Bad Games (Bad Games Series) Paperback – February 27, 2013

Moral of this story: Don’t talk to strangers….I found myself compelled to keep reading these stalking serial killer psychopaths movements even when I didn’t want to ! The Lambert family outing in Pennsylvania turned out to be a true nightmare indeed for all! No one was safe from the psychotic brothers who played wicked games with their prey until they messed with the wrong family! This truly was a fight to the finish but in this case the end is just the beginning! I highly recommend this emotional psychological thriller. !! Praise to this author who has introduced me to another great series!!!

This was a really good book with a semi original idea. The characters were believable for the most part in the beginning. Once the mind games start the main characters start acting like every idiot in a horror movie we all yell at, even though they comment about idiots in horror movies.The actual kidnapping and torture parts were "good" in that they were interesting to see what happened next.My two biggest problems with the book are the dialogue and the ending. Every character at one point goes off on some long winded speech that no normal or real person would use. It was just as bad as a movie villian monolgue detailing the full plans. A lot of the conversations could have been cut in half or not had at all. The ending also took forever and really slowed down the pace of the book. It did a good job of showing how normal people would cope with such a horrifying ordeal but it just took way too long to get there. There was an interesting tidbit about the villians I didn't expect. The final paragraph saved the ending and has me excited to see where the series goes

I have written only one other amazon review previously but after reading this novel, I simply had to.When I first started reading this novel, I had no idea it was part of a trilogy until the end of my kindle book where I was ecstatic at the thrill of continuing to read this fascinating, psychological thriller of a roller coaster ride into the wee hours of the morning for three nights. Not only is the writing exceptional but I felt as if I were watching the movie- this has happened to me only a few times in the last 100 or so novels I have read. The author's writing style is very visual for me ... I winced when the characters did; I felt the pain when blows were struck.... I found myself several times tensing up through to the end of a chapter and wanting to read one more chapter to see how the characters fared in the next scene. I would love to see someone produce this novel into a film.The story begins with a trip into the country for a city living young family of four and ends in a nightmare that no one can predict or dream of. What starts out as a romantic and family outing for a weekend slowly reveals the terror to come... the writer begins giving small glimpses into the upcoming dangers the family will face... each glimpse bringing us closer to piecing together the unfolding story. At about half way through the novel, the anticipation ends and the terror begins. I did not anticipate the events unfold as they did. The last half of the book was unadulterated terror that this family experiences at the hands of these psychopaths.What's really different about this thriller/horror story that sets it apart in my experience of reading this genre, with the exception of the writing, is the back story of the "psychopaths". I was intrigued by the motivation and was pleasantly surprised to find the author was as well. We are given the family history of the psychopaths that provides a beginning understanding of how they may have developed- the nature versus nurture debate begins and is more fully flushed out in the next novel Vengeful Games as is demonstrated in the chapter provided in the kindle version of the novel.If you are a fan of psychological thrillers and like body tensing suspense coupled with the desire to stay up past your bedtime....read this novel and the ones coming after. I cannot wait to read Vengeful Games and all future novels by this author.

This story started off being five stars, hands down. The author shows skill at creating suspense and mystery. I was hooked and kept turning pages. But something happened after a while. The dark tale became an ugly tale.The aim of a story is not to rush to be the nastiest, grossest, most loathsome. You had me with suspense, anticipation. You started losing me with unnecessary viciousness. Arty and Jim are certainly bad guys, but they are so one dimensional and childish that it would be laughable if they weren’t so brutal and uncaring (except to dear ol Mom).The heroic couple has a relationship that is sappy and unbelievable. Barbie and Ken. Too much. Their dialog is unnatural and forced. The kids are annoying. The dog is predictable.But even after they were kidnapped, I felt that four stars would be appropriate. Unfortunately, more to read still followed. The last of the book became so predictable. At this point, nothing that Arty and Jim could do would be surprising. Boredom was lurking on each next page.Everyone knew the ending. The big speech in the hospital was just silly. It’s been done a lot. Even the twist at the end was so expected, I smirked.Menapace gets stars for the beginning, maybe 100 pages. The short chapters produced a good paced story. Stars for that and for being easy to read. But the ugliness of the action was cringeworthy, not entertaining. That’s my main complaint. Menapace demonstrated that he can do much better. Don’t spoil it with gratuitous violence. Unless the object is to nauseate your reader.

From the first page to the last, this book had me captivated. The storyline is great, the characters even better! I found myself wondering what I would do if I were put in the same predicament as the characters. That night, I had nightmares. The next day, I ordered the rest of the series. When you finish a book and can’t stop thinking about the characters, wondering about them, forgetting that it’s just a story…you know the author did a good job. My only problem with this book is that now I feel the need to buy every book the author has written. The ravenous reader I am, thanks him. My bank account, curses him.

Really enjoyed, if that's the right word, this book. It's a fast paced page turner of mind games and abuse in an everyday happy family. Jus shows wot ppl are capable of doing wen loved ones are threatened......and I'm talking about the 'happy family '.....lol definitely recommend it murderous mind games are just ur thing...

I did not want to put this book down. From the opening pages, this story lures you in and keeps up the suspense. Just when you think you know where the plot is going, the book surprises you with yet another twist. A great read!

It's an enticing story, loved moving from one page to another! Kudos to the author! Would love to read more.

Omg!! This is my first Jeff Menapace book, and man, am I hooked!!!Set back in 2008, the Lamberts travel to peaceful Crescent Lake for a family weekend. Nature, fun, games ... You know, all the good stuff. Sounds amazing. But is it? A series of weird encounters with a couple of guys starts to make things unravel and sets their nerves a-jangling. Because the Fannelli brothers are also out for some fun and games - just not what most would consider 'normal' fun.As the Lamberts try to work out what's going on, the reader is taken on a ride through Crazy-town as we get dragged along with the Fannellis as they set up an elaborate ruse to get their new playthings - the Lambert family - right where they want them so they can play out their horrifying fantasies.Menapace takes us on this side, kicking and screaming, yet wanting more. You will instantly fall in love with the Lamberts and will definitely lose hours and sleep, and probably some fingernail length.I loved every second of this book and will immediately be starting on the sequel now, Vengeful Games.

When i first saw the movie "Funny Games" by Michael Hanneke , i found it unsettling znd very disturbing.I then bought a kindle copy of Bad Games and i prefer the more moral endingI am now ready to buy the sequel : vengeful gamesThanks Mr Menapace! Excellent read