Synopses & Reviews
There isn't much sun in the fun when a billionaire real estate tycoon is found murdered on the Tilt-A-Whirl at a seedy seaside amusement park in the otherwise quiet summer tourist town of Sea Haven. John Ceepak, a former MP just back from Iraq, has just 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 to help him forget the horrors of war. Instead, Ceepak will head up the murder investigation. 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.
In the first novel in a new series written in the spirit of Carl Hiaasen's work, the Tilt-A-Whirl murder pushes Ceepak's deep sense of honor and integrity to the limits, as unexpected twists and turns keep the truth spinning wildly in every direction.
Review
"Though a bit surreal, the ending is unexpected and satisfying and wraps up a good pace." Library Journal
Review
"This first book in a promising series flounders here and there but is ultimately saved by the strength of Grabenstein's protagonist." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Grabenstein brilliantly evokes the endearing seediness of a Jersey Shore town in summer, but it's his development of the Ceepak-Boyle relationship that makes this an absolute triumph." Booklist
About the Author
Chris Grabenstein spent several years at the nation's top ad agencies, Before he started in advertising, Grabenstein also worked with Bruce Willis (among others) in some of New York's most acclaimed improvisational comedy troupes. A member of Mystery Writers of America, Grabenstein lives in New York City.