What do you think?
Detective Sam Speedman
King's Ransom
509 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
Matthew Reilly
90 books6,477 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 1, 2026
Ludicrous and relentlessly fun, this is absolutely classic Matthew Reilly. 'King's Ransom' is a big step up from 'The Detective' and stands comfortably alongside Reilly’s very best works, such as 'Scarecrow' (2003).
Reading it really took me back to when I was reading Reilly decades ago:
The early portions are reminiscent of Die Hard 3, with a disembodied voice providing riddles and challenges. On its own this is very fun, but the book quickly evolves past this, layering intrigue and action
The novel feels somewhat immaculately planned, with swathes of foreshadowings and payoffs that provide quite constant catharsis in the latter portion of the novel. Some less important stuff is easy to predict (Such as what will happen to Sam’s local Hooters), but most of the twists and turns are harder to see coming.
In Sam Speedman, Reilly has found his newest franchise protagonist, and perhaps one of his best. Speedman comfortably stands alongside Shane Schofield and Jack West Jr. He’s an autistic action hero that Reilly is clearly having a blast writing.
In this novel, Speedman meets his nemesis. His Moriarty, if you will. I won’t talk too much, except to say that Reilly handles it well, and very much in the flavour of his own previous work.
Also, Speedman thinks 'Fall of Hyperion' is superior to 'Hyperion', which is a based and correct opinion.
Reading it really took me back to when I was reading Reilly decades ago:
The early portions are reminiscent of Die Hard 3, with a disembodied voice providing riddles and challenges. On its own this is very fun, but the book quickly evolves past this, layering intrigue and action
The novel feels somewhat immaculately planned, with swathes of foreshadowings and payoffs that provide quite constant catharsis in the latter portion of the novel. Some less important stuff is easy to predict (Such as what will happen to Sam’s local Hooters), but most of the twists and turns are harder to see coming.
In Sam Speedman, Reilly has found his newest franchise protagonist, and perhaps one of his best. Speedman comfortably stands alongside Shane Schofield and Jack West Jr. He’s an autistic action hero that Reilly is clearly having a blast writing.
In this novel, Speedman meets his nemesis. His Moriarty, if you will. I won’t talk too much, except to say that Reilly handles it well, and very much in the flavour of his own previous work.
Also, Speedman thinks 'Fall of Hyperion' is superior to 'Hyperion', which is a based and correct opinion.
September 24, 2026
When the richest man in the world and his children get kidnapped from his penthouse in one of the tallest luxury apartments in New York City, five detectives are challenged to solve the mystery - and Dr Sam Speedman is among them. Though Sam isn’t like the others, and when the villain’s riddles turn deadly, Sam discovers there is much more to this case than meets the eye.
Matthew Reilly has absolutely hit it out of the park with this follow-up to his 2025 novel The Detective. Sharp and direct, Sam Speedman makes for an endearing, brilliant and at times witty narrator. One fun aspect about this novel is the detailed diagrams that lend to accurately visualising the action, and build on Sam’s unique way of telling the reader his story.
I absolutely loved the action scenes that felt like they belonged in the script of the next big Hollywood blockbuster (please let this one end up on the silver screen), while the mystery itself felt meaty and incredibly fun to read. King’s Ransom had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through and kept me guessing up until the final page.
Perfect if you love:
* Thrilling non-stop action
* Neurodivergent representation
* A mystery that keeps you guessing
Matthew Reilly has absolutely hit it out of the park with this follow-up to his 2025 novel The Detective. Sharp and direct, Sam Speedman makes for an endearing, brilliant and at times witty narrator. One fun aspect about this novel is the detailed diagrams that lend to accurately visualising the action, and build on Sam’s unique way of telling the reader his story.
I absolutely loved the action scenes that felt like they belonged in the script of the next big Hollywood blockbuster (please let this one end up on the silver screen), while the mystery itself felt meaty and incredibly fun to read. King’s Ransom had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through and kept me guessing up until the final page.
Perfect if you love:
* Thrilling non-stop action
* Neurodivergent representation
* A mystery that keeps you guessing
October 1, 2026
Just like Book 1 “The Detective”, “King’s Ransom” was a fantastic read! The story gripped you from the first page, the mystery had so many twists and turns and fake leads, I was on the edge of my seat for the entire ride! My favourite part of the book is the man himself, Sam Speedman. He is a fantastic neurodivergent representation, having worked with many neurodivergent people myself, the presentation of his character was spot on. From the hyper focus to the social awkwardness, there were moments where I was absolutely enthralled with Sam’s actions and discoveries. I also have to say that I love Sam and Audrey as a couple, and I really truly hope that Matthew Reilly does not break them up in any way, shape or form!!
I loved this book and will happily read again, and again.
I loved this book and will happily read again, and again.
October 2, 2026
Absolutely 5 stars
I could very happily read Sam Speedman novels all day every day and never get bored
The pace in these books is not something that can be underestimated, there is always something happening and I just never want to put it down! Now to stare at the wall until the next book comes out.
I could very happily read Sam Speedman novels all day every day and never get bored
The pace in these books is not something that can be underestimated, there is always something happening and I just never want to put it down! Now to stare at the wall until the next book comes out.
September 30, 2026
World’s Greatest Detective Book . No one writes action , edge of your seat adventure books like Matthew Reilly . Sam Speedman is not an accidental hero . He is calm , calculated , humble and brilliant.
October 1, 2026
Matthew Reilly rides again
Preordered Kings Ransom and it arrived on my Kindle yesterday. Today I finished reading it. Full of action, near misses and exciting escapes - there are no dead spots!
Preordered Kings Ransom and it arrived on my Kindle yesterday. Today I finished reading it. Full of action, near misses and exciting escapes - there are no dead spots!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Even more fun than the first book.
October 1, 2026
Damn that was a great read! Matthew Reilly knows how to make a book stay fast paced and unpredictable throughout. A bit cringy at points - but it keeps the speed of the book up so it’s fine.
October 1, 2026
Amazing 2nd book! This one really feels like im truely reading a great MR series.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews