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. 

Book Review: Peter Miles has to Die

Title: Peter Miles has to Die

Author: Katie Collom

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: August 12, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Collom's debut thriller packs a punch. It explores the deadly consequences of vigilante justice. The premise is deliciously unsettling—three friends commit what they believe is the perfect murder, only to discover that revenge comes with a soul-crushing price tag.

The narrative dances between the sweltering late '90s Texas setting where the murder occurs and the cold, unforgiving walls of the state penitentiary in the early 2000s. What haunted me wasn't figuring out who killed the corrupt cop—we know that from the start—but watching guilt slowly devour the characters from within as they realize there's no escaping what they've done. This structural choice creates a fascinating psychological exploration of how guilt affects each character differently in the aftermath of their violent act.

Against a backdrop of law enforcement sexism and discrimination, the story builds to a genuinely shocking twist that I never saw coming, leaving me both satisfied and disturbed in equal measure. 

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

Book Review: The Man Made of Smoke

Title: The Man Made of Smoke

Author: Alex North

Publisher: Celadon Books

Publication Date: May 13, 2025

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed Alex North's haunting psychological thriller that crept under my skin from the first chapter. It expertly blends childhood trauma with present-day mystery. The book introduces us to Dan Garvie, whose life has been shaped by a childhood brush with a serial killer that continues to haunt him into adulthood. When Dan returns to his small island community following his father's suspicious death, the narrative takes us on a journey that questions whether the monster from his past has returned. I found myself pulled into a world where past trauma bleeds into present danger.

While I initially struggled with the shifting timelines and perspectives without clear signposting, the disorientation soon gave way to appreciation for North's clever storytelling technique. The novel doesn't just tell you about trauma—it makes you feel it through its very structure.

Just when I thought I had the mystery solved and the killer identified, North delivered a surprising twist that left me stunned. North demonstrates a particular talent for weaving psychological insight into the fabric of the mystery, creating characters whose motivations feel authentic even as they surprise us.

Despite some initial challenges navigating the narrative, I found that persistence was amply rewarded with a thriller that delivers both emotional resonance and genuine surprise. For fans of psychological suspense with heart, "The Man Made of Smoke" is a compelling read.

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