This was a suspenseful read. An action packed spy thriller!

Emma Makepeace works for a British security team. Her job is to take down the bad guys. She is to look over the safety of some high ranking officials.

This was the third book in the series. A good read! Look forward to the next.

The Trap by Ava Glass is an engaging read from start to finish with a well developed plot and characters. A recommended read!

Many thanks to Netgalley for this arc. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

Emma Makepeace is on a new assignment to help oversee the G7 summit and tail a high up member of the Russian government that is up to no good. Emma is asked to honey trap Nick Orvlo who is innocent of any wrongdoing and was simply tricked into doing something evil and even helps Emma and her team figure out the plot that the Russians are up to for the G7 summit and who they are going to assassinate. Emma ends up partnering with a women named Mackenzie who she trusts and even offers her a spot on the team since she liked having a partner. This book was so good and I enjoyed every minute of it. Great pacing throughout and it made the time go by faster.

The Trapp is a great addition to the Emma Makepeace series.. I love Emma's strength and courage, and I appreciated that she had to grapple with challenging aspects of the job. I also loved the introduction of a new character that showed that women can work together, encourage each other, and look out for each other. The Trap is best enjoyed after reading the first two books in the series, but it is a delightful addition. I loved it!

I really love this series. A lot of spy novels suffer from over-complication in my opinion and this series is accessible and just plain fun. The fast-paced plots make sense and it’s easy to follow the politics of the world Glass has created. Emma is a great character, she’s tough but with humanity. Another recent spy novel I read had so many characters and conflicting loyalties that it was hard to follow. Some times a simple, well-told story works best.

Ava Glass has published three novels. The Trap was published last September and it is the third book in her Alls Emma series. It is the 78th book I completed reading in 2024.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R.

Edinburgh is about to host the G7 Summit in a few days. Suddenly Vladimir Balakin arrives unexpectedly in the UK. He is the second highest-ranking officer within the Russian GRU. British Intelligence concludes he is there to disrupt the G7 and embarrass the British Prime Minister.

Emma Makepeace is an agent of The Agency, a supersecret British intelligence group that is tasked with hunting Russian spies. With Balakin in the UK, he becomes their primary focus. They track him to the Russian embassy and to Nick Orlov’s private residence. Orlov had emigrated to Britain 15 years earlier and earned British citizenship.

Orlov has no ties to Russian intelligence and seems to be the wealthy businessman he claims to be. Makepeace is tasked with getting close to Orlov and discovering the connection with Balakin. She goes undercover and finds a way to come to Orlov’s attention.

After a few dates with Makepeach, Orlov flies her to Rome for a romantic dinner and an overnight stay in an exclusive hotel. Before the romantic evening can progress further than dinner, Makepeace must intercede to save Orlov from an assassin, revealing her true background.

The two must flee the hotel with Russian agents in pursuit. Orlov revealed that Balakin was coercing him to help. He had finally told Balakin that he was backing out. Orlov is in shock at the resulting assassination attempt and the revelation that the woman he was having growing feelings about is not real.

Balakin is able to return to Russia, but a plot is discovered to assassinate one of the leaders at the G7. A contract had been made with a local criminal to carry it out. Only days remain as Makepeace and her team frantically search for the suspect.

I enjoyed the 7.5+ hours I spent reading this 310-page thriller. I have had the chance to read both prior novels in this series (Alias Emma and The Traitor). I have enjoyed all three of Ms. Glass' novels. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.4 out of 5.

You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).

My book reviews are also published on Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/31181778-john-purvis).

A British spy, Russians, and an assassination. This book was such a great thriller! I couldn’t put it down. The characters were complex and I loved every second of this book!

Book Review
The Trap
Ava Glass
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


Move over, Emma Peel of the beloved 60s TV series The Avengers and Eve Polastri from the more recent 2018 series, Killing Eve. This is the third appearance of Emma Makepeace (real name: Alexandra) in her thrilling reprisal in this page-turning espionage spy novel. This clever and ingenious heroine grapples with hordes of Russian GRU/FBS agents and their assassin henchmen to uncover a plot that threatens to disrupt the upcoming G7 meeting.

This novel can be enjoyed as a standalone due to Glass’s effortless insertion of necessary backstory. Emma is part of the small, secret “Agency,” focused on identifying and stopping Russian spies working inside Britain. Tension between London and Moscow is at an all-time high due to the ongoing Ukraine war and Russia’s efforts to keep gas prices spiraling upward. In just a week, the G7 meeting will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland. The seven most important and powerful leaders of western democracies will gather to discuss possible Russian sanctions, as well as other world issues, to promote the global economy, stabilize democracy, and even rein in China and Russian aggression.

Emma was born to be a spy. Her Russian father was a scientist spying for Britain, sharing information he believed could avert a nuclear war. Her mother fled Russia while still pregnant. Her father was betrayed and executed when Emma was only several months old. After university, she joined the Army and was immediately placed in military intelligence, being fluent in Russian, Polish, and German. After her service, she was recruited by MI5 under her current boss, Charles Ripley.

What are the Russians planning? How are they going to disrupt the G7 meeting and humiliate the leaders of western democracies? Multiple British intelligence agencies know that a high-ranking FSB operative has flown to England and was observed entering the Russian embassy. He was subsequently followed to the palatial home of Russian expat, Nikolai Orlov. This operative is known to be ruthless and directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocents in Syria and Ukraine. Orlov is a self-made successful businessman and doesn’t fit the mold of a typical FSB operative. How and why is he involved? A targeted assassination is suspected. They have less than a week to uncover the plot. Emma is assigned to spearhead the surveillance and investigation of Nikolai Orlov. It’s vital that she gets inside his house. Intelligence suggests that Orlov is having dinner at the Balmoral Hotel. With an elegant disguise and guile, she confronts and mesmerizes Nikolai, posing as “Anna Case.” She piques his interest and vanity with subterfuge, lies, and her beauty. Feigning familiarity from a previous lecture he had given, she secures an invitation to his mansion for a personally cooked dinner the next day. Orlov has no house staff, nor has he ever wanted any. Emma is tasked with placing three micro transmitters in the house—one in his study, one in the living room, and the other in his bedroom. Although she’s never attempted a “honey trap” before, she is prepared to do whatever it takes to gain his confidence and, hopefully, uncover the target and method of assassination. She suspects “Nick” is being coerced into the plot and might ultimately be a target himself.

Ava Glass crafts a masterful narrative that is a cinematic gem, deftly capturing the reader’s imagination. A lethal cat-and-mouse contest plays out in the shadowy streets of London and Rome. Emma must use disguise and subterfuge to avoid capture, and the action—filled with explosive, hand-to-hand combat—ratchets up to an exhilarating, high-octane climax. In my mind’s eye, I picture Diana Rigg or Uma Thurman playing the part of Emma Makepeace. This will appeal to aficionados of Ian Fleming’s James Bond series. Emma could easily hold her own alongside James.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam Books for supplying an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. Although this is the third in a series, I’m fully on board for the further travails of Emma Makepeace.

Another Emma Makepeace winner! Ava Glass has created a female spy protagonist in Emma and I'm a big fan of this series. It's a page-turner filled with excitement, intrigue, lots of action and chaos with Edinburgh as the background. Highly recommend for those who enjoy fast paced spy thrillers.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for this ARC.

This book feels genuine and well researched. A G7 summit is about to take place in Edinburgh, with a credible threat that a head of state will be assassinated. Emma is with MI6, and being unfamiliar with the city, a local police officer is assigned to work with her. She must seduce a wealthy local Russian to find out who will be assassinated, when, and where.. When he flies her to Rome for a dinner date, things really take off. This is the kind of book that will keep you up all night, reading to the end.

"You really should see the other guy" The Trap is penned by Ava Glass. Readers are taken into a suspected threat to the G7 Conference in Scotland's Carlowrie Castle in Edingburgh, with our 20-something British spy, Emma Makepeace, and Scottish police person, Kate MacKenize. Emma's handler, Ripley plans to implant Emma undercover as Anna Case to infiltrate Nick Orlov's world. Emma and Mack research who Nick Orlov is and if he is apparently been working with two Russian FSB agents--Vladimir Balakin and Leonid Fridman. Emma begins her extremely dangerous task by befriending Orlov, the Russians "apparent" partner in their planned G7 disruption. Will undercover Emma be recognized for what her and Ripley's plan really is? And then.... Danger increases, Emma is feeling pressure, they're all looking for her to get Nick Orlov to talk! What does he know? Can she find anything or anybody with damning proof? Lookout! Illegal weapons are suspected! Suspense, rapid intense danger, discovery, murders, a wounded agent and so, so much more!
I highly recommend this outstanding spy thriller!!! Kudos to Ava Glass!!!

This is my absolute favorite series and I am so glad there was another one! The tension and suspense did not disappoint. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Emma Makepeace races to save the day again—this time cooperating with a core group of agents from different intelligence branches to identify and stop whatever likely nefarious plan has brought a high-ranking Russian spy to the UK. As in her two previous outings, Emma shows off some serious skills, using fighting, shooting, disguise, languages, and acting in service of another read-in-one-sitting action thriller. Somehow while undertaking all of this 007-like activity she manages to seem appealingly human. She even has to learn to work with a partner. This series is terrific fun. A bit of advice: read these books in publication order. It’s not that each can’t be read as a standalone, because they all can—little snippets of backstory are woven in so that it’s easy to understand who’s who. The problem is that even these little tidbits of backstory contain significant spoilers, so if you like this third book you won’t find it as enjoyable to go back and read the earlier novels.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for a digital advance review copy.

Emma Makepeace was saving the G7 this time. Using herself as the ultimate bait, she was tasked to figure out what Russians were planning to do to paint the town red. She, being the badass woman, wouldn't let anyone to destroy Scottish and English pride.

Emma always found a way to put herself in the middle of the danger. This time it was to protect politicians. The damage an attack on G7 could create political unrest for the next 50 years. Emma had to stop that from happening like it's no biggie. Salvation of prime ministers and presidents were through a Russian's bed.

I'm intrigued by the idea that she might get a partner. I mean it's always a liability but there is no rule saying that spy has to work alone on the field. Imagine having two Bond like ladies on the field!

I am enraptured with Emma Makepeace. She is such an intelligent, likable spy with great instincts who thinks quickly on her feet. She draws you in immediately and the pages fly by.
Emma Makepeace is a part of a secret British intelligence group. She works alongside M15 and M1 6, but is not part of them. Her current assignment involves hunting down a very dangerous Russian spy. The upcoming global G7 summit will soon take place in Edinburg, Scotland. Rumors are that Russia will interfere and possibly try to assassinate one of the world leaders. Emma is tasked with setting up a liaison with Russian billionaire Nick Orlov. She is also given a partner to work with, detective Kate Mackenzie, which initially does not go over well with Emma as she likes to work alone. Without giving too much away, be prepared for dangerous plays with many twists and turns. Chapters are quick with news releases involving the British Prime Minister and information from the BBC as the G7 summit approaches.
This is the third book in the Emma Makepeace series and I have loved everyone. It will immediately pull you in and engage you from page one. This novel is both a spy novel as well as a thriller. This third book also combines real-life politics drawn from actual events.
Many thanks to Random House Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Published on September 3, 2024.

I really enjoy the Emma Makepeace spy series. Some of her past comes back in play so it was helpful to have read the first two books in the series. Helpful but can still be a stand alone. An unnamed British spy agency is tracking Russian bad guys to Edinburgh where a G7 summit is taking place. Agency interaction is a strong theme and a new face is introduced in the form of policewoman Mack. A good consistently solid read.

Copy provided by the publisher and Netgalley

This was one of those books I thought would be such a good read. And it wasn't bad--I just had zero sense of who the character is. Lots of things kept happening, but since I didn't really understand who I was supposed to be rooting for, it was hard to care. I will acknowledge this is book 3 in a series, but I suppose I just think each book should still stand on it's own!

Another exciting Alias Emma story! In this 3rd book, Emma is in Scotland for the upcoming G7 conference, which the Russians are trying to interrupt. Emma works closely with a local police officer and develops a true friendship, which was an unexpected twist from the previous books, as she rarely connects with other people on a deeper level. I loved the description of the Scottish scenery, it felt as though I was making my way through the city as well. Old characters and emotions are revisited, and Emma seems more human in this book than the previous books.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Trap by Ava Glass is a gripping addition to the espionage thriller genre, featuring the indomitable British spy, Emma Makepeace. Set against the backdrop of the high-stakes G7 Summit in Edinburgh, this novel plunges readers into a world of political intrigue and relentless suspense.

Emma Makepeace, a seasoned intelligence officer, is tasked with thwarting a high-profile assassination planned by Russian operatives. The narrative is a race against time, with Emma navigating a city teeming with the world’s most powerful leaders. The tension is palpable as she sets a trap, using herself as bait to uncover the assassin’s identity.

Ava Glass masterfully crafts a story that is both fast-paced and richly detailed. The plot is intricately woven, with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Emma’s character is compelling; her intelligence, resourcefulness, and determination make her a worthy successor to iconic spies in literature. Her interactions with other characters, particularly her reluctant partnership with Kate Mackenzie from Police Scotland, add depth and complexity to the story.

The setting of Edinburgh during the G7 Summit is vividly portrayed, adding an extra layer of urgency and realism to the narrative. Glass’s background as a former crime reporter and civil servant shines through in her meticulous attention to detail and her understanding of the espionage world.

The Trap is a tale of espionage and a story about the lengths one will go to protect their country and the personal sacrifices made along the way. It’s a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a thrilling, well-crafted novel that keeps you guessing until the very end.

In this 3rd entry in the Alias Emma series, when there is an indication that the upcoming G7 meeting in Edinburgh may be targeted for attack, British spy Emma Makepeace is sent there to try to uncover and stop the plot - though this time she’s not working on her own but with a whole team from different agencies and the police.

It’s funny, although I enjoy spy thriller movies, I rarely read them. But I love this book series and will keep reading them as long as Ava Glass keeps writing them - they’re fun but also smart and I love the main character. You could definitely read this as a standalone, but I think you’d enjoy it more if you’ve read the previous two and know Emma’s character better. It’s funny - the stakes for the world in this one were arguably higher, but somehow the personal stakes for Emma felt a little less dangerous somehow? Either way, it was an enjoyable page turner I happily tore through.