“The Trap” was a good addition to the series. It was interesting to see Emma work with a partner (Mackenzie), who while a police officer, was not an intelligence officer, and had no prior experience of the intelligence community world. Of course, there are multiple recurring characters in the series. However, there is a brief reappearance of a character from “Alias, Emma" that is unexpected.

Say it isn't so!!! According to Amazon, this is book 3 of 3 in the Alias Emma series. I love this series. How could you end it after only 3 books??? With only 3 books, I recommend you get all of them even though each one works well as a standalone.

The books are edge-of-your-seat at times with characterization that is superbly done. Some of the situations Emma finds herself really have me saying, "Be careful!" out loud. I can't stand to stop reading until I know she's safe.

5 stars!

Ava Glass is quite possible my favorite spy thriller writer right now. Emma Makepeace is brilliant and these books get better each time. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for these galleys. This one mad my week!

The Trap is another exciting entry in the Emma Makepeace series. This time around, Emma and her agency travel to Scotland to figure out why Russian agents are trying to disrupt the G7 summit. Emma partners with a Scottish detective to figure out how Nick Orlov, a seemingly ordinary Russian living in Scotland is being pressured by Russian intelligence. Ava Glass does a great job of writing a character who isn't a spy stereotype- Emma is highly skilled but still has self doubt and makes mistakes. The story involving concerns about the state of the world and Russia's attempts to disrupt world peace are especially relevant. I enjoyed the first three books of this series and hope for another one! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Book Review: The Trap by Ava Glass
Rating: 4.5 Stars

In The Trap, the third installment of Ava Glass’s spy thriller Alias Emma series, we find ourselves deep in the high-stakes world of espionage once more. Emma Makepeace is thrust into the perilous landscape of international politics with an imminent G7 Summit in Edinburgh and possible terrorist threat. With the clock ticking, Emma must thwart a Russian plot amidst the chaos of a city on high alert.

The Agency (they are off the books being neither MI5 nor MI6) spot a high-ranking Russian intelligence office arriving in the UK, announced. They follow him to Edinburgh to the home of Nick Orlov, a British citizen with murky ties to Russia. They suspect a potential high-profile terrorist attack involving next week’s G7 Summit but very little intel and even less time to go into full op mode to gather it. Glass’s choice to intersperse news memos as each day passes effectively heightens the tension, reminding readers that every moment counts.

Being unfamiliar with Edinburgh, Emma is partnered with Detective Kate Mackenzie, a brilliantly-created cranky character I enjoyed every time she was on the page. The partnership is initially fraught with distrust, but evolves into a dynamic alliance. Their relationship provides both tension and a grudging camaraderie.

Emma is determined to stop whatever the Russians have planned, to put herself on the line, quite literally by being a honeytrap to get close to Orlov. Glass skillfully portrays Emma's inner strength and vulnerabilities, making her a compelling and relatable hero. Kate Mackenzie, on the other hand, is a standout new character. Mackenzie’s crankiness and skepticism provide a stark contrast to Emma’s methodical, professional, do-whatever-it-takes-to-save-the-world approach, making their interactions both tense and entertaining. Despite their initial friction, the two women develop a mutual respect that enriches the narrative. Nick Orlov is a complex figure shrouded in ambiguity. His connections to Russia and his new life in the UK add layers to the plot, keeping readers guessing about his true allegiance and role in the conspiracy.

The Trap delves into themes of trust, loyalty, and the gray areas of morality in espionage. Emma’s struggle to balance her mission with personal integrity is a recurring motif, reflecting the broader ethical dilemmas faced by those in her line of work. Edinburgh, with its historic streets and looming presence of the G7 Summit, serves as a vivid and strategic setting. The book’s title is evident in multiple ways: Are the Russians really going to risk a terrorist act or are they setting a trap to embarrass the UK? Emma’s honeytrap. Is Orlov a co-conspirator or has he been trapped into committing an act of terror unwillingly?

Conclusion
The Trap is a gripping addition to the Alias Emma series, cementing Emma Makepeace’s status as a formidable spy in contemporary fiction. Ava Glass masterfully crafts a tale of suspense and action, enriched by well-drawn characters and a vibrant setting. For fans of the series, this installment delivers everything you’d expect—high stakes, intricate plotting, and a protagonist who remains unyieldingly strong. The book’s relentless pace and compelling characters earn it a well-deserved 4.5 stars.

Reviewer’s Note
As an advanced reading copy provided by NetGalley, this review acknowledges the unpolished aspects that might be refined in the final publication. The minor editorial issues noted are expected to be addressed before the book’s release.
This review was based on an ARC provided by NetGalley.

A riveting and tense espionage thriller filled with taut suspense and exciting events. It’s a great evolution for this spy series with great emphasis on realistic tradecraft.

The Trap is the 3rd book of the series with Alias Emma and can easily be read as a standalone.

In this series, the case involves a treat against the G7 summit. For the first time, Emma is paired with a ‘partner’, Mackenzie, from the local police department.

It took me a while to get into this book. I am used to reading the Alias Emma series in one or two sittings. It wasn’t until Emma went undercover that I really started feeling like I was reading the series I love.

Ava Glass is a master at writing action and suspense. When Emma is undercover, that is exactly what the reader gets. It is a page turner. The sections of the book with Emma and Nick are outstanding. I wish there was more, and think there should have been more to Nick as he is an important character. I enjoyed their chemistry.

I wish I felt the same for Mackenzie. I see the need for her character in the plot of this story, but I prefer Emma to work alone. It makes it more exciting. Adding Mackenzie to the story resulted in a very quick case wrap up that was not credible. I felt like the characters in the end were introduced just to solve the case. It felt disconnected.

Overall, it is a satisfying read. I love the series and am looking forward to more. The reoccurring characters are enjoyable and make for a great series.

This was a good thriller. I didn’t want to put it down and I kept turning pages until the end. It was a must read!

She has just one week to stop a killer. Emma Makepeace is headed to Edinburgh for the global G7 Summit when her team is tipped off about a high-profile assassination the Russians are planning, but they have no idea who the target is!
Good book! I wasn’t too sure about this book at first I usually don’t get into the whole Russian spy stuff but with this author I thought ok I’ll try! I’m very glad I did!! It was a great read! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, and some twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I did enjoy reading this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I liked Alias Emma, another novel by Ava Glass, so looked forward to this new tale The Trap. Sorry to say I didn't like it as much, but it had its merits. It's an interesting tale, and Emma an interesting protagonist, but so much of it seemed implausible. Unable to believe what I am reading is not a positive response to a book.. I just don't think that Emma would really be involved in some of the scenes that the author places her in.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Another exciting and enjoyable book in the Emma Makepeace series! I was delighted to get the opportunity to read this third book in one of my favorite series, thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I enjoyed the new locale and seeing the progression in Emma's career. She and her organization are trying to prevent an imminent international incident, and she and those with her are in danger. She also has ethical issues to confront. The author does a wonderful job creating the stressful environment. I flew through the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend the book and its series, and I look forward to the next installment.

Fantastic! Tense and well paced with high stakes and a compelling lead.

I loved the first and second novels in this series and think The Trap can be read as a standalone (though I’d recommend reading them all!).

As always, Emma is awesome and she shines here. We get to see a more emotional side of Emma here as she forms a tentative friendship with her partner on her latest assignment, and as she grapples with the complexity and dangers of her work.

Overall, this is an engrossing page-turner (though I was hoping for a one year later epilogue to call back to an earlier scene!). Highly recommend to anyone looking for an entertaining and cinematic spy thriller.

Thank you very much to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I loved this book! As soon as I saw the third in the series was coming I checked Natgalley until I saw it available to request.

I just adore Emma Makepeace. I was blown away by Alias Emma and I really enjoyed The Traitor. This one was nearly as good as the first in the series. I feel like it gave Emma a chance to go excel and also grow as a person.

The book moves at a breakneck speed and I essentially consumed it in one sitting. It's just a thrilling read and benefits from a time timeline and deadline to foil a plot.

While I think Emma is amazing there are new characters as well as old ones that make the book very enjoyable.