‘The Contest’ by Jeff Macfee

Published by Datura Books,
11 February 2025.
ISBN: 978-1-91552345-7 (PB)

During childhood, Gillian, a child prodigy took part in Miscellany’s prize puzzle course, a competition that guaranteed a huge reward for the winner, but it was not to be. Now, Gillian is just trying to keep her life together, working odd jobs and trying to support her unwell mother, without feeling like she has failed again.

When one of Gillians former child adversaries turns up offering her a job to investigate alleged cheating at Miscellany, she takes it.

The Contest is not your typical thriller; it feels very fresh and has such a unique and compelling premise. As a puzzle lover, this book was incredibly satisfying as there are so many littered between the pages, it also just feels like you're navigating a world of secrets and betrayals, and each player is taking their turn to move their piece.

As the main character I found Gillian to be a very likeable, flawed but realistic, someone who lives with the feeling of not being good enough, and not living up to the potential she was told she had. She often doubts herself, but underneath it all is resilient and stoic.

It’s a slow burn mystery, but one that you can’t help but be pulled into. There is just so much intrigue, deception and many problems to be solved by a puzzling mind.
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Reviewer: Lorraine Carpenter

Jeff Macfee is the VP of IT for Gearbox Software and a graduate of Viable Paradise Writer's Workshop. His short fiction has appeared in Needle: A Magazine of Noir and Shotgun Honey. He lives in North Texas with his wife and the chaos of three children. 

Lorraine Carpenter lives in the Southwest of England with her partner Doug. She spends most of her free time reading and has loved mysteries and thrillers since a very early age. If she’s not reading, she is most likely to be drawing or crocheting (very poorly) and watching a true crime documentary.