The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards

Imagine meeting for dinner with 6 of your friends twenty plus years after seeing each other. Sounds like a fun reunion, right? Well, it would be unless you are one of the guests in The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards. Lies. Secrets. Deception. It all comes out. Knowing this, would you still want to attend this little party?

4/5 stars ★★★★☆

Published on: September 16, 2025

From the publisher: “A dinner party in a beautiful Notting Hill townhouse turns into a sinister game, as six old friends are forced to spill their darkest secrets…or else.“

What I Liked About The Wasp Trap:

In a dual timeline with different point of views, the reader is drawn into the inner workings of the friendship that were brought together by their employer, Sebastian. In 1999, Sebastian wanted to be one of the first to create an online dating app. It is now 2024, and Sebastian is dead. I loved how the book went back and forth between the friendship of these six people (and brought back memories for me), and the tense moments of 2024 where they are forced into playing a game at the dinner party. Is there a psychopath among them?

The Wasp Trap reminded me a little of an Agatha Christie book where you are trying to guess what is actually going to happen at the dinner party. This sense of not knowing whom to trust is exactly what makes the book so enjoyable.

The perfect title, The Wasp Trap, baffled me initially, only to reveal its powerful meaning about halfway through the story. It creates an eerie feeling for the reader. You realize becoming trapped isn’t the worst that can happen to you.

Where To Buy As A Last Resort and More:

• Purchase The Wasp Trap: https://amzn.to/4nxcJZ1
• If you liked this book, I also recommend these other psychological thrillers for your next read:
  • What’s Yours Is Mine by Jennifer Jabaley:
    • Read my review at: https://judiholst.com/whats-yours-is-mine-by-jennifer-jabaley-friendship-rivalry-and-an-obsessed-mom/
  • The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark
    • Read my review at: https://judiholst.com/julie-clarks-the-ghostwriter-a-gripping-tale-of-suspense/
  • Cross My Heart by Megan Collins
    • Read my review: https://judiholst.com/megan-collins-cross-my-heart-a-psychological-thriller-review/
• Read more of my book reviews: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/
• Missed my Top Books of 2024? Find them here: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Mark Edwards for my free copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Now, I’d love to hear from you: What’s the worst party you’ve ever been to?