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John Ceepak Mystery #6
Rolling Thunder: A John Ceepak Mystery (Pegasus Crime)
"Full of unpredictable twists and turns. There's plenty of fizz in the chemistry between the two protagonists to keep the novel and the reader spinning."― Boston Globe There’s more fireworks down the Jersey shore in Chris Grabenstein’s sixth fast-paced John Ceepak mystery Rolling Thunder . A prominent citizen suffers a heart attack on opening day of a brand new boardwalk roller coaster in the seedy seaside resort town Sea Haven, New Jersey. Initially ruled a tragic accident, it isn’t long before there are suspicious hints of foul play―especially after another dead body is a stunning young beach beauty.
Fortunately for mystery lovers, the straight-arrow cop John Ceepak and his wise-cracking young partner Danny Boyle are on the case, a detective/sidekick duo critics have compared to Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.
Fortunately for mystery lovers, the straight-arrow cop John Ceepak and his wise-cracking young partner Danny Boyle are on the case, a detective/sidekick duo critics have compared to Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2010
39 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
Chris Grabenstein
159 books2,443 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 104 reviews
June 27, 2018
This series is always an enjoyable pastime. Highly recommend the audios of them!
February 26, 2011
After a summer of audiobooks and a busy fall, I'm beginning to catch up on my reading and to get up to date on some of my favorite fictional characters. These would definitely include Danny Boyle and John Ceepak, local cops in "sunny, funderful" Sea Haven, NJ. Danny, who narrates the books, is a local boy who more or less drifted into police work. Under Ceepak's expert tutelage, Danny is becoming a better detective and a better man with every book in the series.
One thing that sets this series apart from most of the police procedurals I read is Danny's status as a hometown cop. Quite often, the victims, suspects, and perpetrators, as well as many of the witnesses, are people Danny went to high school with or their parents or siblings. This makes for a completely different police-citizen relationship than one might find in, say, a Michael Connelly book. Danny's hometown status also means that he has something to contribute when he and outsider Ceepak are investigating a crime, which keeps their relationship from being just another "great detective and bumbling sidekick."
In ROLLING THUNDER, a sudden death mars the opening day of a new rollercoaster and gives Danny an opportunity for heroism. But suspicions soon arise: was the death really a heart attack? When a local good-time girl is found dead, Ceepak and Danny must unravel a tangled web of relationships == family and sexual -- among Sea Haven's wealthy and politically connected developers. Maybe it's because I'm personally terrified of carnival rides, but Chris Grabenstein writes some of the most heart-stopping climactic scenes I've ever read, and the situation that occurs at the end of ROLLING THUNDER is one of his best.
If you're new to Chris Grabenstein's work, ROLLING THUNDER can certainly stand on its own, but once you've read it I guarantee you'll be seeking out the earlier volumes in the series! Highly recommended.
One thing that sets this series apart from most of the police procedurals I read is Danny's status as a hometown cop. Quite often, the victims, suspects, and perpetrators, as well as many of the witnesses, are people Danny went to high school with or their parents or siblings. This makes for a completely different police-citizen relationship than one might find in, say, a Michael Connelly book. Danny's hometown status also means that he has something to contribute when he and outsider Ceepak are investigating a crime, which keeps their relationship from being just another "great detective and bumbling sidekick."
In ROLLING THUNDER, a sudden death mars the opening day of a new rollercoaster and gives Danny an opportunity for heroism. But suspicions soon arise: was the death really a heart attack? When a local good-time girl is found dead, Ceepak and Danny must unravel a tangled web of relationships == family and sexual -- among Sea Haven's wealthy and politically connected developers. Maybe it's because I'm personally terrified of carnival rides, but Chris Grabenstein writes some of the most heart-stopping climactic scenes I've ever read, and the situation that occurs at the end of ROLLING THUNDER is one of his best.
If you're new to Chris Grabenstein's work, ROLLING THUNDER can certainly stand on its own, but once you've read it I guarantee you'll be seeking out the earlier volumes in the series! Highly recommended.
March 12, 2016
This installment kind of got off to a rough start for me, and never really got my attention. The wife of a wealthy local businessman dies when she has a heart attack while on the maiden trip around the track of the roller coaster her husband had built, and Officer Danny Boyle and his partner Officer John Ceepak immediately begin discussing foul play. The fact that the woman was an overweight smoker with a bad heart and was absolutely terrified of riding the roller coaster to begin with is never factored in, which was a stretch for me. There's a reason why every roller coaster in the world has health warnings and disclaimers posted everywhere for those considering riding them!!!
The story then ventures off to include the death of a local hottie waitress involved in a Playboy mansion-esque Gentlemen's Sex Club that seemed to involve way too many local dignitaries not to attract the attention of any local scandal-sniffing media hounds. Overall, this plot was a little too scattered to actually be convincing, and is my least favorite in the series so far.
The story then ventures off to include the death of a local hottie waitress involved in a Playboy mansion-esque Gentlemen's Sex Club that seemed to involve way too many local dignitaries not to attract the attention of any local scandal-sniffing media hounds. Overall, this plot was a little too scattered to actually be convincing, and is my least favorite in the series so far.
July 17, 2015
One of the better books in the series. Ceepak seemed to be secondary to Danny here, with the focus on Danny's feelings and observations, even though Danny's been Watson to his Holmes all along. I will say that after this one Sea Haven seems like a real danger magnet!
For those who listen to the audio versions, one thing struck me as rather odd, if not a bit grating. It seems the woman from the state cops whom they had been working with retired, soi now there's a new guy instead. I skipped Hell Hole, so perhaps the guy's very heavy Boston accent (which is well done) was explained there, but here it came out of the blue, so I kept thinking Jeff Woodman was messing up a New Jersey accent (such that there are), but he's done others fairly well before.
For those who listen to the audio versions, one thing struck me as rather odd, if not a bit grating. It seems the woman from the state cops whom they had been working with retired, soi now there's a new guy instead. I skipped Hell Hole, so perhaps the guy's very heavy Boston accent (which is well done) was explained there, but here it came out of the blue, so I kept thinking Jeff Woodman was messing up a New Jersey accent (such that there are), but he's done others fairly well before.
July 23, 2010
Thanks Chris Grabenstein... this was such a roller coaster of a read, lol! I really am glad the boys were back on the job at the Jersey Shore, Danny is funnier than ever and Ceepak is getting so lovable... married life has brought out the best in him! I listened to the audio version and I love the narrator, expecially doing the hip-hop slang of Sean, maybe my favorite side character in this book. This one is a winner!!!
May 26, 2019
I am back to John Ceepak and Danny Boyle after taking a break. I forgot how much I enjoy these mysteries. No great lesson to learn, just plan fun to read. Looking forward to cracking open the next one.
March 6, 2011
Contained slur about those on the "short buss". Inexcusable
June 18, 2019
So funny. Love Ceepak and Danny!
August 21, 2019
Another great Ceepak and Boyle story.
Good storyline, more development for the key characters. Love the audible performer too.
Good storyline, more development for the key characters. Love the audible performer too.
April 16, 2023
Rolling Thunder by Chris Grabenstein is the sixth book in the John Ceepak contemporary mystery series set on the Jersey shore. A new roller coaster has been built on Pier 4 in Sea Haven, a coastal resort where officers Danny Boyle and John Ceepak live and work. On Memorial Day weekend, Patrick O'Malley (proud owner/builder of Rolling Thunder) and his family are the first to ride the new attraction, along with a radio DJ and prominent city councilmen. Disaster strikes; Mrs. O'Malley has a heart attack on the ride.
Family member reactions vary: her husband and son Skippy grieve; son Kevin is unaffected, son Sean and daughter Mary are spitefully joyful. In general, Sea Haven mostly tries to put the sad event behind them. The ride is closed briefly out of respect, but summer is coming and Sea Haven needs tourism.
After a Hooters-style waitress is murdered, Danny and Ceepak find clues that suggest perhaps there were two murders. The obvious suspect is too obvious, Ceepak believes. Digging deeper, with the help of state crime lab techs, they search the obvious crime scene, a house set up for prominent town leaders to cheat on spouses with young, beautiful, sexy 'escorts'.
Meanwhile...Ceepak's dad has surfaced again. He's out of jail and raging, still wants to find Ceepak's mom to steal her inheritance. A restraining order doesn't help much.
Danny's love life seems great...his girlfriend Samantha "Sam", former police cadet, understands his work hours at first, less so over time. Sam's mother (who doesn't want Danny for a son-in-law) pushes Sam to date a fellow student from law school.
Interesting plot twists, intuition, ah-ha moments lead to a suspenseful confrontation with the killer. An entertaining, enjoyable mix of Danny's wisecracking narration interlaced with his obvious admiration for Ceepak's West Point Code of Honor. Sassy, brave Layla is introduced; hope she returns in the series.
Family member reactions vary: her husband and son Skippy grieve; son Kevin is unaffected, son Sean and daughter Mary are spitefully joyful. In general, Sea Haven mostly tries to put the sad event behind them. The ride is closed briefly out of respect, but summer is coming and Sea Haven needs tourism.
After a Hooters-style waitress is murdered, Danny and Ceepak find clues that suggest perhaps there were two murders. The obvious suspect is too obvious, Ceepak believes. Digging deeper, with the help of state crime lab techs, they search the obvious crime scene, a house set up for prominent town leaders to cheat on spouses with young, beautiful, sexy 'escorts'.
Meanwhile...Ceepak's dad has surfaced again. He's out of jail and raging, still wants to find Ceepak's mom to steal her inheritance. A restraining order doesn't help much.
Danny's love life seems great...his girlfriend Samantha "Sam", former police cadet, understands his work hours at first, less so over time. Sam's mother (who doesn't want Danny for a son-in-law) pushes Sam to date a fellow student from law school.
Interesting plot twists, intuition, ah-ha moments lead to a suspenseful confrontation with the killer. An entertaining, enjoyable mix of Danny's wisecracking narration interlaced with his obvious admiration for Ceepak's West Point Code of Honor. Sassy, brave Layla is introduced; hope she returns in the series.
April 10, 2021
#6 in Ceepak series. " Rolling Thunder" is the brand new roller coaster on the boardwalk the O'Malleys have built & it's grand opening time! Ceepak & Boyle are patrolling the grand opening when Mrs. O'Malley has a heart attack on the inaugural ride with her family. Whispers of it may not being an attack when another girl is found dead swirl in the community. Ceepak & Boyle uncover a rich man's playground for mayhem and murder while investigating the dead girl and clues pointing back to the O'Malley heart attack. Town leaders want the investigation swept under the rug and gone as to not hurt tourism money, but Ceepak has a code" He cannot lie, cheat, or steal and doesn't tolerate those who do. He & Boyle uncover things that are not what they seem. Ceepak's criminal father turns up in town hellbent on destroying his son. Unpredictable and interfering with the investigation tests Ceepak & Boyle's skills at finding the killer or killers.
July 21, 2017
ROLLING THUNDER!
I really enjoyed this book. The guys were back on the Jersey Shore where they belonged battling out out their crimes, no matter how crazy they might be! Ceepak is his natural "robotic, I cannot tell a lie" self," while Danny is still learning and looking up to his mentor. As usual I have a habit of not really telling what the book is about for fear of spoilers. I feel you can find that info on reviews on Amazon, etc. I just give my opinion if I liked it. It was a fun read that had me laughing in certain areas. I feel if you're going to read books like these, you can't take them seriously. Enjoy! I'm on his 7th book in this series. I intend to finish all 8. I really enjoy the characters, and it's a refreshing change from the serious novels I usually read! ⚓👙🔝😵
I really enjoyed this book. The guys were back on the Jersey Shore where they belonged battling out out their crimes, no matter how crazy they might be! Ceepak is his natural "robotic, I cannot tell a lie" self," while Danny is still learning and looking up to his mentor. As usual I have a habit of not really telling what the book is about for fear of spoilers. I feel you can find that info on reviews on Amazon, etc. I just give my opinion if I liked it. It was a fun read that had me laughing in certain areas. I feel if you're going to read books like these, you can't take them seriously. Enjoy! I'm on his 7th book in this series. I intend to finish all 8. I really enjoy the characters, and it's a refreshing change from the serious novels I usually read! ⚓👙🔝😵
July 29, 2020
I have become a big fan of this series, because in these dark times there is nothing like a little Jersey Shore crime to help with escaping present realities.
Grabenstein has created a successful pair of cops who run into more than their fair share of murder in a sleepy beach town in New Jersey. John Ceepak is a decorated veteran who has landed in the tiny town of Sea Haven. His partner is a young native of the town, Danny Boyle. The thing that ties them together, a deep and abiding love of Bruce Springsteen, who's songs and lyrics are interspersed with each mystery.
And for those who are interested in the current White House occupant's former life before Washington, read on.
Although not necessary, I recommend reading the series in order, you too will find yourself hungering for salt, sand, and all things fried, as you hum Springsteen.
Grabenstein has created a successful pair of cops who run into more than their fair share of murder in a sleepy beach town in New Jersey. John Ceepak is a decorated veteran who has landed in the tiny town of Sea Haven. His partner is a young native of the town, Danny Boyle. The thing that ties them together, a deep and abiding love of Bruce Springsteen, who's songs and lyrics are interspersed with each mystery.
And for those who are interested in the current White House occupant's former life before Washington, read on.
Although not necessary, I recommend reading the series in order, you too will find yourself hungering for salt, sand, and all things fried, as you hum Springsteen.
July 16, 2025
I can't get enough of John and Danny! What a hoot!
As usual, my sixth book in the series grabbed me and never let go. Author Chris Grabenstein and narrator Jeff Woodman are a perfect match (I cannot stress this enough). Filled with humor (the scene with in which Woodman plays out a scene with Danny and his drunk girlfriend is hysterical). I laughed so hard and listened to it quite a few times. Another whodunnit, this is a thrill ride worth waiting for. What a hoot! So very highly recommended and worth a treasured credit. I've already bought Book 7. Unfortunately, this dynamic duo finishes up with Book 8, “Free Fall” and a 1+ hour “Ring Toss.” I already miss John and Danny!
💥✍️👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏✍️💥
As usual, my sixth book in the series grabbed me and never let go. Author Chris Grabenstein and narrator Jeff Woodman are a perfect match (I cannot stress this enough). Filled with humor (the scene with in which Woodman plays out a scene with Danny and his drunk girlfriend is hysterical). I laughed so hard and listened to it quite a few times. Another whodunnit, this is a thrill ride worth waiting for. What a hoot! So very highly recommended and worth a treasured credit. I've already bought Book 7. Unfortunately, this dynamic duo finishes up with Book 8, “Free Fall” and a 1+ hour “Ring Toss.” I already miss John and Danny!
💥✍️👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏✍️💥
January 18, 2018
Mystery With Too Leisurely a Start
I’m giving this story only 3 stars, unlike most readers who love this book. Of the John Ceepak mysteries I’ve read so far, this entry is the least interesting. It took me several tries to get into this book, mostly because the storyline meanders in after the initial, obviously natural death of a woman, who should never have been on “The Rolling Thunder” roller coaster. The story does take off at a good clip at about the 70% mark, making for a satisfying end. I will probably check out other books in the Ceepak series.
I’m giving this story only 3 stars, unlike most readers who love this book. Of the John Ceepak mysteries I’ve read so far, this entry is the least interesting. It took me several tries to get into this book, mostly because the storyline meanders in after the initial, obviously natural death of a woman, who should never have been on “The Rolling Thunder” roller coaster. The story does take off at a good clip at about the 70% mark, making for a satisfying end. I will probably check out other books in the Ceepak series.
March 15, 2021
I like these guys. The mystery here wasn’t much of one, but Ceepak and Boyle always knew the two or three people it could’ve been, and eliminated the suspects more or less methodically. So I can’t complain. Nitpicking since this isn’t the main focus of the books, but I liked Sam Starky and I didn’t like what happened to her character. She changed a little too much in too short a time for me to buy it. Here Boyle is a douche, but changing Sam meant that he didn’t have to apologize for being one. So... not cool.
June 29, 2020
I like that people mature in this series, that things that happened in the past, ripple effects, aren't harped on about but are alluded to and afterwards a reader can see a change in the characters and how they think and behave. In a previous book Danny is striving to be more like his partner, in this book he's improving his mind and skills, it's a natural progression.
October 8, 2017
I actually finished this back in September but haven't done the updates! Oops!
Just love how this mystery unravelled. I kind of guessed the killer, but then I wasn't sure, then it looped around and - what can I say? Enthralling!
Just love how this mystery unravelled. I kind of guessed the killer, but then I wasn't sure, then it looped around and - what can I say? Enthralling!
September 24, 2017
very good mystery of two cops one good one crooked.
October 18, 2017
4.5 stars
July 1, 2018
I’ve been listening to all the John Ceepak books on audible. They are consistently good, fun listens. Nothing earth shattering, just pure entertainment.
October 30, 2018
Really enjoyable weekend read! Fast, funny and easy. Like popcorn at the movies.
January 27, 2020
Really like these books but not the language all the time. But the story is easy to follow.
March 20, 2020
3.75*
August 19, 2021
It is always fun to catch up with Ceepak and Danny on the Jersey Shore. I thought the plot was pretty good in this installment and the narration of the audio by Jeff Woodman was well done.
December 22, 2021
Read as a Buddy read with Ann.
A well written thrill ride with a lot of twists and turns. Kept finding connections to things at the shore.
A well written thrill ride with a lot of twists and turns. Kept finding connections to things at the shore.
February 13, 2022
Silly but entertaining.
November 6, 2022
Always enjoy this series. This one wasn't one of my favorites.
October 3, 2023
Love this series! Simple story, well-written, and witty. The result is an enjoyable summer thriller. Job well done, again.
December 28, 2023
Another good addition to the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews