I should've loved this book but sadly I didn't. I really struggled to get into the plot and found myself having to reread chapters as my mind was drifting whilst reading. It was almost a dnf but I'm glad I persevered.
I very much struggled with the sheer volume of characters, I lost track of who's who for practically the 1st half. I will say the storyline picked up when the 1st twist was revealed and we had a duel timeline, at that point I knew I'd continue and was curious about how everything would pan out.
Seriously crazy twists, possibly ott but an average 3 stars from me. Thank you #NetGalley for the arc

I was lucky enough to listen to this one while reading along with my ebook copy. While the story started out strong, I found myself getting a little distracted as more and more characters were killed off. I don't know why, as the suspense should have kept me intrigued but the way each of the deaths happened just seemed so unbelievable that I found myself shaking my head several times. I did love the Abu Dhabi setting though since I'm also desert based in Qatar! The audiobook narration was also done well with the narrator doing a fantastic job.

Ellie has dreamed of being an actor her whole life, so when a role in a major blockbuster film lands in her lap, she’s determined to make the most of it. However, on the plane to Abu Dhabi to begin filming, she overhears a conversation about a planned murder. Unsure whether she’s misinterpreting the situation and not wanting to jeopardize her big break, Ellie chooses to stay silent. But when ten cast members become nine, she begins to realise that her silence might have been a mistake.

With her career at stake and a murder mystery unfolding around her, Ellie finds herself in a perilous position. What’s even more dangerous, however, is that Ellie isn’t who she claims to be—and in a world full of lies, she quickly becomes the prime suspect.

Sun Trap is an utterly addictive, twisty, and suspense-filled thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. With a wild and unexpected twist, this book is an unputdownable page-turner that I couldn’t stop reading!

3.5/5.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I’m not entirely sure what to say about this book other than it suspends belief and is more farce than thriller. The author certainly has the most incredible imagination to think up all the different scenarios! It rolls from mild “really?” to “That’s just impossible” I appreciate its fiction but some of the twists had me chuckling they were so unrealistic

I did finish the book just to see how it wrapped up which makes it a 2.5* rather than a 1* if I’d given up

Thank you to Netgalley the author and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately, this was not for me. The premise was great, but I ended up coming to a point where I couldn't keep up with the twists and was thinking "Really?!" as things kept happening.
Thank you to Netgalley for the Arc to review.

Rachel Wolf's novel Sun Trap is a suspenseful tale of murder and deception.

Phoebe, an aspiring actress, falls ill before her big breakthrough role and asks her friend Ellie to take her place. As they have been mistaken for each other in the past both girls think they may get away with the ruse. Ellie reluctantly agrees and heads off to take up the role.

The plot has plenty of intrigue and twists, although suspending disbelief at times can be challenging. The characters often feel one-dimensional, making it harder to connect with them.

Despite this, the author's engaging writing and well-paced narrative make Sun Trap an enjoyable read. It earns a 3.5-star rating for its suspense but falls short on character depth. If you enjoy tales of deception, this book will capture your interest.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

This was an easy and entertaining read. It was full of so much craziness and coincidences as to be pretty unbelievable. But cast that aside and just enjoy it for what is - a fun, shallow, twisty celebrity-based thriller.

I got into it quite quickly, I was invested and liked the fact Ellie was pretending to be Phoebe. Although slightly far fetched, they made it work.

It got to the point where there was so many twists that I wasn't actually sure what was happening. I much preferred the first 3/4 of the book I'd say.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 8th May 2025
Thank to NetGalley, Publishers and Author for this ARC.

A location / destination thriller. One of my favourite types for a bit of escapism. That said, with this book it was not so much escapism as needing the ability to suspend any element of reality.

The premise of this book is very good, I felt it just tried a bit too hard to be unsolvable. The initial 'twist' was quite obvious fairly early on and that could have led to an enjoyable plotting. So many twists, turns and murders over the course of a few days though led ( for me) into slightly farce like territory.

For all of this it is still an enjoyable read if you take it with a very large pinch of salt.

It started off well the story i fealt like i was going to be dragged in - its a good premise but i feel it started lacking something i struggled with the characters and i jist got a bit lost with the writing so unfortunately this book wasnt for me.

A strong start, with well-drawn and likeable characters.
The premise seemed a little strange - the coincidence to two women of similar ages looking so alike that people thought they were twins, attending the same month-long acting course. When one of the actors becomes ill, she begs the other woman to take her place for her first role in a major film. But suspend your disbelief, and go with it.

And from that start, confusion, mayhem, accidents and death ensue.

The book kept me interested, and there were many twists and turns, however I found the ending a bit too contrived and it stretched credulity.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC! I loved the premise of this story and the cover was really cool too. I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately it didn't quite do it for me.

I thought the idea was great - something a little different yet still sinister. However, I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been. There were too many coincidences and a lot of it was truly unbelievable.

The characters were well created. I liked Ellie, but because of the events of the story it made it hard to believe in her. Josh was also a great character although not as well developed as I would have liked. We need more Joshes in the world!

I thought the ending was surprising in a good way. I wasn't expecting it at all.

I can't give a full critique without using spoilers, so this review is a little short I'm afraid.

If you pick up this book with a very open mind and cast aside the fact that coincidences really can happen by the handful, you might really enjoy it! There are plenty of twists and 'wtf' moments worth reading for. However, it was too far-fetched for me and definitely not a book I'd consider a thriller.

Oh, what tangled webs we weave... with Sun Trap being an intricate and ideal example. A fabulous read that will have you never quite knowing what is going to happen next and eager to find out. The desert may be deserted, but it can still be deadly.

The book started brilliantly, and had me engaged from the first couple of pages. Towards the middle of the book, the storyline felt like it was flagging, but it did pick up again towards the end, and I didn't see the twists coming.

The story is completely bonkers, and there were lots of plot holes and things that happened that made no sense at all, but if you just read it as a fast paced and light hearted summer read, it was good fun and well written. Only wish I'd read it by a pool with a cocktail in hand, rather than chilly England.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read in advance.

This was such an easy enjoyable read that kept me entertained the whole way through, I'll definitely look out for more books by this author!

With deceit in the air from the get-go and two deaths in quick succession, this page turner dives right into the action. The writing is compelling, and although there is a huge number of cast members, it isn’t difficult to get into this fast-paced thriller. Plenty of reversals and red herrings all round, until the devastating conclusion of an ill-fated film set is played out. All loose ends tied up nicely, and excellent thought given to back story and character motivation.

This storyline is unique, a lot of thrillers & mysteries often have a similar concept but this is different to what I have read before. Ellie has wanted to become an actor since she was a child and grabs at the chance of a role in a blockbuster film. All is not what it seems on her flight to the location when she overhears two people discussing their plans of murder.

We are thrown straight in to a murder mystery, I loved trying to guess what was going to happen and piece together each part of the story. (I was wrong each time 😅) This was unpredictable, lots of twists and the setting was great, I found it easy to picture the scenes taking place in the Abu Dhabi desert! I love a book FULL of twists however I would have enjoyed them more had there have been some suspense building up to them. As I reached the 50% mark I did begin to wonder how the continued plot would keep my attention but the switch up in time frame really worked for me and gave me more insight into our main character.

Rachel Wolf is a new to me author. The writing was descriptive enough to keep me engaged but also simple and easy to read. The action begins straight away within the first few chapters and I loved the length of them, being short and snappy makes me want to keep reading!

We are introduced to lots of characters at the beginning, I did find it difficult remembering whose role was what at times, so I would have liked a bit more character development throughout to be able to connect to the characters more. I realised early on that this was going to be full of craziness with lies and secrets galore, I did have to roll with it without thinking too deeply into the plot and enjoy it for what it was.

Publication date: 8th May 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Publisher (Aria & Aries) and Author for this ARC!

This was giving me like, glass onion vibes - where so many deaths/accidents happened in 1 day that you’re shocked people are still sticking around. I kept getting confused about who was married, who used to be married, who was in a relationship and who hated one another. And the main character Phoebe/Ellie oh Jesus she was so desperate it hurt at times but, you’ve gotta love a woman out for revenge. This was a well paced book, and there were constant revelations along the way. There were a few plot holes, and ALOT of neat coincidence not my favourite type of book but an easy read. I enjoyed this because I didn’t take it too seriously.

I really enjoyed the exotic feel to this book. I loved trying to guess where the story was heading. Ellie is an aspiring actress desperate to get her first role, bit of course these things never run smoothly.

I read this book in a couple of days, I loved all the twists and turns.

A thoroughly enjoyable read

This was an easy read. Loved the way it flew by. The setting and the characters were well thought of, and so was the story. Loved it!
It had a lot of twists and turns with a lot of deception. It is a wonderful summer thriller. It did have some disbelief, but it didn't stop me from reading. I did like this one.
Thanks, Netgalley and the publisher for my copy!