THE CONTEST

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In this crime novel, a former puzzle prodigy returns to the competitive world she left behind. A thoughtful mystery with deeply personal stakes, perfect for fans of The Queen’s Gambit.

Gillian Charles, once a child prodigy of puzzles and games, lost The Contest – a life-altering competition held at the Miscellany theme park, home of the enigmatic entrepreneur Sebastian Luna.

Years later, Gillian has left puzzles entirely behind and barely ekes out a living while trying to support her sick mother. Until her childhood nemesis appears with an offer she can’t refuse – fifty thousand dollars to return to Miscellany and investigate a cheating scandal in The Contest sequel, Season Two.

Gillian soon discovers things aren’t so straightforward. Former Contestants run Season Two and with investment and expansion in the cards, they’ll do anything to avoid a scandal. Meanwhile Sebastian still spins his webs of confusion and offers Gillian the financial and intellectual future she always wanted – but only if she plays by his rules.

With her mother’s circumstances growing more dire, and mounting pressure to sweep the accusations under the rug, Gillian finds childhood games can be all the more treacherous for adults.

“The Contest is a thrilling suspenseful mind bending adventure.”
— S.A. Cosby, best selling author of All the Sinners and Razorblade Tears
“Like Willy Wonka if it was written by Hitchcock… LOVE THE BOOK. Seriously, it is SO GOOD.”
— Stephen Blackmoore, author of Dead Things
“Jeff Macfee drops the reader into a hall of mirrors with no way out. A singular book.
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— Adam Oyebanji, author of A Quiet Teacher
“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.
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— Alex Segura, bestselling and acclaimed author of Secret Identity and Alter Ego
“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.
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— Peter Clines, NYT Bestselling author of The Broken Room and Paradox Bound
“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.
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— Victor Manibo, author of The Sleepless and Escape Velocitye