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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Wow what a read. A locked in thriller. Secrets. Murder. Two timelines. What is there not to love? In 1999 6 people joined Professor Sebastain Marlow to create adapting app that would change the world. Now, r after the death of the Professor, these 6 meet again, for the first time in 25 years, for a dinner in his memory. But this is not a cosy dinner going over old memories, instead this becomes a matter of life and death as they are held at gunpoint and made to reveal their darkest secrets. I was totally hooked. There was even a nod to Traitors which I really appreciated. The first few pages were slow burn and then … The two timelines where we switch from the present back to 1999 fill in some of the questions that this entire plot raises, but it doesn’t answer them all. Nothing was what it seemed. I was kept guessing - what is the secret? Who has it? The suspense did not let up, the feeling of unease was constant and then there were twists I never saw coming as the truth was slowly unravelled. As for the ending - I wasn’t expecting that! An excellent read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the chance to read an advanced copy of this fast-paced and clever thriller! I always enjoy locked-room mysteries, and this one didn't disappoint.
The book centers on a group of adults reconnecting after 25 years apart when their beloved college professor passed away. The group is having a dinner party at a married couple or the group's home in Notting Hill.
The story is primarily told from the perspective of Will, a now English teacher who senses that something is off about the event and it isn't a simple reunion that they first believed.
The time period jumps back and forth between the present dinner party and the summer of 99, when the group were college students working on a computer program for the professor. Sporadically, the perspective changes to a different person, and it is still easy to follow along with the time and current narrator.
The characters are likable but also flawed individuals, so it helped add to the mystery of who was lying.
The two timelines are interwoven. It was the type of thriller/mystery that didn't fully make sense until it all came together in the ending, when you were able to finally see what exactly happened in the 90s that caused everyone to split apart.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was creative and intense throughout. There was danger and violence, but not too much gore. It gave modern Agatha Christie vibes. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
The book centers on a group of adults reconnecting after 25 years apart when their beloved college professor passed away. The group is having a dinner party at a married couple or the group's home in Notting Hill.
The story is primarily told from the perspective of Will, a now English teacher who senses that something is off about the event and it isn't a simple reunion that they first believed.
The time period jumps back and forth between the present dinner party and the summer of 99, when the group were college students working on a computer program for the professor. Sporadically, the perspective changes to a different person, and it is still easy to follow along with the time and current narrator.
The characters are likable but also flawed individuals, so it helped add to the mystery of who was lying.
The two timelines are interwoven. It was the type of thriller/mystery that didn't fully make sense until it all came together in the ending, when you were able to finally see what exactly happened in the 90s that caused everyone to split apart.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was creative and intense throughout. There was danger and violence, but not too much gore. It gave modern Agatha Christie vibes. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In the summer of 1999, Will joins five other idealistic graduates working for an eccentric psychology professor, planning to launch a website to change online dating forever. No-one expects it to end in tragedy. Twenty-five years later, Will gets an invitation: a dinner party. A chance to see the old gang again.
But as soon as he arrives, something doesn’t seem right. There’s an unexpected guest. The hosts are clearly keeping a secret. And on the way in, Will is sure he heard crying. Everyone has something to hide about what really happened that summer. But only one of them is willing to kill to find the truth…
This is a very clever thriller that flips between two timelines, the events from twenty five years ago perfectly blended with the present day situation.
A steady pace throughout keeps the tension balanced, the character’s fear as the situation unfolds is evident, the descriptive prose creating the claustrophobic scenes in the reader’s mind. It was really interesting the way the psychological studies and the group of very differing characteristics were entwined, each playing a part in connecting the reader with each person.
The clues and reveals are drip fed at just the right moments, culminating in a twist that was completely unexpected, and cleverly executed. Hard to say much more without any spoilers but it’s a brilliant thriller that will keep you guessing the whole way through. This was my first read by this author but will definitely look to read more based on this really enjoyable read.
But as soon as he arrives, something doesn’t seem right. There’s an unexpected guest. The hosts are clearly keeping a secret. And on the way in, Will is sure he heard crying. Everyone has something to hide about what really happened that summer. But only one of them is willing to kill to find the truth…
This is a very clever thriller that flips between two timelines, the events from twenty five years ago perfectly blended with the present day situation.
A steady pace throughout keeps the tension balanced, the character’s fear as the situation unfolds is evident, the descriptive prose creating the claustrophobic scenes in the reader’s mind. It was really interesting the way the psychological studies and the group of very differing characteristics were entwined, each playing a part in connecting the reader with each person.
The clues and reveals are drip fed at just the right moments, culminating in a twist that was completely unexpected, and cleverly executed. Hard to say much more without any spoilers but it’s a brilliant thriller that will keep you guessing the whole way through. This was my first read by this author but will definitely look to read more based on this really enjoyable read.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a clever and unpredictable mystery! A group of friends who were previously employed together reunite for a dinner party under the worst of circumstances- their former boss has died. It delves into a twisted game where they are each forced to share a secret from the summer they shared 25 years prior. This was a locked room mystery that kept me on my toes until the very end. Edwards has an uncanny way of writing from each character’s perspective so uniquely that I always knew whose POV we were in. This was a quick, addictive mystery/thriller that would get anyone out of a reading slump.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for my review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the eARC in exchange for my review!
3.5 Overall.
I’m not really sure how I feel about this story honestly. Did it have a good premise? Yes. Did it fail a lot with the execution? Also, yes. I feel there were so many things that were expected and twists that I called fairly early in because they were so obvious. However, there were other moments that I genuinely was taken by surprise. The pacing though was so agonizingly slow and that’s why I didn’t rate it higher cuz this book dragged so much! I think if it wasn’t an ARC I probably would’ve just DNF’d it due to how slow it was. While it had a satisfying conclusion the time it takes to get there in my opinion wasn’t worth it. So, I can’t say I’d recommend it.
I’m not really sure how I feel about this story honestly. Did it have a good premise? Yes. Did it fail a lot with the execution? Also, yes. I feel there were so many things that were expected and twists that I called fairly early in because they were so obvious. However, there were other moments that I genuinely was taken by surprise. The pacing though was so agonizingly slow and that’s why I didn’t rate it higher cuz this book dragged so much! I think if it wasn’t an ARC I probably would’ve just DNF’d it due to how slow it was. While it had a satisfying conclusion the time it takes to get there in my opinion wasn’t worth it. So, I can’t say I’d recommend it.
I read a fair number of mysteries and thrillers, most of which are just okay—which I’m okay with. It’s a tough genre to innovate in, and it can be tough to stick the landing. The Wasp Trap pleasantly surprised me by being a refreshing, original mystery. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns, and I liked how many different moving pieces were part of the story. I did think the narrator’s crush in the flashback chapters veered toward pathetic at times (I could’ve done with less pining), and the “love” wasn’t really developed, but I still appreciated the larger mystery.
I received an ARC from Atria via NetGalley for an honest review.
I received an ARC from Atria via NetGalley for an honest review.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Release: Sept 16, 2026
Author: Mark Edwards
Publisher: Atria Books
Rating: 4 ★
A group of six longtime friends gather at a charming townhouse in Notting Hill to honor their late former boss—a professor who brought them together years ago to create a dating website. What starts as a nostalgic reunion quickly spirals into something far more disturbing. The guests are soon forced into a chilling game: either confess their deepest, darkest secrets or eliminate each other one by one.
As tensions rise, it becomes clear that their past is catching up with them. Back in 1999, the group developed a personality quiz meant to foster romantic matches—but it secretly doubled as a test to identify psychopaths, known as The Wasp Trap. Now, with a killer among them and a deadly ultimatum on the table, the truth behind their shared history may be the only way to survive.
The Wasp Trap starts with an irresistible setup—a group of six former colleagues reuniting in a posh Notting Hill home, only to find themselves trapped and forced to confront long-buried secrets from a summer two decades ago. The tension builds quickly, and the dual timelines—1999 and present day—add a compelling layer to the mystery. It definitely delivered in terms of suspense and kept me guessing with its constant twists.
That said, while I enjoyed the fast pace and chilling atmosphere, a few parts felt a bit over-the-top or melodramatic. I think the story could have leaned more into the psychological tension rather than relying so heavily on violence and theatrics. Some character arcs (especially Mia’s) felt unnecessary or underdeveloped, and I didn’t feel a strong emotional connection to most of the cast, which weakened the impact of a few key moments.
Still, it’s a fun, binge-worthy read that plays like a locked-room thriller with a psychological twist. If you enjoy books that keep you flipping pages and don’t mind a few wild turns along the way, this is definitely worth checking out.
Favorite Quote:
"when you're stuck in a trap, it's hard to see a way out. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist."
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
SYNOPSIS
-Six friends reunite in London to honor their late professor, who once had them working on a psychology-based dating site in 1999.
-What starts as a nostalgic dinner quickly spirals into a nightmare when they’re held at gunpoint.
-The group must reveal their darkest secrets or watch each other be picked off.
-Their ordeal connects back to “The Wasp Trap,” a twisted tool they once helped create, designed to expose hidden psychopaths.
-The story flips between 1999 and 2024 as past choices resurface with deadly consequences.
———
MY THOUGHTS
-The setup was tense and had me hooked right away. I love a locked-room vibe where the characters can’t escape.
-The dual timelines kept things interesting, and I liked the flashbacks to the late 90s tech world.
-The pacing dragged at times. For a thriller, I wanted it to move faster.
-I never really connected to any of the characters, which made it harder to care when their secrets spilled out.
-Some moments required a big suspension of disbelief, especially the logistics of the setup.
-The atmosphere stayed tense, which worked, even if the characters didn’t.
-The ending tied everything together in a satisfying way. It landed better than I expected.
———
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️A tense, locked-room thriller with a cool premise and a solid ending, but slow pacing and flat characters held it back.
———
THANKS: Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on September 15, 2025.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence