A Puzzling Delight: My Review of The Contest by Jeff Macfee
When I first stumbled upon The Contest by Jeff Macfee, I felt an unmistakable pull—it was like a siren call for puzzle lovers. The combination of "cozy mystery" and themes of nostalgia drew me in, promising a quirky adventure reminiscent of The Queen’s Gambit mixed with the cleverness of Knives Out. Little did I know, this book would deliver a narrative that was both cunning and deeply human, entwining my heart with its characters from page one.
At the center of this delightful tale is Gillian Charles, an ex-puzzle prodigy thrust back into the world she left behind. The intrigue kicks off when Tommy, her childhood rival, offers her a tempting $50,000 to uncover the mole leaking answers at Miscellany, a bizarre theme park dedicated to all things puzzles. Jeff Macfee crafts this theme park setting with the love and attention it deserves, transforming it into a character of its own—a whimsical yet sinister backdrop where every corner hides secrets.
Oh, how I adored Gillian! She’s the type of heroine who’s not just a snarky, playful protagonist; she’s intricately layered, balancing intellect with vulnerability. Her inner monologues sparkled with wit, and her jaded outlook made me root for her despite her tumultuous past. Watching her navigate this high-stakes world of betrayal and familial obligations felt raw and resonant, especially as she grappled with moral decisions and the ultimate quest for financial security.
The narrative itself is a clever tapestry of twists and schemes, each layer uncovered like a Sudoku puzzle. As we followed Gillian through her investigation, I was treated to a carefully constructed emotional landscape, where stakes soared beyond mere prize money. In moments of tension, Macfee seamlessly explored themes of found family versus betrayal, leaving me pondering not just the mystery at hand, but also the emotional scars that surfaced throughout the journey.
However, no book is without its hiccups. While the meticulous world-building around Miscellany enraptured me, certain side characters, particularly Tommy and Martin, could have been fleshed out more. Their surface-level motivations felt like untapped potential in a story rich with nuance. Additionally, the pacing took a surprising turn near the end—the tension built beautifully through the middle, yet the final reveals felt a tad rushed. I could have gladly enjoyed a few extra chapters to savor the unraveling.
What resonated with me most, though, was Macfee’s ability to marry chaos with coziness. The book encompassed everything from the thrill of competition to the quiet turmoil of personal sacrifices, delivered with a cheeky sense of humor. As Gillian observed the absurdities around her, I found myself laughing out loud, feeling as if I were right there with her.
The Contest is a must-read for anyone who cherishes a good whodunit filled with intellectual challenges and emotional depth. It will particularly resonate with fans of puzzle-themed narratives and those who appreciate an ending that tugs at the heartstrings. This quirky mystery holds a mirror to the past, reminding us that its shadows will always follow us. It’s cozy crime at its finest, and as I closed the book, I couldn’t help but feel a little smarter—and a bit nostalgic for my own childhood rivalries. Grab your copy, dive into the chaos of The Contest, and remember: in puzzles, as in life, the journey is often just as intriguing as the solution.