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Numb
Calvin Court is a massage therapist with a few secrets. He battles depression. He medicates with too much booze. And he's got a thing for one of his clients. She claims the feeling is mutual...until she frames Calvin for murder and blackmails him. The price? Not much. Calvin just has to do her bidding in a black-market industry catering to the very rich and the oh-so-very depraved. Maybe he's just better off at the bar. From Jeff Menapace, bestselling author of the Bad Games trilogy, comes Numb, a disturbing noir thriller with tongue firmly planted in cheek...until it's ripped out.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2016
8 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Menapace
42 books707 followersA 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 2, 2021
This is a quick and easy read with plenty of action and plot twists. Calvin is a massage therapist who drowns his psychological problems in alcohol. He has dialogues throughout the book with his own conscience, which is amusing to a point. After meeting a woman in whom he is very interested, he becomes involved in her life and the way she makes a living. Finding a way to blackmail Calvin, Angela, the woman in question, gets Calvin involved in some very dark enterprises. Can Calvin free himself from a life he does not want? This book has enough violence and dark humor to keep the reader's attention from beginning to end. Or it it truly the end?
February 21, 2021
'Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!'
Great storyline - lots of action - humorous dialogue - superb delivery.
Calvin works as a masseur, but tends to suffer badly from depression which unfortunately leads him to start drinking far, far too heavily and on a regular basis. Then, out of the blue and against his gut instinct, he falls for one of his female clients and soon harbours hopes that this creature, sent straight from the Gods, will soon become the new love of his life.
An enticing, unique and potentially dangerous cocktail, I'm sure you would agree...and then the adventure really begins, possibly changing his life forever.
Oh yep, nearly forgot...strap yourself in, nice and tight, because you're sure in for one fun-filled, crazy hell of a ride. Go ahead - just enjoy!
Simply one of the best dark psychological thrillers that I have ever read - loved it from start to finish.
Will definitely be reading more from this author - what a talent!
Well done, JM - and thank you.
Rating: 5 razor sharp, deep and dark, but also entertainingly witty and highly enjoyable, bright orbs of naturally glowing goodness.
Great storyline - lots of action - humorous dialogue - superb delivery.
Calvin works as a masseur, but tends to suffer badly from depression which unfortunately leads him to start drinking far, far too heavily and on a regular basis. Then, out of the blue and against his gut instinct, he falls for one of his female clients and soon harbours hopes that this creature, sent straight from the Gods, will soon become the new love of his life.
An enticing, unique and potentially dangerous cocktail, I'm sure you would agree...and then the adventure really begins, possibly changing his life forever.
Oh yep, nearly forgot...strap yourself in, nice and tight, because you're sure in for one fun-filled, crazy hell of a ride. Go ahead - just enjoy!
Simply one of the best dark psychological thrillers that I have ever read - loved it from start to finish.
Will definitely be reading more from this author - what a talent!
Well done, JM - and thank you.
Rating: 5 razor sharp, deep and dark, but also entertainingly witty and highly enjoyable, bright orbs of naturally glowing goodness.
February 22, 2021
This is good. Very good. It’s dark, dangerous and disturbing but also lots of fun
There is very little I didn’t like/love about this book. The writing is good with great dialogue, the whole thing flows really well and makes for an easy read. I loved the humour throughout the story even though it is a grisly subject.
We follow the story of Calvin, he’s depressed at the start and things don’t exactly get better for him as the story unfolds. He is a man pushed to his limits but a really likeable character despite his flaws. We also have Angela, another great character but a real mystery, she also comes across well albeit not necessarily in a positive light.
This book is full of action, a fair smattering of gore and yet remains lighthearted. The mystery genuinely kept me guessing the whole way through.
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who likes their dark tales upbeat and amusing. Some cracking writing here, read it and enjoy.
There is very little I didn’t like/love about this book. The writing is good with great dialogue, the whole thing flows really well and makes for an easy read. I loved the humour throughout the story even though it is a grisly subject.
We follow the story of Calvin, he’s depressed at the start and things don’t exactly get better for him as the story unfolds. He is a man pushed to his limits but a really likeable character despite his flaws. We also have Angela, another great character but a real mystery, she also comes across well albeit not necessarily in a positive light.
This book is full of action, a fair smattering of gore and yet remains lighthearted. The mystery genuinely kept me guessing the whole way through.
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone who likes their dark tales upbeat and amusing. Some cracking writing here, read it and enjoy.
December 18, 2017
"If you dance with the devil, the devil don't change. The devil changes you."
from the movie 8MM
This book is very much about the Snuff film industry. If you don't think it's real, congratulations for never being on the dark web. You want proof? Did you see the movie "The Purge"? The violent opening scenes are very real and freely available on the net.
This book is about Calvin Court, a massage therapist who battles with depression and self-medicates with alcohol. The title of NUMB describes the psychological place he finds himself in. People who suffer from this feeling will usually turn it on themselves (like cutters - I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all) or they will project it onto others.
Enters Angela, a client who becomes the femme fatale. While seducing Calvin, a surprise attack makes him fight for his life, and he eventually kills the attacker...which would have been self defense if he had stopped hitting the guy when the threat was neutralized. And this gives Angela enough leverage to blackmail Calvin into the Snuff industry.
I like Jeff Menapace's writing style and the story was not bad, but he failed to surprise me with the "twist" at the end. Giving this story a generous 4 stars.
from the movie 8MM
This book is very much about the Snuff film industry. If you don't think it's real, congratulations for never being on the dark web. You want proof? Did you see the movie "The Purge"? The violent opening scenes are very real and freely available on the net.
This book is about Calvin Court, a massage therapist who battles with depression and self-medicates with alcohol. The title of NUMB describes the psychological place he finds himself in. People who suffer from this feeling will usually turn it on themselves (like cutters - I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all) or they will project it onto others.
Enters Angela, a client who becomes the femme fatale. While seducing Calvin, a surprise attack makes him fight for his life, and he eventually kills the attacker...which would have been self defense if he had stopped hitting the guy when the threat was neutralized. And this gives Angela enough leverage to blackmail Calvin into the Snuff industry.
I like Jeff Menapace's writing style and the story was not bad, but he failed to surprise me with the "twist" at the end. Giving this story a generous 4 stars.
December 11, 2021
I think this book is my new favorite from this author. Lots of action and not for the squeamish. Awesome twist at the end. Loved it.
added-it
January 5, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/5/2021)! 🎁
April 6, 2020
Another great read by Jeff Menapace. Follows the story of Calvin, a massage therapist who is dragged into the world of snuff movies by a beautiful woman. Clever plot and some great twists and turns. Keeps you guessing right till the end.
June 15, 2020
Three books in a row is a charm? A charm is definitely Jeff Menapace.
June 3, 2018
Excellent page-turner. Intense story with a realistic protagonist...or maybe he's more of an anti-hero.
January 21, 2021
Very Koontz vibe in the writing another thrillingly suspenseful author. My notes and highlight went to the wrong book of this author "Hair of the Bitch". That's not the book I just finished reading,yet all my highlight notes were under that book name not "Numb". I can't stomach to read anymore gruesomeness in this extended mindfuck story. It was awesome though! There's no spoilers sharing,but my key notes and highlights which were very significant to the storyline and title to me!
By: Jeff Menapace
Numbness. You become numb. Act the part long enough, and soon you forget who you are. How to feel.
And that was me. Numb. Numb and…disturbed? Is disturbed the right word? How to explain. Okay, here’s a start: I don’t like people. In
fact, with the exception of a rare few, I must confess an actual disgust for the human race, and, more often than not, I have morbid and violent t...This highlight has been truncated due to consecutive passage length restrictions.
“Look at television,” she began. “It’s all about violence. The media, TV drama, even comedy. Have you seen those internet shows of people doing stupid shit and getting seriously hurt? The audience roars. We all have a morbid fascination with violence. Problem is, society castrates us; instills us with those holier-than-thou morals that repress these needs and wants. It gives but doesn’t approve. Can you fathom a bigger hypocrisy?”
I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, the one thing I’ll never understand about women is all the time and money spent on improving the shell, when in reality the hottest thing about a woman is confidence. Sure, the shell matters—no “beauty is only skin deep” preaching here—but the shell can crack. Nothing will ever crack true confidence, often imitated by the arrogant, often plagiarized by the insecure. True confidence is a wonderful trip indeed,
Why am I still numb? You promised if I got in the game, took a few hits…
“There is no moral. People always want to think everything happens for a reason. Shit just fucking happens. The world doesn’t owe you a reason.” I drain my scotch. “Morality is for picture books. In life, it’s nothing but learned naiveté…keeps us from blowing our brains out if we ever saw people for who they truly are.” I hang my head. “The moral is there is no moral
By: Jeff Menapace
Numbness. You become numb. Act the part long enough, and soon you forget who you are. How to feel.
And that was me. Numb. Numb and…disturbed? Is disturbed the right word? How to explain. Okay, here’s a start: I don’t like people. In
fact, with the exception of a rare few, I must confess an actual disgust for the human race, and, more often than not, I have morbid and violent t...This highlight has been truncated due to consecutive passage length restrictions.
“Look at television,” she began. “It’s all about violence. The media, TV drama, even comedy. Have you seen those internet shows of people doing stupid shit and getting seriously hurt? The audience roars. We all have a morbid fascination with violence. Problem is, society castrates us; instills us with those holier-than-thou morals that repress these needs and wants. It gives but doesn’t approve. Can you fathom a bigger hypocrisy?”
I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, the one thing I’ll never understand about women is all the time and money spent on improving the shell, when in reality the hottest thing about a woman is confidence. Sure, the shell matters—no “beauty is only skin deep” preaching here—but the shell can crack. Nothing will ever crack true confidence, often imitated by the arrogant, often plagiarized by the insecure. True confidence is a wonderful trip indeed,
Why am I still numb? You promised if I got in the game, took a few hits…
“There is no moral. People always want to think everything happens for a reason. Shit just fucking happens. The world doesn’t owe you a reason.” I drain my scotch. “Morality is for picture books. In life, it’s nothing but learned naiveté…keeps us from blowing our brains out if we ever saw people for who they truly are.” I hang my head. “The moral is there is no moral
January 15, 2020
This book was nothing I could have ever expected - and I think that’s why I loved it so much.
We follow Calvin - a depressed, alcoholic massage therapist who has a massive crush on one of his clients and it turns out he would do ANYTHING for this woman. I’m not going to go into too much detail about the plot but whoa, it was absolutely crazy! From the very first page I was hooked. I didn’t feel as if there were any filler pages, every single detail was needed to get the story across. And the gore (which I love) was written in so much detail I could see it playing out like a movie, which was a big thing in the first book of Jeff’s that I loved. It was so easy to imagine the scenes in your head due to the writing style. Second Jeff Menapace book down and I haven’t been disappointed yet. This book is twisted and messed with my mind more than I care to admit, but I love that about it! The last few chapters most definitely gave me a few WTF moments but the twists were so good. Can’t wait to read the Cliche series of short stories that follows Numb!
We follow Calvin - a depressed, alcoholic massage therapist who has a massive crush on one of his clients and it turns out he would do ANYTHING for this woman. I’m not going to go into too much detail about the plot but whoa, it was absolutely crazy! From the very first page I was hooked. I didn’t feel as if there were any filler pages, every single detail was needed to get the story across. And the gore (which I love) was written in so much detail I could see it playing out like a movie, which was a big thing in the first book of Jeff’s that I loved. It was so easy to imagine the scenes in your head due to the writing style. Second Jeff Menapace book down and I haven’t been disappointed yet. This book is twisted and messed with my mind more than I care to admit, but I love that about it! The last few chapters most definitely gave me a few WTF moments but the twists were so good. Can’t wait to read the Cliche series of short stories that follows Numb!
March 6, 2022
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 "𝐨𝐧" 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞...𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐈𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛.
You'd better believe that any book from Jeff Menapace is a punch in the face. His stories are raw, visceral, violent, and 𝐧𝐨𝐭 for the faint of heart. I am working my way through his back list, and NUMB was a chilling example of his genius.
Calvin Court is a massage therapist who battles a deep depression by faking it. He's functional enough to work and support himself, but he self-medicates with alcohol. A chance encounter in a bar one night changes the entire trajectory of his life. He becomes a hero to one of his clients, a woman he has a serious thing for, and he thinks his luck is shifting, but he couldn't be more wrong. What this woman wants from Cal is to be her star in an underground industry that caters to an extremely wealthy and equally depraved clientele.
Of course you will have to suspend your disbelief and just appreciate the story for its elements of noir, darkness, and violence. There isn't a single detail without importance, and you will not find yourself skimming to get to the "good parts".
Cal's story continues in three follow-up novellas, and I'll definitely be reading those to see how Cal fared!
You'd better believe that any book from Jeff Menapace is a punch in the face. His stories are raw, visceral, violent, and 𝐧𝐨𝐭 for the faint of heart. I am working my way through his back list, and NUMB was a chilling example of his genius.
Calvin Court is a massage therapist who battles a deep depression by faking it. He's functional enough to work and support himself, but he self-medicates with alcohol. A chance encounter in a bar one night changes the entire trajectory of his life. He becomes a hero to one of his clients, a woman he has a serious thing for, and he thinks his luck is shifting, but he couldn't be more wrong. What this woman wants from Cal is to be her star in an underground industry that caters to an extremely wealthy and equally depraved clientele.
Of course you will have to suspend your disbelief and just appreciate the story for its elements of noir, darkness, and violence. There isn't a single detail without importance, and you will not find yourself skimming to get to the "good parts".
Cal's story continues in three follow-up novellas, and I'll definitely be reading those to see how Cal fared!
April 2, 2022
Jeff Menapace spins a good tale, one with an excellent twist.. Still, with all of the violence, drunkenness and bizarre sexual deviancy, you feel sorta feel sick and dirty reading his stories, even ones as Tarantino-esque as this one, replete with murder, sexual aggression, and grotesque pathways to some sort of personal salvation.
Ok, salvation is the wrong word in a novel where instinct leads the protagonist, Calvin, into a series of impossibly ugly choices (driven by--what else--sex and alcohol and money). Still, fast read, one that will not linger (thank goodness).
I like Menapace, but only once in awhile. It's far from literature, and reading his novels is nothing to be proud of. Ha.
Ok, salvation is the wrong word in a novel where instinct leads the protagonist, Calvin, into a series of impossibly ugly choices (driven by--what else--sex and alcohol and money). Still, fast read, one that will not linger (thank goodness).
I like Menapace, but only once in awhile. It's far from literature, and reading his novels is nothing to be proud of. Ha.
December 13, 2019
Jeff Menapace is starting to ruin other authors for me. This book is fantastic. Everything is great from the characters, the tension, the gory violence, to the way Jeff manages to tell an unfolding story as he goes. I guess the biggest disappointment for me was that it wasn't way longer (I know, cliche) but luckily he's got more short story 'episodes' coming out to continue the story of Calvin and Angela's disturbing adventures. Can't wait. Seriously Jeff, get to work cranking these babies out.
September 25, 2021
It's so good.
It's exciting and crazy. The protagonist stands in the middle of the "should we root for him" and "oh, but he's kinda an asshole" zone because he's relatable in a way yet he's egotistical and did horrible things. I like complicated and gray characters and i was so invested and both Calvin and Angela, who was an insane, sexy mess.
Even though i did see the ending twist coming, it was still really fun to see it play out and excited me to know there is more to their story in the Cliche episodes.
It's exciting and crazy. The protagonist stands in the middle of the "should we root for him" and "oh, but he's kinda an asshole" zone because he's relatable in a way yet he's egotistical and did horrible things. I like complicated and gray characters and i was so invested and both Calvin and Angela, who was an insane, sexy mess.
Even though i did see the ending twist coming, it was still really fun to see it play out and excited me to know there is more to their story in the Cliche episodes.
January 13, 2021
Well...that was a dark thriller of a read. It was kind of like watching a train wreck...you know that if you look...there will be things you might not be able to unsee....but you have to look anyway! It is hard to imagine that there is a dark web and that you can buy things like snuff films that are real (among other dark things). I wouldn't even know how to get there...but it doesn't stop me from thinking about it, especially after reading this book!
October 3, 2019
This was a unique book. It was written from a great perspective. I enjoyed hearing how the main character thought about the situation he was in and what happened. The plot was great. I enjoyed the book and want to read more from this author.
December 24, 2025
Jeff Menapace is a literary master in how he gets the readers’ attention and holds it throughout the entirety of his books. This is the third series of his I have started. Each ending to a book, leaves you wanting to dive right in to the next one!!
September 7, 2017
Fast read. Dark thriller with a good twist at the end.
February 23, 2018
I found the plot-line somewhat unbelievable and containing a smattering of holes, but the story was solid and well told. I was entertained.
December 10, 2018
Gruesome and fantastic!
February 21, 2020
As usual Jeff Menapace did not disappoint !
May 3, 2020
Astute. Alcohol. A Cat. Up all night.
(Goodreads error, this was a Kindle Edition)
(Goodreads error, this was a Kindle Edition)
June 15, 2020
Not as exciting as some of his other books but still a good read. Enjoyed the ending too
January 18, 2021
Some dark stuff going on in this book. I'm not easily offended but this story did, at times make me wince a little. A great read though.
January 20, 2021
Menapace is a brilliant author who has quickly become a favorite. Not for everybody but a great ride.
January 27, 2021
great read with an unexpected ending!
February 14, 2021
Very disturbing and entertaining.
April 23, 2023
I gave up half way through. Can’t be bothered!
December 28, 2023
Probably a 3.5 for me. Wasn't badly written, just didn't have any characters to root for. No one was really likeable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews