Two years ago I was thrilled to read Ava Glass’ “Alias Emma” and I was equally thrilled with the sequel “The Traitor” last year. The third installment brings back the incredibly competent, intelligent, risk-taker Emma Makepeace, who is defining the epitome of a brilliant female spy. A few characters from the past books make appearances, but “The Trap” can keep your heart pounding as a standalone and you’ll fall in love with Emma.

In this first book, Emma’s knowledge of the streets of London played a significant role; here she’s in unfamiliar Edinburgh where the G7 will be meeting trying to figure out why a Russian spymaster is sneaking through Great Britain. She’s paired with a Scottish police officer, Kate McKenzie, a different role for Emma who is usually working alone. Together they trail spies, circumvent assassins, and defeat bad guys.

Emma has definitely grown into a well rounded character. She has some misgivings (Should she be a honeypot? Is her Scottish partner the news leak?), but that makes her more human when she performs with superhuman acumen. Emma faces some expected misogyny, but the fact that she excels at her job makes her wonderfully confident.

My thanks to pseudonymous author Ava Glass (read the acknowledgments of “”Alias Emma” to figure out who this is) who is championing a modern day heroine in Emma Makepiece. We definitely need more female spies! 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Although Ripley has an impossible eye color, grey.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Nick’s home is decorated with paintings of Scottish flowers although they are not named: Heather? Bluebells? Thistle?

Thank you to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Thank you for Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC!

NetGalley introduced me to the second book in the Alias Emma series leading me to read the first book as well, so when I saw that the third book was available on NetGalley I was excited to request it. This book picked back right up from where we left Emma Makepeace in the second installment. From ther the action started off with a bang and never let up. I absolutely love how Ava Glass characterizes Emma- she is both a bada** spy that also has feelings and emotions the reader gets to see. I thought the Scotland setting was perfection and the return of beloved characters with new characters was excellent. Another great addition to the Alias Emma series. Highly recommend picking these books up!

Emma Makepeace is once again on a mission... to stop an assassination at a high profile event!

I was excited to get my hands on a copy of this new spy novel. I read the first two books of this Ava Glass series back to back last year and I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced action of espionage. Book 3, "The Trap" did not disappoint.

I always have so much fun in this world that author Ava Glass has created. It starts off fast and never lets up into the last page. I hope Ava Glass continues to write more stories in this spy world. I will always be a fan!

I enjoyed this third book by Ava Glass. Not as action-packed as her first, or as suspenseful as her second, but a good story nonetheless. Readers new to the Emma Makepeace series will find this easy to get into, but I'd recommend reading the first two, as well. Spy Emma finds herself going the extra mile to uncover the reasons why certain Russians visiting Edinburgh are acting suspiciously in advance of a world summit. Given current events with the attempted assasination of former president Trump, it is a timely read. A new character is introduced, who may or may not feature in future books, but it will be fun to find out. Recommended.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Emma Makepeace is back in the new Ava Glass thriller, The Trap. As Edinburgh prepares to host the G7 Summit, British Intelligence learns of a potential threat to the proceedings. Who is behind it and what is the threat? Stretched thin due to cutbacks, there’s a fear of real vulnerabilities “on every front”. In an effort to learn more, Emma is asked to go undercover and develop a relationship with Scottish businessman, Nick Orlov, who appears to be close to a Russian FSB agent who may be behind the plot. It’s a dangerous assignment and her boss, Ripley, says of it “Operations like this one change you. If you do this, it will change you in little dangerous ways”. “I can handle it,” Emma insisted, stubbornly, although nerves had begun to swirl inside her. The tension sets in and ratchets up as the story proceeds. A former protectee of Emma’s observed. ““That’s what you have to do. Your world is life or death… Everything is at stake every time you get out of bed. In that sort of situation, it’s easy to doubt yourself, easy to lose faith. But you have to keep your focus. Whatever it is you have to do, will it save lives?” “Yes,” Emma whispered without hesitation. “Then those lives are what matters. Think of the people you’re saving. Keep them always in your mind. And you can do anything.”

Emma partners, reluctantly, with local police officer, Kate MacKenzie, to determine the threat. Despite her toughness, there is a warmth to Emma which makes you root for her. This is another satisfying, suspenseful read. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I have enjoyed the arc of the Alias Emma series, and find it hard to believe the life of this spy that has unfolded in what purports to be one year in her life! Like Alias, Emma and The Traitor, the Trap is a fast paced thriller with a short timeline for The Agency to resolve a threat against an upcoming G7 meeting in Edinburgh. With the tight timeline and the city she doesn't know, Emma moves fast to neutralize the threat, bringing in some new and interesting contacts and situations. A worthy follow up in the series!

The third book in the Alias Emma series might be the best one yet. Emma Makepeace is a great character, the plot moved along at breakneck speed and there were enough twist to keep me enthralled to the very end. I read the entire book in a little over a day, unable to put it down. This can be read as a stand alone but I strongly recommend starting with the first book, "Alias Emma," and reading the entire series. You'll be glad you did.. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for an advanced reader copy.

A spy novel--I used to shun this genre. I still do, but more selectively and I will NEVER shun books by this author! I received the first book, Alias Emma, and I have been avidly watching for more. #2--also excellent. The Trap is book 3 in the Emma Makepeace series. The excellence continues. You have a badass woman spy (but not over the top), working for M16. This book has her traveling to Edinburgh where she needs to stop an assassin. This could definitely be a standalone book--although once you read it, you will backtrack. Anyway, I finished this book 3 weeks ago and I have been unable to put together a review. I think none of my words could do this author/book justice so I am going to give it a 5 star rating. I HIGHLY recommend that you read it. You will be missing out otherwise. I am very appreciate to Bantam Books and NetGalley for the complimentary digital arc. This review has not been coerced in any way. This is my own opinion, my own words.

Once again Ava Glass has come up with a brilliant book. This time Emma Makepeace needs to find out how the Russians (it’s always the Russians) are going to wreck the G7 summit in Edinburgh. She befriends a handsome man named Nick who may or may not be working for the Russians. The only problem is that the British have no idea who the target is. This is a fast paced book. Ava Glass has done a good job of making us know the city of Edinburgh without making it overwhelming. The story is interesting and there aren’t too many characters to keep track of. This would make a great read if you are stuck inside on a rainy afternoon. Thank me later

When I got a copy of this book, I didn’t realize it was the third of a series, but hanks to my local library, I soon caught up on Emma’s earlier adventures. Perhaps because I read them so recently, this third installment felt a bit low stakes — even though we were constantly being told how high the stakes were. But while I held my breath a bit less, it was still fun to follow Emma on the case, and I look forward to her next mission.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I have read and loved the previous two “Alias Emma” novels. Emma Makepeace is a British agent working for a group that is so secret that it doesn’t have a name. In the current episode, Emma is sent to Scotland to stop a Russian assassination at the G7 conference. Although she usually works alone, Emma has to team with a Scottish policewoman named Kate MacKenzie. To Emma’s surprise, she and Kate get along terrifically and form a tight bond.

Emma and Kate are both portrayed as strong female characters. This distinguishes the series from the usual male-dominated spy thrillers.

I look forward to the next Emma Makepeace adventure.

Thank you, Ava Glass, for keeping the Emma Makepeace series alive. G7 is scheduled to take place in Edinburgh in one week. As part of a special forces team, Emma has to track down a killer poised to assassinate one or many of the G7 attendees. This is a fast pace book, which I could have finished in one day if I did not have other agenda items on my plate.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy.

I've really enjoyed this series so far, but must confess that this was not my favorite of the books... It started out with solid promise, but it felt like things stalled a bit in the middle and nothing was happening, despite being told - repeatedly - about the short timeline to save the world. It felt too drawn out and a little too "Emma's drama" given the stakes and situation. It was alright, and I'd still pick up the next book because I do like Emma and her world, but this one was a bit of a slow-go for me...

I love spending time watching Emma be badass, and there is no shortage of that here. The central mystery was deliciously uncovered layer by layer for the first 70% of the book, and then things sped along to a conclusion at a breakneck speed that didn't quite manage to hold on to the tension, but was ultimately satisfying. I'll absolutely be back for the next installment.

The third installment in the adventures of the British female spy surpassed my expectations! I devoured the previous two books in this series, but was not prepared for the adrenaline rush that is this one! Loved it!

The Trap is the 3rd entry in the Alias Emma series by Ava Glass. Emma is a spy working for the British Intelligence, in a top-secret agency, and The Trap finds her going afield from London to Edinburgh to stop a potential assassination attempt on an unknown government target during the G7 Summit. A high-level Russian agent lands in the UK and ruffles the feathers of several intelligence firms, so Emma is part of a multi-agency team trying to identify what game the Russians are playing.
As with the previous books in this series, this novel was tightly plotted, and moves quickly. Emma is tasked with finding out from a former Russian citizen and high-level oil executive, Nick Orlov, exactly what plans were made by the Russians, with very little time or room for error. The new characters introduced were enjoyable and well developed, but Emma shines as the lead, making decisions and risks to lead her agency to success on her mission. I devoured this book in a single day, and I look forward to reading more about Emma in future installments in this series.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

The Trap by Ava Glass is #3 in the Emma Makepeace series of The Agency in England. A new adventure of why a leader of the Russian FSB comes to Edinburgh before the G7 convention. I really like this character. It was good to see her make friend. The writing is straight forward and descriptive. Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review. Looking forward to Emma’s next adventure!

I'm am so grateful to netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book, the third in the series (all netgalley scores!).

i really got caught up in the adventure in the first book (alias emma) but felt a bit let down by the second (the traitor). Perhaps it was the frustration of being set on a boat or the supporting characters felt less defined?

whatever the case, this third installment feels more like the first; high stakes, time crunch, great supporting characters and emma being a smart risk taker.

I love this series, have read them all and have grown invested in Emma Makepeace’s career as a young spy for the Agency. She’s wholeheartedly invested in her career choice, a craft she’s still perfecting. She has to compartmentalize work and personal life into different boxes. Her personas must reflect where and who she is by the moment. I love her spunk and tenacity.
From London to Edinburgh she must stop an assassination at the upcoming G7 conference. The pursuit pairs her with a local police detective more familiar with the area. Dignitaries from around the world are attending, security is heightened. Every agency including MI5, MI6 (spies everywhere) are worried that the Russians are behind the threat as known FSB and GRU are arriving. The stakes couldn’t get any higher, even the Prime Minister is at risk. A leak somewhere is making the mission even more difficult. The tension and suspense builds to a climatic showdown with a stone cold killer. I couldn’t put the book down, holding my breath to know how it would play out. I hope there’s more of Emma’s story to come.
Thanks to Random House/ Ballantine/Bantam for the Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley of “The Trap” Alias Emma (volume 3) by Ava Glass,. Publication expected September 3, 2024. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

Another fast paced thriller that I couldn’t put down. This time, Emma Makepeace is in Edinburgh, racing against the clock ahead of the G7 summit. In her usual style, the author delivers an action packed plot, drawing on current events and foreign policy, while building fascinating and human characters.

I loved this as much as the first two books in the series and can’t wait for the next one.