Review: "FREE FALL: A JOHN CEEPAK MYSTERY" by Chris Grabenstein

Scheduled to be released this May Free Fall: A John Ceepak Mystery takes readers back to “sunny, funderdull” Sea Heaven. Like the rest of the coastline nearby, the eighteen mile long barrier island that holds Sea Heaven, New Jersey, was seriously damaged by Hurricane Sandy last fall. The residents survived, rebuilt, and are more than ready to put the past behind them. It is June and that means the start of the tourists and the start of the summer season. It also means the past is never gone especially when the living remind Officer Danny Boyle of it.

Christine Lemonopolous easily reminds Danny of the past and it comes with pain. Back in the day she was good friends with Katie who was Danny’s love of his life until she was killed. Like a lot of the people Danny knew when he and Katie were together, he lost track of Christine.  Instead of being a nurse in a local hospital, these days Christine works as a home health care nurse for the elderly, disabled, and those who need her help. She struggles to make ends meet and relies on several jobs with living arrangements to barely get by.

She also is now going to rely on Danny and by extension John Ceepak to save her from an escalating legal situation. There is no question she was fighting the wealthy Shona Oppenheimer when police arrived on scene. The facts behind the situation and whether it truly was an assault are in question. It doesn’t help that Christine has a less than stellar mental health reputation these days; some of her patients have died in the past, and other issues.

This latest in the series is another fun read featuring Danny Boyle, John Ceepak, and others that readers know and love. As always multiple story lines are present here and include references to families and politics with much familial angst present. It wouldn’t be one of these mysteries without references to Ceepak’s rules, Bruce Springsteen, and a few other things. Free Fall: A John Ceepak Mystery is another fun read, on and off the boardwalk, and an excellent way to start the summer.

Reviewer Note:  Sharp eyed readers may note the brief mention of a very minor character by the name of “Kevin Tipple.” I had the honor of having my name selected by the author for his use as he saw fit in the book.  While the character and I share a name, we share nothing else in common and that very brief use did not impact this review.

FREE FALL: A JOHN CEEPAK MYSTERY

Chris Grabenstein

http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com

Pegasus Crime

http://www.pegasusbooks.us

Scheduled release May 2013

ISBN# 978-1-60598-475-9

Hardback

320 Pages

$25.00

ARC sent to me by the author in exchange for my objective review.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013