Whack-a-Mole

This series just keeps getting better. Although they retained the traits that make them unique and endearing, John Ceepak and Danny became more realistic in this third instalment. Ceepak is softening a little and becoming less rigid, perhaps recovering slowly from his experiences in the army, while Danny has become a full-time police officer (graduating well from the academy) and is maturing. Their relationship still has a mentoring feel but it's clear here that the two are becoming friends on a more equal footing. So many male bonding relationships depicted in fiction involve consuming large quantities of alcohol and/or treating women like objects that it's quite refreshing to see a healthy relationship depicted without these elements.

Grabenstein does a great job of lulling you into a false sense of security with respect to the pace and direction of the story before taking you in an entirely unpredictable direction. This one was so engrossing and suspense-filled I had to walk an extra 2 kilometres so I could finish listening. As a bonus, although darker in terms of subject matter than the previous two books in the series, this one is actually funnier. Danny Boyle's narrative voice is delightfully witty and it has lost its slight juvenile quality as Danny has matured.

The only thing more enjoyable than anticipating a new Ceepak and Boyle adventure being read to me by the wonderful Jeff Woodman is having my expectations exceeded. I am completely smitten by this series and there's nothing for me to do now but play all my Bruce Springsteen CDs (his lyrics inspire our two New Jersey heroes) and see how long I can wait until I listen to the fourth book in the series which is already waiting on my iPod.

Ceepak and Boyle are a great team once again as they solve another murder mystery on the Jersey Shore. I like the narrator and the stories are interesting and suspensful without keeping you up all night in fear. Well done.

I am a huge fan of Carl Hiassen and had heard or read that this author was similar. I went ahead and purchased all three books in the series and managed to listen to them all but with great difficulty. Plot is similar in all. Foul language is overdone. All in all, very juvenile. I consider these books a "Hardy Boys - X-rated"

This book was fun and held my interest throughout. Ceepak, our hero, seemed a bit much with his "never tell a lie" attitude and "roger that" instead of "yes" but I was willing to accept it and enjoy the story. Do not be misled, however. Chris Grabenstein has good characters, but he is no Carl Hiassen. They are just in different leagues. Still, if you like whodunits you should like this one. Quite entertaining and lots better than some.

I like mysteries of all types from the serious to the comic. I found Chris Grabenstein by accident on Audible and have enjoyed all three in the series. Whack a Mole was the best so far with a pretty good mystery that took a while to figure out and a fun set of characters. The humor mixed in with the story is enjoyable and at times very funny. Though I enjoyed the story a good deal my favorite part is the narration by Jeff Woodman who did all the Grabenstein book. He definitely is one of my favorite narrators and his portrayal of the characters is very good, and the I think he has Danny and Ceepak down to perfection. I recommend the whole series and this book in particular. I am looking forward to listening to Hell Hole.

This was an unexpected "win" for me. It's very funny; not in the fall-off-your-chair Evanovich way but more like Rocky and Bullwinkle. The main characters, albeit tongue in cheek, are quite likable. In spite of being silly, the plot is engaging and well-paced. I had fun.

AUDIO: Excellent reader, perfect to play the protagonist, and does well with the other characters, too.

I'm sad the series is over! Can't wait until next Spring for the next Ceepak. This could be the best one yet. The growth in Danny's character, the slight softening of Ceepak, it's all good! Danny is learning how to be a man, Ceepak is learning how to be a friend. And Jeff Woodman is amazing as both of them, not to mention grizzled Gus and everybody else in the cast!

I am falling in love with John Ceepak. A veteran of Afghanistan turned cop in a beach town Ceepak cannot tell a lie nor tolerate those who do. These light mysteries are totally entertaining. A great bargain when you buy the Kindle book first.

Yes...It is a quick fun listen.

I have read the complete series...hope more will be coming in the future

Super combination of performance and story, the narrator has a great way of showcasing the humor and irony in this story.