This was EXCELLENT and completely different than anything I have read before! It had all the makings of an excellent locked door thriller (my favourite kind) but was unique and interesting, keeping me guessing until the end. Without giving anything away, I loved the story exploration of psychopathy and the way the author weaved it into the individual character story arcs. It kept my attention and I found myself up until the wee hours to finish it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards.
This was a very suspenseful book that incorporates a dual timeline story very effectively. The characters all have secrets which are gradually revealed through the course of a locked room dinner party gone wrong.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will definitely be looking into his other works!

The Wasp Trap wasn’t BAD, it was just fine. While I was intrigued to learn what happened the summer of 1999, it felt like the pacing was tremendously mismanaged, moving at a snail’s pace for most of the story with all of the action loaded in the last 10% or so. The setup to get to the end felt too long – it was a good payoff with more than one twisty reveal, but the beginning and interspersing of stories from that summer took too long to get there (and that’s coming from someone that read this in a single sitting, I think it would’ve been a DNF had I sat it down).

Middling take on the locked room mystery/thriller. I just wasn't invested enough in any of the characters to care about the outcome. The twist isn't very twisty as it's obvious from the first chapter what the big reveal will be. It may as well be titled, One of Us is a Psychopath. It's a quick easy read, and I didn't hate it, but I wouldn't recommend it either.

Whew! This is another remarkable book from Mark Edwards! This was a fast paced top notch thriller and mystery read! It gave me chills, made feel nervous, gave me anxiety and had me feeling scared! Furthermore, I had no idea what was coming next! This book was about a group of friends that knew each other in the past, all meet together again for a dinner party. This is a dual timeline that goes back in time of 1999, then to the year 2024. During the dinner party, the six friends start to begin revealing their hidden secrets. This turns into a deadly game. There are so many twists and turns and the last few chapters literally had my jaw dropped! This was very well written and had a clear thesis. Overall, I rate this book a high 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Mark Edwards and Atria Books for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is expected to be published on July 31, 2025!

This book is perfect for people who like a locked-room whodunnit mystery trope. And that would be me! The setting is a picturesque home in Notting Hill neighbored by two mysterious buildings. The gathering is a group of former coworkers and one assistant of a deceased boss called “The Professor” for his mad genius qualities. The dual timeline storyline leaves breadcrumbs in each storyline which build the suspense to the surprising ending. I kept changing my mind and theories on who the murderer was and I was definitely surprised at the end of the book.

Thank you to Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.
Wow, what an intriguing and tense book, loved it!
I came a little late to the table discovering Mark Edwards' books, but am glad I have most of his older books to enjoy now.
This one is a true nailbiter, I couldn't put it down and loved the ending. The premise is quite unique, so are the 2 timelines, and the ending is great.

I couldn't put it down!

The Wasp Trap is a story about a psychopath. But the question is, who is the psychopath? And what do they want? More than that, it's a story about friendship, betrayal, lies, family, unrequited love and a few other things.

The suspense, creepiness, foreboding and mystery that is weaved throughout this story is pretty incredible. There are twists upon twists. The characters were developed really well and I was shocked by the end of the book with the reveal of the multiple secrets!

Mark Edwards never disappoints. His books always have interesting twists, and just when you think it’s over, the endings provide a little something extra. The Wasp Trap was a five star read for me based on entertainment value. Looking forward to reading more of Edward’s’ work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book!

This was a fun to read psych thriller with lots of twists!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A group of former friends, colleagues, revolutionaries, are reunited in the wake of a death of their mentor. What comes next depends on who spills their secrets..

Such a great thriller that pulls in greed, nostalgia, and of course - psychopaths.

Mark Edwards is our modern day Agatha Christie. He has a talent for spinning webs of mysteries and lies and then untangling them in a way you don't expect. This book is no exception! In 1999 a professor gathers up a group of six young people for an experimental project. Flash to the future, the professor has died, and his proteges gather to pay their respects and share memories. Only it doesn't stop there! Secrets and lies are exposed and even long time friends have unexpected sides to them. Do we really know ANYONE? This book is hard to put down and completely enthralling, an interesting mystery from a fantastic author.

You think you know your friends and what happened 25 years ago, but do you really?

Friends reunite after a beloved professor passes away to reminisce. Little do they know, they’re in for more than they bargained for.

This book had many twists and turns and held my interest through out. Thanks, Netgalley!

Mark Edward’s new book The Wasp trap was a great twisted read . It gave me an Agatha Christie vibe. It had me guessing and trying to figure out what would happen to the end . I loved the flashbacks to 1999 and the comparison to now . I was glad to be able to reread this book as I have always loved his books .

This was my first from this author but won’t be my last! Loved the locked room mystery element! Fast paced throughout and kept me turning pages.

This is a fast paced page turner full of hidden secrets among old friends. During a reunion dinner honoring an old professor/boss a deadly game begins to reveal long buried secrets and not everyone will survive. Once again Mark Edwards delivers a twisty psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. 4.5 stars rounded down.

3.5 stars

In the summer of 1999 Professor Sebastian Marlowe hired six recent university graduates, Will, the narrator, Georgina, Theo, Sophie and Rohan and they, along with his nephew, Dominic who did odd jobs, and cook/cleaner Eve, spent the summer at his home in the country. The six were well ring on an idea dreamed up by the professor, a new dating app based on an extensive personality profile. While working on the app the group decides to use the profile as the basis for a test for psychopathy, an interest of the professor’s, as a type of surprise for him. However, at the end of the summer the professor suddenly decides to scrap the entire app with no explanation.

Now, more than twenty years later, the group of six meets at Georgina and Theo’s home to remember the recently deceased professor. But, apparently, at least one of the six has a secret that he or she has been keeping all these years. A secret that may be worth the lives of all six.

This was definitely an above average thriller. I liked both the scenes set in 1999 and the now. There was just one part that bothered me a bit (no spoilers) but it ended up advancing the plot, so…. Anyway, loads of people like thrillers so I can definitely recommend this one.

This book was amazing! I absolutely love the plot and setting. The writer did such an amazing job at laying out the story and keeping you interested. I was gripped and glued to my screen while reading. I just wanted to know everything. I also did not predict anything! The writing was so clever and well done!

3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. The narrative is driven by dual timelines and a locked room setting. I didn’t fully connect with the characters, but I did enjoy the claustrophobic setting and found this to be an entertaining suspense read.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

It is the summer of 99’….Dot coms popping up everywhere.

People from all walks of life come together to create something revolutionary. Algorithms created. Tests made. Tests taken. Decisions made. Mistakes made. Everyone has a secret…or two.

2024….

Everyone comes together again for a dinner party. Some guests were not invited. Secrets revealed. Test results. Game played.

Fast paced psychological thriller that I could not put down. Like wow!! The secrets in this book!! The reveals!! The suspense!!
Not much I can say without giving anything away. This is definitely a recommendation for readers that love a heart racing psychological thriller.

Thank you NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for this gifted ARC for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own.