Summary
In this light noir crime novel, a former puzzle prodigy returns to the competitive world. A thoughtful mystery with deeply personal stakes, perfect for fans of The Queen’s Gambit.
Once a child prodigy of puzzles and logic games, Gillian Charles now barely ekes out a living in Los Angeles. With her sick mother facing eviction from her care facility, Gillian can’t say no when her childhood nemesis, Tommy, shows up at her apartment with a $50k offer. All she has to do is return …
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781915523457 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1915523451 |
| Author: | Jeff Macfee |
| Publisher: | Watkins Media Limited |
| Imprint: | Datura Books |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 336 |
| Release Date: | 11 March 2025 |
| Weight: | 369g |
| Dimensions: | 130mm x 197mm |
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Critics Review
“The Contest is a thrilling suspenseful mind bending adventure.”
– S.A. Cosby best selling author of All the Sinners and Razorblade Tears
“The Contest sports a fun story that does what my favorite crime novels do – transport me to an unfamiliar world and weave in a page-turning mystery. Jeff Macfee does not disappoint with this crackling debut.”
– Alex Segura, bestselling and acclaimed author of Secret Identity and Alter Ego
“A mystery wrapped inside a riddle inside an enigma, The Contest is a clever puzzle box of a book. An intrigue-filled, cerebral theme park provides the setting for an affecting tale about finding one’s worth after defeat, and Macfee’s storytelling instantly drew me in from the first page.”
– Victor Manibo, author of The Sleepless and Escape Velocity
“Jeff Macfee drops the reader into a hall of mirrors with no way out. A singular book.”
– Adam Oyebanji, author of A Quiet Teacher
“A brilliant page-turner about obsession, compromise, child prodigies, and second chances, all set in a world where Willy Wonka made escape rooms rather than chocolate bars, The Contest is my favorite thing I’ve read this year.”
– Peter Clines, NYT Bestselling author of The Broken Room and Paradox Bound
“Here’s a riddle: what’s the best mystery puzzler since Squid Game? The answer is Jeff Macfee’s The Contest.”
– Nick Kolakowski, author of Where the Bones Lie
“Like Willy Wonka if it was written by Hitchcock… LOVE THE BOOK. Seriously, it is SO GOOD. “
– Stephen Blackmoore, author of Dead Things
“An intriguing and addictive novel full of risk, riddles and conspiracies – The Contest will keep you on your toes until the puzzle is finally solved.”
– S.B. Caves, author of Honeycomb
Jeff Macfee
Jeff Macfee is the author of the forthcoming crime novel The Contest (February, 2025). He writes about ordinary people who do their best but make things worse. When he’s not writing he’s doing IT things and asking you to turn it off and on again. He lives in North Texas with his wife and three kids.
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