Holy dinner party from hell!

When Theo and Georgina assemble their college friends 25 years later the last thing they expect is to be held hostage until someone reveals "the secret". And who the heck is Finn? And what happened to Olivia?

Dang, this is Mark Edwards at the top of his game and I am there for it!

Thank you so much for this ARC. It is my absolute pleasure to write an honest review of this galley!

This one was enjoyable! When I first started I thought it was going to be super predictable. But I was wrong! I enjoyed the flashbacks to the last time the group was together in 1999. This one was full of twists that I didn't see coming.

This one totally surprised me—in the best way.

The premise had me hooked from the start: a team designing a dating app that secretly includes a psychopath test? Yes please. I love when thrillers tap into tech or psychology in clever ways, and this felt fresh without being gimmicky.

I don’t usually go for locked-room thrillers—they often feel too claustrophobic or formulaic—but The Wasp Trap managed to avoid those pitfalls. The pacing was strong, the writing was smooth, and the story had great momentum from start to finish. Definitely a “just one more chapter” kind of book.

One thing I will say: I think I might’ve liked it even more if the story had been told from another character’s perspective. Not that the current POV was bad, but I found myself wanting a different lens on the events—maybe someone with more ambiguity or edge.

That said, the dual timelines were really well done. The shifts between past and present added depth and tension without being confusing, and it helped the mystery unfold at a nice rhythm.

The final twist worked for me—smart but not over-the-top—and the little cliffhanger at the end? Loved it. It gave just enough unresolved tension to leave me thinking about what really happens next.

If you’re into fast-paced thrillers with a techy twist and a satisfying end, definitely add this to your TBR. I’d read more from Mark Edwards for sure.

First time reading this author
What a ride !
Definitely kept you on your toes and wondering what was going to happen next
Very suspenseful
Thank you for the arc.

Six friends after one secret? In a locked house? Sounds like the perfect setup.

The Wasp Trap was entertaining! The twist at the end definitely caught me by surprise, and the book kept me engaged the whole time. Definitely would recommend.

I 100% read The Wasp Trap in 24 hours. The 1999 nostalgia drew me in, and I stayed for the secret/truth reveal. I needed to know what happened as desperately as I needed the world to survive Y2K.

Our core group of "revolutionaries" are all suspect, and at one point, I thought each of them was the secret keeper. Mark Edwards does a phenomenal job at building the tension from the first pages, and you get the sense that you should. look away but you 100% can't. Edwards expertly weaves layers of conflict to the point that every character and plot point are connected. And although this is an aspect of the book I appreciated, the addition of too many characters made the plot a little too convoluted toward the 75% mark.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller as it kept me engaged, and I didn't see most of the plot twists coming. I would absolutely love a prequel detailing the professor's journey as I feel there is definitely more to his story.

There’s something about this one that got under my skin. Locked-room plots don’t usually do much for me, but this felt different — more patient, more deliberate. The tension doesn’t scream. It hums in the background and creeps in slowly, like everyone in the room knows something they shouldn’t say out loud.

I read it over a few days with Melissa, and having that time to talk between sections made it even better. We were throwing ideas back and forth the whole way through — who’s lying, what actually happened back then, and whether that creepy app had anything to do with it. The group used to work together on a dating app 25 years ago, and now they’re back together after all that time. And then this new app shows up — one that calls itself a psychopath test. They all take it, almost casually, and from that point nothing feels steady.

Everyone’s holding something back, but it’s not loud or dramatic. It's quiet dread. The silence between people felt more intense than the confrontations. Sometimes it felt like nothing was happening — but that stillness was the point. It made the space for the tension to breathe, and for all the small, sharp things to creep in without warning.

"The Wasp Trap" by Mark Edwards is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story revolves around a seemingly ordinary protagonist whose life spirals into chaos after an unexpected incident leads to a series of dark and twisted events.

Edwards masterfully builds tension throughout the narrative, crafting complex characters that feel real and relatable. The protagonist's internal struggles and moral dilemmas add depth to the plot, making readers question their own perceptions of right and wrong. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of suspense interspersed with quieter, reflective scenes that allow for character development.

The setting plays a crucial role, creating an atmosphere that enhances the story's psychological tension. As the plot unfolds, unexpected twists and turns keep the reader guessing, leading to a climactic finale that is both shocking and satisfying.

Overall, "The Wasp Trap" is a well-crafted thriller that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of our actions. Mark Edwards delivers a thought-provoking and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense.

This is a departure for Edwards. I’m a big fan and have enjoyed his previous novels, but I was ready for a change and he really delivered. A locked-room mystery where we know who’s doing it but keep getting surprised by all the twists. There is a secret buried in the past of this group of friends and their survival depends on figuring out what they don’t know they know. Except for one, Sophie, the rest of the characters are flawed. This includes the narrator, Will, who gives a new meaning to the word milquetoast but is easy to root for, despite my wanting to slap him sometimes. Even the most despicable of the group had redeeming qualities, so I really didn’t want any of them to die. And, like I said, Sophie is incredibly funny and relatable, so she was my #1 favorite to make it out alive. The plot is pure escapist fun, popcorn fiction at its best. The action alternates between the present and the past, and each chapter left me wanting to know more. The author’s usual twist ending was maybe not completely unexpected, but still enjoyable. A great, addictive page-turner.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Atria Books.

The Wasp Trap is a super fast-paced psychological thriller set over one night where six former college friends reunite at a dinner party only to find themselves trapped in a twisted game tied to their past. With dual timelines (1999 and the present), the story slowly unravels dark secrets involving a dangerous psychology experiment gone very wrong.
Edwards delivers a tense, locked room thriller filled with secrets, suspicion, and some amazing twists! While some plot points feel slightly far-fetched, the suspense and atmosphere keep you interested.

Perfect for fans of Ruth Ware or Lucy Foley, this is a binge-worthy read with a gripping setup, strong pacing, and a satisfyingly shocking ending. Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publish for this book in exchange for my honest review!

This was a thriller that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it.

I was intrigued from the start of the concept about old colleagues getting together after 25 years but the story continued to keep me guessing all the way through the end. The main narrator Will is insightful but also keeps us engaged with the story. Each of the members of the team has a secret but is one of them the secret that will keep them all alive through this dinner party?

The twists were amazing, I didn't see them coming at all. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend and I am looking forward to reading more from Mark Edwards in the future.

This was such a fun and twisty read!
I’m a big fan of mysteries and can usually sniff out the ending pretty early on, but The Wasp Trap kept me guessing the whole way through. Every time I thought I had something figured out - nope! Another curveball.

The setup was instantly intriguing - six old friends gather for a dinner party, and what starts as a bittersweet reunion quickly spirals into something much darker. Their secrets are forced into the open, one by one, and trust starts unraveling fast. I really loved the way the group dynamics played out. There was so much history, tension, and drama simmering beneath the surface. The author did a great job playing building this out.

This book is fast-paced, bingeable, and has that classic locked-room mystery vibe with a modern edge. If you love stories with a ton of twists, complicated friendships, and some deadly games, this one’s for you!

This was my first Mark Edwards book, but it definitely won’t be my last.

"Wasp Trap" by Mark Edwards has a really intriguing concept, and I was drawn in by the premise at first—but the execution didn’t quite deliver. There’s a lot of telling rather than showing, and the actual plot doesn’t kick in until around 40% through. None of the characters felt distinct or emotionally engaging, and even the person holding them hostage came across as just another version of the rest—“fake tough” and lacking depth. There were also too many characters with similar traits that didn’t really add anything to the story. I found myself skimming through a lot of unimportant details, and some of the dialogue felt trivial, even though it was framed like something profound. Honestly, this could’ve been 200 pages shorter and more impactful.

When six former friends get together for a reunion dinner, things go awry quickly. They are forced into a deadly game - reveal a big secret or someone dies. The novel alternates from their past when they, as a group, were creating a dating/psychology website, and today during their very tense dinner party.

The character dynamic was interesting when shifting alliances are evident and each character seems guilty of knowing the big secret. It has a slow build with that huge surprise ending.

This locked room thriller was tense and filled with dark secrets but a bit slow for my taste. I would recommend this book if you’re a fan of a slow-burn thriller. Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.

Six friends reunite in London to celebrate the life of their recently deceased ex-employer, a professor that brought them together in 1999 to help build a dating website based on psychological testing.

But what is meant to be a night of bittersweet nostalgia soon becomes a twisted and deadly game. The old friends are given an ultimatum: reveal their darkest secrets to the group or pick each other off one-by-one.

It soon becomes clear that their current predicament is related to their shared past. The love questionnaire they helped develop in 1999 for the dating site was also turned into a tool for weeding out psychopaths: The Wasp Trap. This experiment and the other tragic events of that summer long ago may help reveal the truth behind a killer hiding in plain sight.

Alternating between the past and present with a colorful ensemble of characters, The Wasp Trap is a fast-paced and twisty thrill ride that is perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Alice Feeney.

Six friends reunite after twenty-five years to celebrate the life of their former boss and ex-professior that wanted to launch a dating website based on psychological testing. Now they have one extra guest at the table and Will, is the only one to think that he is an imposter. When the dinner party turns to chaos due to a seceret from 1999 they are all being held hostage until the one with the secret confesses. The book alternates back and forth from 1999 to prestent time. This book is a fast paced read that will have you guessing until the very end. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Atria Books for letting me read an advanced copy of this novel.

My first Mark Edwards book, and consider me an instant fan. The Wasp Trap is a suspenseful story, part locked room mystery. However, it also alternates with flashbacks to the late 90s. A group of friends reunite at a dinner party to remember their mentor. Soon secrets start to reveal themselves, and we discover not everyone at this dinner party is exactly who you think they are. Full of action with a dash of a love story and lots of relationship drama, I highly recommend The Wasp Trap to any lover of the suspense, mystery, thriller genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Mark Edwards, and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always eager to tackle books by Mark Edwards, I eagerly accepted this ARC. Edwards presents another great psychological thriller that pulls the reader in from the opening pages and does not let go for a moment. A dinner party of former work colleagues appears to focus on the death of their mentor. However, things take a turn and their pasts begin to haunt them. Mark Edwards delivers a gripping story that has all the elements of a great read!

After twenty-five years apart, six friends gather for a quaint dinner party to remember their mentor. Their dinner in Nottingham Hill is meant to fete their work on a website that sought to explore psychological testing back in 1999. However, something soon appears amiss.

As the night progresses, the past comes to haunt the guests. Someone in the house has a vendetta to settle and begins putting guns to the heads of the guests, seeking that they share their darkest secrets or face death. What’s worse, it will be at the hands of the other guests in the house. A shared past has surely awoken an angry wasp-like sentiment. What could this be and how will it resolve itself before everyone is killed? A chilling story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seats and flipping pages well into the night.

I find much entertainment when Mark Edwards is on point. He is able to pull out something dark and twisted in the most apparently mundane situations. Edwards takes hold of the narrative from the opening pages and spins it into an effective story, making the most of what lays before him. As things increase in intensity, he adds worthy characters whose backstories are essential to the central components of the piece. Tossing in some plot points that have needed twists and there is little to stop Edwards from being successful with this psychological thriller. I am hear to see where things are headed!

Kudos, Mr. Edwards, for a great story!

Thank you @atriabooks #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

Get together with friends gone horribly wrong, anyone? 👀 The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards is basically what happens when you gather your old friends for a cozy dinner party… and then someone decides it’s time to spill your darkest, most shameful secrets — or else start dying one by one. Yeah, these people definitely need to reevaluate their friend group. 😂

Turns out, what ties them all together is a weirdly random questionnaire they worked on back in the ‘90s for a dating site. Feels odd at first, but trust me — once you dig in, you’ll see why it matters. And from there? Buckle up book besties because woooooo doggie, it’s a twisty, wild ride.

This is one of those stories where you’re side-eyeing every single character, constantly guessing who the monster is walking among them. (My favorite kind of locked room thriller!) There are quite a few characters, but honestly, I found them super easy to keep track of — and even more fun to watch unravel.

The best part? The nonstop shocking secrets that come flying out. Just when you think you know someone… BAM. Nope. Another skeleton in the closet. I live for that stuff.

It’s fast, bingeable, and full of jaw-dropping moments. Fair warning: once you start, you probably won’t stop. Highly recommend for fellow locked-room mystery addicts and lovers of juicy drama with a deadly twist. 🔪✨

Thank you, Atria, and NetGalley for letting me review The Wasp Trap, to provide an honest review in return.

Woo-wee! I did not see these twists coming! Omg! I want more books like this in my life. The twist and turns…where you would never be able to figure out who did this or who did that.

I loved the alternating between past and present timeframes. Those are also my favorite.

This whole book starts off with a thrilling ride. Hold on tight, because you never know where this rollercoaster is going or what will happen while in the rollercoaster.

This has been the best book so far that I have read from this author. He just continues to outdo himself! I can’t wait to see what he writes next!