Fun House
4/5
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About this ebook
What if a reality TV show like Jersey Shore set up production in the fictional seaside resort Sea Haven? What if hitting the gym, tanning, and doing a little laundry aren’t the only things the contestants get into. By-the-book officer John Ceepak and his wisecracking young partner, Danny Boyle, have to babysit the buff and boozy kids partying it up in a Jersey shore rental house for TV’s summertime hit Fun House while simultaneously trying to stop the rowdy kids from breaking the law up and down the beach. But even Ceepak and Danny can’t stop one young cast member from being murdered - and others from being threatened with the same fate.
Chris Grabenstein
Chris Grabenstein is the author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, which has been nominated for twenty-two different state book awards and has already spent six months in the top ten on the New York Times bestseller list. Nickelodeon optioned the book to become a movie. Chris is also the coauthor, with James Patterson, of the #1 bestsellers I Funny, Treasure Hunters, and the House of Robots series. He is the critically acclaimed author of over twenty other books for children and adults, a playwright, screenwriter, and former advertising executive and improvisational comedian. Winner of two Anthony and three Agatha Awards, Chris wrote for Jim Henson’s Muppets and cowrote the CBS TV movie The Christmas Gift starring John Denver. His dog Fred has better credits. Fred starred on Broadway in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. To find out more about Chris, visit him at www.ChrisGrabenstein.com.
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Reviews for Fun House
38 ratings7 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5John Ceepak and his partner Danny Boyle take on the stars of a reality show set in their town of Sea Haven. This book was a fun read and as expected the stars of the reality show were self-centered and egotistical, making me want to give them a good smack most of the time. It was funny watching "by-the-book" Ceepak trying to communicate with the reality stars and their producer. Danny has come a long way since the first book in this series.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I make it a point not to watch reality TV, but with the number of mystery series that I read using that as a plot device, I now know I was justified in my decision. Of course, it helps when a master like Chris Grabenstein is writing the book; I know he'll make me laugh about it-- and he certainly did (although I think I was cringing while I was laughing).Layla, a character from the previous book, makes an appearance here as a production assistant on the set, and we have one worried Danny Boyle. You see... Ceepak is seriously thinking about a career change.This is another swift-moving entry in this excellent series. Grabenstein planted plenty of red herrings for us readers; however, I still found the identity of the killer to be easy to deduce. But let's face it-- I don't read Ceepak and Boyle for ground-breaking mysteries. Grabenstein has created two splendid characters who have grabbed hold of my heart, and he knows how to make me laugh. That's more than good enough for me, and I think it will be for you, too.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Further adventures of Danny Boyle and his mentor, John Ceepak, as they police Sea Haven, a holiday city in New Jersey.
This time, their town is invaded by the makers of a reality TV program and the participants are all nicely flat and obnoxious. Ceepak and Danny look into a drug connection, which then leads into murder.
This is a light hearted, enjoyable read. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I realized recently that I was a little behind on Chris Grabenstein's wonderful Ceepak series. After finishing two books rife with family dysfunction, spending some time with Danny Boyle and John Ceepak seemed like the perfect prescription. They are two of my most-loved characters, and if anything I loved them even more in the reading by Jeff Woodman of this, the first one of the Ceepak series I've "read" via audiobook.All the Ceepak books are titled with carnival attractions and set on the Jersey shore, but the title of FUN HOUSE has a double meaning -- it's not only a walk-through place with distorting mirrors, but a reality TV show that has come to Sea Haven -- much to the disgust of Danny and Ceepak. When Ceepak's family outing to the skeeball palace is spoiled by drunken Fun House contestants, the police officers get more involved, and when murder ensues, the tale quickly moves to a thrilling though disturbing conclusion. I don't know how Grabenstein manages to combine his charming, humorous detectives with horrifying crimes and breathless suspense -- I just hope he keeps on doing it for a long time. Very highly recommended.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I got home from work at 4:30 and began reading at 4:31 and started to have fun in minutes. What do politicians and reality TV show actors have in common? They live in fantasy land! And this is certainly the case for the typical denizens of a house in a New Jersey beach resort who are being manipulated in every way possible by a TV crew for a reality show called Fun House. This is done to bring out out the worst characteristics of these young people and to engage the emotions of the viewing audience. It helps to keeps these actors on edge and out of control by one means or another, mainly beer.
So John Ceepak and sidekick Danny Boyle whose mental wisecracks keep me laughing in my own personal funhouse, have to give these (there is no nice word for them) fools a reality check. These leads to TV time for both of them which is unwelcome but tolerated and increasing involvement in the world of entertainment and unfortunately murder. Of course for some in the business of fame and fortune death is a small price to pay. Too bad Ceepak and Boyle don't see it that way.
Don't miss this book. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love all of the various series that Chris Grabenstein writes but have to admit that my favorite is the Ceepak and Boyle series.
In this episode a "Reality Show" has invaded the Jersey Shore. Ceepak and Danny are assigned to manage local security for the crazies who star on this wacky show. The cast consists of a bunch of 20-somethings who drink lots of beer, throw up said beer, and run around having sex with each other or anyone else they can get their hooks into. When one of the stars is found dead our heroes are up to their necks in dirty deals, insane tv morals and mystery.
There are plenty of twists and turns to the plot and also lots of description from Danny about Sea Haven and where things are and how things work. That is one of my favorite part of these books, the real feel of the place, you expect to be able to go there if you ever visit Jersey.
I sort of figured out the killer but not all the details.
So, are we back on a once-a-year schedule for Ceepak? This waiting two years is much too long! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'm a completist so I had to read this book so I would be current with the series. I've read them all, in order, and, unfortunately, this is by far my least favorite.The characters and setting are the same as the rest in the series. But Danny has been around too long for his point-of-view to be fresh or funny (even though it seems he tries). The mystery was not particularly challenging to figure out, and I'm not convinced the "badguy" was believable in the end... to accept the rationale behind the crimes, you have to suspend disbelief just a smidge too much - more than I expect from a book in this genre. Even Ceepak seemed to be muted here... or maybe I'm just tired of his goody-two-shoes character which has not shown any growth over time? Not sure, but... I will still probably read the next in the series if there is one.