Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tilt-a-Whirl | 2005 | John Ceepak | Buy |
| 2 | Mad Mouse | 2006 | John Ceepak | Buy |
| 3 | Whack A Mole | 2007 | John Ceepak | Buy |
| 4 | Hell Hole | 2008 | John Ceepak | Buy |
| 5 | Mind Scrambler | 2009 | John Ceepak | Buy |
| 6 | Rolling Thunder | 2010 | John Ceepak | Buy |
| 7 | Ring Toss | 2011 | John Ceepak | Buy |
| 8 | Fun House | 2012 | John Ceepak | Buy |
| 9 | Free Fall | 2013 | John Ceepak | Buy |
The John Ceepak Mystery series consists of nine books published between 2005 and 2013. Each title references a carnival ride or amusement park attraction: Tilt-a-Whirl, Mad Mouse, Whack A Mole, Hell Hole, Mind Scrambler, Rolling Thunder, Ring Toss, Fun House, and Free Fall. The books are set in a New Jersey shore town where the boardwalk entertainment district provides both atmosphere and plot material.
The carnival naming convention gives the series a distinctive identity and each book uses its namesake attraction as a plot element or thematic touchstone. The mysteries balance suspense with the quirky characters and situations that come with a beach resort community. The series is a good choice for readers who like their crime fiction with personality and a strong sense of place.