In this classy third chapter of the Alias Emma series, the female equivalent of James Bond races to prevent an assassination at Edinburgh's G7 summit. The clock is ticking for British agent Emma Makepeace in Scotland, where Russian operatives are plotting a high-profile hit job. Security teams scramble to identify the target before it's too late. With global leaders descending on the gridlocked city and the target still unknown, Emma must make herself the bait to prevent an international catastrophe – if she can survive her own trap.
Ava Glass, the queen of spy fiction, delivers another masterclass in international espionage rooted in the modern world. The complex connections between crime, politics, and spy networks creates an eye-opening, pressure cooker narrative that kept me hooked, and proves this series keeps getting better and better.

The Trap by Ava Glass is about British spy, Emma Makepeace and how she races against the clock to stop the Russians from carrying out a high profile killing at the G7 summit in Edinburgh. The thriller moves from France, Russia and Scotland as the summit date gets nearer and all of the security teams cannot narrow down who will be the intended target.
It was a refreshing change to see women in assertive roles that can make a difference to a planned assignation and end an international incident.
Highly recommended

Three years working for The Agency and Emma is getting more seniority. When it is flagged up that a senior Russian agent is heading for Edinburgh where the G7 meeting is shortly to be held, teh Agency, MI5, MI6 and the local police are all on edge. Emma finds herself trying to turn an oligarch who maybe involved in an assassination plot but someone is leaking to the press and she hopes it isn't her police partner.
This is the first Glass novel I've read because I'm usually a huge fan of spy stories. I may be turned by this author! The plot is very tight and pretty believable, Emma is a strong character who displays nuances of personality eg. the whole narrative about the morals of being a 'honeytrap' and the pace is fast but not to the detriment of substance.

Emma’s back! The third instalment of this spy thriller series is here and Emma is back on British soil for this one. Firmly set in an Edinburgh that is preparing for the latest G7 meeting taking place in a week.

A Russian, Vladimir Balakin, lands in Farnborough in a private jet. Since then Emma and her colleague Adam have been tailing him. Balakin is high level Russian intelligence. Second in command of the FSB an intelligence organisation that is one of the most feared in the world. These high level ranks just don’t travel to countries that are perceived as enemies. So why is he here? Where is he going? What is he here to do?

Emma and Adam follow him to the Russian Embassy once it is confirmed that he’s inside their boss, Charles Ripley, aborts the operation and recalls them to base.

Working out of a Victorian redbrick terraced house in Westminster under the guise of ‘The Vernon Institute’ is the Agency, the organisation that Emma works for, a highly secretive agency whose task is to hunt Russian spies.

On her return to base Ripley takes her to a building overlooking the river Thames where they meet with Giles Templeton-Ward, head of MI6, better known as ‘C’. They enter a secure room where they join Patricia Allan, head of MI5, Dominic Larch, Home Secretary and Lauren Cavendish, the Prime Minister’s special adviser. Here to discuss Balakin’s arrival.

There is a lot of anxiety about with the upcoming G7 meeting and Balakin’s arrival in the U.K. has just ratcheted things up a notch. What’s in motion? Is the G7 the target? Why is Balakin here?

An attack! It must be, but what exactly? How do we find out?Everyone is stretched with the G7 so Ripley puts forward the idea of a small, elite team lead by himself and Emma. With support from the other Agencies it’s agreed. Ripley’s team is to oversee the operation, the MI6 liaison will be Andrew Field. So, they have seven days to find out what is planned and put a stop to it.

Then news comes in that Balakin is flying to Edinburgh – the operation is under way!

Emma travels to Edinburgh and much to her annoyance is given a partner, Mackenzie, from Police Scotland to help since she is not sufficiently familiar with the City and hasn’t the time to get to know it well enough. However, as they work together Emma sees the benefits they work well together. Balakin is linked to a Russian who has lived in Scotland for many years, Nick Orlov, not someone on any radar. Who is he? What is the connection? What does he know?

The operation is barely up and running when leaks to the media become apparent and political pressure all but closes it down. Ripley, however, is determined to keep his team in Edinburgh and brings more of them up to Scotland as the other Agencies return to London. Ripley is sure that Orlov is the key to finding out what is planned. A honey trap! He wants Emma to get close, very close! Is it too close for Emma? Should she be asked to do this? Will she pull it off? Will they find out what is planned and be able to stop it?

What a set up! As Emma dives head long into an undercover operation right into Orlov’s lair. Will she succeed in the mission and come out unscathed?

I raced to an ending that is tense, thrilling and totally mesmerising.

I like the characters Emma, Charles Ripley, Zach, Adam, Martha and Kate Mackenzie. Even though the storyline only takes place over the course of a week Ava Glass has built a strong, believable relationship between Emma and Kate, which will be interesting to see if that goes anywhere in the future, as well as providing a pacey, compelling and thought provoking story.

Once again Ava Glass has written a terrific story that completely draws the reader into the world of Emma, the Agency, secrets and spies. It’s a fascinating world, a book well worth reading and a series that is clearly filling a need for new and seasoned readers of the spy thriller genre.

It’s been great to be back with Emma and the Agency. The Trap by Ava Glass is an excellent third episode in the series, it is an intense, engrossing and very enjoyable read.

Thanks
Many thanks to Amanda for the invitation to join The Trap BlogTour and to the publishers Penguin for an eCopy of the book to read and share my thoughts on.

Another slice of action in this enthralling espionage series featuring intelligence operative Emma Makepiece. Sent to the G7 summit in Edinburgh, she must foil a Russian assassination plot. Take a breath, hang on and enjoy the ride.

The third book in this entertaining spy series is set predominately in Scotland just before the G7 summit. As usual, the investigation has more questions than answers and is a dark web of crime, espionage and politics. Emma, an alias, is a compelling character; driven by her familial past, she is a courageous and talented spy. I like how Emma is conflicted by parts of her job and still feels past betrayals. Her relationship with Mack is believable and hopefully may continue in future books. I like the intensity, the team dynamics and the female protagonists.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Yet another page turner from Ava Glass, A brilliany writter spy thriller, which keeps your interest throughout. Recommended.

This is only the second book by Ava Glass that I have read but I have become a firm fan. Love the character Emma Makepeace. Yet another adventure set between Edinburgh and also a little bit in Rome.

This series gets better with each book. Emma has to foil an assassination attempt at the G7 in Edinburgh. A fast paced read full of twists and turns. A good adrenaline rush of a read well plotted. Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this review ARC.

This is the first Emma Makepeace book I’ve read but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Reads well as a stand-alone too.
The spy plot is interesting as are the well written characters and the turmoil they feel with various moral situations.
Full of action, a splash of romance and done good friendships, I’m definitely tempted to follow this spy and her next adventure!

The name is Makepeace, Emma Makepeace. Except it isn't. As the spy described as "Britain's female James Bond" acknowledges, everybody lies in her world and Emma's first is her name. She also assumes one of her other identities in The Trap, which although assuredly a contemporary espionage novel, reminds us that some of the old spycraft tactics are still enacted when a dire situation calls for it. This is the third book in the Alias Emma series and while a standalone, there are references to events in both The Chase and The Traitor, and I would recommend reading those first, especially if you want to avoid any spoilers.

With the West increasingly concerned about the dangers posed by Russia and China, the G7 countries are due to meet in Edinburgh, ostensibly to discuss improving the global economy and stabilising democracy, but with tensions rising, talks are expected to focus on imposing sanctions and other methods for curtailing threats from the east. So when, just before the summit, Vladimar Balakin, the man believed to be the Russian intelligence agency, FSB's second in command, arrives in England on a private jet, it's of extreme concern. Emma is a part of the UK's intelligence agencies combined operation to tail him upon arrival and she follows him first to the Russian embassy in London and then in Edinburgh, where his destination is a house belonging to Nick Orlov, a self-made billionaire from Kazakhstan who emigrated to Britain fifteen years ago and now holds British citizenship. Nick has never been on the radar of the secret services and so they are baffled by his involvement.

Emma works for the most secret of the intelligence departments; The Agency hunts Russian spies and even most people in the government have no idea it even exists. With less than a week before some of the world's most powerful leaders are due to meet, the pressure is on to identify and stop the attack they know must be coming. The sense of tension is acutely palpable throughout The Trap and as with the previous books in the series, Emma becomes involved in a breathtakingly gripping race against time.

Despite resolutely agreeing to use herself as bait in an old-fashioned honey trap as they desperately try to figure out what Orlov's involvement actually means, it is clear that she has reservations. Emma is a proficient operative who although still young has experienced some profoundly challenging situations which have gained her an impressive reputation. However, Ava Glass always ensures she is believably human; she is emotionally as well as physically scarred by her past and her uneasiness at what she is being asked to do is obvious. Her interactions with Nick Orlov are cleverly imagined; her determination to carry out the job expected of her is evident and yet, we're still aware of her moral doubts – especially as she finds she actually likes the man.

Having been horribly betrayed previously, she has built a protective wall around herself but a new character and a face from her past, both expose chinks in her armour here. When she is partnered with police officer Kate Mackenzie, Emma is not pleased but the relationship which develops between them is one of the highlights of The Trap, revealing a different side of her character to readers as well as to Emma herself. Meanwhile, the forthright Mackenzie is an excellent addition to the storyline and the juxtaposition between their methods, as well as their honest discussions with one another is fascinating. Emma also has to make a decision regarding what is demanded of her and what she needs – although just a small part of this book, I’m interested to see whether this strand of the ongoing storyline will be revisited in the future.

There are nail-biting scenes throughout The Trap, which is a compulsive read from start to finish but the latter chapters are particularly intense. Emma's innate intuitiveness and her physical acumen are called upon as the Russians’ chilling plot is eventually revealed. However, even after this, they still have to actually stop their bloody objective being realised; the dramatic climax is electrifyingly thrilling and really quite moving. The Trap is an action packed, compellingly believable spy thriller, it's a hugely entertaining read and the best in the series so far.

Book number three to feature Emma Makepeace. Emma works for a small off the books part of British Intelligence, focusing on Russian issues. It becomes apparent that the Russians are planning something significant to damage the UK. Emma’s team are tasked with getting close to a Russian oligarch who may be involved. Emma may have to get closer than she is comfortable with. The book is a thoughtful but pacy thriller. Some strong female characters helping push the plot. Topical and a worthy entry into an excellent series

This is the third installment in the Alias Emma series, and it continues to deliver a thrilling read! For those who enjoy spy thrillers, this book is a must-read.

Emma Makepeace returns in this installment, tasked with traveling to Edinburgh ahead of the G7 meeting scheduled to take place in a week. Her mission is to follow Vladimir Balakin, believed to be the second-in-command of the Russian intelligence agency, the FSB. The objective is to understand his sudden presence in the UK and his reasons for traveling to Edinburgh before the gathering of leaders from seven influential countries who will discuss critical issues, including sanctions against Russia.

Emma must employ various strategies and even act as a honeypot to gather crucial information that will aid in preventing any potential threats or disruptions planned during the G7 meeting.

Unfortunately, there is an informant in their midst who is leaking information to the press, thus interfering with their investigation.
Will she be able to stop the attack in time?

If James Bond had a sister, her name would have been Emma Makepeace!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Emma is back and she's about to end up neck deep in another Russian plot!

The intel world is a dark and murky place, filled with divided loyalties, political machinations and uneasy alliances - and that's the supposed "good guys"!

This time around Emma and CO. are on the hunt for who wants to destabilise the G7 in Edinburgh. The FSB seem to be the main movers but is there someone else riding their coattails? Balakin may be one nasty, evil spy but even he needs assistance from time to time and his so-called ally this time around just does not seem the type!

I'm loving this series. It's great to have a female protagonist who is capable, intelligent and just as honour and duty bound as all the big name MMC spies. She is flawed too but is aware that she is not infallible, making her all the more human. I loved the working relationship she forms with Kate and getting a chance to see the indomitable Martha is always great fun.

How she manages to keep all her separate lives and identities straight I don't know! Watching some of her private life spill into her professional life was refreshing too.

Fast paced, tightly packed story with characters you can empathise with, and even a few you hope come to a gory end!

The Trap is the third book in the series featuring intelligence agent Emma Makepeace. It can definitely be read as a standalone thanks to references for new readers to events in the previous two books – The Chase and The Traitor – and to Emma’s own quite complicated personal history. (These would be spoilers if you were intending to go back and read the first two books). Of course, the main thing you need to know about Emma is that it is not her real name, just her cover name. Her real name is known only to a select few and she’s quite used to adopting other identities, all of which have been carefully created by the Agency, the outfit for which she works.

The plot involving a possible assassination attempt on a leading politician, an important summit at which decisions will be made about sanctions against Russia and the leaking of sensitive information to the press makes it feel bang up-to-date. As does the impressive digital technology at the Agency’s disposal. However there’s also space for some ‘old school’ techniques, including one which wouldn’t be out of place in an Agatha Christie novel.

Emma’s become used to working along. In fact, she prefers it that way having been badly let down in the past by someone she believed she could trust. I liked the fact that on this occasion she is required to pair up with someone else and, that contrary to her instincts, there’s a lot of value to be gained from the partnership. Cue perhaps a more permanent arrangement in the next book?

The Trap has everything you’d expect in a good spy thriller: some really bad guys to go up against, exotic locations, a race against time and a final showdown. I enjoyed being reunited with some of the team from previous books, including Ripley, Emma’s enigmatic boss, Martha, creator of a thousand disguises and Zach, the tech wizard.

And through the character of Emma we see the challenges of being a spy: never being able to reveal your occupation to others; having to lie to friends, family and lovers; living a double life with a name that is not your own; being constantly on your watch.

The Trap is another accomplished, nail-biting thriller from the author who has been dubbed ‘The new queen of spy fiction’.

4.5⭐

Spy Emma Makepeace is back in a fraught and totally addictive thriller. That sees her and the agency. A super secretive organisation she works for trying to prevent a terror attack at a G7 summit in Edinburgh in less than a week.

The only problem is, no one has any idea what type of attack it will be.

But as the agency only hunts Russian spies and one of the top FSB spies has been seen entering the country within days of the G7 Summit. They have a pretty good idea who will be behind it.

But that's about it.

Which leaves MI5, MI6 and the foreign office desperately searching for answers and the agency out on a limb. With Emma having to go undercover and set a trap for Russian billionaire Nick Orlov.

Who seems to be caught up in the FSB's plans. But is he a willing participant or is there something else far more dangerous at play?

That's what Emma needs to uncover and fast!

And with plenty of thrills and spills. The Trap is a high octane and tensely paced thriller. That I couldn't stop reading and I enjoyed the introduction of detective Kate Mackenzie. Who becomes Emma's partner and support as she goes undercover and faces the moral dilemma of having to sleep with an asset. Whilst also dealing with her last partners betrayal and a face from the past.

I would happily recommend The Trap to all. 😊

This is shaping up to be an excellent espionage series.”The Trap” which is the third book is fast moving and well plotted. There are no different view points or flashbacks in the narrative , unlike most books nowadays which seem to relish this style of writing - it just moves linearly from beginning to end which was refreshingly entertaining and made the book all the more compelling. I read it in a matter of hours, barely pausing to catch a breath.
In “The Trap” Emma Makepeace and her team of spies are tailing a Russian agent who has entered the UK and made his way to Scotland. They are trying to work out what his ultimate aim is, realising instantly that it cannot be something good.
In the course of the book Emma has to seduce a possible agent and team up with a Scottish police officer called Mackenzie. They have a difficult relationship at first due to Emma’s reluctance to trust others after a difficult year but gradually the two grow to respect each other. The seduction part of the story really plays on Emma’s mind- it is not something she has done before but she is willing to consider it to solve the case.
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Trap” and particularly liked the Edinburgh setting. Mackenzie’s local knowledge comes in very useful as the case progresses and this proves useful to Emma.
I liked the fact that Emma can do anything the male spies do and more- no task is too difficult and she manages to extricate herself and others from some very difficult situations in this book.
I’m already looking forward to reading more about her escapades in the next instalment of the series and just hope I don’t have to wait too long.
I thoroughly recommend this book and the whole series by this talented author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

The Alias Emma series is one of my favourite spy series so I was really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. The Trap. It was worth the wait. And works great as a standalone if you have never read any of the other books in the series.

You find yourself emerged in the some what glamorous but equally deadly and traitorous world of spies. As Emma attempts to stop a high profile assassination attempt by using herself as bait. It’s risky and dangerous but makes for a delightfully addictive and compelling read that has you on the edge of your seat. Like a white knuckle read.

The Trap was a book I started with the intention of reading a chapter or two a night before going to sleep. What a mistake that was! I ended up staying up till 3am and finishing the entire book in one go as I could not put it down!

This is shaping up as a really good series. Needs some suspension of disbelief, but an enjoyable thriller.

I was so excited to read the new Alias Emma novel and I was not disappointed. I just couldn't read it fast enough and the super-fast pacing left me breathless. They don't call Ava Glass the Queen of Spy Fiction for no reason.

Although The Trap is book three in the series, you can read it as a standalone but you will definitely want to read the earlier books, if you haven't done so already. Emma Makepeace has a new undercover assignment. This time it's based in Edinburgh as intelligence discover an assassination plot planned for the G7 Summit.

It's a race against the clock to discover their identity and stop the assassin so Emma teams up with local law enforcement officer Kate Mackenzie. I loved the connection Emma and Kate have so I don't think it's the last us readers have heard of Kate Mackenzie (yay!).

Blisteringly fast paced, sharp and addictive, it's impossible to put The Trap down once you pick it up. Ava Glass is firmly cemented in place as one of my favourite authors and I highly recommend this book.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.