What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mine
A four-part tomb-raiding adventure that includes all things distinctively Reilly! From mutant animals to deadly traps, can Australian archaeologist Dr. Jessica Chase escape The Mine?
21 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2000
2 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Reilly
68 books6,296 followersBorn in Sydney in 1974, Matthew Reilly was not always a big fan of reading. It was only after he read To Kill A Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies in Year 10 that he realised reading could transport you to another world. Following this revelation, Matthew soon began creating stories of his own and set about writing his first novel, Contest, at the age of 19 while still at university studying law.
Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He produced a big-budget-looking novel which he sold into bookshops throughout Sydney, one shop at a time.
In January 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia walked into Angus & Robertson's Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. The editor tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book. Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors' items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, and The Three Secret Cities; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders in 2005, Matthew's novels have been the biggest selling new fiction title released in Australia for that year.
Matthew has also written several short stories, including Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl, a special free prequel to The Tournament which is available online. Other short stories include Time Tours, The Mine and the hyper-adrenalised romp, Altitude Rush.
He owns and drives a DeLorean DMC-12, the car made famous in the Back to the Future movies. He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office! When not writing or penning a film script, Matthew can be found on the golf course.
Matthew Reilly is currently living in Los Angeles.
(source: Amazon)
Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He produced a big-budget-looking novel which he sold into bookshops throughout Sydney, one shop at a time.
In January 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia walked into Angus & Robertson's Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. The editor tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book. Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors' items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, and The Three Secret Cities; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders in 2005, Matthew's novels have been the biggest selling new fiction title released in Australia for that year.
Matthew has also written several short stories, including Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl, a special free prequel to The Tournament which is available online. Other short stories include Time Tours, The Mine and the hyper-adrenalised romp, Altitude Rush.
He owns and drives a DeLorean DMC-12, the car made famous in the Back to the Future movies. He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office! When not writing or penning a film script, Matthew can be found on the golf course.
Matthew Reilly is currently living in Los Angeles.
(source: Amazon)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 28, 2023
Jessica Chase is an archaeologist. She’s working on some ruins that could be from a pre‐Aztec civilization as she gets whisked away by the government to an ancient mine. She quickly realizes why they brought her there, the mine has some tablets that feature some ancient symbols. They could be the key to unlocking the mine’s mysteries.
The general who’s in charge of the mine already tried to investigate it by brute force, but the unfortunate soldiers who were sent in all got injured by ancient booby traps. What kind of mine would need traps? The general is convinced there’s something valuable in there. And he wants it, no matter the cost.
It’s a Lara Croft/Indiana Jones kind of adventure. A tomb-raiding treasure hunt, but with a cool little twist. The mystery here is actually quite straight forward. The heart of the story is the fascinating ancient setting and the brutal tomb-raiding action. It’s a bit too short to reach the next level, but it definitely serves as a great introduction to Matthew Reilly’s writing. It’s pretty much a perfect appetizer for all the awesomeness he has to offer as a writer.
The general who’s in charge of the mine already tried to investigate it by brute force, but the unfortunate soldiers who were sent in all got injured by ancient booby traps. What kind of mine would need traps? The general is convinced there’s something valuable in there. And he wants it, no matter the cost.
It’s a Lara Croft/Indiana Jones kind of adventure. A tomb-raiding treasure hunt, but with a cool little twist. The mystery here is actually quite straight forward. The heart of the story is the fascinating ancient setting and the brutal tomb-raiding action. It’s a bit too short to reach the next level, but it definitely serves as a great introduction to Matthew Reilly’s writing. It’s pretty much a perfect appetizer for all the awesomeness he has to offer as a writer.
December 28, 2018
This short story can be downloaded for free from Reilly's website and it's well worth doing. This is typical Reilly condensed into a short story. All the standard thrills are here: mystery, traps, chases and incredible escapes. All at the usual high speed and full throttle.
There really isn't anyone who does blockbuster action thrillers better.
There really isn't anyone who does blockbuster action thrillers better.
December 12, 2024
You can read this short story here: https://matthewreilly.com/wp-content/...
Just like a typical Reilly novel except in super-condensed form.
Action. Booby traps. Betrayal. Mystery. And ridiculous just-in-the-nick-of-time getaways.
A fast fun read. Just a bit silly in parts.
Just like a typical Reilly novel except in super-condensed form.
Action. Booby traps. Betrayal. Mystery. And ridiculous just-in-the-nick-of-time getaways.
A fast fun read. Just a bit silly in parts.
January 31, 2023
An enjoyable short story about an archaeologist who is brought in by the government, to uncover a secret in an ancient mine. For such a short story, author Matthew Reilly really does a great job of creating mystery and tension, not to mention plenty of action.
September 3, 2023
A really enjoyable short story about an archaeologist that was hired by the US Government to uncover the secrets of a mine. Full of non stop action, it is 21 pages of brilliant writing that will keep you hooked from go to woah!
June 29, 2025
It reads like Mathew Reilly, but it also reads like a Freshman Writing paper. High School Freshman. It's more an outline of a screenplay than a story, and you can't go gonzo without establishing it first. Jumping in feet first doesn't work.
March 12, 2017
Again, a great short story from Matthew Reilly. Definitely one of my favourite authors. Has all the components of a M.R. Novel, fast paced, fantastical, action filled, with a smart main character.
August 14, 2019
Short story - TBD
December 31, 2020
A short read that didn't really hook me, but wasn't really bad either.
January 7, 2024
Great story. Classic Matthew Reilly. Nonstop action. Couldn’t put it down. Loved it.
April 23, 2022
All the adventure and action of Reilly's longer books in a shorter package. Very enjoyable.
October 20, 2023
One on the best short stories in the series so far... very much like his longer books... I would like to see Dr Jessica Chase in a much longer story... great read...
Such a great read, still waiting for Dr Chase to have her own book... or even join in another series...I really enjoyed her character
Such a great read, still waiting for Dr Chase to have her own book... or even join in another series...I really enjoyed her character
March 3, 2012
Really cool story, I hope he writes more Chase adventures.
May 10, 2012
Great short story with just enough archaeological contents for me. Sadly it is just a short story. I'm sure the author could have worked a great novel out of this.
July 7, 2012
Good little short story...
December 1, 2012
This was a fast and entertaining read, and was available as a free download from his website. Matthew Reilly is a great storyteller!
July 29, 2021
Quick and classic MR.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews