Atonement noun 1. Satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends. “Caleb Lambert’s violent temper caused him to hurt some powerful people. Now, according to those powerful people, Caleb must find a way to make atonement for his sins or else.”
Caleb Lambert proper noun 1. Someone who doesn’t like to be told what to do or else. “See above.”
What readers are saying about Jeff Menapace and
★★★★★ “Think of a mix between Dexter and John Wick and that’s Caleb. You can’t help but love him.”
★★★★★ "This is some excellent writing and storytelling. I cared about Caleb. A lot. This is a white knuckle thriller with heart. Highly recommended.”
★★★★★ “Action packed and page turning, this book is a blast. Hints of John Wick are plastered across the pages but Caleb makes this story his own.”
★★★★★ “Without spoilers, I will just say that if you liked John Wick and Dexter Morgan, you will enjoy this fast-paced thriller!”
★★★★★ “This book was so action packed that I read it in one sitting. The characters were fun and engaging, the pacing was perfect. I can’t wait for another Caleb book!”
★★★★★ "Couldn’t put it down. Caleb is my kind of violent hero."
★★★★★ "This was the best book I’ve read in a while. A real suspenseful page turner for sure. Caleb was so likable but scary at the same time. A must read. You won’t regret it.”
I hope you enjoy Atonement, my friends. This novel is ideal for fans of suspense and thriller authors who provide us with the action-packed, the sometimes dark and violent, and the heart-racing intrigue that keeps us turning pages into the wee hours of the morning. Authors Marc Cameron, Michael Connelly, L.T. Ryan, Vince Flynn, Harlan Coben, David Baldacci, Lee Child, Mark Greaney, James Patterson, Jeff Carson, Bradley Wright, Brad Thor, John Sandford, Jeff Lindsay, Stephen King, and many more. Happy reading!
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.
All I can say is that Jeff Menapace never disappoints!
His books tend to skirt the line between outright horror and action thriller, and they are always extremely entertaining. Jeff regularly states that his main goal is to entertain his readers; he never fails to do so, in my opinion. He does several things very well: intriguing and multi-dimensional characters, tight plots, fast-paced action sequences, and macabre kill scenes. I am looking forward to Caleb’s next adventure to be delivered in October 2023.
Hopefully, if Jeff reads this review, he will find it in his heart to continue the Cliché series (which followed the excellent book “Numb”) Absolutely adore those characters and that storyline. Don’t get me wrong… I grab anything Jeff writes, but you can’t tell me that Calvin and Angela are not only intriguing as characters and they also play off each other perfectly. So good, in fact, I can’t believe Hollywood hasn’t scooped this up. Would make a terrific series or film.
Of course I loved the latest installment of Caleb by Jeff Menapace. It has his signature sense of humor, all while giving me the violence I love (why am I like this? 🤷♀️). It does get a bit cheesy in some spots, but I can forgive a lil cheese. Still one of my favorite authors who gives me hours of entertainment!
Caleb was first introduced as a child in the BAD GAMES series, where his family faced unspeakable horrors that twisted Caleb into what he is today. Much like Dexter, Caleb uses his destructive thoughts for good. Caleb takes on jobs that satisfy his moral compass, so when he's contacted to hunt the pedophile whose vile actions caused a teenage boy to die by suicide, Caleb accepts the job even though it's stipulated that he must deliver the victim to the boy's parents. This culminated in one of the most satisfying revenge scenes I've read recently.
I loved seeing some familiar characters, and of course my heart is always warmed by the love Caleb has for his dog Rosco and the vengeance he will enact on anyone who threatens him. I am so pumped for Book Three! If you want some truly suspenseful, gritty, yet very human books, Jeff Menapace is your guy. I don't find them overly graphic (and I read a lot of the extreme stuff) and they will definitely satisfy any thriller reader. Highly recommended!
I absolutely loved this book, and a big part of that was Cabel’s incredible character development. He’s not just a skilled and determined force—he’s deeply loyal to his team and has an unshakable bond with Parsons. His dedication to those around him makes him a truly compelling character.
But what really sealed the deal for me? Rosco. The way Cabel loves and cares for his dog speaks volumes about his heart. A man who shows that kind of devotion to his four-legged companion cannot be a psychopath—case closed! His connection with Rosco adds depth to his character, making him even more relatable and human.
This book had me hooked from start to finish, and Cabel’s relationships—especially with Rosco—made it an unforgettable read. Highly recommend!
Another superb installment with Caleb kicking a$$ and taking names (or the other way about actually). John Wick-esque in action, Caleb is an unstoppable killing machine, even when you think he is really up against it. My only slight with this series is that it's also TOO easy for Caleb (cue comedic one liners and quips that started to rile me up towards the end of the book). Even the hardest of bad guys didn't really present a challenge to our hero. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, I very much did.
Looking forward to book 3, even though I have a fair idea about the dilemma Chip Parsons is in in the town of Noodle.
Switch your brain off and get ready for some action!
Menapace has done it again, his style of writing gets you hooked on the first page and keeps you there until the end leaving me craving more! Caleb: atonement the second book in this series (please read the first one you’ll love it) sees Caleb correcting the wrongs and giving the creeps of the world exactly what they deserve.. think branding irons.. blenders and knives 😄 Always action, empathy for Caleb and snips of humour makes this another 5 star read from my favourite author. Can’t wait for Book 3.
I won’t give away any spoilers or talk plot lines but what I will say is WOW. Caleb Lambert is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters right up there with Jack Reacher, Shane Scully, Lucas Davenport, Virgil Flowers, Jack Widow, John Kane, Alex Cross, Lindsey Boxer & Michael Bennett to name a few!!! Caleb is brutally efficient & effective. These books in this series are great IMHO. They are fast paced & stuffed full of graphic action. This book did not fail to meet or even surpass the level set by the first book in this series. I’m can’t wait until the next installment.
A solid continuation to this high action fun series. If you're a fan of John Wick, and you enjoyed the first book of this series, you'd probably really like this. Caleb being stone cold badass with heart of gold is nice, but the fact he feels nearly unkillable does take the tension out a lot. He's too good, too strong, too fast in this one for me to think he'll die. But I did enjoy the pace of this and it was the moments of him talking to others and his crew that were the best. A 3.5 out of 5 but I'll bump it to a 4.
Caleb has a lot of action in his life! I love reading how he deals with conflict and really takes care of stuff. I’m looking forward to him returning to Noodle. I have this one a 4 star because at one spot it mentioned “Tucker” when I do not recall a Tucker. I believe it was supposed to be Harper. As good as the story line was…I can’t move past the fact that is either a big typo or I’m THAT forgetful although I think it was a typo considering Tucker was never mentioned again.
Look, trust me, if you're tired of the same old bad boy romance books, read this series. You get all of the messed up, morally-gray, villainy sexy badness, with all of the "i love my dog and will Hulk-rage over any threat to his life!" adorable-ness you could possibly want.
Each new book in the Caleb saga gives just a smidge more into his past and into that dark psyche that i know in growing to really love. The recurring theme of taking out particularly gross pedophiles at the beginning of each book is almost like a foreshadowing of Caleb's own trauma? (Though here's hoping it's not really.)
One of the best characters ever created by one of the best modern writers this age has seen, Caleb is a delight to read. Hard hitting and as tough as they come with a heart of gold he'd never admit to Caleb finds himself in a bit of a pickle and he has no Idea how big the pickle jar is until he reaches in. My only gripe is that it was over too quickly, that's what happens when you can't put a good book down though. Really looking forward to reading more of Caleb.
This was a fast moving (love that!) adventure. So glad to have Caleb back! Can't wait for the next installment. Caleb is making some progress with his therapist. Will he be changed? Could he function if he is? Only time will tell. But there is a lot of action and fast responses to keep the adrenaline junkies happy. Can't wait for the next installment to see where Caleb's growth will go. And, of course, to see if Rosco makes it through another book!
Caleb is definitely my spirit animal, if I happened to have grown up terrorized by deranged killers somehow. He's always wondering if he is too damaged to fit in and hopes he is not a psychopath. It makes me want to hug him like he's still the kid from Bad Games. This book felt like a brief stop between trips to Noodle, but it packed in the action and suspense. Now, to wait patiently for October for the next book.
This book did not disappoint. I loved book one “Caleb”. This one leads you a bit deeper into the dark world of the terrors of what Caleb endured as a child and now as an adult. A great read hard to put down. So excited to read the third installment “Return to Noodle”. The most amazing little town in the USA. Atonement is filled with violence and justice in such an amazing way. Enjoy it all when you read it.
3.5 stars Another Caleb thriller. I found this one a bit more fantastical. A bit harder to follow at times. Still, I appreciate Caleb’s morally gray sensibilities. Assassin and cutthroat that he is, he does have a code. And he only punishes those heinous enough to warrant Caleb’s type of justice. And while he never forms attachments, he sure loves his little dog Roscoe and his small town sheriff friend from Noodle. The next book takes us back to noodle. Should be interesting.
I absolutely adore Jeff M . He is such an amazing writer and I have read every single one of his books and will always .. The new Caleb was read and finished in 2 days and as always it has you gripped from page 1 so buy it read it enjoy it . If I could've given a 6 star I would . Thanks Jeff M .
This series is so good, Caleb is pretty much a psychopath but with a heart. I love the way he loves Rosco, I swear nothing better happen to him in the next book! I wish his Dr was not weaning him off sex. Caleb gets it done but concentrates on bad people, feels bad when good people die.
So good! I LOVED the Bad Games series and was so excited when the first spinoff book Caleb was released. As soon as the second book in the Caleb series was announced, it was added to my “want to read” list right away. I flew through this one so fast. Could not put it down. I’m already excited for whatever comes next in this story!
Caleb, first time I have read of this character and truly enjoyed this story, getting book three now. Caleb is what every man needs to be, well would like to be or even friends with, the story follows him in his adventures and even if you know the outcome it’s still exciting to read. Enjoy
Excellent second book in the series. Action packed psychological thriller. I picked up this book as soon as it came out and am already dreading the wait until October when book 3 comes out! Hopefully it comes out early. Highly recommend!
Always excited for a new Caleb adventure, you can’t help but love this guy! Another well written instalment that keeps you turning the pages and wanting more!
This was a great follow up novel. The pace was pretty quick, plenty of brutal action, and the inner thoughts of Caleb bounced between sociopathic and humorous. Can't wait to see what's next for him
Menapace excels in capturing a reader’s attention from page one, not letting go until the final page turned. The “Caleb” series continues to deliver one thrill after another. Eagerly awaiting the third entry.
Being forced to do get involved in a drug deal to atone for beating men in Applebees. Caleb faces men who are trying to be wise guys. He knows better, or does he?
Love this series and the characters. It’s a little grotesque at times and humorous and very entertaining. A fairly short read. Read cover to cover over a 4 hr flight.
This book, like the first one, was a fun and easy read. I love the author’s sense of humor that he gives to Caleb. Even when things are stressful there is some levity. I would recommend this book.
Brutal full of action….just my cup of tea! Not much in plot though…could have done with a better storyline…being a BadAss is not always blood guy and gore… Happy to read part 3