Thank you to the publisher for an ARC copy of this book!

These characters were sort of insufferable but the concept of the Wasp Trap kept me hooked. I cannot say I saw that twist coming, it was actually jaw dropping.

Mark Edwards delivers a chilling masterpiece with The Wasp Trap. This psychological thriller is tightly plotted, impeccably paced, and packed with genuine surprises. Edwards excels at creating a claustrophobic atmosphere and complex characters whose choices propel the story forward in believable and heart-pounding ways. Every twist is earned, and the final act is as satisfying as it is shocking. A must-read for fans of smart, unsettling suspense fiction.

Thank you Atria books and NetGalley for the ARC read for my honest review.

I think this might just be my favorite thriller of the year. I read this book in one sitting, it was that great. I was on the edge of my seat, experiencing so many different emotions while reading. I really enjoyed the dual timeline, characters and all the twist. I can’t wait to read another book by this author.

amazing book! this thriller is one not to miss, i loved the suspense and twists. the book pulls you in wnd you wonder who did it

I am always grateful for the opportunity to read an arc. So it pains me to say that this book read like a low budget film. So wildly far fetched, with the most unfortunate and untalented batch of actors, my suspension of disbelief never had a chance.

I’m sorry.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc in exchange for review.
 
Pub: 9.16.2025.

I love a fast-paced thriller, but this was a little too all over the place for me. Still recommended to fans of Lucy Foley.

Could not put this book down. Such a clever and haunting story. This is my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. Fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. Highly recommend.

Mark Edwards has outdone himself with The Wasp Trap. This is the kind of thriller that quietly tightens its grip on you until you realize you're completely stuck—eyes wide, breath held, unable to look away.

The story kicks off with a dinner party reunion that feels tense from the first toast. A group of friends who once worked on a groundbreaking psychological dating project are brought back together 25 years later, and something feels... off. There’s old resentment, unearthed secrets, and a creeping sense that someone has a very dark agenda.

What made this so addictive for me is the way Edwards layers the timelines. We jump between the late '90s—when these idealistic graduates were creating a tool designed to detect psychopaths through dating profiles—and the present day, where their past choices are catching up with them. And fast.

The concept of the “wasp trap” itself? Genius. Creepy, clever, and metaphorically perfect. You don’t realize the danger until you’re already too deep in.

I loved how the book teases out character motivations slowly. Everyone has something to hide, and Edwards makes you question everyone right up to the final pages. The twists are sharp but earned, and the ending hit that perfect sweet spot of surprise and satisfaction.

If you like your thrillers smart, sinister, and psychologically rich, The Wasp Trap should be at the very top of your list. I couldn’t stop thinking about it long after I finished. Just brilliant.

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria books for the opportunity to review this arc before it hits shelves on September 16, 2025.

The Wasp Trap is a thrilling read that is sure to find fans of locked room mysteries. The first half was slow for me and I had to push through it. By part 3, I was invested in the secrets. I ended up staying up late to finish this because I did not want to put it down.

Thank you to Atria books, Mark Edwards, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

I was not sure how I would feel about this book as I was going into it but I really enjoyed it by the end. I had such a great time reading and definitely will look at this author’s work when selecting books in the future.

Hands down one of my favorite books of the year and definitely my favorite thriller. This ticked all of my boxes - alternating perspectives and view points, twists that didn’t feel like they were pulled out of thin air, solid relationship building, and antagonists who were so easy to hate. No character was fully innocent in this, and I think that’s what made it so fun to read. Definitely a must read for any fans of this genre!

It took a bit for me to become interested in this story, but once the suspense began, I read it quickly. There were some good twists, but also moments of improbability. I didn't find the characters especially likable. All in all, if you can suspend disbelief and just go along with the story, it is a suspenseful read.

*Thank you for the opportunity to advance read The Wasp Trap!

This was a fun psychological thriller with a unique plot. I've never read a locked room thriller before, I really enjoyed this one and will be on the look out from more of this sub-genre.

It kept me entertained and wanting more throughout, what's more to want?

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Despite a surprisingly dull 'last minute twist', this did a decent job stringing along my suspense enough to make me want to carry on despite not being particularly impressed with either the writing style or the overall plot.

Wow! This book left me speechless. Just when I thought I had the twist figured out, another twist would get thrown into the mix. The character development was fantastic and the storyline kept me intrigued throughout the whole book. Read it in less than 24 hours.

Dual Timelines, thrilling book written by Mark Edwards. My first book by this author and it did not disappoint! I love when people are trapped and have to share their deepest secrets!

The Wasp Trap is a fast-paced, twisty psychological thriller that blends a locked-room mystery with a dual-timeline narrative. The story revolves around a group of former friends and colleagues—once part of a tech startup developing a revolutionary dating site in the summer of 1999—who reunite years later for a dinner party in honor of their late professor. The night quickly spirals into a chilling hostage situation as masked gunmen force them to confront buried secrets from the past.

Many reviewers praised the book for its suspenseful atmosphere, believable characters, and numerous unexpected twists. The dual timelines, alternating between 1999 and the present, add depth and intrigue, gradually revealing dark secrets and betrayals. Some readers noted that the middle of the book turns quite intense and violent, with content warnings for disturbing scenes.

While a few found the pacing uneven or the characters slightly stereotypical, most agreed that the story is gripping, compulsively readable, and features a satisfying conclusion. The mix of psychological mind games, hidden passages, and eerie tension makes it an entertaining and addictive read, perfect for fans of domestic suspense and thrillers with a strong ensemble cast.

Overall, The Wasp Trap delivers a clever and darkly entertaining story about trust, secrets, and how one summer can change everything.

I like a good-closed room thriller, but this one missed the mark for me. Definitely fast pace, but even with that it didn't hold my attention. Just ok for me.

Can you tell who is a psychopath by looking at them? Can you tell who I a murder? This book will show you that not everyone who is say they are and secrets always come out at night. This book is one you don’t want to put down. It is a book that brings you back to the summer of 1999 when a dating site it set to be made but it never comes out. What is the reason will shock you.

Wow what a twisty book. Lots of unexpected turns to the story. The characters were extremely believable and the dual timelines worked well. I was constantly surprised and really liked the epilogue. It got a little gruesome in the middle, TW for violence, but an excellent thriller that kept me reading all night. Thank you to net galley for an ARC.