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Bad Games #5
Psychopath
The final game is here. . .
A decade has passed. The Lambert family is thriving. Amy Lambert is a successful entrepreneur and in a promising relationship with Allan Brown. Caleb Lambert is a respected member of the United States Marine Corps. Carrie Lambert is a flourishing college student.
Or so they wish. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Caleb’s increasingly violent temper sees him discharged from the Corps. Carrie is failing at her second attempt at college. Amy’s relationship with Allan is anything but functional. Aftermath, it would seem, plays the cruelest game of all.
The only thing that is true, however, is Amy Lambert’s success. Numerous public appearances and even a bestseller chronicling her family’s horrific ordeals over the years have brought some unwanted attention Amy’s way. Two fledgling killers who happen to idolize the infamous serial killers Arty and Jim Fannelli have been paying attention - and these two killers are eager to show the Lamberts' just how much they truly admire their idols. . .with the help of Arty and Jim themselves?
Find out how such a horrifying prospect comes to fruition by grabbing the fifth and final book in the critically acclaimed Bad Games series today - and prepare yourself for the game to end all games.
RUNNING TIME ➽ 6hrs. and 55mins.
©2019 Jeff Menapace (P)2019 Jeff Menapace
A decade has passed. The Lambert family is thriving. Amy Lambert is a successful entrepreneur and in a promising relationship with Allan Brown. Caleb Lambert is a respected member of the United States Marine Corps. Carrie Lambert is a flourishing college student.
Or so they wish. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Caleb’s increasingly violent temper sees him discharged from the Corps. Carrie is failing at her second attempt at college. Amy’s relationship with Allan is anything but functional. Aftermath, it would seem, plays the cruelest game of all.
The only thing that is true, however, is Amy Lambert’s success. Numerous public appearances and even a bestseller chronicling her family’s horrific ordeals over the years have brought some unwanted attention Amy’s way. Two fledgling killers who happen to idolize the infamous serial killers Arty and Jim Fannelli have been paying attention - and these two killers are eager to show the Lamberts' just how much they truly admire their idols. . .with the help of Arty and Jim themselves?
Find out how such a horrifying prospect comes to fruition by grabbing the fifth and final book in the critically acclaimed Bad Games series today - and prepare yourself for the game to end all games.
RUNNING TIME ➽ 6hrs. and 55mins.
©2019 Jeff Menapace (P)2019 Jeff Menapace
Audible Audio
First published May 3, 2019
391 people are currently reading
759 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 105 reviews
May 4, 2020
4.5 stars — an excellent book to wrap up the series! Review to come.
August 10, 2025
4.5 stars ...
Quite possibly ... probably ... the best series in this genre that I have ever read. Ever. A consistently mind-blowing, edge-of-your-seat, suspense thriller 5-book series. NOW ... onto the sequel series, 'Caleb'! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Quite possibly ... probably ... the best series in this genre that I have ever read. Ever. A consistently mind-blowing, edge-of-your-seat, suspense thriller 5-book series. NOW ... onto the sequel series, 'Caleb'! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
May 8, 2019
After nearly two years without a Bad Games book, Menapace returns to the perpetually unlucky Lambery family to share where they are, ten years after the original events. While the Fannelli brothers have long since perished, their twisted spirits live on...
The Lambert family members have had an extremely hard time adjusting to life, and a new set of killers find themselves following in the sadistic footsteps of the brothers. I enjoyed the plot device that allowed the Fannellis to be a part of the novel and it reminded me of the Saw series, which is another guilty pleasure of mine.
I also thought the new antagonists were very appropriate in this climate of bullying and the newer "dark side" to Caleb, which was seeded a few books ago, was intriguing. It's hard to tell specifically who is the Psychopath from the book's subtitle, though this is definitely intentional and makes up a key component of the story arc.
The author's note at the end suggests this may be the final book in the main series, and I sincerely hope that it's not true. However, I do see how this could be a fitting end to the main plot, and will keep my fingers crossed for more Caleb centric spin offs, something Menapace teases for us.
The world needs more Bad Games. They're such an addiction and I can't stop reading them. Sick and twisted? Maybe. Endlessly entertaining and impossible to put down? Absolutely.
Jeff has knocked it out of the park yet again and I highly recommend this book (after reading the rest of the series) to anyone who enjoys a good psychological serial killer thriller.
The Lambert family members have had an extremely hard time adjusting to life, and a new set of killers find themselves following in the sadistic footsteps of the brothers. I enjoyed the plot device that allowed the Fannellis to be a part of the novel and it reminded me of the Saw series, which is another guilty pleasure of mine.
I also thought the new antagonists were very appropriate in this climate of bullying and the newer "dark side" to Caleb, which was seeded a few books ago, was intriguing. It's hard to tell specifically who is the Psychopath from the book's subtitle, though this is definitely intentional and makes up a key component of the story arc.
The author's note at the end suggests this may be the final book in the main series, and I sincerely hope that it's not true. However, I do see how this could be a fitting end to the main plot, and will keep my fingers crossed for more Caleb centric spin offs, something Menapace teases for us.
The world needs more Bad Games. They're such an addiction and I can't stop reading them. Sick and twisted? Maybe. Endlessly entertaining and impossible to put down? Absolutely.
Jeff has knocked it out of the park yet again and I highly recommend this book (after reading the rest of the series) to anyone who enjoys a good psychological serial killer thriller.
December 15, 2021
So, is this going to be your thing now? You going to be some kind of vigilante swooping from rooftop to rooftop, taking out bad guys and then releasing your urges on the damsel in distress? Batman with a hard-on?
What an end to the series! Following an older Lambert family as they deal with their issues and a very exciting set up for Caleb!
I will say the end felt rather rushed, hence the star less but nonetheless I highly recommend this series.
He stared into himself. His reflection stared back, unforgiving in what felt like judgment. He shook his head, disagreeing with his reflection, its judgment. “Sorry,” he said to himself, “but this is me.”
What an end to the series! Following an older Lambert family as they deal with their issues and a very exciting set up for Caleb!
I will say the end felt rather rushed, hence the star less but nonetheless I highly recommend this series.
He stared into himself. His reflection stared back, unforgiving in what felt like judgment. He shook his head, disagreeing with his reflection, its judgment. “Sorry,” he said to himself, “but this is me.”
September 23, 2020
Excellent! I see lots of possibilities for a #6. Just sayin'. . . 🤞🏽
October 24, 2020
Much better than last book but not as good as the first.
This one focuses on two kids who get tapes of the brothers from the original story and basically they want to be copycats but they fuck up a ton and are losers. On the flip side we have Caleb dealing with his violent urges while not trying to act on them. And while all this happens both of these stories begin to come onto one another till it reaches a bloody climax.
And that's the thing. The way these characters all connect is a lot of "wow, how convent" situation. It is a bit annoying and some plot points just get dropped quickly. BUT I did like most of the character interactions, you really hate the villains, and I loved the fact Caleb is a badass but not unstoppable. Overall all good stuff there.
A pretty fun series overall, some ups, some downs, but it all worked. A 4 out of 5.
This one focuses on two kids who get tapes of the brothers from the original story and basically they want to be copycats but they fuck up a ton and are losers. On the flip side we have Caleb dealing with his violent urges while not trying to act on them. And while all this happens both of these stories begin to come onto one another till it reaches a bloody climax.
And that's the thing. The way these characters all connect is a lot of "wow, how convent" situation. It is a bit annoying and some plot points just get dropped quickly. BUT I did like most of the character interactions, you really hate the villains, and I loved the fact Caleb is a badass but not unstoppable. Overall all good stuff there.
A pretty fun series overall, some ups, some downs, but it all worked. A 4 out of 5.
December 24, 2022
Great end to the Bad Games series. Hoping for a second Caleb book soon. 4.5 🌟
June 4, 2019
Thank you for entertaining us
Jeff Menapace’s number one goal is to write stories that entertain. In that, he succeeds wholeheartedly.
Read the entire set of books for Bad Games and Wildlife and you will be thrilled that you did. The strength of his stories rely on memorable characters, psychotic villains, and lots of action. I can’t wait to see what Menapace gets up to next. Whatever it is, it is bound to be a page-turner!!!!
Jeff Menapace’s number one goal is to write stories that entertain. In that, he succeeds wholeheartedly.
Read the entire set of books for Bad Games and Wildlife and you will be thrilled that you did. The strength of his stories rely on memorable characters, psychotic villains, and lots of action. I can’t wait to see what Menapace gets up to next. Whatever it is, it is bound to be a page-turner!!!!
June 3, 2019
5 Chilling Stars
Holy Cr*p! What a book! I could not put it down and seriously got annoyed when people interrupted my reading. Bad Games: Psychopath is definitely one of my favorite books. Chilling from start to finish with an ending you just don’t see coming. Is it wrong to like Jim and Arty? They are so funny! I cannot wait to see what is next on this author’s plate.
Holy Cr*p! What a book! I could not put it down and seriously got annoyed when people interrupted my reading. Bad Games: Psychopath is definitely one of my favorite books. Chilling from start to finish with an ending you just don’t see coming. Is it wrong to like Jim and Arty? They are so funny! I cannot wait to see what is next on this author’s plate.
March 5, 2024
One thing about reading a series…I can’t stop until I’ve read them all.
This series was great. The first and fourth books being my favorite. I think the author could have stopped at four but I completely understand because of the authors next series, which is based on the characters in these books.
They weren’t page turners. Much like the killers that planned the games in these books, much patience was needed for the plans to unfold. Giving you small pieces of thrill, trauma and suspense until the climatic ends of each book.
I liked them a lot!! I will be reading the Caleb Lambert series, just not quite yet!
This series was great. The first and fourth books being my favorite. I think the author could have stopped at four but I completely understand because of the authors next series, which is based on the characters in these books.
They weren’t page turners. Much like the killers that planned the games in these books, much patience was needed for the plans to unfold. Giving you small pieces of thrill, trauma and suspense until the climatic ends of each book.
I liked them a lot!! I will be reading the Caleb Lambert series, just not quite yet!
February 17, 2025
Good book , felt a bit unnecessary to the series and a few errors but good overall
August 4, 2019
A waste of time.
Bad Games: Psychopath - A Dark Psychological Thriller (Bad Games Series Book 5) is a waste of time and money. Jeff Menapace wrote a great series until this one. The previous books kept you up long after dark feeling spooked at every little creak houses make that he noticed in the wee hours. If you liked books 1-4 take a pass on this one that adds nothing to the bad games.
Bad Games: Psychopath - A Dark Psychological Thriller (Bad Games Series Book 5) is a waste of time and money. Jeff Menapace wrote a great series until this one. The previous books kept you up long after dark feeling spooked at every little creak houses make that he noticed in the wee hours. If you liked books 1-4 take a pass on this one that adds nothing to the bad games.
June 5, 2019
Darkest of the dark
A gripping and enjoyable finale to the Bad Games series with the Lambert family once again victims of psychopaths intent on their demise. Followers of this collection will be aware of the suffering this family has been through and how they have each been effected and we soon learn just how deeply.
A great plot and the new killers are actually fun to read! As bad as they are we're made to feel for them as victims themselves early on so at some points we're actually routing for them.
What's next from Jeff Menapace? He writes an excellent psychotic killer so I hope there's another story on its way.
A gripping and enjoyable finale to the Bad Games series with the Lambert family once again victims of psychopaths intent on their demise. Followers of this collection will be aware of the suffering this family has been through and how they have each been effected and we soon learn just how deeply.
A great plot and the new killers are actually fun to read! As bad as they are we're made to feel for them as victims themselves early on so at some points we're actually routing for them.
What's next from Jeff Menapace? He writes an excellent psychotic killer so I hope there's another story on its way.
June 2, 2019
Amazing.
I don’t like to leave spoilers, but I like to leave reviews to help out authors. This was the final book in the bad game series and OMG. What a way to end it. I truly hope this isn’t the last of this series or characters as I fricken love them. The entire series was amazing, this book did not disappoint. Plenty of action & suspense. I look forward to reading other books by this author. This book was great, but don’t take my word for it...READ IT!!!
I don’t like to leave spoilers, but I like to leave reviews to help out authors. This was the final book in the bad game series and OMG. What a way to end it. I truly hope this isn’t the last of this series or characters as I fricken love them. The entire series was amazing, this book did not disappoint. Plenty of action & suspense. I look forward to reading other books by this author. This book was great, but don’t take my word for it...READ IT!!!
January 19, 2020
'Psychopath'. Wow. I wasn't sure how this series could get any darker or more gruesome, but I sure found out quick. The whole story line was quite intense and full of surprises. The way the story played out kept me glued to the pages. I was kinda surprised with the way the book played out and how the past has effected the Lamberts. Each one has their own demons, and they have their own way of dealing. Dark. A great add to your tbr list.
January 29, 2020
These books were certainly entertaining and very scary what people can think and inflict on another person know i won't be going to a log cabin that's for sure !!Amy seemed to bring trouble to their door again (massage )Even though she wanted to put it all behind her she still wrote books on the her families experience and tele interviews Patrick should have survived not her she was a soo nasty to Alan even though he was right in what he tried telling her !!
May 21, 2019
A fitting ending
I've been following the Lambert family since they first arrived. I have feared, wept and cheered with them for each astonishing horror they were faced with and the way they survived (as well as they could). This final chapter led to unexpected, but not unimaginable twists for this harrowed family.
I've been following the Lambert family since they first arrived. I have feared, wept and cheered with them for each astonishing horror they were faced with and the way they survived (as well as they could). This final chapter led to unexpected, but not unimaginable twists for this harrowed family.
December 4, 2019
REDEMPTION ALWAYS FINDS A WAY...
I love Jeff Menapaces' books and eagerly begin each story, in spite of my aversion to the diabolical actions committed by the psychopathic characters Menapaces creates. The greater the horror committed, the greater (and more ironic) the punishment. So, keep reading to the very end. . .redemption is at hand - plus you will sleep better.
I love Jeff Menapaces' books and eagerly begin each story, in spite of my aversion to the diabolical actions committed by the psychopathic characters Menapaces creates. The greater the horror committed, the greater (and more ironic) the punishment. So, keep reading to the very end. . .redemption is at hand - plus you will sleep better.
May 12, 2019
All five of these books were awesome and some really awesome read your a good author I recommend all of them I couldn't wait to get finished and I read and read and take me too long to realize that they are really good books awesome talk about some Psychopaths for real
May 14, 2019
Another amazing read .
Oh my , where do I start ! I love to read anything Jeff Manapace has written.
This last Bad Games was excellent and I would strongly recommend you to read them all.
Very gripping!
Oh my , where do I start ! I love to read anything Jeff Manapace has written.
This last Bad Games was excellent and I would strongly recommend you to read them all.
Very gripping!
May 15, 2019
Great finish!
I've been hooked on this series since the first one, and they have never disappointed,this final one included. Always fun to read! Love how the core characters remain throughout.
I've been hooked on this series since the first one, and they have never disappointed,this final one included. Always fun to read! Love how the core characters remain throughout.
May 18, 2019
Live TV
The story is so spot on and a perfect continuation of the last novel, that it seemed I was watching the news. Loved every word of it! Darla vs. Caleb would be a wonderful franchise of fright!
The story is so spot on and a perfect continuation of the last novel, that it seemed I was watching the news. Loved every word of it! Darla vs. Caleb would be a wonderful franchise of fright!
May 18, 2019
Heart pounding!!!
Once again, Jeff Menapace didn't disappoint!
I had to read straight through to see what would happen next. As always, I loved it! My question is, is Caleb or isn't Caleb?
Once again, Jeff Menapace didn't disappoint!
I had to read straight through to see what would happen next. As always, I loved it! My question is, is Caleb or isn't Caleb?
June 2, 2019
Perfect ending for this series
Loved this series, and this final book didn't disappoint! Perfect ending to an awesome story, and seems like the door is open for a Caleb spinoff book?! Fingers crossed!
Loved this series, and this final book didn't disappoint! Perfect ending to an awesome story, and seems like the door is open for a Caleb spinoff book?! Fingers crossed!
June 6, 2019
Shamazing!
I have loved reading this series! Really good. edge of your seat, but cheeks clenched kinda books.
I do hope to read about Caleb again... a great character, full of potential!
So, get these books downloaded; I promise you won't be disappointed 😉 Enjoy. TTFN 😊
I have loved reading this series! Really good. edge of your seat, but cheeks clenched kinda books.
I do hope to read about Caleb again... a great character, full of potential!
So, get these books downloaded; I promise you won't be disappointed 😉 Enjoy. TTFN 😊
Read
September 26, 2024DNF
March 1, 2021
I mean, how much bad luck can one family have? Seriously!
After the previous situations the Lambert family found themselves in, it's no wonder there is a lot of psychological strain on the individuals. That's to be expected.
This last book delves deep into that. And on the horizon...are the Lamberts in for one more shock? You bet ya they are! Has their luck run out?
It's been a few years since i last read book 4 so i was reluctant to pick this up as i thought i'd be lost. Jeff does a great job of adding snippets of info randomly to get your memory working and i soon found i was right back into the game (!). More great writing meant that i flew through this book quicker than normal.
Would love to read a spin of series (you'll know what i mean once you read it) and Jeff even teases such in his notes at the end. Is he serious? I hope so!
After the previous situations the Lambert family found themselves in, it's no wonder there is a lot of psychological strain on the individuals. That's to be expected.
This last book delves deep into that. And on the horizon...are the Lamberts in for one more shock? You bet ya they are! Has their luck run out?
It's been a few years since i last read book 4 so i was reluctant to pick this up as i thought i'd be lost. Jeff does a great job of adding snippets of info randomly to get your memory working and i soon found i was right back into the game (!). More great writing meant that i flew through this book quicker than normal.
Would love to read a spin of series (you'll know what i mean once you read it) and Jeff even teases such in his notes at the end. Is he serious? I hope so!
April 23, 2022
Flawed but good
The final entry in the Bad Game series had some good and some bad. It was interesting to see how the Lamberts' lives had fallen apart, unlike in movies where everyone is just fine after horrible trauma. Caleb is a really interesting character, struggling with his demons.
However, the author makes a huge retcon to the first novel. There was never any indication or mention of the Fanelli brothers filming their exploits. It's obviously a huge thing for them in this book so one would assume it would've been mentioned earlier. Clearly, the author wanted to continue the series and made some creative changes to make it happen. The ending was a bit messy after the final fight. The story added unnecessary twists and turns that it didn't need.
Overall it's been a decent but seriously flawed series.
The final entry in the Bad Game series had some good and some bad. It was interesting to see how the Lamberts' lives had fallen apart, unlike in movies where everyone is just fine after horrible trauma. Caleb is a really interesting character, struggling with his demons.
However, the author makes a huge retcon to the first novel. There was never any indication or mention of the Fanelli brothers filming their exploits. It's obviously a huge thing for them in this book so one would assume it would've been mentioned earlier. Clearly, the author wanted to continue the series and made some creative changes to make it happen. The ending was a bit messy after the final fight. The story added unnecessary twists and turns that it didn't need.
Overall it's been a decent but seriously flawed series.
April 20, 2023
I just finished reading a fantastic book to end the series. The last book to the series had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Just like the rest of the books in the series. It was a psychological thriller that had all the elements I was looking for - it was disturbing, page-turning, and full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.
But what really impressed me was the ending. It was the perfect culmination of the entire series, bringing together all the loose threads and resolving everything in a satisfying way. It's rare to find a series that delivers on all fronts, but this one definitely did.
Overall, I would highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller. It's a gripping read that will keep you hooked until the very last page
But what really impressed me was the ending. It was the perfect culmination of the entire series, bringing together all the loose threads and resolving everything in a satisfying way. It's rare to find a series that delivers on all fronts, but this one definitely did.
Overall, I would highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good psychological thriller. It's a gripping read that will keep you hooked until the very last page
May 12, 2019
I Like Where The Author Went With This...
I like where the author went with this sequel, very creative and it even capitalized on the psychopath brothers of the original Bad Games! Excellent! Didn’t think you could pull that off but you did! Wow! Creative Genius! LOL! Also this one was done with a certain amount of class that finished the first one which ended in my opinion with a silliness, no spoilers. That last line always bothered me until this sequel! You have redeemed yourself here. My sincere apologies, I am not an author, writer and cannot comprehend your genius so please, Mr. Menapace forgive my much earlier review of Bad Games when I stated that the last line had been a bit juvenile and spoiled the book for me. I now see said the blind woman!
I like where the author went with this sequel, very creative and it even capitalized on the psychopath brothers of the original Bad Games! Excellent! Didn’t think you could pull that off but you did! Wow! Creative Genius! LOL! Also this one was done with a certain amount of class that finished the first one which ended in my opinion with a silliness, no spoilers. That last line always bothered me until this sequel! You have redeemed yourself here. My sincere apologies, I am not an author, writer and cannot comprehend your genius so please, Mr. Menapace forgive my much earlier review of Bad Games when I stated that the last line had been a bit juvenile and spoiled the book for me. I now see said the blind woman!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews