Contest

The New York State Library looms as a silent sanctuary of knowledge: a hundred-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles, and spiral staircases. But for Dr Stephen Swain and his eight-year-old daughter Holly it is a place of nightmare. Because, for just one night, this historic building is to become the venue for a horrifying contest, a contest in which Swain must compete, whether he likes it or not.

The rules of the challenge are simple: seven contestants will enter, but only one will leave. With his daughter in his arms, Stephen Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. The stakes are high, the odds are brutal. He can choose to run, to hide, or to fight -- but if he wants to live, he needs to win. For, in this particular contest, unless you leave as victor, you do not leave at all.

Matthew Reilly, born and still resident in Sydney, studied law before turning his pen to fiction. His seven novels -- Ice Station, Temple, Contest, Area 7, Scarecrow, Seven Ancient Wonders and Six Sacred Stones have all been massive international bestsellers.