Caleb Lambert used to love the once charming little town of Noodle, Indiana. Now, the only thing he loves is the idea of leaving . . . with Noodle in flames behind him.
Caleb has been a prisoner in Noodle since his most recent visit, the powers that be keeping him as their puppet for both financial and sinister gains.
Death might just be his only way out.
Many deaths, in fact. None of them Caleb’s own . . . he hopes.
But it will be anything but a cakewalk. Caleb is scheduled to do The Clinic again—one of many underground “events” run by those powers that be, and the one that just so happens to have the lowest survival rate.
Especially for the likes of Caleb.
Why? The Clinic is an advanced event whose technology is able to tap into one’s greatest traumas. And Caleb has more than his share of those.
Caleb’s last stay at The Clinic nearly killed him, and the forecast for his next visit appears even bleaker.
He will need all the help he can get to survive, and to perhaps finally see Noodle and those evil powers that be burn. And that help will come in many shapes and sizes, some friendly, some not so much. But if the “not so much” share a common enemy with Caleb . . . ?
“Antiheroes” was never a more appropriate term.
Things will come to a definitive end this time. One way or the other.
A native of the Philadelphia area, Jeff has published multiple works in both fiction and non-fiction. In 2011 he was the recipient of the Red Adept Reviews Indie Award for Horror.
In March of 2014, his novel BAD GAMES was a #1 Kindle bestseller and is now being optioned as a feature film.
Free time for Jeff is spent watching horror movies, The Three Stooges, and mixed martial arts. He loves steak and more steak, thinks the original 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the greatest movie ever, wants to pet a lion some day, and hates spiders.
If you are gonna start this series I suggest starting the bad games series first as the Caleb series is a continuation, the action is nonstop and the dark humour is great. The bad games series being probably my favourite series I have ever read, and this book certainly didn’t disappoint after the last book left on a cliffhanger. 5 full stars for this authors work.
Was this a literary masterpiece…no. Was it entertaining…yes.
I have to say I like the Bad Games series more than this sequel series. This just wasn’t as realistic as the other. I did enjoy it. I read through them quickly.
I would give the entire series 3.5⭐️ I’m glad I read them. I really love Caleb. I just have questions that weren’t answered and also the plausibility of some of the events.
I came across the Caleb books entirely by accident, and haven't looked back. I read the first 3 in a matter of days and was over the moon to realise that I only had a couple of weeks wait for the 4th book. Now though, what do I do? Will there be more Caleb? There has to be more Caleb!! Please Mr Menapace, get on it!!
The last installment ended on such a huge cliffhanger, so I was overjoyed to see that this one was ready! A little backstory on Caleb is that this entire series is a spin-off from the author's BAD GAMES series. Caleb was a little boy who was forced to witness the brutality his family suffered at the hands of two psychopaths. As an adult, he still carries the invisible scars and guilt.
Noodle, Indiana, was a lawless place until Caleb showed up. Always looking to right a wrong, Caleb intended to change the dynamic of the town. But Caleb underestimated his opponent, and he found himself a prisoner, subjected to awful experiments in The Clinic. Just as slaves once fought in the Roman Colosseum to bring their masters fame, glory, and riches, Caleb will be pitted against the some of the most savage that walk among us. Will the physical and mental torments that he's suffered finally break him?
There were moments in this story that had unexpected humor (thanks, Bear!) and softness. There is a scene from Caleb's childhood that nearly broke me, and anyone who has suffered a similar trauma will certainly see their own pain and vulnerability in Caleb. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next. This book is available now both in paperback and on KU.
Thank you Jeff Menapace 🙏 this book was utterly amazing I just loved it ❤️ fast paced from the beginning to the End. Caleb well I'm in love with that man so complex but so in touch with it all fantastic would give 10 stars 🌟 if I could onto next book x
You know what would be great? If these were made into a film. My god how exciting would some of the scenes be?! I know we have John Wick but I want to see Caleb Lambert on the big screen!
well, we'll well. This has been a great series and I truly hope there is more to come. The sheer level on insanity and brutality is both unsettling and funny at the same time. A feeling that Chip Parsons displays for us all. And come on ya gotta love Bear. Safe travels friends.
Always action packed and hints of humour another 5 star entertaining read. Jeff has been a fave author of mine since 2014 and every book I read I am sucked in on the first page and the Caleb series is no different. Reading this 4th instalment I was so worried it was going to be the end.. I’m so relieved that Jeff gives hints at the end that Caleb will return in the future. 😮💨
Loved that Chip, Mia and even Sampson was back! Lina and her kids was awesome. Did I cheer when Donovan got the pew pew yes .. did I laugh when they all were calling him an idiot when he stuffed up .. yes 😂 Did I get teary when Caleb talked to his younger self .. definitely and did I feel a tiny bit bad for Victoria … maybe a teeny bit.
The story telling and depth of characters is what I absolutely love about Jeff’s style of writing. He always says his main goal as an author is for his readers to be entertained .. well sir you achieve that for me time and time again. Please never stop writing!
I’m sad I am finished .. and have to wait for another Menapace masterpiece.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
You'd think I would get tired of Caleb, the savage (& sometimes gross) punishment of his enemies, and his wisecracking all while doing it. NOPE! Still love this hysterical protagonist 🫶.
I'm also really loving the "community" Jeff Menapace has built to support Caleb:
* The fellow professionals - brother and sister killers Sampson & Mia. Lina Stassen and her murdering teenage kids Christoph & Mathilda. You never know whether they will kill Caleb or help him. 😜 * His trusted best friend and confidante, Sheriff Chip Parsons. * His brilliant team of Thomas, Faye & Nick - keeping the home fires burning back at the office and watching his 6 electronically. Faye is always busting balls, and I'm here for it! * AND of course his animals: trusty dog Rosco, and now his streetwise, bullet-dodging, badass cat Bear.
I don't know how many more Caleb books Jeff has in his crazy brain, but I will keep reading them until he runs out of stories to tell. 💞
Between the Bad Games series and the Caleb series, I don’t think there’s any books that can top these.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading every single one of the books of these two series. The character development is superb. The story is superb. The suspense and action is superb.
Hey Jeff, how about a series on Mia and Sampson and a series on Lina and her kids.
This book should be made into either a TV series or a movie. They are the best of the best and everybody should read them if you were looking to be thoroughly entertained!
Way more than five stars. About 5 trillion stars. Maybe I’m getting carried away? I love the storyline and characters that much!!!!
Thank you Jeff for writing my favorite series ever!!!! I hope there will be another Caleb book coming out soon, and I can’t wait to see how Bear and Rosco get along!
I must admit, this latest Caleb story took me a bit longer to read than the others … probably due to having to take time to remember the past novels’ plot lines & scenarios 😵💫 Definitely another worthy read & a must to complete Caleb’s adventures in Noodle, just one that would benefit from reading it in a back to back book in the series situation 🙃 I do appreciate Mr Menapace NOT delving into past scenes too much as that becomes redundant, but I feel the need to let other readers know my experience! Read the series in order & enjoy the Noodle nonsense & madness! Thank you for another crazy ‘Caleb’ caper; (hopefully) looking forward to his ability to move beyond Noodle w/the crazy cast of characters the past four novels have developed!
This was my favorite of the four books. It is a real page turner. Contract killers, serial killers, a crazy woman running illegal and sadistic games in Noodle after she took it over. Caleb is in Noodle to help his old friend, but things get complicated when Caleb and his friend are captured by Victoria. Their end game doesn’t look too good.
Noodle is still a bad town to be in and keeps getting worse. Caleb does his best to thin out the herd with the help of some very unlikely (though not unlikable) allies. Towards the end Caleb finally begins to exorcise his demons and deal with some past trauma. I'd be interested to see how he is after this novel. There were some surprising things that happen in this one. Overall it's more of the same, but nothing new really.
A satisfying if not a bit to easy with a bow on top ending. Basically Caleb gets screwed over to the point he just flips out and strikes back. Somehow everything goes to chaos and his enemies become his friends, a secret German lady and her killer children help as well, and everything will be settled a bit too easy. Caleb is still a fun main lead but the story is wearing thin. I think this is the final one in the entire series and it makes sense.
This was my favorite book in the Caleb series! Book 3, Caleb: Return to Noodle left us in a bad place. I couldn't start book 4 soon enough! We get to see so many "foxes", as Mia would say. I had a love/hate feeling with regards to Mia and Sampson. But, Lina and her kids were enjoyable!
Caleb is an assassin with a moral code. He won't take a job unless the target is evil. If you like Dexter, you'll LOVE Caleb!
This next installment is as good as the previous ones. Caleb does his thing as usual & the addition of Linas family is quite amusing in a weird sort of way. So happy that Bear is part of the story, love that Caleb is an animal lover. I read this over a few days, every spare moment spent reading a few chapters. Now I just have to wait for the next one.
Yip, Caleb is still in effing Noodle. And he's in a bit of a predicament, along with Chip. How will he get out of it this time? Or will he? Get stuck in and find out.
Great writing, great characters, great story. Loved it. Plenty of action, witty retorts, tension. You know what you're getting if you've followed the series so far, if not, start from the beginning and thank me later.
I love books like is but this one goes a step further. It’s dark but has a lot of humor, some subtle some not. I love the story line and the characters are brutal but somehow I love them and was very entertained. Will be shopping for more of this authors work. Definitely worth the read
This book wrapped up the Noodle story really well all the scum got what they deserved and getting to that point wad a really great read. Reading a damn good book is still hard to beat. Thanks Jeff I really enjoyed the Noodle stories
Great ending to this chapter of the Caleb Lambert story. Fun batsh*t crazy ride from start to finish. Loved the humor mixed with emotional and psychological elements throughout. Can’t wait to see what direction the series takes after the conclusion to the Noodle storyline.
Okay, I fell in love with Caleb and Chip in book one, really enjoyed book two.... Book 3? An appetizer for this one. Love the plot twists and have to admit, don't hate when the bad guys get what they deserve! Jeff Menapace you've got a winner here! Will there be a book 6??
I looked forward to climbing into bed to read more of this book as late afternoon approached every day until I finished it. Now that I finished it, I don't want it to be over. Not sure if Jeff's got an idea for another one, but I'm sure as hell hoping that he does!!!! Great book in a great series!
3.5 stars While Caleb is as stand up a guy as Dexter Morgan, this final (I hope) installment was way over the top for gore and violence. Caleb does finally exorcise his demons. Still going to punish bad guys when he gets the chance. I’m glad that Parsons rode out of town with him. Cat in tow. Headed back to Caleb’s town. And his employees that care about him. And, I hope, Roscoe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love these books but was almost getting frustrated by making Caleb out a victim of his own loyalty, then steps in the women in his life to salvage everything. Always impatient for the next new Caleb book. All jeff books are grab you and dont let go. Can't wait for the next one
Absolutely loved this book! Loved them all actually! Characters you just love to hate and some, well at least one you just got to love! Plenty of action, so much humour all mixed in with loads of fighting! Just perfect!
Book took a bit to get going, but that's okay because when it got going, it ran. Excellent follow-up and closure for Fucking Noodle. Caleb gets some closure, but rest assured, Caleb isn't closed. Loved it Jeff.
If you like these types of books then this is your read. I’m not giving five stars to Kafka.If you like high octane well written thrillers with tons of violence you have found your book.
I love Jeff Menapace! I was so excited when book 4 came out and it did not disappoint! Caleb has developed into a character that you love and root for. If you have not read this series, you must!
Always love to read a new instalment from Caleb and if never fails to disappoint. Once again a brilliant face paced read which keeps you on your toes and turning the pages. Looking forward to where this goes next, hopefully the wait won’t be too long long
I can't say enough about this series, I loved Calabasas and all of the assassins that helped him. Chip is a favorite of !INE and if you bring Calab back for more adventures I will certainly read them joyfully.