The Contest

<b>"Set in a world where Willy Wonka made escape rooms rather than chocolate bars, </b><i>The Contest</i><b> is my favorite thing I’ve read this year."<br>– PETER CLINES, NYT Bestselling author</b><br><br><b>Gillian Charles, a puzzle-solving prodigy, was just a child when she lost Miscellany's Contest. Now an adult, she is invited to compete again... but this time there is more than just her pride at stake.</b><br><br>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.<br><br>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 Luna, head of Miscellany, still spins his webs of confusion, offering Gillian the future she always wanted – but only if she plays by his rules.<br><br>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.<br><br><b>A thoughtful light-noir mystery, perfect for fans of </b><i><b>The Queen's Gambit.</b></i>