This book is an absolute riot. Simple premise; en route to Abu Dhabi for a dream flm job, Ellie overhears something. A plan for murder. She keeps stum, then, guess what, there’s an unexpected death. The premise is simple. The story is fast paced and, let’s face it, totally implausible. But it’s a joy to be swept along by writing which depicts a wonderfully exotic location, a host of characters who are all as bad as each other. So many secrets, so many lies it’s impossible to know who to believe or where the story is going next. Ellie isn’t what she appears either and after a short time, I was in a total whirl with what was going on. And there’s the beauty of this book. It’s pure escapism, fast paced, exciting and packed with twists. It’s a roller coaster ride and I enjoyed it, completed in almost a single sitting.

Wow! What a book! I couldn't put it down, read it in one sitting. It was amazing it had me hooked from start to finish!

It was extremely twisty captivating, thrilling, and addictive I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!
It was an absolutely fantastic, suspense-filled, unputdownable addictive page turner with a wild unexpected twist!

I’d highly recommend this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️stars!

A twist filled crime mystery set in Abu Dhabi. The story raced along and I was intrigued to find out what happened next. Suspenseful and a great holiday read.

This was a roller coaster ride from start to finish, great book and a good author. A good book to take on joliday

The first thing I did after reading the book was add Rachel Wolf to my Goodreads shelf. A killer in paradise with a setup of a movie shoot? Count me in!

I knew this was going to be great 20 percent into the story. And just when I thought I knew what was going on things took a 360 degree turn. A couple of times. There are some major twists and the narration is brilliant. I loved the destination thriller as it mixes the elements of mystery and a light vacation. Only it isn't light or a vacation. I loved the setting and premise and the characters are all equally suspicious, filled with red herrings. Going to recommend this one for sure.

Thank you Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Sun Trap is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Ellie’s dream of landing a role in a blockbuster film quickly turns into a nightmare when she overhears a conversation about a murder on her flight to Abu Dhabi. What starts as a gripping mystery soon escalates into a tense game of survival, where trust is scarce and nothing is as it seems. The author masterfully builds tension, creating a chilling atmosphere where every character could be hiding something. With twists and turns that make you second-guess every move, this book delivers an intriguing mix of suspense and drama. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers, Sun Trap is a page-turner that will keep you hooked until the very end.

Pure Escapism..
Who to believe in this pacy and glamorous destination novel of suspense come murder mystery set in exotic climes and where nothing is as it first appears.. Ellie has always wanted to star on the big screen so when an offer of a film in Abu Dhabi materialises she grabs the opportunity. Overhearing a murderous conversation on the plane, Ellie finds herself in an untenable position when the murderous plan appears to materialise - but Ellie has too much to hide herself to make it known. Pure escapism, compelling, immersive and quite impossible to put down.

Oh my goodness, this was the twistiest of twisty thrillers with all the glamour of a desert film set, the threat of an unknown killer and a landscape that only offered more danger. It was an emotional rollercoaster with excitement, grief, fear, trauma, dopplegangers and a plot that led me down so many wrong paths and still surprised me at the end.

Ellie and her best friend Phoebe look almost exactly alike. So when Phoebe falls ill, she asks Ellie to take her place in her first major film. A few days later Ellie' is on a plane on the way to Abu Dhabi, putting on an American accent and trying not to be too obvious about her obsession with the lead actor. But when she hears two people plotting murder, everything is thrown into disarray.

The plot was fabulous, but it was the characters who really made this for me. With lots of big, film star egos, they had charisma in spades but personal connection was by no means lost. Ellie was able to get close to many of them throughout the book, taking us deep into the layers of history, trauma and loyalties that led them all to the desert and this particular film set.

I loved Sun Trap and absolutely raced through it. Ellie is a fabulous character and her story kept taking me by surprise. I thought I knew where the book was going so many times, but I was wrong right up to the end.

The location was so dramatic, and the cast was full of so many complex and charismatic characters, this book kept me turning the pages all the way through.

Gripping, Thrilling, and Unpredictable – A Five-Star Page-Turner!

Sun Trap by Rachel Wolf is an absolute rollercoaster of suspense, intrigue, and tension from start to finish. From the very first page, I was hooked, and the story didn’t let me go until the final twist. This is the kind of thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, desperate to know what happens next, but also hesitant to turn the page because you know things are about to get even more intense.

Ellie is an incredibly relatable protagonist, someone who’s chasing her dream of becoming an actress, and I could feel her excitement and fear as she embarked on her big break in Abu Dhabi. The setting itself—an exotic film location—adds so much to the atmosphere, and you can almost feel the heat of the desert as Ellie navigates the world of high-stakes film-making.

But everything takes a dark turn when Ellie overhears a conversation that sets off a chain of events she could never have predicted. The tension builds slowly but surely as the story unfolds, and Rachel Wolf does a fantastic job of keeping you guessing. Is Ellie just paranoid, or is there something more sinister at play? And then, as one of the crew members turns up dead, I was left constantly wondering who to trust—and whether Ellie herself might be hiding something.

What really stood out to me in this thriller was how well-paced the story was. It constantly keeps you guessing, never allowing you to settle into a comfortable rhythm. Ellie’s struggle to balance her career, her safety, and her own secrets is so well done, and I couldn’t help but root for her, even as she made questionable choices. The suspense never lets up, and just when you think you have it all figured out, another twist turns everything on its head.

The writing is sharp, and the setting is immersive. Abu Dhabi is described in such vivid detail that I almost felt as if I were there with Ellie, experiencing the heat and danger of the location right alongside her. The characters, too, are well-rounded and believable, each one adding another layer of complexity to the mystery.

This is one of those books that makes you think you know what’s coming, only to surprise you with a new revelation. It kept me up late, unable to stop reading, and when I finally reached the conclusion, I was left breathless. The ending is so satisfying, but also leaves you reflecting on everything that has led up to it.

Sun Trap is a must-read for anyone who loves a twisty, fast-paced thriller. Rachel Wolf has crafted a story that is as clever as it is thrilling, with a protagonist you can’t help but root for and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very last page. A solid five-star read, and I’m already looking forward to more from this talented author!

Wow, wow, wow what a page turner. Gripping in every way with a twist you do not see coming. Murder, impersonation, revenge, friendships and fear. When Ellie manages to get a role in a major new film being made in Abu Dhabi she is overwhelmed by the cast and location. After someone dies she soon realises that no-one is safe but who can she trust?
Rachel Wolf never fails to deliver and Sun Trap is a must read.

There was literally twist after twist after twist in this destination thriller. With a cast of highly unlikable characters and set in the desert on a film set, you reel from one dramatic incident to each murder, right back into intrigue. It's 100% a beach or poolside read! If you like thrillers, you like unlikable characters, and you want to be whisked away to the sun, this book is for you. Thanks to the author, Aria, Aries (the publisher), and NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced copy!

How far would you go for your dream role? When Ellie is handed the opportunity of a lifetime—stepping into a friend’s shoes, quite literally—she jumps at the chance. A blockbuster film, a career-defining moment. But on the flight to Abu Dhabi, she overhears something chilling: two people plotting a murder. She convinces herself it’s nothing… until the first body drops. And the lies start closing in.

Sun Trap is a slick, sun-drenched thriller that gripped me from the first page. Tension crackles through every chapter, and just when I thought I had it figured out—another twist sent me reeling. Ellie is a compelling protagonist, caught in a dangerous web of ambition, deception, and survival, where the price of success might just be her life.

Cinematic, addictive, and impossible to put down, Sun Trap is the perfect summer thriller. If you love psychological suspense with a touch of Hollywood glamour, this one’s for you!

Would you risk it all for a shot at fame?

A huge thank you to @NetGalley and Aria & Aries (Head of Zeus) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

#SunTrap #RachelWolf #ThrillerReads #MysteryAndThrillers #Bookstagram #SuspenseBooks #NetGalleyReview #AdvanceReaderCopy #AriaAndAries #HeadOfZeus

Well, that was a rollercoaster of a thriller. There were so many twists and turns running alongside the main story of filming a Hollywood film in the Abu Dhabi desert. I loved how the main character had small twists added along the way like peeling the layers of an onion. I read this in one go, I could not put it down. Would I forgive Ellie? I'm not sure.

Oh, what tangled webs we weave... with Sun Trap being an intricate and ideal example. A fabulous read that will have you never quite knowing what is going to happen next and eager to find out. The desert may be deserted, but it can still be deadly.

This was such an easy enjoyable read that kept me entertained the whole way through, I'll definitely look out for more books by this author!

I really enjoyed the exotic feel to this book. I loved trying to guess where the story was heading. Ellie is an aspiring actress desperate to get her first role, bit of course these things never run smoothly.

I read this book in a couple of days, I loved all the twists and turns.

A thoroughly enjoyable read

This was such an easy read, I flew through it! I read an eARC of this thriller on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

We have a thriller surrounding a wannabe actress who takes her friend’s place on a movie shooting in the desert when her friend gets sick. She will have to masquerade as her friend while also playing a role in the film and hope she doesn’t get caught out. However whilst on the plane, she overhears a nefarious plot and not long after, a body is found.

This was tense and a really interesting plot. I found myself gripped and wanting to keep reading throughout. No-one in this book was likeable and there was a bunch of back-stabbing, meanness, betrayal and lies that is unveiled throughout. I was compelled to uncover the secrets of this convoluted cast.

This is very much plot driven and the characters weren’t really memorable outside of their own machinations and secrets. However, they didn’t need to be. The plot was so fast paced that this wasn’t to the detriment of the book.

I would read more from this author after reading this book. It did what it needed to as a thriller very well.

Wow!

I want to start by saying a massive thankyou for giving me an ARC of this! This is my very first!

This book… Absolutely fantastic! When I tell you I binge read it in an entire 2 days……Not forgetting being unable to put it down at 3am! The twists, and turns! So many times I thought I had it figured out! Only for another twist to take place! This is amazingly thought out! The attention to detail is fantastic! I could see things in my head because of how much attention to detail was put into many aspects of this book!

Follow the Journey of Ellie, who has suffered loss, hurt, manipulation and lies. Journey across the world in this twisty and turbulent read! From UK, To New York, to Abu Dhabi. From the busy streets and bustling city life, from the calm before the storm.

I love a destination thriller, and this one takes us to the deserts of Abu Dhabi. Ellie meets her doppelgänger, Phoebe who is an actress going through a tough time. She’s supposed to fly to the movie set soon but she has been feeling really low and tired. When the opportunity for Ellie to step in and take her place, she jumps at the chance….what could go wrong?

I thought I knew where things were heading in the first part of the book and it seems like an "And Then There Were None" vibe. I was happily surprised to see some flashbacks to New York and new information revealed just when I thought I had things figured out.

This read was entertaining and had lots of twists. Some of it is not quite plausible and the reader must suspend their belief to get the full effects. This thriller was filled with chaos and deception, unreliable characters making questionable decisions, and lots of hidden backstories between the cast which lead to drama and conflict. I loved the setting of the desert and the descriptions of the sandstorm and oppressive heat were great. I enjoyed this read but it was very chaotic and a bit violent as well.

Thank you to @netgalley and Aria & Aries @headofzeus for the earc in exchange for my honest review.

Loved the setting for this thriller. The writing really transported me right there and it kept me up at night couldn't put it down!

Nothing is what it seems, if you think you’ve unravelled the mystery before the last chapter then you have probably got the wrong answer. Who is really who on the film set and why are they really there? A little slow to start with but picked up pace and a good read. I’m not sure it needed so many descriptions of sand in the desert but I would recommend this book.
My thanks to Net Galley and the author for an ARC

I enjoyed this book and watching the story unfold through the pages. Ellie is an aspiring actress keen to get her first role but there are other issues at play that make the part even more important to her.

Once on set so many things happen and no one is clear who the suspects are.

Watching the characters come to life through the pages and the roller coaster of twists and turns.

Really good different enjoyable read

Oh this is the perfect beach suspense read and my only regret is that I didn't hold onto it for holidays. Great characters, wonderful setting and a plot that proceeds at rocket fueled pace. A cracking read

ARC review: Sun Trap by Rachel Wolf. I love a destination thriller, and I can’t say I’ve read any set in the desert in Abu Dabi! ! Two aspiring actresses who look freakishly alike come up with a plan for Ellie to take Phoebe’s place in an upcoming movie, due to Phoebe coming down with a mystery illness. So Ellie pretends to be Phoebe (this can only end in trouble!!! ) The unfortunate thing is that whilst on set in the desert, people keep on… well…. dying!! I found this book easy to read and it was fun to feel like you’re behind the scenes of a movie set. The tension and anxiety builds when the police get involved, and Ellie has to keep pretending she’s Phoebe (I’d be terrified!).
Don’t go into this book wanting to find plot holes, just jump into it and immerse yourself in the mystery. It was a fun and fast paced read and I really enjoyed it!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Pub date 2 September 2025
Thankyou very much to publishers Aria and Aries, NetGalley and especially to Rachel Wolf, for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
#netgalley #ariaandaries #rachelwolfauthor #suntrap

With a cast of unlikeable characters you love to hate this is a punchy, tense thriller to get stuck into.
I was enveloped by the heat, the velvety darkness, the sand and the deaths; there are a few unlucky cast members in this one! I felt on edge and didn’t feel I could trust anyone. There are some fantastic plot twists to keep you guessing too, a really addictive read!

SUN TRAP BY RACHEL WOLF.
Release date set for the 2nd of September 2025.
This is my first book by this author.
Sun Trap was a crazy wild ride.
There's a bit of everything in this book.
Manipulation, lies, secrets and suspicious characters.
Loved the premise.
I will 100% read another book by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for this early ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Ellie is heading to Abu Dabai for her first film role. On the plane she overhears others planning a murder. When things start going wrong Ellie tries to work out who is to blame. But Ellie isn’t telling the whole truth she has a secret!

Oh this was good! The characters were great. I loved the slow build up as we found out more about them all. The flashbacks to New York were informative, they don’t start until you’re we’ll into the book, so when they start revealing things it’s a massive shock, as you have a picture of Ellie built up. The twists and turns had me hooked and I was gutted to finish as I’m sure there’s more to be told!
Highly recommend.

After closing the book for the final time, I instantly added all of Rachel Wolf's books to my ever growing TBR. Set in Abu Dhabi, this thriller was suspenseful and had me on the edge of my seat. I would highly recommend this book.

This was an easy and entertaining read. It was full of so much craziness and coincidences as to be pretty unbelievable. But cast that aside and just enjoy it for what is - a fun, shallow, twisty celebrity-based thriller.