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The Detective
For 150 years, women have been going missing.
And all of the investigators who went in search of them - from 1877 to the present day - have disappeared, too.
Now Sam Speedman, a most unique private detective, is on the case.
Brilliant, direct and disarming, Sam is ... different. He's not your average private detective. But then again, this isn't your average case.
For not even he will be prepared for what he will find.
Set in the darkest corners of the American South, tapping into hot-button issues that simmer beneath the surface of the modern United States, this is Matthew Reilly writing faster and bolder than ever before, bringing you a detective thriller like no other.
And all of the investigators who went in search of them - from 1877 to the present day - have disappeared, too.
Now Sam Speedman, a most unique private detective, is on the case.
Brilliant, direct and disarming, Sam is ... different. He's not your average private detective. But then again, this isn't your average case.
For not even he will be prepared for what he will find.
Set in the darkest corners of the American South, tapping into hot-button issues that simmer beneath the surface of the modern United States, this is Matthew Reilly writing faster and bolder than ever before, bringing you a detective thriller like no other.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
643 people are currently reading
1151 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Reilly
75 books6,354 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)
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August 31, 2025Have been sitting on this one for a few days because I'm not entirely sure how to put together all my thoughts about it...
I did the calculations whilst reading and discovered that I've been reading Matthew Reilly books for about half my life now (crazy), so there's a sense of comfort in coming back to the familiarity of his writing style; the fast-paced action, the side stories that always come back into play by the end of the book, the sentences that are followed by a shorter sentence on a new line with an italicised ending when something hectic happens like the protagonist jumping into a volcano or off a moving vehicle.
As always, this one was undeniably gripping, and very easy to sit and read almost cover to cover in one sitting, and that's far from my problem with it; I think where I feel a little unease this time around is with certain elements of the story and, maybe, who's telling it?
Whilst a detective thriller, this is ultimately a story about the deeply racist parts of the American South and, at its core, both historical and modern slavery. It's obviously all incredibly important- and relevant- stories, but the ways that parts of it were told just made me feel a little funny, knowing that it had been written by a white Australian man? To some extent, I can't quite place my finger on it, but it just made a little uneasy. For example, there's a scene where
Anyway... don't think I'll pop a rating on this one. Parts of it that I really enjoyed and was swept away in during the classic Matthew-Reilly-action-adventure of it all, but other parts that just felt strange to me, and I'm not really sure how to (or if I even want to try and) divorce those two different opinions/ reactions. Keen to hear what other people think once it's out!
I did the calculations whilst reading and discovered that I've been reading Matthew Reilly books for about half my life now (crazy), so there's a sense of comfort in coming back to the familiarity of his writing style; the fast-paced action, the side stories that always come back into play by the end of the book, the sentences that are followed by a shorter sentence on a new line with an italicised ending when something hectic happens like the protagonist jumping into a volcano or off a moving vehicle.
As always, this one was undeniably gripping, and very easy to sit and read almost cover to cover in one sitting, and that's far from my problem with it; I think where I feel a little unease this time around is with certain elements of the story and, maybe, who's telling it?
Whilst a detective thriller, this is ultimately a story about the deeply racist parts of the American South and, at its core, both historical and modern slavery. It's obviously all incredibly important- and relevant- stories, but the ways that parts of it were told just made me feel a little funny, knowing that it had been written by a white Australian man? To some extent, I can't quite place my finger on it, but it just made a little uneasy. For example, there's a scene where
Anyway... don't think I'll pop a rating on this one. Parts of it that I really enjoyed and was swept away in during the classic Matthew-Reilly-action-adventure of it all, but other parts that just felt strange to me, and I'm not really sure how to (or if I even want to try and) divorce those two different opinions/ reactions. Keen to hear what other people think once it's out!
December 10, 2025
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
The Detective by Matthew Reilly is a mystery/thriller that starts off quirky in a great way and quickly escalates to an exceptional read! I’ve just found my new favourite hero in Sam Speedman who is one of the most interesting and authentic men I have met in a book. This story definitely packs a punch, it’s high-octane paced and I ate it up!
Sam Speedman is the ultimate PI you would want on your case, he is on the autism spectrum and whip smart. The plot delves into some dark and sinister themes but ones relevant to America’s history and the present.
Women have been going missing and the investigators in search of them also have disappeared! There’s a link that spans 150 years! The villains are heinous and what they get up to is utterly unimaginable.
The Detective is a witty, action packed, thrilling, violent and bold tale that’s set in modern day America. The maps, charts and drawings throughout the book are a great inclusion.
I love a book I can read super fast with short snappy chapters and I hope to see another Sam Speakman adventure in the near future. Spoil yourself and grab a copy you won’t regret it!
Publication Date 21 October 2025
Publisher Macmillan Australia
Thank you so much Macmillan Australia for a copy of the book to read.
The Detective by Matthew Reilly is a mystery/thriller that starts off quirky in a great way and quickly escalates to an exceptional read! I’ve just found my new favourite hero in Sam Speedman who is one of the most interesting and authentic men I have met in a book. This story definitely packs a punch, it’s high-octane paced and I ate it up!
Sam Speedman is the ultimate PI you would want on your case, he is on the autism spectrum and whip smart. The plot delves into some dark and sinister themes but ones relevant to America’s history and the present.
Women have been going missing and the investigators in search of them also have disappeared! There’s a link that spans 150 years! The villains are heinous and what they get up to is utterly unimaginable.
The Detective is a witty, action packed, thrilling, violent and bold tale that’s set in modern day America. The maps, charts and drawings throughout the book are a great inclusion.
I love a book I can read super fast with short snappy chapters and I hope to see another Sam Speakman adventure in the near future. Spoil yourself and grab a copy you won’t regret it!
Publication Date 21 October 2025
Publisher Macmillan Australia
Thank you so much Macmillan Australia for a copy of the book to read.
November 30, 2025
It has been awhile since ai have read a Matthew Reilly novel and I devoured The Detective. Just brilliant.
I loved Sam Speedman, detective with a brilliant mind and a different way of looking at things and finding patterns. He sees what the others have been missing, and he is not afraid to get involved. I really enjoyed learning about him and his life, I hope we get more books with Sam.
This book has some pretty dark themes. It is the usual fast paced page turner that you expect from Matthew Reilly. A story of good vs evil, of mystery and tragedy. A story seeped in history and the errors of the past. Sam finds that not only has his client daughter gone missing, but that women’s have been going missing for 150 years in similar circumstances, and that their investigators have also disappeared. Using his incredible talent for patterns and not believing in coincidences, Sam is a man on a mission.
A very clever and powerful story, emotional and compelling. Matthew Reilly has done it again.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy to read. Now my husband can read it 😅
I loved Sam Speedman, detective with a brilliant mind and a different way of looking at things and finding patterns. He sees what the others have been missing, and he is not afraid to get involved. I really enjoyed learning about him and his life, I hope we get more books with Sam.
This book has some pretty dark themes. It is the usual fast paced page turner that you expect from Matthew Reilly. A story of good vs evil, of mystery and tragedy. A story seeped in history and the errors of the past. Sam finds that not only has his client daughter gone missing, but that women’s have been going missing for 150 years in similar circumstances, and that their investigators have also disappeared. Using his incredible talent for patterns and not believing in coincidences, Sam is a man on a mission.
A very clever and powerful story, emotional and compelling. Matthew Reilly has done it again.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy to read. Now my husband can read it 😅
March 5, 2026
За почитателите на Райли, този роман е като подарък! Наслаждавах се на всяка страница! Напълно в негов стил, екшъна започва от началото на историята и не спира до финала, като редува инфарктни моменти следвани от изненада. Страница след страница Райли ни поднася по късче информация, която засяга войната между Севера и Юга, робството и корупцията. Главният герой, Сам Спийдман, частен детектив, е бил нает преди 7 години да открие изчезнала чернокожа жена. Случаят е замразен, но след буря в щата Луизиана, хлапета случайно откриват кукла, в чиято вътрешност има скрито мъртво бебе, което е свързано с неговия случай. И Сам се впуска в разследване, чийто корени са през далечната 1877 година. На определени периоди от време, по четири чернокожи проститутки са наемани за ергенски партита от стари южняшки фамилии. И повече никой не чува за тях. Изчезват и следователите, които са разследвали изчезването им. Но Сам е различен! Умен, безстрашен и готов на всичко, за да стигне до истината. В очите на хората, той е странен. Но читателя просто няма как да не го хареса! Просто уникален! След поредицата за Джак Уест-младши, искрено се надявам Райли да сътвори още една уникална история! Заслужено пълни 5 ⭐️
November 15, 2025
Както и в други свои книги, авторът ни поднася една шеметна приключенска, криминална и адреналинова история.
Действието се развива предимно в Луизиана, един погълнат от тресавища и с труднодостъпни места щат. В Луизиана можеш да скриеш много неща. Мощни урагани унищожават периодично територията. Урагани, които погребват или разкриват тайни.
Намерено е мъртво бебе. Бебе, свързано със стар случай на Сам, частен детектив. Сам е необичаен герой с интересни способности. Навързва престъпленията и стига до истината. В името на справедливостта той ще се изправи срещу мощни стари фамилии от Луизиана. Трудна битка, но са заложени човешки животи.
Действието на книгата е динамично, забързано, поглъща те и не можеш да спреш да четеш. Стилът на автора е кинематографичен, с кратки изречения. На страниците на книгата ви очакват още преследвания, стрелби и фрагментирани описания на американските щати и живота в тях. Илюстрациите в нея са много добро решение и ги има във всичките му книги. Допадна ми още как авторът водеше своя герой и навързваше нишките на разследването. Хитро и интересно.
Препоръчвам и винаги ще препоръчвам Матю Райли, когато искате да четете нещо динамично и приключенско. В някои от неговите книги има и свръхестествени елементи. Ще продължавам да търся и чета негови книги.
Действието се развива предимно в Луизиана, един погълнат от тресавища и с труднодостъпни места щат. В Луизиана можеш да скриеш много неща. Мощни урагани унищожават периодично територията. Урагани, които погребват или разкриват тайни.
Намерено е мъртво бебе. Бебе, свързано със стар случай на Сам, частен детектив. Сам е необичаен герой с интересни способности. Навързва престъпленията и стига до истината. В името на справедливостта той ще се изправи срещу мощни стари фамилии от Луизиана. Трудна битка, но са заложени човешки животи.
Действието на книгата е динамично, забързано, поглъща те и не можеш да спреш да четеш. Стилът на автора е кинематографичен, с кратки изречения. На страниците на книгата ви очакват още преследвания, стрелби и фрагментирани описания на американските щати и живота в тях. Илюстрациите в нея са много добро решение и ги има във всичките му книги. Допадна ми още как авторът водеше своя герой и навързваше нишките на разследването. Хитро и интересно.
Препоръчвам и винаги ще препоръчвам Матю Райли, когато искате да четете нещо динамично и приключенско. В някои от неговите книги има и свръхестествени елементи. Ще продължавам да търся и чета негови книги.
October 24, 2025
Matthew, Matthew, Matthew… you have done it again!
August 13, 2025
Buy it, read it in one sitting because any other way and the absolute exhilaration of this novel will not have your mind racing and this is a fast novel.
Only the third book of Matts, I met him at a conference and have sold his books for 17 odd years so yeah we on a first name basis like that, the other being Mr Einstein's Secretary and the third Cobalt Blue, and yep, he can turn a tale.
I was going to read the Seven Ancient Wonders series but the ending got spoiled at the conference so I have to wait for my memory to forget that before I pick it up.
So yeah buy it. Nice work Matt.
Only the third book of Matts, I met him at a conference and have sold his books for 17 odd years so yeah we on a first name basis like that, the other being Mr Einstein's Secretary and the third Cobalt Blue, and yep, he can turn a tale.
I was going to read the Seven Ancient Wonders series but the ending got spoiled at the conference so I have to wait for my memory to forget that before I pick it up.
So yeah buy it. Nice work Matt.
November 2, 2025
Would have been a higher rating except for the random need for the shower. Why did the “thanks for saving me from being raped sex” have to be included. Was not needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2026
can’t say this is good. it’s fine. if you get to the end of the year and you really need to meet your reading goal then pick up this book.
October 22, 2025
Really torn thinking about how I ended up finding this book overall.
Did I enjoy it? Yes
Did I finish it in just over 24 hours? Yes (normally a good sign that I loved a book)
Was I expecting a bit more from a Matthew Reilly book? Also, Yes
What I loved. I LOVED the protagonist Sam Speedman and the way he thought and interacted with other characters throughout the story. He reminded me a lot of myself (I’d like to think) - someone who always tries to be nice and has a very analytical brain - perfect for a detective.
However, I kept reading this book waiting for the big, quintessential Matthew Reilly Moment, yet I never got it.
Overall, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, it just felt like it was lacking a few elements to turn it from a great book into a jaw-dropping book.
I am keen to see what he does with Sam in the next one!
Did I enjoy it? Yes
Did I finish it in just over 24 hours? Yes (normally a good sign that I loved a book)
Was I expecting a bit more from a Matthew Reilly book? Also, Yes
What I loved. I LOVED the protagonist Sam Speedman and the way he thought and interacted with other characters throughout the story. He reminded me a lot of myself (I’d like to think) - someone who always tries to be nice and has a very analytical brain - perfect for a detective.
However, I kept reading this book waiting for the big, quintessential Matthew Reilly Moment, yet I never got it.
Overall, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, it just felt like it was lacking a few elements to turn it from a great book into a jaw-dropping book.
I am keen to see what he does with Sam in the next one!
February 4, 2026
Sheldon cooper solves a murder and ends racism.
The main character is our boy “Sammy speedman”. This dudes only personality traits are autism and a yearning for truth and justice. There is genuinely a chapter where he explains why he only eats at hooters (apparently because of its superior food service🤨) and then goes onto explain that he’s an incel because women “biologically…prefer males with strong genetic traits” and he is short and blind.
The only other thing to know about Sammy is that he has a rabbits foot shoved so far up his butt you can see it when he opens his mouth. I think there were at least 5 times in this book where he actually was dead to rights with quite literally no way out, only for the next chapter to provide a miracle escape within the first paragraph.
As for the other notable characters, there really aren’t any. The slave owning evil empire and their private militia are evil in the most cartoonish way, we dont learn anything about them except how evil they are, there is no nuance and the message felt like a very cursory “slavery is bad” with no deeper exploration into the horrors of slavery and how it continues to affect black people/communities to this day. Sammy’s investigating partner Audrey is the token woman/love interest, who neither progresses the story or contributes anything of any real interest. Her only real purpose was to be saved by and subsequently save Sam whenever they got in a pickle. Speaking of that, the sex scene was extremely weird and gross, Audrey was almost SA’d not even a day before, but has no sort of trauma or PTSD and is just fine to jump into the sack with Sammy straight away.
Overall the book is unbelievably fast paced and the dialogue is very stilted but I did finish it so it gets more than a star. Typically i have enjoyed Matthew Reilly in the past but this book whilst engaging (the only compliment I can really give it to be honest) was like eating junk food, it’s not very good but it’s there and you’re bored, so you devour the whole thing and know you’re feeling shame and deeply unfulfilled
The main character is our boy “Sammy speedman”. This dudes only personality traits are autism and a yearning for truth and justice. There is genuinely a chapter where he explains why he only eats at hooters (apparently because of its superior food service🤨) and then goes onto explain that he’s an incel because women “biologically…prefer males with strong genetic traits” and he is short and blind.
The only other thing to know about Sammy is that he has a rabbits foot shoved so far up his butt you can see it when he opens his mouth. I think there were at least 5 times in this book where he actually was dead to rights with quite literally no way out, only for the next chapter to provide a miracle escape within the first paragraph.
As for the other notable characters, there really aren’t any. The slave owning evil empire and their private militia are evil in the most cartoonish way, we dont learn anything about them except how evil they are, there is no nuance and the message felt like a very cursory “slavery is bad” with no deeper exploration into the horrors of slavery and how it continues to affect black people/communities to this day. Sammy’s investigating partner Audrey is the token woman/love interest, who neither progresses the story or contributes anything of any real interest. Her only real purpose was to be saved by and subsequently save Sam whenever they got in a pickle. Speaking of that, the sex scene was extremely weird and gross, Audrey was almost SA’d not even a day before, but has no sort of trauma or PTSD and is just fine to jump into the sack with Sammy straight away.
Overall the book is unbelievably fast paced and the dialogue is very stilted but I did finish it so it gets more than a star. Typically i have enjoyed Matthew Reilly in the past but this book whilst engaging (the only compliment I can really give it to be honest) was like eating junk food, it’s not very good but it’s there and you’re bored, so you devour the whole thing and know you’re feeling shame and deeply unfulfilled
January 8, 2026
The Matthew Reilly books I've read in the past (namely The Great Zoo of China and a few of the JW Jr books), are good for their over the top action, and Reilly's commitment to high entertainment even if it defies belief. And that works when we're talking about government conspiracies and dragons, but I'm not sure it translates well to a book like The Detective.
Reilly starts The Detective as a played straight crime novel following a private detective as he investigates a series of murders that go back for over a century. The first half of The Detective was fine, Reilly's typically engaging and straight forward writing style, and a steadily revealed mystery that caught my initial interest with a nice set-up. I had assumed this was Reilly taking a detour from his usual style into something decidedly darker, a gritty crime story set against the American south. And that's not the case, despite how the book sets itself up, this is through and through Reilly's typical action extravaganza.
Which should work for me, it certainly has in the past. It falls apart because, well it's not like The Great Zoo of China concerned itself with making a 'big point', or as the plot summary states, deals with 'hot button issues'. Maybe I'm ignorant to the wider Matthew Reilly catalogue, but he's not that kind of author. But, I guess he is now? The hot button topic being racism, by the way. It's handled strangely. I imagine the attempt to explore racism and America's history with slavery specifically was sincere, it's just so tonally out of step with the high speed action of the rest of the novel. Sure, that paring could work (as something like S.A. Cosby's Razorblade Tears proved) if there was balance in the writing, but there isn't. Reilly feels so out of his depth, he doesn't bring a perspective to this theme besides 'slavery is bad', and it's really as shallowly explored as that. And yeah the plot summary is correct, it's a 'hot button' issue, it's a topical theme to explore and as such shouldn't feel as cartoonish as it does here. The villains in this book do actually exist in the modern day, as the book posits, however they aren't cartoon characters the way that Reilly writes them. It undermines his points when the character's carrying his critique feel so thinly written. And that's a flaw in Reilly's writing in general, his character's are snickering villains, and muscly heroes lifting boulders in a single hand. That's fine when we're talking simple action, it doesn't adapt well into your societal commentary crime story. Speedman and the other good guys here also suffer from the same generic and boring characterisation the villains do. In the end, none of these character's have interesting enough arcs to convincingly carry them through the book.
I'm not trying to be too harsh on the guy that put himself out there creatively; maybe with some adjustments and a less ambitious story we could get some decent execution in this style from Reilly. I'm just not convinced this is really his thing.
Reilly starts The Detective as a played straight crime novel following a private detective as he investigates a series of murders that go back for over a century. The first half of The Detective was fine, Reilly's typically engaging and straight forward writing style, and a steadily revealed mystery that caught my initial interest with a nice set-up. I had assumed this was Reilly taking a detour from his usual style into something decidedly darker, a gritty crime story set against the American south. And that's not the case, despite how the book sets itself up, this is through and through Reilly's typical action extravaganza.
Which should work for me, it certainly has in the past. It falls apart because, well it's not like The Great Zoo of China concerned itself with making a 'big point', or as the plot summary states, deals with 'hot button issues'. Maybe I'm ignorant to the wider Matthew Reilly catalogue, but he's not that kind of author. But, I guess he is now? The hot button topic being racism, by the way. It's handled strangely. I imagine the attempt to explore racism and America's history with slavery specifically was sincere, it's just so tonally out of step with the high speed action of the rest of the novel. Sure, that paring could work (as something like S.A. Cosby's Razorblade Tears proved) if there was balance in the writing, but there isn't. Reilly feels so out of his depth, he doesn't bring a perspective to this theme besides 'slavery is bad', and it's really as shallowly explored as that. And yeah the plot summary is correct, it's a 'hot button' issue, it's a topical theme to explore and as such shouldn't feel as cartoonish as it does here. The villains in this book do actually exist in the modern day, as the book posits, however they aren't cartoon characters the way that Reilly writes them. It undermines his points when the character's carrying his critique feel so thinly written. And that's a flaw in Reilly's writing in general, his character's are snickering villains, and muscly heroes lifting boulders in a single hand. That's fine when we're talking simple action, it doesn't adapt well into your societal commentary crime story. Speedman and the other good guys here also suffer from the same generic and boring characterisation the villains do. In the end, none of these character's have interesting enough arcs to convincingly carry them through the book.
I'm not trying to be too harsh on the guy that put himself out there creatively; maybe with some adjustments and a less ambitious story we could get some decent execution in this style from Reilly. I'm just not convinced this is really his thing.
January 31, 2026
A change of pace from my usual reading and a fun one albeit covering a nasty theme of modern slavery. Twenty two years ago our bookclub read Ice Station. One of our members worked for Universal Studios, she invited Matthew Reilly to come to our bookclub meeting and (I thought, quite bravely) he did. Ice Station wasn’t really our cup of tea but Reilly was charming and super determined to succeed as an author. Since then I’ve followed his stratospheric success and admired the way his pacy, action packed stories have engendered a love of reading in many who were previously reluctant to pick up a book.
Sam Speedman is a great character, a kind, honest and super well-prepared private detective. He gets caught up in the evil dealings of some very powerful Southern US families who, even in the present day, invoke the antebellum era of white supremacy and slavery. There’s lots of violence as Sam ricochets around the Louisiana Bayou, Texas and Florida going from one alligator infested swamp to another, chased by trained assassins. It was a wild ride and a nice quick read requiring a fair bit of suspension of belief but then giving food for thought in terms of the power that can amass in family dynasties.
Sam Speedman is a great character, a kind, honest and super well-prepared private detective. He gets caught up in the evil dealings of some very powerful Southern US families who, even in the present day, invoke the antebellum era of white supremacy and slavery. There’s lots of violence as Sam ricochets around the Louisiana Bayou, Texas and Florida going from one alligator infested swamp to another, chased by trained assassins. It was a wild ride and a nice quick read requiring a fair bit of suspension of belief but then giving food for thought in terms of the power that can amass in family dynasties.
October 19, 2025
Sam Speedman, you are a delight!
I can’t wait to read more of your adventures!
I can’t wait to read more of your adventures!
November 9, 2025
A tough one to review, I liked the pace and was never bored, but I think I enjoy the fantasy/adventure aspects of Reilly’s novels. I think the seriousness of the subject matter isn’t always aligned with the style.
September 18, 2025
Was lucky enough to get an ARC and I fucking loved it. What a satisfying ending.
October 27, 2025
I will never not say this when it comes to Matthew Reilly releasing a book and that fact is that I WILL ALWAYS BE SO EXCITED and IT WAS SO FUCKING GOOD. Now having read over twenty books from Matthew ALL OF THEM have been immaculate EVEN when they are so unique! And The Detective was NO DIFFERENT. It was as Matthew Reilly as it could get, and I COULD NOT. The fast-paced action, the plot twists, the way I could have finished this within the first day of getting it and the SITTING ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT FOR ANSWERS GODDAMMIT.
I really, and when I say really, I mean REALLY liked Sam Speedman. He was witty, funny and just overall himself and I found myself having a good giggle at some parts. I also enjoyed the fact that he wasn’t the stereotypical “hero” as we’ve seen previously with Scarecrow or Jack West. He was just Sam and that’s all he needed to be. With even being Sam, it lead him to having some fun adventures with his partner-in-crime at the time, Audrey. *smirk*
Overall, I had a BLAST while reading this book, not to mention the aftermath of everything REALLY pulled my heartstrings. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT to see more adventures of private detective Sam Speedman and his crew, as well as ANY other Matthew Reilly future releases!
I really, and when I say really, I mean REALLY liked Sam Speedman. He was witty, funny and just overall himself and I found myself having a good giggle at some parts. I also enjoyed the fact that he wasn’t the stereotypical “hero” as we’ve seen previously with Scarecrow or Jack West. He was just Sam and that’s all he needed to be. With even being Sam, it lead him to having some fun adventures with his partner-in-crime at the time, Audrey. *smirk*
Overall, I had a BLAST while reading this book, not to mention the aftermath of everything REALLY pulled my heartstrings. I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT WAIT to see more adventures of private detective Sam Speedman and his crew, as well as ANY other Matthew Reilly future releases!
December 9, 2025
Like every other Matthew Reilly book, it's fast paced and filled with excitement. This was a great read and very interesting story to tackle. The pre-chapter quotes really hammered home how this was still such a prevalent issue in the world we live.
The book seemed like a large read but I managed to smash it out in two days because of two reasons. The first, it was encapsulating and I couldn't put it down. The second, it was actually quite short. At 360 page I thought it might stretch out, but with a lot of empty space and pages throughout I found I was turning pages a lot. It was a great length for the detail that was delved into, but would have loved some more. Is there any chance of Sam returning for another case in the future?
The book seemed like a large read but I managed to smash it out in two days because of two reasons. The first, it was encapsulating and I couldn't put it down. The second, it was actually quite short. At 360 page I thought it might stretch out, but with a lot of empty space and pages throughout I found I was turning pages a lot. It was a great length for the detail that was delved into, but would have loved some more. Is there any chance of Sam returning for another case in the future?
November 21, 2025
Typical Matthew Reilly book with interesting characters, fast paced and with plenty of action. A real page turner. Almost a Jack Reacher type of storyline with a good versus evil plot. The first book in a long time that has been so engaging that I read it easily within a day. I think I may have enjoyed it all the more having had a small taste of the Louisiana swamps and could easily picture the trees hanging with Spanish moss, the airboats and the alligators.
October 24, 2025
As a long-time Matthew Reilly reader, I devoured The Detective in just three hours. It’s fast, cinematic, and full of that trademark Reilly momentum but what struck me most was how much his storytelling has matured.
Sam Speedman is a fantastic lead. Reilly captures his voice perfectly, Chandler-esque, yet still distinctly his own. The choice to write in first person isn’t peak Reilly for me; I’ve always loved how his third-person thrillers let the action, characters, and settings expand in vivid, immersive ways.
It’s thrilling to see an author known for high-octane adventure push into new creative territory while keeping the heart-racing energy fans love.
Sam Speedman is a fantastic lead. Reilly captures his voice perfectly, Chandler-esque, yet still distinctly his own. The choice to write in first person isn’t peak Reilly for me; I’ve always loved how his third-person thrillers let the action, characters, and settings expand in vivid, immersive ways.
It’s thrilling to see an author known for high-octane adventure push into new creative territory while keeping the heart-racing energy fans love.
January 8, 2026
I don't know why I keep reading Matthew Reilly books. I can suspend disbelief for a good story but this one... the autistic protagonist was not particularly believable, the concept of modern slavery was an horrific one but also not delved deeply into - i feel like the style of Reilly's writing almost undermines the seriousness of this as an issue creating superficial and characature-like antagonists, and it all kind of felt a bit white saviour-y. Not to mention the gratuitous sex scene where the almost-raped Audrey throws herself at Sam - what.
January 20, 2026
This was a phenomenal read. Very different to what I'm used to but it was refreshing to read from the lens of an awesome main character with a distinct personality. It covered some pretty dark themes but I also learnt a lot. Can't wait to read more of his work.
March 3, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
My second Matthew Riley book (also his most recent) and I just love his writing style!
It is so thrilling from page 1, and packed with action and mystery the whole way through. His books are so extremely well researched too. He is a new favourite of mine!
My second Matthew Riley book (also his most recent) and I just love his writing style!
It is so thrilling from page 1, and packed with action and mystery the whole way through. His books are so extremely well researched too. He is a new favourite of mine!
December 9, 2025
Matthew Reilly at his best. A must read for Reilly fans.
Now anxiously awaiting the sequel.
Now anxiously awaiting the sequel.
December 12, 2025
Love it, love it, love it
January 18, 2026
Another blockbuster story with a truly unique main character
January 1, 2026
Was an interesting read a lot darker than the usual Matthew Reilly books but still good
October 25, 2025
Not the conventional Matthew Reilly story but it kept me hooked all the same. Each page turn couldn't be the last unless something pesky like work required it to be.
January 11, 2026
An interesting take on the protagonist as a fairly high-functioning autistic man, and an as-always exhilarating and fast-paced story. Loved it. It’s so refreshing to read Reilly’s books.
October 29, 2025
Reilly's crime fiction detour never strays far from his conspiratorial action novel roots. With his signature lead-foot pace, he explores new characters and locales, while never quite reaching the scale or spectacle of his other books.
While a page-turning read with a pointed social commentary, Reilly's voice as a white Australian man providing cultural commentary on the lasting impacts of racism in the US South never quite escapes the uncanny valley.
While a page-turning read with a pointed social commentary, Reilly's voice as a white Australian man providing cultural commentary on the lasting impacts of racism in the US South never quite escapes the uncanny valley.
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