I rated The Wasp Trap 4 stars. It’s a dual timeline thriller that bounces between a project in 1999 and a 2024 reunion dinner to celebrate the life of the professor who brought them together, which quickly turns into a nightmare.

The locked room setting was claustrophobic in the best way, and I appreciated how the story moved effortlessly between past and present. The chapters fly by, and there were multiple twists I didn’t see coming. I stayed fully invested and often couldn’t wait to pick the book back up the moment I had to put it down. There were a few moments that were a bit slow and a couple of parts where you’ll probably need to suspend belief, but I was having too much fun for it to matter much.

If you like your thrillers a bit unhinged, with cleverly placed clues and a slight academia vibe, this one is for you.

Six friends who once launched a dating website together reunite 25 years later for a dinner party at Theo and Georgina’s, held in honor of their late former professor, Sebastian Marlowe. The vibes are already off as everyone immediately clocks how bougie of a life Theo and Georgina seem to be living compared to their own, and it's the first time Will's seen Sophie since 1999, when he had a massive crush on her.

But the awkward nostalgia doesn’t last long! Fortunately or unfortunately, the six dinner guests are suddenly held hostage and forced to confess a very specific secret from the summer of '99 — except no one knows what the secret is or who's hiding it. The story moves between the present-day dinner party and that summer, as everyone starts to have diarrhea of the mouth and revealing random secrets in hopes it's the one that their captors are looking for.

The Wasp Trap (which I've typed as The Wasp Nest no less than 800 times) is a fast-paced, twisty ride that’s loaded with tension and well-timed reveals. There were a few aspects of the many twists that I found to be a hair overdone but it didn't take away from the fun. Pick this one up for a quick-moving, suspenseful read.

Wow! Mark Edwards always serves up a twisty tale. I always enjoy past and present point of views. The psychopath test is something we need in today’s dating world.

Somehow I’ve not read any other books by the prolific Mark Edwards. I truly enjoyed this: Edwards has his technique down pat, the characters felt well-drawn enough, and the tension was quite taut throughtout. I was genuinely surprised by the bursts of violence and the choice of casualties. I will be reading some of this author’s back catalogue. 4/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for lending me an ARC.

This book had me guessing until the very end. There were a lot of parts and it was not easy to figure out who the real psychopath was!

This was my first book by Mark Edwards, and I was hooked from the start. The tension builds fast, the twists kept me guessing, and I loved the locked-room setup. It was dark, clever, and totally addictive. I’ll definitely be reading more from him.

Fun thriller alert! 🙌 I picked up The Wasp Trap during a particularly busy week when I needed something to draw me right in, and it more than delivered. This read was taut with tension and suspense, and I couldn't look away. I found the setup very clever here, not knowing who I could trust amongst this cast of characters and therefore having no idea what direction things could turn at any given moment. The Wasp Trap was a fast-paced and twisty ride, and it's one I'll definitely find myself recommending to my fellow thriller lovers.

The Wasp Trap is a snappy, character-driven psychological thriller from Mark Edwards that makes for a entertaining afternoon read. With its short chapters and fast pace, this one reads more like domestic suspense than a dark, gritty thriller, which was exactly what I was in the mood for.

The story begins with a compelling hook. In 2024, six old friends reunite in London to honor the memory of a former mentor, a psychology professor who, back in 1999, brought them together to build a dating website based on psychological compatibility. That same summer, they also created “The Wasp Trap,” a series of tests designed to identify potential psychopaths (though sadly, not intended for use on the dating app).

Fast forward to the present, and what starts as a nostalgic dinner party quickly unravels into a nightmarish scenario where guests are forced to reveal dark secrets or face deadly consequences. What are they hiding? And can they save each other before it’s too late?

Told mostly from Will's perspective, the main protagonist, the novel alternates between past and present. The 1999 flashbacks are well executed and add much-needed depth to the current-day storyline. The characters are (mostly) well developed, and their dynamics feel authentic, even when things get a little far-fetched.

There’s a lot packed in here: murder, secrets, a missing person, a mysterious guest, and even a touch of romance. It’s the kind of story where I needed to suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride. The premise is clever, but undeniably unrealistic, and that’s okay if you’re in the mood for something that plays more like a thriller-meets-psychodrama party game.

I did wish the story had committed more fully to a tone. It flirts with psychological depth but also leans toward camp and never quite settles on either. There are moments where it feels like it could’ve gone darker and more nuanced with the “psychopath test” angle, or fully embraced the fun, high-stakes absurdity. To pull either off, I needed more insight into the characters’ inner lives and motivations. Also, the plot unfolds in a way that’s more tell than show, and I would’ve liked more clues to piece together rather than having revelations delivered all at once.

Despite its shortcomings, I’d recommend The Wasp Trap to readers who enjoy light, fast-paced psychological thrillers with intriguing setups and a dash of dark humor. It’s entertaining, even if a little uneven, and perfect for those looking for a quick, twisty escape.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Mark Edwards for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Six friends from college are reunited at a dinner party. During the party the help organize a heist and demand the attendees reveal their secret.

The novel has a great premise. I found the beginning entertaining and well written. Some parts in the middle seemed to drag on and it seemed that there were too many characters involved. The characters also seem very one dimensional and stuck up. I didn't find any of the characters likeable. They lack alot of depth and character building.

When the ultimate secret is revealed it is pretty shocking. But then there is a twist after the secret is revealed which I found stretched the book out unnecessarily. This book could have been half the length and written a bit more consisely.

It’s 1999 and six college students are working on a project to create an online dating site that can identify potential psychopathic behaviors. Things fall apart after a mysterious death and they go separate ways. Twenty-five years later they meet for a reunion, but in reality it’s a staged event to determine a blackmailer as well as a murderer.

Dark atmosphere and twists keep you guessing till the last page.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

The initial portion of *The Wasp Trap* unfolds at a leisurely pace, gradually building tension and excitement. The narrative intertwines two timelines: one set in 1999, while the primary action occurs during a contemporary dinner party where a group reunited from the 1990s comes together once more.

However, lurking among them is a lethal killer harboring a dark secret. Although the setup takes time to develop, the story is filled with intriguing twists and culminates in a thrilling conclusion.

This book had plenty of twists that kept me hooked and excited to read it. It also felt refreshing, with the callbacks to the events of the past. Although some of the plot points for the book like the missing daughter felt out of place and rushed for the wrap up, unless it becomes part of a series it would be an odd placement to me. Athough I still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

4.5 stars!

1999 was booming with opportunities as the cyber world was just taking off. A group of college prospects, with the guidance of their professor Sebastian, were working to revolutionize online dating. Fast forward to now - Sebastian has died and the group is reuniting for his funeral and celebration of life. A fast-paced unfolding that bounces between the past and present - we quickly learn there is a secret lurking among them. Trying to uncover the truth is difficult when it seems *everyone* has their own secrets!

A thrilling plot that kept me interested throughout and speed reading by the end! Highly recommend for fans of Lucy Foley, John Marrs, and Lisa Jewell.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and Mark Edwards for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion!

**3.5 stars**

Oh, Mark Edwards. What a ride we've had. Never quite sure what’s coming next—but one thing that’s always guaranteed? A juicy premise and killer start! The hook lands fast, the characters click, and I’m locked in. So when I peeped The Wasp Trap, I was hyped. Sus rich people dinner party? Sinister secrets? Murder on the menu? Closed-room mystery with dual timelines?? Um… YES PLEASE. Love when my fave authors explore new territory and tropes.

Which is why for the first third—I was EATING. Loved the townhouse dinner party vibes and ticking time bomb tension. This awkward reunion had red flags waving all over the place, and I was hungry to dig in and watch the piping hot tea spill. Bonus: it featured one of the most culturally diverse casts I’ve seen from Edwards, which added more relatability to the mix, while the blend of personalities kept the guessing game spicy.

But then... Act Two hit, and things got wobbly. We veered from Christie-style tension into Scooby-Doo territory—less clever, more convoluted. The tone bounced around: campy one minute, dead serious the next, then sorta jokey? Some secrets barely felt high-stakes (like… you’re risking everything over this?), and a few reveals landed in full cartoon-villain monologue mode.

That said, I embraced the dinner party chaos and went along for the ride. The dual timelines kept the pacing brisk and the pages turning, the setting had the kind of atmospheric edge I love, the cast dynamics were compelling, and the MC—though occasionally eye-roll-inducing—had a relatable backstory that made him easy enough to root for. Still, a few things pulled me out: the mental health rep felt shallow and YA-ish; some of the juiciest plot threads felt undercooked; and the MC kept apologizing (again and again!) for something literally no one else cared about. Like, sir—peeps are dropping like flies right now. Read the room!

In the end, part of me wishes the book had picked a lane—either gone full camp or leaned into sharper psychological suspense. But I was pleased with a few twists I didn’t see coming (though I did clock the 'Wasp'), and I enjoyed the (dare I say) cozy mystery vibes. All in all, a solid popcorn read that pulled me out of a slump. And as always, I’ll be back for whatever Edwards does next.

Huge thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

*The Wasp Trap* by Mark Edwards is a fast-paced, chilling thriller that hooks you from the very first page. Edwards masterfully builds suspense, weaving twists that keep you guessing until the end. The characters are well-drawn and relatable, making the psychological tension hit even harder. His writing is sharp and cinematic, creating vivid scenes that linger in your mind. It’s a gripping, unputdownable read that thriller fans will absolutely love.

This was just fun. I tried my hardest to figure out who the psychopath was during the story and was duped MULTIPLE times. The psychology was fun, the characters were all awful (which I love), and it was the type of story that you genuinely don't want to put down.

Six friends who once worked together to build a dating website based on psychological testing haven't seen each other since everything blew up with the website 25 years ago. Together once again, their reunion quickly turns bloody as the group is forced to pick each other off one by one. Add in a missing daughter and the mystery around what had torn them apart, this book has you questioning everything. Who is holding the secret that might save their lives - and what in the world could it be about? The ending was completely unexpected and was a total roller coaster ride to get there. The book was a bit of a slow start for me, but the twists at the end made the wait worth it. If you enjoy locked room trillers and long-kept secrets, you will enjoy this.

I will be posting this review on my Instagram @carriedawaybooks

This one took a little while to get going for me, but once it did, I was in for the ride. The locked-room setup with old friends, long-buried secrets, and rising tension worked really well, and I enjoyed the dual timeline between 1999 and the present.

Some of the characters felt a bit thin, and a couple of twists leaned more over-the-top than I usually like, but it was still a fun ride. This would be great for fans of psychological thrillers with a tech-y twist. Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

This one started off so slow and I was almost going to mark as a Dnf but then all of a sudden the twists start rolling and the action is PACKED. I don’t want to say too much to avoid spoilers but this was a great thriller I recommend

An excellent example of how to take a trending premise and make it your own! I was drawn to this book because it includes two of my favorite premises--group of college students take things too far and mistakes coming back to haunt at an isolated setting/event. I've read a lot of books with this premise--and gotten really good and clocking their inevitable "twists." But this book kept surprising me! From how relationships unravel to hidden motives and several big reveals, this book had me locked in. I'd really recommend this book for readers of Vera Kurian or Julia Bartz.