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Limbus, Inc #3
Limbus, Inc. - Book III
The Limbus saga continues with five more stories of horror, science fiction, and fantasy from some of the industry’s brightest stars – Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laird Barron and David Liss.
Thomas Malone thought he’d seen it all during his twenty-five years in the Birmingham homicide division. But then they found the body of a woman suspended above the opening of the mineshaft known as the Vertical, blood dripping into the chasm below. At the bottom of that shaft, two clues—a typed manuscript and a business card, blank but for a name on the front and a single sentence on the back.
Malone couldn’t know that those two enigmatic items would lead him on a manhunt around the world, on the trail of a murderer and an organization of myth and legend. But he shouldn’t have been surprised. The business card said it all.
LIMBUS, Inc.
How lucky do you feel?
Thomas Malone thought he’d seen it all during his twenty-five years in the Birmingham homicide division. But then they found the body of a woman suspended above the opening of the mineshaft known as the Vertical, blood dripping into the chasm below. At the bottom of that shaft, two clues—a typed manuscript and a business card, blank but for a name on the front and a single sentence on the back.
Malone couldn’t know that those two enigmatic items would lead him on a manhunt around the world, on the trail of a murderer and an organization of myth and legend. But he shouldn’t have been surprised. The business card said it all.
LIMBUS, Inc.
How lucky do you feel?
366 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2016
30 people are currently reading
627 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Maberry
522 books7,800 followersJONATHAN MABERRY is a NYTimes bestselling author, #1 Audible bestseller, 5-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, 4-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, comic book writer, and producer. He is the author of more than 50 novels, 190 short stories, 16 short story collections, 30 graphic novels, 14 nonfiction books, and has edited 26 anthologies. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-WARS, was a Netflix original series starring Ian Somerhalder. His 2009-10 run as writer on the Black Panther comic formed a large chunk of the recent blockbuster film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His bestselling YA zombie series, Rot & Ruin is in development for film at Alcon Entertainment; and John Wick director, Chad Stahelski, is developing Jonathan’s Joe Ledger Thrillers for TV. Jonathan writes in multiple genres including suspense, thriller, horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, and action; and he writes for adults, teens and middle grade. His works include The Pine Deep Trilogy, The Kagen the Damned Trilogy, NecroTek, Ink, Glimpse, the Rot & Ruin series, the Dead of Night series, The Wolfman, X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate, The Sleepers War (with Weston Ochse), Mars One, and many others. He is the editor of high-profile anthologies including Weird Tales: 100 Years of Weird, The X-Files, Aliens: Bug Hunt, Out of Tune, Don’t Turn out the Lights: A Tribute to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Baker Street Irregulars, Nights of the Living Dead, Shadows & Verse, and others. His comics include Marvel Zombies Return, The Punisher: Naked Kills, Wolverine: Ghosts, Godzilla vs Cthulhu: Death May Die, Bad Blood and many others. Jonathan has written in many popular licensed worlds, including Hellboy, True Blood, The Wolfman, John Carter of Mars, Sherlock Holmes, C.H.U.D., Diablo IV, Deadlands, World of Warcraft, Planet of the Apes, Aliens, Predator, Karl Kolchak, and many others. He the president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers, and the editor of Weird Tales Magazine. He lives in San Diego, California. Find him online at www.jonathanmaberry.com
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 8, 2018
Damn. This book was well on its way to being my favorite read of the year. Each story was enthralling as hell, and the interludes which tied things together were jewels unto themselves. Now that the gushing praise is over, let the spoiler warning go out. I won't ruin specifics, but if one wants a pristine slate upon which to read, then I bid a fond adieu, and wish you well.
OK, as I said, I absolutely loved the book, until the last story. WTF? I feel like I was on a prime vector, and then the wheels came off and everything went into the ether. A freakin drug trip of a story, even if time travel is the drug, is not the way to top off Limbus. Damn. Damn.
I will be honest and say that this was a five star book, and the best of the Limbus trilogy, until that last story. It cost the game. Four stars is all I can do.
Even the last interlude was off, as if the preceding story had tainted it. Just off. Sorry, but I call 'em as I see 'em. Man, what a sad conclusion to ecstasy..
Addendum after re-reading: I still didn't care for the last confusing story, but am gonna give the book five stars, because the rest of the book deserves top marks.
OK, as I said, I absolutely loved the book, until the last story. WTF? I feel like I was on a prime vector, and then the wheels came off and everything went into the ether. A freakin drug trip of a story, even if time travel is the drug, is not the way to top off Limbus. Damn. Damn.
I will be honest and say that this was a five star book, and the best of the Limbus trilogy, until that last story. It cost the game. Four stars is all I can do.
Even the last interlude was off, as if the preceding story had tainted it. Just off. Sorry, but I call 'em as I see 'em. Man, what a sad conclusion to ecstasy..
Addendum after re-reading: I still didn't care for the last confusing story, but am gonna give the book five stars, because the rest of the book deserves top marks.
January 12, 2023
Третата книга за корпорацията на ръба на реалността ми влезе някак най-криво до тук. Не че качеството на разказите е ниско, напротив и дори прологът и свързващите интерлюдии са най-добрите от трите книги. Просто леко ми нагорча повторението на фантастичните допуски от предходните две томчета. Отново имаме комбинация от фентази, нанотех, биотех, времева фантастика и щипка ужас. Някой твърдят, че новото тук са женските протагонисти в повечето разкази, но аз отказвам да вкарам пол на герой в жанрообразуващи рамки – абсурдно, дребнаво и смешно е.
Пролог – Детектив Малоун е извикан на сцената на отвратително убийство без логика и мотив. Освен трупа той открива и една визитка, както и няколко листа с първата история. Това ще го засили на доста интересно събиране на улики между петте разказа и ще го запознае с героите от предишните две книги. Финалът на тази свързваща история можеше да е доста по-добре барнат, но пък тогава щеше да открадне от разказите.
Inch by Inch and Row by Row от Шанън Макгуайър – Както може да се очаква от Мира Гранд, разказът е един от най-добрите в компилацията. Приятна смеска от биотех и шпионски трилър с чудесен финален обрат и малко романтика за разкош.
Наследничка на фармацевтична компания има проблем с придобиването на активите си, защото е зарегистрирана като продукт. Тя умее да поглъща отровни растения и да изпотява чисти алкалоиди. За неин късмет, или не, една визитка си намира път до вратата ѝ. „Чувствате ли се късметлийка?“ Лимбус имат работа точно като за нея и ще я откъснат от владичеството на наследството ѝ. Каква е цената обаче?
Infamous от Дейвид Лис – Този разказ не ми обади толкова, пък и имаше на подобна тематика в предишния том. Все пак не е лош и ако беше поизчистен от политиканстване щеше да е чудесен, но това е света в който живеем, дори без Лимбус (надявам се), всеки плаща дан на силните на деня, дори писателите на свободна фантазия.
Чип има проблеми, сериозни проблеми, заради убийство извършено при самозащита е остракиран от цялото общество и дори от семейството си. Не може да си намери работа, живее на дарения от симпатизиращи му непознати и не може да иде да си купи бира, без някой да му навре в лицето миналото. Една визитка и едно предложение за работа в лаборатория ще променят живота му, нямате си представа как, направо ще го обърнат с хастара навън.
Right On, Sister! от Кейт Р. А. Декандидо – Времевият парадокс беше засегнат доста в първата книга от поредицата и този разказ не предлага нищо ново по въпроса. Това което предлага е най-симпатичната устата и сърцата героиня в поредицата.
Някъде през шестдесетте една чернокожа жена остава без двете си работи в един ден, за капак става и свидетел на убийството на приятел адвокат, който може да ѝ помогне в търсенето на ново препитание. Тогава намира обявление от Лимбус – „Ние наемаме“ и без особено желание отива да види какво предлагат. Предлагат работа като парламентьор в различни времеви отсеци, напред и назад от настоящето ѝ. Работа, която тя може да върши перфектно. Но какво ще стане, когато я върнат онзи злощастен ден на убийството на съпруга ѝ.
The Unlernable Truths от Джон Мабери – Като видя Лимбус и Мабери, веднага ми е ясно, че ще има разказ за симпатягата Сам Спейд, този вече го бях чел в книжката с разкази за косматия детектив, но не пречи да го мина още веднъж. Лъвкравтов ужас, примесен с високи технологии и наситен с военен екшън.
Група наемници са събрани заради уменията си. Задачата им е да придобият определени книги, скрити по най-затънтените и опасни краища на света. Събират ги в продължение на години и бавно, но сигурно се променят към нещо не точно човешко. В наши дни, Сам отново го е закъсал достатъчно, че да приене оферта на омразните му Лимбус, въпреки че знае, че ще сънува кошмари с десетилетия след изпълнението на задачата. А тя е да открадне две от забранените от Ватикана книги от определена група хора, като се пази от още 2-3 групи, които искат да ги придобият, а и никой не трябва да заподозре, че е взел оригиналите. Това ще го доведе до сблъсък с опасни хора и нехора и да, ще му докара кошмари и нови чудовищни врагове.
An Atlatl от Лаирд Барън – Както може да се очаква от барън, най засуканата и откачена история за края на света/световете, която можете, по-скоро не можете, да си представите. Чак се чудя да ѝ правя ли синопсис, защото без пространно обяснение, което ще утрепе кефа от четенето, няма как да се предаде. Може да не хвърля светлина към конкретната обвързваща история в тази книга, но определено разширява границите на действие на Лимбус като цяло. На кратко имаме всички допуски включени в серията до тук – времеви парадокси, паралелни вселени, биотех, клониране и прочие.
Цялата трилогия беше приключение, но като гледам как ми вървят оценките по-добре че приключи.
А вие. Чувствате ли се късметлии?
Пролог – Детектив Малоун е извикан на сцената на отвратително убийство без логика и мотив. Освен трупа той открива и една визитка, както и няколко листа с първата история. Това ще го засили на доста интересно събиране на улики между петте разказа и ще го запознае с героите от предишните две книги. Финалът на тази свързваща история можеше да е доста по-добре барнат, но пък тогава щеше да открадне от разказите.
Inch by Inch and Row by Row от Шанън Макгуайър – Както може да се очаква от Мира Гранд, разказът е един от най-добрите в компилацията. Приятна смеска от биотех и шпионски трилър с чудесен финален обрат и малко романтика за разкош.
Наследничка на фармацевтична компания има проблем с придобиването на активите си, защото е зарегистрирана като продукт. Тя умее да поглъща отровни растения и да изпотява чисти алкалоиди. За неин късмет, или не, една визитка си намира път до вратата ѝ. „Чувствате ли се късметлийка?“ Лимбус имат работа точно като за нея и ще я откъснат от владичеството на наследството ѝ. Каква е цената обаче?
Infamous от Дейвид Лис – Този разказ не ми обади толкова, пък и имаше на подобна тематика в предишния том. Все пак не е лош и ако беше поизчистен от политиканстване щеше да е чудесен, но това е света в който живеем, дори без Лимбус (надявам се), всеки плаща дан на силните на деня, дори писателите на свободна фантазия.
Чип има проблеми, сериозни проблеми, заради убийство извършено при самозащита е остракиран от цялото общество и дори от семейството си. Не може да си намери работа, живее на дарения от симпатизиращи му непознати и не може да иде да си купи бира, без някой да му навре в лицето миналото. Една визитка и едно предложение за работа в лаборатория ще променят живота му, нямате си представа как, направо ще го обърнат с хастара навън.
Right On, Sister! от Кейт Р. А. Декандидо – Времевият парадокс беше засегнат доста в първата книга от поредицата и този разказ не предлага нищо ново по въпроса. Това което предлага е най-симпатичната устата и сърцата героиня в поредицата.
Някъде през шестдесетте една чернокожа жена остава без двете си работи в един ден, за капак става и свидетел на убийството на приятел адвокат, който може да ѝ помогне в търсенето на ново препитание. Тогава намира обявление от Лимбус – „Ние наемаме“ и без особено желание отива да види какво предлагат. Предлагат работа като парламентьор в различни времеви отсеци, напред и назад от настоящето ѝ. Работа, която тя може да върши перфектно. Но какво ще стане, когато я върнат онзи злощастен ден на убийството на съпруга ѝ.
The Unlernable Truths от Джон Мабери – Като видя Лимбус и Мабери, веднага ми е ясно, че ще има разказ за симпатягата Сам Спейд, този вече го бях чел в книжката с разкази за косматия детектив, но не пречи да го мина още веднъж. Лъвкравтов ужас, примесен с високи технологии и наситен с военен екшън.
Група наемници са събрани заради уменията си. Задачата им е да придобият определени книги, скрити по най-затънтените и опасни краища на света. Събират ги в продължение на години и бавно, но сигурно се променят към нещо не точно човешко. В наши дни, Сам отново го е закъсал достатъчно, че да приене оферта на омразните му Лимбус, въпреки че знае, че ще сънува кошмари с десетилетия след изпълнението на задачата. А тя е да открадне две от забранените от Ватикана книги от определена група хора, като се пази от още 2-3 групи, които искат да ги придобият, а и никой не трябва да заподозре, че е взел оригиналите. Това ще го доведе до сблъсък с опасни хора и нехора и да, ще му докара кошмари и нови чудовищни врагове.
An Atlatl от Лаирд Барън – Както може да се очаква от барън, най засуканата и откачена история за края на света/световете, която можете, по-скоро не можете, да си представите. Чак се чудя да ѝ правя ли синопсис, защото без пространно обяснение, което ще утрепе кефа от четенето, няма как да се предаде. Може да не хвърля светлина към конкретната обвързваща история в тази книга, но определено разширява границите на действие на Лимбус като цяло. На кратко имаме всички допуски включени в серията до тук – времеви парадокси, паралелни вселени, биотех, клониране и прочие.
Цялата трилогия беше приключение, но като гледам как ми вървят оценките по-добре че приключи.
А вие. Чувствате ли се късметлии?
June 17, 2019
Book III in the Limbus, Inc series of anthologies is a worthy entry into the Limbus universe. There’s all kind of crazy going on in typical “How lucky do you feel?” fashion.
“We keep the balance. We intervene when we must and when we can.”
“We keep the balance. We intervene when we must and when we can.”
December 7, 2023
There was a point where I'd thought this was going to be the best of the three Limbus collections. Most of the stories didn't really break any new ground, and much of them tended to still centre heavily on the Limbus, Inc. method of recruitment which, by the third book, isn't truly necessary anymore, though I feel like only Maberry seems to get that.
Regardless, the first four stories were very good with, as per usual, Maberry's Sam Hunter stealing the damn show for the third time running. He just...gets it.
But I have to talk about Laird Barron's entry. I know he took pride of place to close off the collection, as he's possibly the biggest name in the novel (though I'd argue that point), or maybe because the editor didn't really know what else to do with it. Not sure, but...it was...not good. It was mostly nonsensical. It often felt like a random collection of sentences that really didn't fit together all that well. It was virtually unreadable, though I did get through it, mostly skimming and really not picking anything much up after the first third.
Without that story, this book would be an easy five stars. But it was bad enough to tear two of them away.
Regardless, the first four stories were very good with, as per usual, Maberry's Sam Hunter stealing the damn show for the third time running. He just...gets it.
But I have to talk about Laird Barron's entry. I know he took pride of place to close off the collection, as he's possibly the biggest name in the novel (though I'd argue that point), or maybe because the editor didn't really know what else to do with it. Not sure, but...it was...not good. It was mostly nonsensical. It often felt like a random collection of sentences that really didn't fit together all that well. It was virtually unreadable, though I did get through it, mostly skimming and really not picking anything much up after the first third.
Without that story, this book would be an easy five stars. But it was bad enough to tear two of them away.
May 13, 2016
The Limbus saga continues with five more stories of horror, science fiction, and fantasy from some of the industry’s brightest stars – Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laird Barron and David Liss.
Thomas Malone thought he’d seen it all during his twenty-five years in the Birmingham homicide division. But then they found the body of a woman suspended above the opening of the mineshaft known as the Vertical, blood dripping into the chasm below. At the bottom of that shaft, two clues—a typed manuscript and a business card, blank but for a name on the front and a single sentence on the back.
Malone couldn’t know that those two enigmatic items would lead him on a manhunt around the world, on the trail of a murderer and an organization of myth and legend. But he shouldn’t have been surprised. The business card said it all.
LIMBUS, Inc.
How lucky do you feel?
Thomas Malone thought he’d seen it all during his twenty-five years in the Birmingham homicide division. But then they found the body of a woman suspended above the opening of the mineshaft known as the Vertical, blood dripping into the chasm below. At the bottom of that shaft, two clues—a typed manuscript and a business card, blank but for a name on the front and a single sentence on the back.
Malone couldn’t know that those two enigmatic items would lead him on a manhunt around the world, on the trail of a murderer and an organization of myth and legend. But he shouldn’t have been surprised. The business card said it all.
LIMBUS, Inc.
How lucky do you feel?
September 19, 2016
I picked this up thinking it was a short story collection with some of my favorite, so I could easily set it down between authors.
WRONG.
True, it has novelettes, but in between is an overarching meta-plot, a detective tracking down the killer of a young woman he can't even identify.
If you're down on your luck, if you seem to have no way out, that's when you'll get the card: LIMBUS. An employment agency with a phone number and the phrase, "Do you feel lucky?" You have to sign the DNA and contract before they'll tell you your job.
The vignettes follow the stories of a few luckless people who end up signing on.
Limbus is a world of bio-tech, time travel, elder gods, and The Corporation.
I'd highly recommend this book--only not just before bedtime.
WRONG.
True, it has novelettes, but in between is an overarching meta-plot, a detective tracking down the killer of a young woman he can't even identify.
If you're down on your luck, if you seem to have no way out, that's when you'll get the card: LIMBUS. An employment agency with a phone number and the phrase, "Do you feel lucky?" You have to sign the DNA and contract before they'll tell you your job.
The vignettes follow the stories of a few luckless people who end up signing on.
Limbus is a world of bio-tech, time travel, elder gods, and The Corporation.
I'd highly recommend this book--only not just before bedtime.
December 31, 2017
Great...until the last story.
So, it started out solid. Great premise, great stories, stayed up until 2am reading it. Then that train wreck of the last story. I skimmed it, at best, and plowed through the ending. Maybe if that was in the middle? Overall, a fantastic series. Not every book can be perfect.
So, it started out solid. Great premise, great stories, stayed up until 2am reading it. Then that train wreck of the last story. I skimmed it, at best, and plowed through the ending. Maybe if that was in the middle? Overall, a fantastic series. Not every book can be perfect.
June 17, 2017
I jumped into Volume 3 of the Limbus, Inc. series without having read either of the first two books. The book was well-crafted and well-explained so that I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything. I thoroughly enjoyed the weaving of each of the stories along with the interludes where Detective Malone is following the journey in much the same way the reader is experiencing it while having his own story told.
Seanan McGuire’s story kicks off the shared world anthology in a strong way with a tale of a woman who is a genetically engineered and works for Limbus as an assassin, killing people who deserved to die. Each of the stories added another layer onto this amorphous, all-encompassing and dangerous entity of Limbus. I enjoyed it thoroughly up until the final story of the anthology, which I found to be a major let down. That brought the book down from a five star, fantastic anthology, to a four star, still really good anthology. My favorite story is probably a toss up between Seanan McGuire’s story and Keith DeCandido’s story about a woman with an extraordinary ability to talk people off the ledge so to speak, who travels through time influencing the lives of others and her own on behalf of Limbus, Inc. This anthology both had a great concept and was well executed.
Carl Alves – author of Conjesero
Seanan McGuire’s story kicks off the shared world anthology in a strong way with a tale of a woman who is a genetically engineered and works for Limbus as an assassin, killing people who deserved to die. Each of the stories added another layer onto this amorphous, all-encompassing and dangerous entity of Limbus. I enjoyed it thoroughly up until the final story of the anthology, which I found to be a major let down. That brought the book down from a five star, fantastic anthology, to a four star, still really good anthology. My favorite story is probably a toss up between Seanan McGuire’s story and Keith DeCandido’s story about a woman with an extraordinary ability to talk people off the ledge so to speak, who travels through time influencing the lives of others and her own on behalf of Limbus, Inc. This anthology both had a great concept and was well executed.
Carl Alves – author of Conjesero
August 19, 2018
The book started out so great, better then the last one. Great premise, the stories different but fed into each other. Especially love the strong female leads. Then came the last story. Couldnt finish reading it just skimmed to the end. Confusing and did not add to overall story, as a result the last interlude was a let down. Major let down. Turned a 5 star book into a 3.5
January 9, 2017
SOME REALLY GOOD AND TRIPPING STUFF IT IS...
Hello, the third book does not disappoint this reader. In fact, it makes this reader want more tales of the cosmos sized employment agency. Good stuff. Thanks.
Hello, the third book does not disappoint this reader. In fact, it makes this reader want more tales of the cosmos sized employment agency. Good stuff. Thanks.
December 16, 2019
Love Limbus
I love the idea of Limbus. If such a company existed it would explain a whole lot lol. I'd recommend the series to anyone looking for a good time and maybe a few answers.
I love the idea of Limbus. If such a company existed it would explain a whole lot lol. I'd recommend the series to anyone looking for a good time and maybe a few answers.
May 31, 2020
Interesting story concepts. Overall the book was quite well written and enjoyable to read. However, the last story completely ruined the book. A good editor would not have allowed the last story to be included in this book.
September 22, 2022
The Limbus books are fantastic and tying the current stories with previous stories made it even more enjoyable. The characters were always lively and the stories adventurous. I wish there were more!
September 5, 2017
3.5 stars.
This book was better than Volume 2, but not as good or gripping as Volume 1.
This book was better than Volume 2, but not as good or gripping as Volume 1.
May 7, 2018
Above average marks to Seanan McGuire and Davis Liss
March 31, 2020
Another collection of stories that will make you shudder because when it comes to Limbus, things are always just... wrong.
July 12, 2022
Good stories - favorites were Seanne McGuire's and Jonathan Maberry's
December 11, 2024
Hoping for more Limbus, Inc books to be released in the future!
January 27, 2017
Hooray for female protagonists! The lack thereof in books 1 and 2 was starting to get to me. It just felt unbalanced. Like all short story collections, I liked some more than others, but overall it was a good read. Amusingly, the last few books series I've read have all had Lovecraftian themes. I didn't plan things that way, but that's alright with me.
July 30, 2016
The best of the three anthologies. I've come to expect a lot from these books, and this one did not disappoint. Loved the latest in Maberry's werewolf detective saga, though Laird Barron managed to top him. The best story is the first story, though, but only by a hair.
October 2, 2016
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A horror anthology with the machinations of an evil, eternal corporation as the framing device.
The stories aren't bad, mostly at the level of 1970's DC horror comics, but Jonathan Maberry's story was quite good.
A horror anthology with the machinations of an evil, eternal corporation as the framing device.
The stories aren't bad, mostly at the level of 1970's DC horror comics, but Jonathan Maberry's story was quite good.
September 25, 2020
This was the best of the 3 and recommend the whole series. Like some of the other comments, although I enjoyed the last story and even re-listened to some passages to make sure I understood them, did not fit the theme.
Want to read
June 29, 2016I won this in a giveaway, y'all! I'll be reading it as soon as I receive it and plan to review it forthwith following that. I'm so excited to read it!
August 18, 2016
Followed this series from the beginning. This one gets back to some of the Sci-Fi craziness that made the first one such a blast. Recommended.
January 30, 2017
Sigo diciendo que lo mejor de la saga son las partes escritas por Jonathan Maberry
July 16, 2018
Love the series, but it got weird at the end.
A good read.
A good read.
April 22, 2017
I really liked all but the last two stories.
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