Mad Mouse

John Ceepak, Book 2

By: Chris Grabenstein

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

It's almost Labor Day, and the end of summer could mean the end of someone's life in this exciting sequel to Chris Grabenstein's Tilt-a-Whirl.

Young Danny Boyle, the part-time summer cop "down the shore" in Sea Haven, New Jersey, gets taken on a wild ride when he and his longtime beach buddies become the unwitting targets of a madman's twisted scheme for revenge. Fortunately, John Ceepak, the cop with a soldier's unshakable code of honor, stays at Danny's side to help him negotiate the quick twists and turns that threaten to destroy his life, his friends, and everything about the world he loves.

Whipping from the boardwalk to the beach and back again, Mad Mouse keeps zigging and zagging at a breakneck pace, all the way to the surprising finish.

Don't miss other adventures featuring Sea Haven's finest, including the first book in the series, Tilt-a-Whirl, and the third, Whack-a-Mole.

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

Critic reviews

"With agile humor, neat plotting, unexpected sweetness, and an irresistible duo, Grabenstein offers a hip new form of cozy." (Booklist)
"Likable good guys, plausible bad guys, a sensible plot and a supple prose style that moves from breezy to poignant." (Kirkus Reviews)

One step up from the Hardy Boys

Despite one "Roger that" too many from the book's main protagonist, I enjoyed this listen. When I purchased the book I didn't realize that it was written for a teen audience. Then again, maybe it wasn't, but that's the way it turned out. It was a sale book and since my wife grew up in the Jersey Shore setting, I thought it was worth the risk. Simple characters, a simple though somewhat contrived plot and simple dialogue make for a relaxed listen. A few years back I reread one of my Hardy Boys books to see what interested me back in my pre-teen years. One reread was enough to satisfy my nostalgia need. If you wonder what the Hardy Boys might be like dropping "F" bombs, then give this book a try. And if you're 16 years old, this author and his books are for you.

Great reading

the story and the narration was perfect. had a hard time turning it off. Spellbinding

LOVE IT

Chris Grabenstein and Jeff Woodman ten four!!!

Entertaining

The Narrator Jeff Woodhouse is excellent. I really enjoyed his voices that suited each character perfectly.

Read the series in order!

It's tough for a sequel to equal a strong first book, and this series is no exception. The plot takes an awfully long time to get going as there's no actual murder for quite a while. Also, I didn't really relate to Danny and his young friends all that much; to be brutally honest, they seemed a bit boring to me. But, okay ....

I give the book a fourth star as the villain was actually quite interesting, complete with an ending that one cannot reasonably expect, even if it's rather over-the-top. More importantly, the author makes the point that a) bullying can have consequences later, even if seems "fun" at the time, and b) so can rejecting your kids for not being what you deem "successful" early on. There's also an angle regarding Ceepak's discovering talent in a young man who seems anything but a success on the surface.

Wanted to throw in that while there's nothing gory or grisly here, one scene did fill me with complete horror: Danny stumbles across a young kid, around 5 in a wheelchair (presumably with developmental issues or Downs Syndrome, not really gone into), being bullied by a group of young men in their late teens who are going to have "fun" pushing the " 'tard" down a steep ramp (the kid is absolutely terrified). Call me a wuss if you'd like, but I was incredibly rattled for quite a while that such an event was even possible in real life.

Great story and narration

Any additional comments?

As a kid I spent most of my summers at the Jersey shore. This is a trip down memory lane for me, fortunately minus the murders. The Ceepak books are great mysteries with terrific characters and one of the best audiobook narrators I have ever listened to. The added bonus is the author's attention to detail about NJ and the Jersey shore.

What more can I say?

I absolutely LOVE this series!! I've listened to them all, and I'm devastated that there aren't any more. So thoroughly enjoyable and funny. Start with the first and enjoy your way through the rest. You won't be sorry.

Did Not Disappoint!

There is always the concern that a book you're looking forward to reading/listening to just won't live up to your expectations. When I decided to continue this series when heading to the gym, I was hoping it would keep me entertained for seventy long, boring walking laps around the track. Not to worry--Danny Boyle and John Ceepak to the rescue!

This is a light mystery, but very well written with some humorous, contrasting characters. The narrator, young Danny Boyle, has a lot to learn about police work--and life. And the hero of the series, John Ceepak, is a returning veteran, who lives by a code that is sadly disappearing in today's world. Crimes are solved, lessons are learned, and order is restored to Sea Haven!

Mad Mouse's narrator, Jeff Woodman, does a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. I was happy to see he is the one and only narrator for this series. I'm already looking forward to installment #3--

MAD MOUSE

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

Yes, the characters are hilarious, and the plot was interesting. I liked the way the author integrated Danny's past into the plot, and the 🐷🐷🐷🐷's well what can I say?

What did you like best about this story?

The characters of course! This is a light hearted funny read. If you're looking for anything else it's not here. It's a nice reprieve from all of the serious stuff I usually read. ( my choice of course )👙🏰💰🔝😀

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

As I have said previously in the review of the first book of this series. He actually gives you an idea of what Danny and Ceepak look like. Plus he's great with the other characters.

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

I did.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend that you read this series in sequence. You get to know the characters more and more each book. As for the author,"Don't ever change this narrator, he's perfect!" 😀😀😀 FUN, EASY READ!

New author for me

Just found this author in one of Audible's sales. One of his characters reminds me of Reacher,just not so far out there. The other main character is partnered with him in a police dept in a small town on the Jersey shore. Good story, good characters and a fun book for a mystery!