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John Ceepak Mystery #2
Mad Mouse
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.
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.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 14, 2006
About the author
Chris Grabenstein
136 books2,372 followersCHRIS GRABENSTEIN is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His books include the LEMONCELLO, WONDERLAND, HAUNTED MYSTERY, DOG SQUAD, and SMARTEST KID IN THE UNIVERSE series, and many fun and funny page-turners co-authored with James Patterson. You can visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
August 3, 2014
Rating: 3.75* of five
The Publisher Says: 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 mad-man's twisted scheme for revenge. Fortunately, John Ceepak, the cop with a soldier's unshakeable 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.
My Review: Second verse, same as the first/Coulda got better....
I enjoyed the time off from the troubling events I'm seeing develop at Goodreads. I hid myself in this enjoyable, light-weight read...
...and *whammo* got the boom lowered on me. Every one of us has done things that, had we known what we were doing at the time, would never have been put into action. Fortunately for most of us, the people we've hurt or mistreated don't come after us with sniper weapons in hand and murder at heart. Danny Boyle, the cool kid from school who never left the town he grew up in, has some of those and here they come with guns and murder all at the ready.
Grabenstein's writing is smooth, very easy on the eyes and ears, and carefully crafted. He chooses the scenes of his story with a very practiced and able eye. He offers an interesting angle of view. But the impact of the story is never in doubt, since his main character is the one in the sniper's crosshairs. Readers of Tilt-A-Whirl are already invested in Danny, and those who start here are probably not that far behind.
In the end, though, after going on the ride with Danny, it's the perp that leaves one almost breathless in horror, pity, fear, loathing. It's all so, so pointless. Except to the unhappy victim. And I don't, this time, mean Danny or his friends.
Very affecting.
What worked less well for me was the grafted-on feeling that the romance, which apparently blew up overnight, left me with; the Ceepak presence was deployed in an oddly spotty manner, feeling not exactly perfunctory but less personal than in the first book; and the new character Buzz was, well, here I can say it, perfunctory. Quick strokes, convenient presence, but not integral or maybe integrated, into the action.
A series I will pursue, no doubt, and with pleasure. Just a few clouds in the sunshiney sky. Nothing to suggest even a rain shower, still less a storm. I like finding myself in Sea Haven, and that says a lot.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Publisher Says: 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 mad-man's twisted scheme for revenge. Fortunately, John Ceepak, the cop with a soldier's unshakeable 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.
My Review: Second verse, same as the first/Coulda got better....
I enjoyed the time off from the troubling events I'm seeing develop at Goodreads. I hid myself in this enjoyable, light-weight read...
...and *whammo* got the boom lowered on me. Every one of us has done things that, had we known what we were doing at the time, would never have been put into action. Fortunately for most of us, the people we've hurt or mistreated don't come after us with sniper weapons in hand and murder at heart. Danny Boyle, the cool kid from school who never left the town he grew up in, has some of those and here they come with guns and murder all at the ready.
Grabenstein's writing is smooth, very easy on the eyes and ears, and carefully crafted. He chooses the scenes of his story with a very practiced and able eye. He offers an interesting angle of view. But the impact of the story is never in doubt, since his main character is the one in the sniper's crosshairs. Readers of Tilt-A-Whirl are already invested in Danny, and those who start here are probably not that far behind.
In the end, though, after going on the ride with Danny, it's the perp that leaves one almost breathless in horror, pity, fear, loathing. It's all so, so pointless. Except to the unhappy victim. And I don't, this time, mean Danny or his friends.
Very affecting.
What worked less well for me was the grafted-on feeling that the romance, which apparently blew up overnight, left me with; the Ceepak presence was deployed in an oddly spotty manner, feeling not exactly perfunctory but less personal than in the first book; and the new character Buzz was, well, here I can say it, perfunctory. Quick strokes, convenient presence, but not integral or maybe integrated, into the action.
A series I will pursue, no doubt, and with pleasure. Just a few clouds in the sunshiney sky. Nothing to suggest even a rain shower, still less a storm. I like finding myself in Sea Haven, and that says a lot.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
April 14, 2017
Review written April 13, 2017
4 Stars - Another goodfeel summer town mystery. I'm on this cozy journey and looking forward to get more
Mad Mouse is the second in this cozy fun contemporary mystery serial. I truly enjoyed the first part Tilt-a-Whirl (3.8 stars) back in November last year. No romance stuff but a lot of fun and really great audiobook narrator. ~ $3 WSfV 8:10 hours audiobook narrated by Jeff Woodman ~ Well worth my time and coins.
**********************************************
Sea Haven, New Jersey US
« John Ceepak, a former MP just back from Iraq, has 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... ~~ 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. »
Still that first Ceepak summer and it was time for Danny to be a permanent "real" police. Unfortunately when this big police career event should be celebrated are Danny and his friends threatened by a mysterious paintball shooter.
... There is a new case to solve and a "bad guy" to look for in the (New Jersey US) summer paradise. — Our hero Ceepak is admiringly good and doing everything properly right (following the Book) as usual and this MAN nowadays has two big admirers in me and young Danny.
**********************************************
Good stuff for nice audiobook moments. It will be more Ceepak & Boyle adventures for me soonish.
I LIKE - this cozy easy style and very sweet characters
4 Stars - Another goodfeel summer town mystery. I'm on this cozy journey and looking forward to get more
Mad Mouse is the second in this cozy fun contemporary mystery serial. I truly enjoyed the first part Tilt-a-Whirl (3.8 stars) back in November last year. No romance stuff but a lot of fun and really great audiobook narrator. ~ $3 WSfV 8:10 hours audiobook narrated by Jeff Woodman ~ Well worth my time and coins.
**********************************************
Sea Haven, New Jersey US
« John Ceepak, a former MP just back from Iraq, has 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... ~~ 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. »
Still that first Ceepak summer and it was time for Danny to be a permanent "real" police. Unfortunately when this big police career event should be celebrated are Danny and his friends threatened by a mysterious paintball shooter.
... There is a new case to solve and a "bad guy" to look for in the (New Jersey US) summer paradise. — Our hero Ceepak is admiringly good and doing everything properly right (following the Book) as usual and this MAN nowadays has two big admirers in me and young Danny.
**********************************************
Good stuff for nice audiobook moments. It will be more Ceepak & Boyle adventures for me soonish.
I LIKE - this cozy easy style and very sweet characters
August 21, 2015
Danny, a fledgling police officer, and Seapack, a former MP and now a veteran detective, are on a mission to stop a sniper in their sleepy little town of Sea Haven. The sniper is smart, invisible and, for some unknown reason, targeting Danny's group of lifelong friends. Not one of his friends, in this tight knit group, can think of any possible reason that could have invoked this brutal unsolicited attack. Sea Haven is a cool, little costal town that relies on it's summer guests to see them through the colder seasons, so in order to keep the situation quiet Seapack and Danny do thier best to keep the investigation under wraps. However, in a small, gossipy town that is not always an easy thing to do.
A fast pace, good mystery with the return of all of the series regular characters. Jeff Woodman does an outstanding job narrating as usual, so if your looking for a clean, relaxing series this is a fun new fangled kind of cozy.
A fast pace, good mystery with the return of all of the series regular characters. Jeff Woodman does an outstanding job narrating as usual, so if your looking for a clean, relaxing series this is a fun new fangled kind of cozy.
August 20, 2024
__________________________
Smells of Fish
I greatly enjoyed Grabenstien’s previous Ceepak novel, Tilt-a-Whirl. It is a light, humorous mystery, generally well-written, with a cast of interesting characters, and a fresh narrative form. And chances are I would have enjoyed Mad Mouse just as much if it wasn’t for the smell of three-day-old fish that pervades the story.
Now, I’m not talking about a solitary cod or haddock, you understand, but rather about an entire school of red herring that—I suppose, with newspapers becoming extinct—had to be wrapped up the pages of this book for safe keeping.
Oh, yes, I know. Mad Mouse is a mystery, and ichthyofauna of the smoked variety have to be expected, but Grabenstien has been extremely careless with them. For instance, when the reader learns that the killer has some extremely specialized, and very rare skills, an entire school of this atypical species are suddenly netted, forced to make some ominous croakings, and thrown back a few pages later. This is lazy writing and insulting to the reader.
🌟🌟🌟 Oh, I haven’t given up on Grabenstien. I loved Tilt-a-Whirl, and will give the next book in the series a chance—just as soon as my dog stops rolling around on Mad Mouse.
Smells of Fish
I greatly enjoyed Grabenstien’s previous Ceepak novel, Tilt-a-Whirl. It is a light, humorous mystery, generally well-written, with a cast of interesting characters, and a fresh narrative form. And chances are I would have enjoyed Mad Mouse just as much if it wasn’t for the smell of three-day-old fish that pervades the story.
Now, I’m not talking about a solitary cod or haddock, you understand, but rather about an entire school of red herring that—I suppose, with newspapers becoming extinct—had to be wrapped up the pages of this book for safe keeping.
Oh, yes, I know. Mad Mouse is a mystery, and ichthyofauna of the smoked variety have to be expected, but Grabenstien has been extremely careless with them. For instance, when the reader learns that the killer has some extremely specialized, and very rare skills, an entire school of this atypical species are suddenly netted, forced to make some ominous croakings, and thrown back a few pages later. This is lazy writing and insulting to the reader.
🌟🌟🌟 Oh, I haven’t given up on Grabenstien. I loved Tilt-a-Whirl, and will give the next book in the series a chance—just as soon as my dog stops rolling around on Mad Mouse.
July 9, 2015
First off all: this series must be read in order. Otherwise, you're wasting your time. So, Do Not Start Here.
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.
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.
February 12, 2013
There is nothing wrong with writing mystery fiction for children or for the so-called young adults. I just do not like them at all. I am unable to find the richness of life or truth about the world and people in such novels; they are cleansed, simplistic, and cartoonish. So, again, my dislike of this book is based on my deep dislike of the genre, same as with the “cozy”, the traditional “whodunit”, the “closed-room mystery”, or the paranormal genre.
Technically, Chris Grabenstein’s “Mad Mouse” is not a work of “young-adult fiction”. It purports to be a traditional police procedural, in which a young (25 years old) “summer cop” (one who is hired only for the summer period), Danny Boyle, helps an experienced cop, John Ceepak, who happens to be a decorated ex-soldier, in solving quite a difficult case. However, the writing is so juvenile that I have trouble reconciling it with the police procedural. Danny provides the first-person narration for most of the novel, and he thinks and sounds like a teen. Also, John Ceepak is a caricature. His moral code is so straight that it belongs in cartoons only.
The plot, once it actually starts in earnest, does indeed have many “twists and turns” (way too many for my taste) and the denouement is pretty clever (I think it might be too clever). Mercifully, the writing is less infantile in the second half of the novel. However, “Mad Mouse”, contrary to what some reviewers say, does not provide a good feel for the place, a New Jersey beach town. The plot could well be happening in beach towns in other countries.
I do not regret the pain of having to read through the first hundred or so lame pages, because the further I read the less pain I felt. Also, to reiterate, many other readers do and will love “Mad Mouse”; one of its main faults is that the writing makes the book read like a young-adult novel, a genre I despise.
Two and a half stars.
Technically, Chris Grabenstein’s “Mad Mouse” is not a work of “young-adult fiction”. It purports to be a traditional police procedural, in which a young (25 years old) “summer cop” (one who is hired only for the summer period), Danny Boyle, helps an experienced cop, John Ceepak, who happens to be a decorated ex-soldier, in solving quite a difficult case. However, the writing is so juvenile that I have trouble reconciling it with the police procedural. Danny provides the first-person narration for most of the novel, and he thinks and sounds like a teen. Also, John Ceepak is a caricature. His moral code is so straight that it belongs in cartoons only.
The plot, once it actually starts in earnest, does indeed have many “twists and turns” (way too many for my taste) and the denouement is pretty clever (I think it might be too clever). Mercifully, the writing is less infantile in the second half of the novel. However, “Mad Mouse”, contrary to what some reviewers say, does not provide a good feel for the place, a New Jersey beach town. The plot could well be happening in beach towns in other countries.
I do not regret the pain of having to read through the first hundred or so lame pages, because the further I read the less pain I felt. Also, to reiterate, many other readers do and will love “Mad Mouse”; one of its main faults is that the writing makes the book read like a young-adult novel, a genre I despise.
Two and a half stars.
February 26, 2016
The summer is almost over, and soon-to-be-named a full-time officer of the Sea Haven PD, Danny Boyle, is hanging with the friends he's known since high school. What starts as a prank involving using Danny and his friends as paint gun targets soon evolves to real bullets. With the help of his partner and mentor, Army MP vet John Ceepak, Danny and his friends must figure out who wants them dead before it's too late. This is a fun series that takes place in a little coastal town surrounding an amusement park.
March 28, 2015
Even better than the first book. Danny Boyle and John Ceepak are a duo I would follow anywhere around the town of Sea Haven. Danny's law enforcement career is in good hands with Ceepak as his mentor and partner.
February 11, 2016
Just a fast paced, fun mystery.
June 22, 2016
This started a bit slowly and I am not sure that I really enjoy the writing style with the attempt at humour.
March 23, 2024
Not quite cosy…
When summer cop Danny Boyle and his friends decide to party on the beach late one night, they fall victim to what seems at first like a practical joke as someone starts firing paintballs at them. The police would probably dismiss the incident as a bunch of kids on a prank except that Sea Haven’s big Labor Day beach party is due in a few days and they don’t want anything to happen that might put off the mass influx of tourists the town is hoping for. So Danny’s partner and mentor, John Ceepak, is detailed to find out who’s behind the attack and prevent a repeat. But then there’s another attack and it seems that this time the intention is to do serious harm, and it looks like Danny and his friends are the specific target. Will Ceepak and Danny be able to stop the attacks before someone gets seriously hurt? And will Sea Haven be safe for the thousands of people descending on its beach and boardwalk?
This is the second in this now long-running series. Although John Ceepak takes top billing, the series is as much about young Danny, who is our narrator. He’s still a temporary cop taken on for the summer months in this one, but he’s hopeful he’ll get a permanent job at the end of the season. He’s still partnered with Ceepak whom he rather hero-worships. But Ceepak is a worthy hero! An army vet who lived through some harrowing times in the Iraq war, he has a strong personal code of honour – he will not lie or cheat and expects the same standards from those around him. He is totally dedicated to his job, working within the rules at all times. He might be very irritating, in fact, except that his efficiency makes him a good officer while his generosity, loyalty and kindness make him a good man. For Danny, he’s like a surrogate big brother, someone to look up to and emulate.
Both Danny and Ceepak have romantic interests in this one. This works well at humanising Ceepak, who can occasionally seem a little robotic otherwise. Danny doesn’t need humanising – he’s a fun character and a very likeable narrator. A local who grew up in Sea Haven and knows everyone, he’s one of those easy-going types who makes friends easily and keeps them. Like Ceepak, he’s fundamentally a good guy who cares about other people and wants to do the right thing. But he lacks experience so needs Ceepak’s guidance in the job and even, to a degree, in life.
It transpires that someone may be out for revenge for something that happened in the past, but unfortunately Danny and his friends can’t recall what they may have done to provoke such vengeance. While they try hard to remember whom they might have crossed, the seriousness of the attacks keeps increasing until eventually someone is murdered.
I said this about the first book too, but while the overall tone is of a cosy – seaside resort town, likeable characters who behave well, small town relationships, touch of romance – there’s an odd jarring element that doesn’t quite let the books sit comfortably in that category. The plots are a little darker than I think of as “cosy” although this one isn’t quite as dark as Tilt-a-Whirl, and sometimes the victim isn’t as “disposable” as cosy victims usually are. The other element is that Grabenstein peppers the books liberally with entirely unnecessary F-bombs. In this one he goes even further, using the C-word more than once (my personal pet hate and more or less a red line for me). It’s a complete misfit with the overall style and tone of the books, and is the single reason for me deducting a star.
Apart from those niggles, though, this is another entertaining story and both Ceepak and Danny continue to be likeable characters. The narrator, Jeff Woodman, is excellent and the books work very well in audio format (other than the swearing issue which always stands out even more in audio than on the page). The plot gets a little unbelievable in the end, but not so much so that I couldn’t go along for the ride. And it all ends up in a thriller-style ending with plenty of danger and suspense. I’ll be looking forward to taking another trip to Sea Haven in the not-too-distant future.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
When summer cop Danny Boyle and his friends decide to party on the beach late one night, they fall victim to what seems at first like a practical joke as someone starts firing paintballs at them. The police would probably dismiss the incident as a bunch of kids on a prank except that Sea Haven’s big Labor Day beach party is due in a few days and they don’t want anything to happen that might put off the mass influx of tourists the town is hoping for. So Danny’s partner and mentor, John Ceepak, is detailed to find out who’s behind the attack and prevent a repeat. But then there’s another attack and it seems that this time the intention is to do serious harm, and it looks like Danny and his friends are the specific target. Will Ceepak and Danny be able to stop the attacks before someone gets seriously hurt? And will Sea Haven be safe for the thousands of people descending on its beach and boardwalk?
This is the second in this now long-running series. Although John Ceepak takes top billing, the series is as much about young Danny, who is our narrator. He’s still a temporary cop taken on for the summer months in this one, but he’s hopeful he’ll get a permanent job at the end of the season. He’s still partnered with Ceepak whom he rather hero-worships. But Ceepak is a worthy hero! An army vet who lived through some harrowing times in the Iraq war, he has a strong personal code of honour – he will not lie or cheat and expects the same standards from those around him. He is totally dedicated to his job, working within the rules at all times. He might be very irritating, in fact, except that his efficiency makes him a good officer while his generosity, loyalty and kindness make him a good man. For Danny, he’s like a surrogate big brother, someone to look up to and emulate.
Both Danny and Ceepak have romantic interests in this one. This works well at humanising Ceepak, who can occasionally seem a little robotic otherwise. Danny doesn’t need humanising – he’s a fun character and a very likeable narrator. A local who grew up in Sea Haven and knows everyone, he’s one of those easy-going types who makes friends easily and keeps them. Like Ceepak, he’s fundamentally a good guy who cares about other people and wants to do the right thing. But he lacks experience so needs Ceepak’s guidance in the job and even, to a degree, in life.
It transpires that someone may be out for revenge for something that happened in the past, but unfortunately Danny and his friends can’t recall what they may have done to provoke such vengeance. While they try hard to remember whom they might have crossed, the seriousness of the attacks keeps increasing until eventually someone is murdered.
I said this about the first book too, but while the overall tone is of a cosy – seaside resort town, likeable characters who behave well, small town relationships, touch of romance – there’s an odd jarring element that doesn’t quite let the books sit comfortably in that category. The plots are a little darker than I think of as “cosy” although this one isn’t quite as dark as Tilt-a-Whirl, and sometimes the victim isn’t as “disposable” as cosy victims usually are. The other element is that Grabenstein peppers the books liberally with entirely unnecessary F-bombs. In this one he goes even further, using the C-word more than once (my personal pet hate and more or less a red line for me). It’s a complete misfit with the overall style and tone of the books, and is the single reason for me deducting a star.
Apart from those niggles, though, this is another entertaining story and both Ceepak and Danny continue to be likeable characters. The narrator, Jeff Woodman, is excellent and the books work very well in audio format (other than the swearing issue which always stands out even more in audio than on the page). The plot gets a little unbelievable in the end, but not so much so that I couldn’t go along for the ride. And it all ends up in a thriller-style ending with plenty of danger and suspense. I’ll be looking forward to taking another trip to Sea Haven in the not-too-distant future.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
January 13, 2024
Another thrilling ride! Delightful series!!!
This John Ceepak/Danny Boyle police detective series contains yet another enjoyable, suspenseful and humorous tale. Both narrator Jeff Woodman and author Chris Grabenstein are perfection together again as they take us with Ceepak and Boyle on an exhilarating police detective investigation into a Jersey Shore summer murder. Detective John Ceepak is a handsome and rare P.I. I found most intriguing and engaging, charming, honest and quite comical. Both Ceepak and Boyle compliment each other with their differences and mutual respect for each other. This book is filled with humor, murder plots, dangerous schemes and wonderful friendships that brought back old memories from my past. Charismatic characters are brought to life by the perfection of narrator Woodman, again. The expertise of forensic specialist Dr. McDaniels comes in handy now and then with her sudden appearances. Her amusing, eccentric accent reminds me a bit of Bette Davis. {{Fasten your seatbelt. It's going to be a bumpy night}} came to mind. Every character, so different, is undeniably recognizable without the annoying {{{he/she said}}}. This series is amazing and a welcome change of pace. Thoroughly delightful, thought-provoking, surprises galore and much more kept me listening as soon as I was able. Just when I had it figured it out, surprise! Nope, I was wrong. Kudos to Grabenstein and Woodman. I am thankful to both for their superb connection and a literary partnership that equals an amusing, though malevolent and always enjoyable police detective series. It kept me wondering who did it. I have book #3 and will be getting more. Never a dull moment. Take my word: This is another thrilling ride. Listen to it and find out more about this mysterious Mad Mouse. Never a dull moment. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
This John Ceepak/Danny Boyle police detective series contains yet another enjoyable, suspenseful and humorous tale. Both narrator Jeff Woodman and author Chris Grabenstein are perfection together again as they take us with Ceepak and Boyle on an exhilarating police detective investigation into a Jersey Shore summer murder. Detective John Ceepak is a handsome and rare P.I. I found most intriguing and engaging, charming, honest and quite comical. Both Ceepak and Boyle compliment each other with their differences and mutual respect for each other. This book is filled with humor, murder plots, dangerous schemes and wonderful friendships that brought back old memories from my past. Charismatic characters are brought to life by the perfection of narrator Woodman, again. The expertise of forensic specialist Dr. McDaniels comes in handy now and then with her sudden appearances. Her amusing, eccentric accent reminds me a bit of Bette Davis. {{Fasten your seatbelt. It's going to be a bumpy night}} came to mind. Every character, so different, is undeniably recognizable without the annoying {{{he/she said}}}. This series is amazing and a welcome change of pace. Thoroughly delightful, thought-provoking, surprises galore and much more kept me listening as soon as I was able. Just when I had it figured it out, surprise! Nope, I was wrong. Kudos to Grabenstein and Woodman. I am thankful to both for their superb connection and a literary partnership that equals an amusing, though malevolent and always enjoyable police detective series. It kept me wondering who did it. I have book #3 and will be getting more. Never a dull moment. Take my word: This is another thrilling ride. Listen to it and find out more about this mysterious Mad Mouse. Never a dull moment. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
April 4, 2020
PROTAGONISTS: John Ceepak and Danny Boyle, cops
SETTING: Sea Haven, New Jersey, shore
SERIES: 2
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Danny Boyle is a 20 something part time cop at the New Jersey shore town of Sea Haven, which is also where he grew up. He is partnered with John Ceepak, a former military man who has an unbreakable moral code. They are a great duo – the impulsive Danny and the straitlaced Ceepak balance each other out well. Danny and his friends are hanging out on the beach when a few of them are hit with a paintball splot. What they didn’t realize was that there was a bullet as well. It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting the members of this group, and now the bullets are out there, badly injuring and even killing one of the friends. Danny and Ceepak are on the case which has just as many twists and turns as the book’s title, a type of roller coaster ride. Sea Haven is about to explode with tourists celebrating the Labor Day holiday, and the stakes are even higher when the terrorist is prepared to broaden the scope of the targets. The incident that caused this person to act was a really mean act by the group, but this individual’s actions are disproportionate to what happened. Good plot, but the real appeal of the series lies in the relationship between Danny and Ceepak.
SETTING: Sea Haven, New Jersey, shore
SERIES: 2
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Danny Boyle is a 20 something part time cop at the New Jersey shore town of Sea Haven, which is also where he grew up. He is partnered with John Ceepak, a former military man who has an unbreakable moral code. They are a great duo – the impulsive Danny and the straitlaced Ceepak balance each other out well. Danny and his friends are hanging out on the beach when a few of them are hit with a paintball splot. What they didn’t realize was that there was a bullet as well. It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting the members of this group, and now the bullets are out there, badly injuring and even killing one of the friends. Danny and Ceepak are on the case which has just as many twists and turns as the book’s title, a type of roller coaster ride. Sea Haven is about to explode with tourists celebrating the Labor Day holiday, and the stakes are even higher when the terrorist is prepared to broaden the scope of the targets. The incident that caused this person to act was a really mean act by the group, but this individual’s actions are disproportionate to what happened. Good plot, but the real appeal of the series lies in the relationship between Danny and Ceepak.
June 23, 2011
OK I'm hooked on this series but I'd only read it in summer. It's set on the Jersey Shore (don't panic--those people do not show up) and the book names come from attractions in an amusement park. The mysteries are ok but what makes them wonderful and hilarious are the characters--particularly a cop/former military named John Cepak. He's Dudley-Do-Right 100% but you can't help but love him. No doubt you'll find some of your own transgressions in the things Cepak points out. Kudos to the author for making a character we should hate,sweetly endearing.
July 3, 2021
Starting to really like this series - the author takes the reader on a "wild ride" around town looking for the killer. I guess that is what he chose the name "Mad Mouse" for the title, you like the carnival ride that suddenly swings you in a different direction than you thought you were going. I really enjoyed the book!
January 18, 2020
These characters live on in my head (and heart). I think of Ceepak and Danny running into Sam Springsteen in a future adventure. I do love the subtle mentions of The Boss and his lyrics through out these books.
October 20, 2017
No sophomore jinks here!!!
Mad Mouse was as fun as Tilt-A-Whirl. I also thought the author made a very smart choice to just give us a bit more background of these characters but not too much.
Yup, I just went along for the ride and had a few big chuckles along the way. Good stuff!!
Mad Mouse was as fun as Tilt-A-Whirl. I also thought the author made a very smart choice to just give us a bit more background of these characters but not too much.
Yup, I just went along for the ride and had a few big chuckles along the way. Good stuff!!
September 14, 2009
This is one of those books that I think the reader makes. I'm not sure if I would be as enthusiastic if reading the book. Jeff Woodman just captures the wacky humor of the naive Boyle and Ceepak, the almost too-good-to-be-true cop and mentor. The titles of all the books are named after rides at the mythical Sea Haven amusement park.
In this one, someone is targeting Danny and his friends, first with paint balls, then bullets. The mystery is OK, the story fine, but what really makes this series (and I intend to read /listen to all of them is the very clever and often witty dialogue between the characters. Just a lot of fun.
Not for those who like quiche with their Proust, just us regular folks who enjoy love a good cheeseburger dripping in grease followed by a fudge sundae. I recommend getting the audio.
In this one, someone is targeting Danny and his friends, first with paint balls, then bullets. The mystery is OK, the story fine, but what really makes this series (and I intend to read /listen to all of them is the very clever and often witty dialogue between the characters. Just a lot of fun.
Not for those who like quiche with their Proust, just us regular folks who enjoy love a good cheeseburger dripping in grease followed by a fudge sundae. I recommend getting the audio.
February 13, 2010
Great Lines:
description of smile as "country club smile"
Ceepak is so tough that GI Joe probably plays with a John Ceepak action figure.
I could not go home and hide under my bed--there's a lot of crap down there, dirty socks, dirty magazines.
Description of regaining consciousness--it was like the grumpy super in my brain had hit the circuit breaker in the basement.
Similar to the other Ceepak mysteries, the plot is interesting and the author keeps the story moving by creating multiple suspects but not dwelling on one for too long and also having a surprise ending, just when you think the story is resolved.
September 6, 2016
I very much enjoyed this second book in the John Ceepak series by Chris Grabenstein. I like the fast pace of these books, and the wry humor of Danny Boyle, Summer Cop. Ceepak never disappoints, with his Code of conduct from which he will not stray, and the serious common sense, maybe even a 6th sense, with which he approaches his work. This is a mystery, and just by happenstance, I happened to be reading it over Labor Day weekend, the same time frame as the book's story. This is a great beach read! I recommend the book to anyone looking for an easy-reading, nicely paced mystery.
November 19, 2022
Danny Boyle and his friends are having a night time beach party when they are shot with a bunch of paint balls and one friends eye is injured. Things become more serious when a second attack occurs and along with paint balls a bullet is fired at Danny and his friend along with Danny's partner in the police force John Ceepak. I enjoy the setting of these books, a New Jersey beach town with a boardwalk. I also like the two main characters. The title refers to a type of roller coaster. I do plan on continuing this series.
September 14, 2009
Danny Boyle and John Ceepak are back and there is murder most foul on the Jersey shore. Danny is growing and learning from Ceepak and Ceepak is serving as a role model to the much younger Danny. The human characters add a lot to the mystery but the seashore and the carnival atmosphere of a "summer town" sometimes steal the show. It is a lot of fun to watch these characters interact and work together to solve a murder.
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
September 14, 2009
Second in the series of Chris Grabensteins books with Ceepak and Boyle. Danny is now on the verge of becoming a full time cop...with a gun no less. But until that day comes they need to find out who is targeting Danny and his friends in a quest for revenge. The best part is when Danny realizes who is after them, and what grudge he has been carring around for years. There is always an unexpected twist at the end of these stories.
July 21, 2015
#2 in the John Ceepak series. John Ceepak, ex-MP, and Danny Boyle, seasonal employee, are on the police force of Sea Haven, a NJ beach resort.
John Ceepak and Danny Boyle seek the sniper who is targeted Danny and his friends with paint balls at their National Toasted Marshmallow Day beach party. The attacks escalate with rounds from a sniper rifle mixing with the paint balls. As a huge Labor Day celebration approaches, the beach town does not want panic to affect the tourists.
John Ceepak and Danny Boyle seek the sniper who is targeted Danny and his friends with paint balls at their National Toasted Marshmallow Day beach party. The attacks escalate with rounds from a sniper rifle mixing with the paint balls. As a huge Labor Day celebration approaches, the beach town does not want panic to affect the tourists.
October 18, 2023
It's now the end of the summer, in the same resort town as Murder on the Tilt-a-Whirl occurred at the beginning of summer. The Mad Mouse roller coaster description reminds me of the old Schussboomer that was at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City years ago. There are no dead bodies found on the ride, but there is a sniper that plans on using the Mad Mouse as a nest. These books are quick easy reads, but there is tension and fear in these police procedurals. I'll continue to read the series.
November 11, 2015
This entire series of books are among my favorites of all time. Yes they are or involve solving murder cases but are always presented with a good sense of humor and good character development. If you have ever visited or lived in a seaside town committed to the Summer Vacation season you will have added insight to the workings of Sea Haven, NJ.
Read/listen to the series.
Read/listen to the series.
December 18, 2015
liked this one too! i'm invested in these characters and their little beachy vacation town. fun, twisty mystery; a couple of awkward where-is-this-going moments, but overall a good read. question - was it okay to say "Negroes" in 2006??
October 17, 2014
Another good Ceepak novel. These always move quick and are good entertainment. Perfect go-to for when you're in the mood for a quick story that is compelling and lighthearted
January 7, 2015
No great plot, but I'm not reading this for its plot. My current favorite bromance...Danny and Ceepak. Can't get enough.
May 9, 2015
Great
Great story line. Kept me engaged and interested. The 2 main characters are interesting and fun. I highly recommend it.
Great story line. Kept me engaged and interested. The 2 main characters are interesting and fun. I highly recommend it.
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