Book Review: The Wasp Trap

Title: The Wasp Trap

Author: Mark Edwards

Publisher: Atria Books

Publication Date: September 16, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

We all have secrets we prefer to keep hidden. But how many have a secret that will mean life or death to those around us? This unsettling premise forms the foundation of Mark Edwards' latest psychological thriller, "The Wasp Trap," a tense and twisted tale of friendship, betrayal, and long-buried secrets.

The story's dual timeline switches between the charged atmosphere of 1999 and the claustrophobic tension of a present-day Notting Hill townhouse where six former colleagu
es find themselves trapped in a deadly game of revelation. Each character is forced to unveil their darkest secret or face deadly consequences.

The opening moves somewhat leisurely, but once the psychological cat-and-mouse game began, Edwards had me completely ensnared. The psychological dating questionnaire they developed years ago takes on sinister new meaning as the night progresses, and I found myself frantically trying to piece together the puzzle before the characters did

While I wanted to know more about the enigmatic Sebastian, whose shadowy presence drove so much of the plot, the finale more than compensated for this minor disappointment. Just when you think you've figured out who's behind the deadly game, Edwards pulls the rug out from under you with a revelation that is both shocking and, in retrospect, cleverly foreshadowed

For anyone who relishes that delicious feeling of dread that builds as secrets unravel, "The Wasp Trap" delivers a stinging read that will have you eyeing your oldest friends with newfound suspicion. 

A big thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Book Review: The List

Title: The List

Author: Steve Berry

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: July 22, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I was swept into the deceptive calm of small-town Georgia in "The List," experiencing Steve Berry's pivot into legal thriller territory. Following Brent Walker's return to his hometown, I felt the growing unease as he stumbles upon a deadly corporate conspiracy hidden behind Southern Republic's perfect company-town facade.

Berry masterfully builds tension around a cryptic list that kept me turning pages. While some plot twists were predictable, Berry compensates with engaging characters, high-stakes action and mounting suspense that drives the story forward to a satisfying conclusion.

What fascinated me most was discovering this novel sat dormant for 30 years before being resurrected and refined sitting COVID to find its way to readers—explaining its nostalgic early Grisham-esque atmosphere. For anyone craving a compelling corporate conspiracy with deadly stakes, "The List" delivers an absorbing journey into darkness hiding beneath small-town charm.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A big thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.