📖 Overview
A young man's life changes forever when he is wrongly convicted of a violent crime in New York City. After his sentencing, Jeff Converse vanishes from the prison system and finds himself trapped in an underground maze beneath Manhattan's streets.
The dark tunnels and abandoned subway stations of Manhattan become the setting for a deadly game orchestrated by a sinister organization known as the Manhattan Hunt Club. Jeff must navigate this subterranean world populated by the city's forgotten homeless population while being pursued by the club's wealthy members.
The story pits a single determined individual against a powerful underground network operating in the shadows of New York City. Through its fast-paced narrative, the novel examines themes of social inequality, justice, and the invisible boundaries between Manhattan's elite and its dispossessed.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as a fast-paced thriller that keeps them turning pages, though many note it requires suspension of disbelief. The underground NYC tunnel system serves as a unique and atmospheric setting that adds tension to the story.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Quick pacing and short chapters
- Detailed research into NYC's underground spaces
- Unpredictable twists
- Clear, straightforward writing style
Common criticisms:
- Implausible plot elements
- Underdeveloped characters
- Predictable ending
- Excessive violence
Several readers mention the story feels "far-fetched" but remains entertaining if approached as pure fiction. One reader noted: "The tunnels were more interesting than the characters."
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.7/5 (5,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 3.9/5 (180+ ratings)
Barnes & Noble: 3.8/5 (40+ ratings)
The book maintains consistent 3-4 star ratings across platforms, with most readers categorizing it as an entertaining but forgettable thriller.
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Contest by Matthew Reilly A veterinarian trapped inside the New York State Library must survive a lethal competition against alien creatures and assassins.
Intensity by Dean Koontz A woman follows a serial killer through California in a game of cat and mouse after witnessing him murder her friends.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch A physicist finds himself in a chase through alternate realities while pursued by an organization that wants him dead.
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell A big-game hunter becomes human prey on a remote island in this classic survival story that pits man against man.
Contest by Matthew Reilly A veterinarian trapped inside the New York State Library must survive a lethal competition against alien creatures and assassins.
Intensity by Dean Koontz A woman follows a serial killer through California in a game of cat and mouse after witnessing him murder her friends.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔍 New York City has over 350 miles of underground tunnels, many of which are no longer in use - similar to the setting in Saul's thriller.
📚 John Saul has written over 37 horror/thriller novels, with more than 60 million copies sold worldwide.
🏗️ The term "Manhattan's underground" was first popularized during the 1870s when Alfred Ely Beach built the city's first underground transit tunnel.
🎭 Secret societies have been part of Manhattan's elite culture since the 1700s, with some historic clubs like The Brook and The Union Club still active today.
🌆 The contrast between Manhattan's penthouses and underground spaces reflects one of the largest wealth gaps in America - the top 1% of Manhattan residents earn an average of 113 times more than the bottom 99%.