a small seaside town.....The narrator is a summer cop, a part time employee to help with the extra summer season crowds. He is partnered with a full-time cop of the Joe Friday mold - "just the facts, ma'am" - and the contrasting styles of the buddy-cop theme works well. Even though I kind of saw the end coming, it didn't take away from the fun of the characters, and I look forward to trying the next in the series.

Great Summer Listening

You will get hooked on this series. Grabenstein has great fun. The reading by Jeff Woodman is great. You feel like Danny is telling you the story. Danny is a part-time cop in a beach town. Woodman's narrative has the young sound of a 20 something. It it a mystery with humor and surprise twists.

Enjoyable listen.

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

The story is good. It is told through the eyes of Danny Boyle, Ceepak's partner. I really enjoy his description of places and events. It is through the eyes of a rookie cop without any sophistication to get in the way of real life. It is totally amusing at times and very true-to-life of a naive, fun/party-loving 25 yr old who never left his hometown, but is willing to admit that it might be time to grow up.

It is also a good mystery - a fun who-done-it. I'm on to book 2. I hope by the time I get through with book 6 there is another one available.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Danny Boyle. See my review.

Which character – as performed by Jeff Woodman – was your favorite?

Again, Danny Boyle, with Ceepak coming in a close second.

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

Many times I laughed out loud.

Absolutely Brilliant

Buying the second in the series next. Murder mystery with a sarcastic script woven together with plenty of twists and turns. Got more laughs than wathing Saturday Night Live. The narrator was one of the best I've heard. The editing and production crew deserve credit also. No I am not related to anyone involved. Just a must hear.

Fun Story

Any additional comments?

This book in not great literature, it is a fun story. I enjoyed it very much. I liked seeing John Ceepaks story through Danny's eyes. This book was an entertaining commute listen for me.

Light hearted mystery

Got this book for free. Glad i read it. Got hooked right away. Great author and narrator. Getting the next book now.

Extremely Good

Performance was superb. I did not know what to expect but I could hardly wait to finish the story. One of the better stories from Audible! Y