The Man in the Maze (1969) 192 pages by Robert Silverberg.

This could be classified as a first or second contact novel, but I would more of the psychological variety. Dick Muller is the title character, a man who years ago made contact with an alien species, and when he returned, being in his presence sickened was sickening or depressing, so much so that he decided to exile himself to the maze on Lemnos. The maze was surrounded top and bottom by an impenetrable force field. Only through a doorway could you gain entry. The maze was filled with deadly traps and vicious animals. Here in the center is where Muller has made his home.

Now another alien species has been discovered, and Earth needs Muller's help to contact them and turn them away. So a group led by Charles Boardman tries to enter the maze and make contact with Muller, but no direct appeal for help is going to work, because Muller is disenchanted with humanity. Boardman employs Ned Rawlins, the son of a friend of Muller to make the contact using a cover story.

The reader gets to see how Ned's character reacts and grows during the unfolding of the story, along with Muller. There is some action, Boardman has to figure out a way to penetrate the maze, it's almost a foregone conclusion that they will, but how many lives will be lost in the process.

This book was good. If you haven't read any Silverberg, I would suggest Lord Valentine's Castle and the other Majipoor books if you enjoy that one.