#TheWaspTrap #NetGalley
In this gripping tale, six friends reunite in London to honor a professor who once united them for a groundbreaking project: creating a dating website that used psychological testing to match people. But what starts as a nostalgic get-together quickly turns into a chilling nightmare. They're forced into a deadly ultimatum—reveal their most shameful secrets or be picked off, one by one. The plot thickens when the group realizes this isn't random. Their old project—the "Wasp Trap," a hidden test embedded in the dating algorithm to detect psychopaths—might be the key to what’s happening now. What was once a scientific experiment may have uncovered a real killer—and that person might be one of them.
What I like :-
1 Tense, locked-room style suspense: A classic reunion-gone-wrong setup, but with a tech-savvy, psychological twist.
2 Layered characters with skeletons in their closets: Each revelation peels back another layer of betrayal and trauma.
3 A clever, chilling concept: The idea of a dating tool secretly designed to flag psychopaths adds a fresh spin to the genre.
Overall, The Wasp Trap is a fast-paced, twisty thriller that explores how our past choices and secrets can come back to trap us—sometimes with deadly consequences. With Mark Edwards' signature suspense and sharp storytelling, this is a dark, smart, and compulsively readable novel.
⭐ Rating: 4.6/5 — A clever psychological thriller that blends tech paranoia with human vulnerability. Ideal for fans of locked-room mysteries and group-dynamic thrillers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for giving me an advance copy.

I always look forward to a new Mark Edwards book. This one did not disappoint. An excellent and original storyline with lots of twists and turns. It kept me reading into the wee small hours.

In 1999 six post graduates were brought together to build a dating site. When the project ends abruptly everyone goes their separate ways. 25 years later after the death of their old boss, the group reunites for a dinner party, what should be a fun night, catching up. The party is soon crashed by gunmen demanding to know everyone’s darkest secret.
This is the type of thriller I usually avoid, however if Mark Edwards writes it then you know I’m going to read it. The wasp trap is told mainly from Will’s POV, although we do sometimes get snippets from the other characters, Will is a fine narrator although there were sometimes I found him to be a bit annoying. The start of the book lays the groundwork for the rest of the story, we get introduced to the characters and sort of a run down to where they are in their lives now. The story is told from dual POVs, the summer of 1999 and present day. This book is such a page turner, every chapter left me wanting to read more. In true mark edwards style this book is full of shocking twists that will make your jaw drop. I rated this book 4.5 ⭐ ️ and would highly recommend you check this out if you're looking for a fast-paced, suspense filled book that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Mark Edwards, Netgalley and Penguin for letting me read this early in exchange for an honest review
The Wasp Trap By Mark Edwards will be released July 31st

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards

Another great book by this author . You know when you pick up a book by him you are in for a great read.
Full of twists and intrigue , great characters and a gripping plot.
Six ex work mates come together after the death of their old boss .
They were,working for him developing a dating site that emphasised on the psychological side of things..
The book took us from present day and back to 1999 where we find out everything about them and just what happened.
A pageturner .

WOW! I could really leave this review at that because I don't know what else to say. I wish I could go back a few days just to read it again for the first time because it was incredible. I was so gripped by the story - it had so many twists and turns in it, right until the very end. I feel like I should point out a few flaws or something that I personally didn't like but I cant. I literally can't think of a single fault with this story. This is definitely my favourite read so far of 2025 and possibly in my top 5 favourite reads of all time. It's been such a long time since a book consumed me like this. it was perfect.

I had high hopes for this book.
It started off very well, got me hooked in quickly.
Then it changed, it felt rather ridiculous at times, too far fetched in comparison to the beginning.
It also felt very drawn out and I began to not enjoy the book.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy.

Excellent read from Mark. You won't want to put it down. I have read his other books, and admittedly I think this one is the best so far.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The psychology of it was fascinating and it was hard to put down when I ran out of time for reading each day.

The story was set at a perfect pace. Revealing more details as it went along. Pulling me in with the emotion and connection to the characters.

Incredibly well constructed and written with flair and deep insight into the nature of every character.

It’s 5 stars all the way, and if this author has written more books I will be reading them, as well as eagerly awaiting any new ones.

Highly recommended.

The plot for this book was really intriguing but I found it really difficult to connect to any of the characters. I found myself getting more uninterested in every chapter. I usually do enjoy mark Edward’s thrillers but this one didn’t hit the mark for me unfortunately.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I always love Mark Edwards’ books but this one stood out for me. Plenty of twists and turns with beautifully developed characters. Nothing was quite as it seemed.

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards is a true Mark Edwards-style thriller—gripping, tense, and relentlessly paced. From the first chapter, it keeps you on the edge of your seat, masterfully layering suspense and psychological intrigue. I devoured it in a day just to reach the explosive finale.

The plot is taut and cleverly constructed, with just enough twists to keep you guessing without feeling overdone. Edwards' signature ability to blur the line between paranoia and reality is on full display, pulling you into the protagonist’s unraveling world.

The characters are sharply drawn, especially the lead, whose internal struggle adds a compelling layer to the unraveling mystery. While a few turns might echo familiar beats, they’re handled with enough finesse to feel fresh.
With a great plot and a satisfying final act, The Wasp Trap proves once again why Mark Edwards is a master of the genre. It’s a compulsive, chilling read that sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Thankyou Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC to post voluntary this my honest review.
A couple arrange a reunion dinner with four other friends who have not seen each other for 25 years!! Back in the summer of 1999 they all worked on launching a dating website together brought together by Sebastian to work on the project. The dinner is in honour of Sebastian's passing. Things soon take a drastic turn when all their lives are in grave danger!! Something happened in the summer of 99! One of the six has been keeping a secret and someone will stop at nothing to find out who knows it!!
This book was action packed! Kept my interest throughout!! I loved the storyline and all the twists!! I didn't figure out any of it! The characters were likable and interesting! I would recommend anyone to read this book who loves a good thriller and keeps you guessing till the very end!! Fantastic writing Mark!! :)

This was amazing I have no words I loved it
Such a fast paced mystery thriller which kept me on my toes I just couldn’t put it down by far one of my favourite reads

Another fantastic read from Mark Edwards. I love all of his books but this one was especially good. Its a read in one sitting type of book that you won't want to end. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards is a taut, suspenseful thriller that delivers tension in all the right places. With a tightly wound plot and Edwards’ signature knack for psychological twists, the story keeps readers second-guessing motives and outcomes from beginning to end. The setup is simple but executed with precision, drawing you in quickly and holding your attention.

The characters are well-drawn, especially the protagonist, whose mounting paranoia and self-doubt make the unfolding mystery feel all the more intense. Edwards layers in just enough emotional depth to make the stakes personal, while keeping the pace fast and the atmosphere tense. A few twists feel familiar, but the execution keeps them fresh.

The final act is satisfying, tying together the suspense and emotional threads with a confident hand. The Wasp Trap is another strong entry in Mark Edwards’ catalog—a gripping, fast-paced read that earns its 4 stars with solid storytelling and a steady build of dread.

Mark Edwards is now on my "must-read" authors list after devouring his latest thriller, "The Wasp Trap." A suspenseful and twisting and turning thriller that grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go!!

This was my first book of Mark Edwards and I can confidently say it won't be my last – I may have just discovered a new favorite author.

The story unfolds across two timelines, the present-day nightmare with the events of 1999. In the past, we're introduced to six individuals bound together by their work for the professor, Sebastian Marlowe.

As the narrative shifts to the present, we find these six individuals reunited at a fateful dinner party. What begins as a seemingly innocent gathering quickly descends into a terrifying ordeal, a deadly game where long-buried secrets are exposed.

The clever interweaving of the 1999 timeline gradually unveils the events that led to this explosive confrontation, providing a compelling motive for the present-day horror.

The interplay between these timelines creates a captivating reading experience, leaving you constantly guessing and eagerly anticipating the next revelation.

Thank you to Mark Edward’s, NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this fantastic book.

I had high hopes that were dashed.

This is the story of 6 university graduates who had spent the summer of 1999 sequestered with a Professor, developing an online dating website. Each of the 6 bought a skill that the others didn't possess to help the Professor launch the site. However, the morning before the launch the Professor suddenly disbands the group and they are sent their separate ways. 25 years have passed and the group gather together for the first time at a dinner party to remember their now deceased Professor.

Theo and Georgina have done well for themselves and are hosting the dinner party from their beautiful hi-tech home. Rohan is dissatisfied that he has not achieved the dizzy heights he had hoped to reach, Lily has done reasonably well but has struggles in her personal life, Sophie has managed but didn't get everything she wanted, and Will has become a teacher of creative writing and a frustrated novelist that has spent the last 25 years regretting not telling the woman of his dreams how he felt. Joining the group is Finn, a man who claims to be the Professors last assistant but doesn't seem to know much about the man he claims he worked for.

As the first course is served all is not as it seems, their phones have lost connection to the networks, the internet has gone down and all the doors are locked...and someone is hiding on the third floor...

This could have been an incredible book but it fell short of the mark by a distance. The first half was interesting and engaging as the dinner party unravelled. The flash back scenes to 1999 that slowly built towards the event that lead the group to being disbanded were interesting and relevant to the story being told. However, once a blast from the past showed up I felt that it went downhill. As the story went on the action became a little more farcical - I understand the set up of co-incidentally having two empty houses surrounding the property so that the people felt isolated but to believe that several gun shots went completely unnoticed by anyone is a stretch.

The reveal of what was really going on was reasonably plausible but the last 20% or so of the book kind of ruined all the good that had come before. Hidden passageways within the house that horded evidence of secrets from the past and those secrets being used against the secret keeper just felt silly. On the whole I was left feeling a little let down and disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is not a book that I would necessarily have picked up but, WOW - I'm so glad I did!

The story is just stunning - highly original and just so well put together, so well written, that, especially for the closing chapters, I literally couldn't put it down.

The author really gets into his characters and every aspect of the plot is well thought out with no loose ends or inconsistencies.

Highly recommended!

An EASY 5⭐️ Deliciously twisty from start to finish, The Wasp Trap is a compelling and gripping locked-door psychological thriller.

Six old friends reunite to celebrate the life of their recently deceased eccentric ex-employer, a professor that brought them together in 1999 to help build a dating website based on psychological testing. I loooooved the dual timeline element of this book — switching back and forth between 1999 and present day. This format added so much more depth to the story and kept me guessing how reliable and trustworthy each character was.

This was a really great page-turner with twists, turns, secrets and lies that unfold into utter chaos. Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book!

Good story flirting between the events of Summer 1999 and the present day.
A group who had been brought together to create a new dating website but who haven’t seen each other since, are invited to a dinner party. Once there things start to go very wrong. They all have secrets, but someone wants to know a particular secret and will go to great lengths to find out what it is.
Exciting tale with good characters. Recommended.