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John Ceepak Mystery #4
Hell Hole
Hell Hole is the fourth book in the mystery series featuring former hardened military PD and current Sea Haven, NJ police officer John Ceepak and his partner, wise-cracking Danny Boyle. In Hell Hole, Ceepak is confronted with his most personal case yet when he must investigate the alleged suicide of a military corporal who recently returned from Iraq. When it turns out that this "locked stall" rest stop suicide is anything but an open-and-shut case, Ceepak and Boyle realize that the corporal might have been privvy to information that opens up a much larger conspiracy that strikes at the heart of our involvement in the Middle East, and puts them on the wrong side of some very unpleasant people...
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
32 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Chris Grabenstein
152 books2,441 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 119 reviews
April 30, 2019
Review written April 29, 2019
3.8 Stars - Once again a hilarious mystery with the Ceepak & Danny cop team
- Book #4 in the John Ceepak Mystery series (8 books so far published 2005-2013). — Hell Hole the 8 hrs audiobook was, as every time, terrific narrated by Jeff Woodman. His way of narrating just make me smile.
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Sea Haven, New Jersey US
As always fun and enjoying to meet these cops there in the New Jersey shore.
« John Ceepak, a former MP 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. »
My reviews:
#1 ★★★★☆
#2 ★★★★☆
#3 ★★★★☆
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« In "Hell Hole," Ceepak is confronted with his most personal case yet when he must investigate the alleged suicide of a military corporal who recently returned from Iraq. . »
The fourth part Hell Hole was a kind of easy read in most parts. Not so thrilling from start to end as the last part, but in the end these cops deals with unbelievable ugly crimes and very nasty villains. To that point I mostly smiled and giggled following these characters and they fabulous geeky thoughs, bantering and also often hilarious conversation.
As i written in earlier reviews: Ceepak is like nobody, he is quite unique. Maybe my favorite cop right now. I'm hooked... — Yes, I honestly without shame could say, once again, that I kind of "love" these nerdy policemen and their “world” in summer and holiday paradise Sea Haven by now. The easy feeling from a story in cozy mystery style like this one, just make me happy with a smike in my face and I just want more of them.
- ...next up in this series is #5 ... and it is already in my cellphone to be listening to soonish.
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I LIKE - ...and will without doubt continue this funny Ceepak serie
3.8 Stars - Once again a hilarious mystery with the Ceepak & Danny cop team
- Book #4 in the John Ceepak Mystery series (8 books so far published 2005-2013). — Hell Hole the 8 hrs audiobook was, as every time, terrific narrated by Jeff Woodman. His way of narrating just make me smile. **********************************************
Sea Haven, New Jersey US
As always fun and enjoying to meet these cops there in the New Jersey shore.
« John Ceepak, a former MP 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. »
My reviews:
#1 ★★★★☆
#2 ★★★★☆
#3 ★★★★☆**********************************************
« In "Hell Hole," Ceepak is confronted with his most personal case yet when he must investigate the alleged suicide of a military corporal who recently returned from Iraq. . »
The fourth part Hell Hole was a kind of easy read in most parts. Not so thrilling from start to end as the last part, but in the end these cops deals with unbelievable ugly crimes and very nasty villains. To that point I mostly smiled and giggled following these characters and they fabulous geeky thoughs, bantering and also often hilarious conversation.
As i written in earlier reviews: Ceepak is like nobody, he is quite unique. Maybe my favorite cop right now. I'm hooked... — Yes, I honestly without shame could say, once again, that I kind of "love" these nerdy policemen and their “world” in summer and holiday paradise Sea Haven by now. The easy feeling from a story in cozy mystery style like this one, just make me happy with a smike in my face and I just want more of them.
- ...next up in this series is #5 ... and it is already in my cellphone to be listening to soonish. **********************************************
I LIKE - ...and will without doubt continue this funny Ceepak serie
April 3, 2009
This really good and I don't say that about just any mystery. I have to enjoy the characters, the setting, the plot, and I also like to have a bit of sarcastic humor thrown in. Grabenstein scores on all counts. Boyle and Ceepak continue to develop their relationship as cops in Sea Haven, hot bed of crime on the Jersey shore. This plot is even darker than the previous books and makes Ceepak come face-toface with his memories of Iraq. Grabenstein, a former advertising copywriter, can certainly turn a neat phrase, and he's smart enough not to harm a whisker on Ceepak's dog's snout. The romantic relationships for both Ceepak and Boyle keep things moving along, as does the intriguing plot and sharp dialogue.
November 1, 2015
Danny Boyle and Ceepak are back and are still looking out for the citizens of Sea Haven with the added bonus of more background details for Ceepak, his family and military service. I love the narration in Danny's voice as much as in the first three books. I could read these books faster in print, but the audio versions are a treat.
July 20, 2015
First, let me put a disclaimer out there that I'm active duty in the military and suicide is not something that I take lightly. Last year we recently loss one of our members to suicide after she separated from active duty due to PTSD. So listening to this was really hard. I found myself getting mad and upset at how Grabenstein was portraying the soldiers: the alcohol abuse, the disrespect, the drug abuse, and all the fraternization that was going on (seriously, an ARMY lieutenant going on vacation with his enlisted command? Taking ORDERS from the sergeant? Especially out of a combat zone?? No, just no.)
I had to detach myself from own emotions and reactions. Grabenstein is a former comedian and advertiser executive--and that's how he writes. Grabenstein is not about deep characterization. He creates caricatures that are easy to relate to but hold no real depth or complexities. The only two characters that have any real semblance of three-dimensional character growth are Ceepak and Boyle and it's taken nearly four books to even get some of that. Therefore, to stop thinking of the soldiers that Grabenstein was describing as real people but a collaboration of the worst characteristics that can be found in men. People being in the military does not make the saints, they are as human and fallible as anyone else, and I think Grabenstein was trying to make that point. That in extreme circumstances extreme misconduct and extreme evil can be created and carried out. History has shown this both in the Iraq War, the Vietnam War, and all other wars. The saving point was that although Grabenstein showed the extreme end of evil that sometimes appears in the military, he also contrasted it with the integrity and honor that is prevalent in the armed forces.
So, despite the gruesome and horrific crimes that are described in this novel (and the very liberal politics in regards to the war) I can't hate the novel. Grabenstein stays true to the characterizations of Boyle and Ceepak. He grows them even more and stares unflinching at an issue that makes me sick to my stomach. This book did not leave me with the good feeling that the other books gave me, but it hasn't turned me off of the Ceepak series for good either. I just need a little break before giving Boyle and Ceepak another go.
October 17, 2015
I enjoyed the characters (especially learning more about Ceepak) and the Jersey Shore setting but the plot was a bit of a convoluted mess. The narration on the audio versions of this series by Jeff Woodman really elevates the material which I don't think I could get through if I was actually reading it.
July 23, 2020
I love Boyle and Ceepak, and am crushed that it seems to run out at #8. I've been rationing these, so I can make the books last longer, but honestly this is so fun. Ceepak is wholesome, All-American and is a different brand of person altogether, especially given the horror show of Iraq that he was part of. Danny is more of a slacker, would dearly like to not get shot and isn't above valet parking in his spare time to earn some bucks, but he has his own basic decency and of course, a hilarious voice. The mysteries are somewhat complicated as well, and it's always fun to watch Ceepak work the whole thing out several beats before Danny does. I wish the author would come back to this series and write some more of them.
October 16, 2017
4.5 stars. I love these guys!
November 17, 2008
This is the best yet in the Ceepak series. Grabenstein is the best author I know at mixing humor with straight-up, scary, mentally challenging detective fiction.
In HELL HOLE, Sea Haven PD officer Danny Boyle and his partner and mentor John Ceepak investigate the apparent suicide of a returning Iraq war veteran. There are jurisdictional issues, political ramifications, the return of incompetent crime scene investigator "Slobbinsky," and Ceepak's and Danny's lives are endangered more than once. To add to the complications, Ceepak is dealing with some personal problems and there's no chaplain in sight. Also, a new character is introduced: Sam (for Samantha) Starky, a new "summer cop" doing the same job Danny had in TILT-A-WHIRL.
The plot and setting are as well-done as usual in Grabenstein's books, which is to say, excellently well. The description of the restroom at Exit 52 on the Garden State Parkway made me want to buy a gallon jug of Lysol. But what I'll remember longest about HELL HOLE is the continuing character development of Ceepak and Boyle.
Ceepak, as we have seen before, holds himself to a very high personal standard. In HELL HOLE, we are shown, not just told, the circumstances that led him to choose that high standard for himself. As an Army brat and a veteran, I can attest to the truth of Danny Boyle's observation about the motivations behind some of our best soldiers.
Danny Boyle, as one would expect from a 20-something, has changed and grown even more during this (so far) 4-book series. From the good-hearted but clueless young man of the first book, he has become someone who is observant, competent, and takes initiative, without becoming simply a Ceepak clone. Danny will always like to have a good time, but he knows when it's time to get serious. He still tends to think of himself as a bit of a screw-up, but he, too, is holding himself to a high standard.
I can't close without saying something more about Sam Starky. I hope she gets a full-time job with the Sea Haven force. She comes across in this book as a charming combination of Jersey girl and mini-Ceepak, and I'd love to see what Chris Grabenstein does with her character.
I highly recommend this and all the Ceepak novels.
In HELL HOLE, Sea Haven PD officer Danny Boyle and his partner and mentor John Ceepak investigate the apparent suicide of a returning Iraq war veteran. There are jurisdictional issues, political ramifications, the return of incompetent crime scene investigator "Slobbinsky," and Ceepak's and Danny's lives are endangered more than once. To add to the complications, Ceepak is dealing with some personal problems and there's no chaplain in sight. Also, a new character is introduced: Sam (for Samantha) Starky, a new "summer cop" doing the same job Danny had in TILT-A-WHIRL.
The plot and setting are as well-done as usual in Grabenstein's books, which is to say, excellently well. The description of the restroom at Exit 52 on the Garden State Parkway made me want to buy a gallon jug of Lysol. But what I'll remember longest about HELL HOLE is the continuing character development of Ceepak and Boyle.
Ceepak, as we have seen before, holds himself to a very high personal standard. In HELL HOLE, we are shown, not just told, the circumstances that led him to choose that high standard for himself. As an Army brat and a veteran, I can attest to the truth of Danny Boyle's observation about the motivations behind some of our best soldiers.
Danny Boyle, as one would expect from a 20-something, has changed and grown even more during this (so far) 4-book series. From the good-hearted but clueless young man of the first book, he has become someone who is observant, competent, and takes initiative, without becoming simply a Ceepak clone. Danny will always like to have a good time, but he knows when it's time to get serious. He still tends to think of himself as a bit of a screw-up, but he, too, is holding himself to a high standard.
I can't close without saying something more about Sam Starky. I hope she gets a full-time job with the Sea Haven force. She comes across in this book as a charming combination of Jersey girl and mini-Ceepak, and I'd love to see what Chris Grabenstein does with her character.
I highly recommend this and all the Ceepak novels.
March 3, 2016
This author is really starting to hit his stride with this series. The plot is a bit more complex and sobering than previous books in this series, and the character development is improving. The narrator, Officer Danny Boyle, has grown up a bit since the series started, and really learned a few things from his partner, ex-MP, Officer John Ceepak. In this installment, we learn more about his past, both familial and military. Sure, there was some stereotypical characterizations made regarding the darker side of military, politics, and the war on terror, but overall I found this to be a nice balance of humor, developing main characters, and storyline, and I hope it continues to improve as the series progresses.
July 29, 2008
It is hard for me to write how much I enjoy the John Ceepak mysteries, and especially, as read by Jeff Woodman without gibbering.
They are fun, with a nice combination of character, humor, and suspense. Violence as appropriate but not so much as to bother a mystery fan.
Jeff Woodman does such a good job of taking Chris Grabenstein's excellent characterization and turning them into the perfect voices. I hear, even as I write, the voice of Danny and John.
Definitely a series to listen to!!
They are fun, with a nice combination of character, humor, and suspense. Violence as appropriate but not so much as to bother a mystery fan.
Jeff Woodman does such a good job of taking Chris Grabenstein's excellent characterization and turning them into the perfect voices. I hear, even as I write, the voice of Danny and John.
Definitely a series to listen to!!
June 4, 2012
Okay. Not Grabenstein's best.
I have enjoyed the other books in the Ceepak-Boyle series.
The books have had some interesting characters, great humor and often mysteries with an actual twist! (sort of Janet Evanovich plus Harlan Coben--and the analogy also works as all Grabenstein's novels are also set in New Jersey).
This one did not have the same humor, possibly because there are fewer interesting characters and there was not a real twist in the ending, no surprise in whodunit.
I have enjoyed the other books in the Ceepak-Boyle series.
The books have had some interesting characters, great humor and often mysteries with an actual twist! (sort of Janet Evanovich plus Harlan Coben--and the analogy also works as all Grabenstein's novels are also set in New Jersey).
This one did not have the same humor, possibly because there are fewer interesting characters and there was not a real twist in the ending, no surprise in whodunit.
December 7, 2008
I cannot believe this book got the great reviews shown here. Maybe it was just the audio book version, but I felt like I was reading the Hardy Boys. The story line was decent which kept me listenng, but the two main characters were so juvenile, it reminded me of Mutt and Jeff or better yet Batman and Robin. Golly Gee, Gosh Darn it!
June 3, 2009
This is a 4.5 rating. I LOVE this series of books! The series really does continue to grow and get better with each book. These books are like the best chocolate desert! I enjoy every word and every moment and all of the characters. Humor can be very difficult, yet Grabenstein handles it beautifully while weaving it into a very serious plot and story. These books are a must read!
March 20, 2014
When John Ceepak sees something suspicious at a soldier's suicide, he and Danny begin investigating. But who would want to kill a hero? I love these characters, and the plot had me confused until the end.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 17, 2009
This is the fourth book I read in this series and the books are easy reads, yet the crimes are always so horrific... Chris has a pretty sick imagination! Great listen all around, and am anxious to read the next one coming soon.
August 6, 2019
The fourth Ceepak book .... Listened to on Audible in the car and read on Kindle in the evening. another good storyline, more character development. Well paced, good use of dialogue. Mr Grabenstein is a good story teller and knows how to build tension and deliver closure.
June 25, 2009
Another excellent book. This may be the last if St. Martin's doesn't sell more. Buy them, read them, trade them with your friends. They are great.
February 13, 2012
I just enjoy this series. Easy to read, fun and likeable characters. Easy breezy - just like down the shore.
December 21, 2015
Maybe not my favorite in the series, but still good. I am crazy about Danny Boyle. He's hilarious.
March 4, 2016
The ending was a little weaker on this one than the past three, but I love the wry sense of humor.
May 19, 2019
Not my favourite in the series, but this was still a really good story. I love Ceepak and enjoyed hearing more of his back story.
June 27, 2020
The character reactions and everything are marvellous, I couldn't put it down, I'm drowsy at work today because I was up until 3am reading it. I want to shake Grabenstein's hand!
June 20, 2022
Hell Hole by Chris Grabenstein is the 4th book of the John Ceepak mystery series set in contemporary seaside New Jersey. Danny Boyle is a full-fledged Sea Haven police officer, still very much in awe of his partner on the force, John Ceepak. Although he did not attend West Point, decorated veteran and former MP John Ceepak adheres strictly to the cadet honor code: He will not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do. When the little league team he coaches wins a game, but the final base runner did not "touch 'em all" - Ceepak cedes the game to the opposing team.
This summer Danny has an intern officer (as he so recently was) Samantha "Sam" Starky. She's eager, enthusiastic, smart - just annoys him no end when she constantly asks if they should call for backup. Such as when they respond to a call of a loud party disrupting the sleep of a neighborhood. Yep, it's loud. And when Danny & Sam ask the party-hearty folks to turn it down, they turn it up instead. Plus intimidate by sheer size, and status as multiple-tour veterans (Echo Company). A phone call ends the impasse. One of their company is dead at a rest stop on Garden State Parkway.
Danny and Sam escort the sergeant to identify the body. A gruesome suicide. But something about the scene niggles at Danny. Back at "the house" (police station) he shows his crime scene photo to Ceepak - who notices at once "what's wrong with this picture". Now Danny, Ceepak and Sam need to find what really happened - at odds with the open-and-shut appearance of the case.
But a prominent senator is coming to the beach town, and all officers are needed for security. Then Ceepak suddenly needs to resolve family issues. Danny and Sam are "in hot pursuit", a high-speed car chase, when a tire blowout leaves them upside down in a ditch.
A few surprises twist and turn their investigation, with hints of conspiracy at high government levels. Turns out the senator's son is a member of Echo Company, and they all have something awful to hide.
Danny wise-cracks his way through narrating the case as usual. Sam is a welcome new character; hope she's in the next books as well. Of course there is a deadly showdown; Ceepak shares the heroics with vacationing firefighters.
This summer Danny has an intern officer (as he so recently was) Samantha "Sam" Starky. She's eager, enthusiastic, smart - just annoys him no end when she constantly asks if they should call for backup. Such as when they respond to a call of a loud party disrupting the sleep of a neighborhood. Yep, it's loud. And when Danny & Sam ask the party-hearty folks to turn it down, they turn it up instead. Plus intimidate by sheer size, and status as multiple-tour veterans (Echo Company). A phone call ends the impasse. One of their company is dead at a rest stop on Garden State Parkway.
Danny and Sam escort the sergeant to identify the body. A gruesome suicide. But something about the scene niggles at Danny. Back at "the house" (police station) he shows his crime scene photo to Ceepak - who notices at once "what's wrong with this picture". Now Danny, Ceepak and Sam need to find what really happened - at odds with the open-and-shut appearance of the case.
But a prominent senator is coming to the beach town, and all officers are needed for security. Then Ceepak suddenly needs to resolve family issues. Danny and Sam are "in hot pursuit", a high-speed car chase, when a tire blowout leaves them upside down in a ditch.
A few surprises twist and turn their investigation, with hints of conspiracy at high government levels. Turns out the senator's son is a member of Echo Company, and they all have something awful to hide.
Danny wise-cracks his way through narrating the case as usual. Sam is a welcome new character; hope she's in the next books as well. Of course there is a deadly showdown; Ceepak shares the heroics with vacationing firefighters.
July 14, 2025
Grabenstein always pure genius, refreshing and thrilling!
I was hooked immediately by “Hell Hole” by Chris Grabenstein, the fourth installment in the John Ceepak series. Narrated by Jeff Woodman, this audiobook is a thrill ride complete with humor, captivating characters and a complexellent investigation. Grabenstein and Woodman are perfectly paired every time. Ceepak and Boyle's partnership is pure magic as they work off each other with perfection and smiles. Get ready for another exciting Ceepak/Boyle investigation into a mysterious death. Delightful throughout, I was hooked from the start. Never a dull moment, “Hell Hole” kept me up into the early-morning hours. I’ll be listening to this series a second time, as it has been five years and proven a solid concept that has consistently worked for me over the last nine years with Audible. An awesome thank you to all involved In bringing this brilliant collection to the forefront. I am hoping for more… and to stress it again, I'll definitely be revisiting these books. Highly recommended and worth a cherished credit, though I lucked out and purchased it for a bit over $2 during a spectacular Audible sale. Epic, indeed!
💥✍️👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏✍️💥
I was hooked immediately by “Hell Hole” by Chris Grabenstein, the fourth installment in the John Ceepak series. Narrated by Jeff Woodman, this audiobook is a thrill ride complete with humor, captivating characters and a complexellent investigation. Grabenstein and Woodman are perfectly paired every time. Ceepak and Boyle's partnership is pure magic as they work off each other with perfection and smiles. Get ready for another exciting Ceepak/Boyle investigation into a mysterious death. Delightful throughout, I was hooked from the start. Never a dull moment, “Hell Hole” kept me up into the early-morning hours. I’ll be listening to this series a second time, as it has been five years and proven a solid concept that has consistently worked for me over the last nine years with Audible. An awesome thank you to all involved In bringing this brilliant collection to the forefront. I am hoping for more… and to stress it again, I'll definitely be revisiting these books. Highly recommended and worth a cherished credit, though I lucked out and purchased it for a bit over $2 during a spectacular Audible sale. Epic, indeed!
💥✍️👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏✍️💥
June 21, 2017
The mystery itself is pretty good, but the dialog is unbelievably bad. Danny Boyle talks like a teenager who is immature for his age. I don't know what Cheepak is supposed to be like, but he talks like a computer with a limited set of stock answers to all questions and situations. Even when Cheepak encounters his father, where there ought to be some emotion, he has none. It's like a comic book: Very good, Danny! Use logic, Danny! Here's a pat on your head, Danny. Danny: Wow! How did Cheepak figure that out?
Duh.... The whole is LESS than the sum of each part. I will not be reading any more in this series.
I listened to the audio version about 5 years ago, leaving a review on audible but not here. The narrator, Jeff Woodman, turns Cheepak into a blockhead, but I cannot fault him too much. He isn't given much to work with.
Duh.... The whole is LESS than the sum of each part. I will not be reading any more in this series.
I listened to the audio version about 5 years ago, leaving a review on audible but not here. The narrator, Jeff Woodman, turns Cheepak into a blockhead, but I cannot fault him too much. He isn't given much to work with.
November 28, 2022
Hell Hole – A John Ceepak Mystery – 2008 - *** - John Ceepak, army veteran and now Sea Haven policeman, deals with a group of active hard core servicemen bent on partying hard. When one of their group turns up dead, Ceepak and his partner, Boyle, set out to solve the murder. Honestly, I almost quit reading after a hundred pages or so due to a lull in the book and limited connection with the characters personally. I am glad I finished as the end reveal, showed how much I was missing in the clues. The somewhat non-traditional cop procedural became more interesting the further I read. The understated style of the protagonist and low key steady personality kept the suspense from building until the end. This made for a tense final few chapters. I will read more by this author.
February 23, 2021
Ceepak & Boyle are in deep trying to solve a suicide or murder of a corporal involving an Army platoon. Ceepak lives by the code & is having a hard time with the active military guys that are either lying, covering up or blaming others for the death. Enter in politicians, Ceepak's horrible father, a new partner for Boyle, & pirate thieves & drugs. There's a load of mystery, mayhem, and red herrings. We get a little more information on Ceepak's past and family. Can't wait till next book!
September 4, 2022
This is the 4th in the series. I thought it was excellent and as always a fun read. If you have read the other books , the characters are still developing & every book gives the reader a new take. The storyline was not convoluted and no, it wasn’t as funny as some others but the storyline was much more serious . Obviously from some reviews , this authors style is not for everyone, but for those who like the books & characters, we hope the author will consider adding more to this series.
August 31, 2025
I had forgotten how much I enjoy the John Ceepak mystery series. I was put off on this one due to the military backdrop; I did not think I would be able to follow. But I did and was engaged to the very last page. Grabenstein deftly crafted a labyrinth of clues and ruses to keep me guessing to the very end. This is a winner. And Danny Boyle is one of my favorite narrators in the whole world. Great read. Great series.
May 15, 2018
Gone for "I liked it", a 3 star. This is the second of the Ceepak books I have listened to,and it was far better than the first (Tilt-a-whirl). I have not read the 2nd and 3 rd instalment before this ( the 4th), but it is not necessary. Ceepak is more of a character in this novel, and has a bit of personality that is missing in the first book .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews