The Wasp Trap

The most gripping thriller of 2026, from the multi-million copy bestselling author of Here to Stay and The Magpies


THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
WATERSTONES THRILLER OF THE MONTH
‘I loved this… incredibly satisfying’ Lisa Jewell
‘I read this in one sitting…Hugely enjoyable’ Alex Michaelides
‘Twisty, clever, often funny, always inventive’ Elly Griffiths
‘Sharp, fast-paced and brilliantly plotted. I loved it’ Clare Mackintosh
‘Hits you with twist after twist’ Ruth Ware
‘You’ll be up all night’ Steve Cavanagh
‘This is AMAZING’ Marian Keyes

******

It starts with an invitation.

A dinner party, years after you all last worked together.
When everything ended so suddenly – and shockingly.
It is a long time for secrets to be kept.
For lies to be uncovered. For revenge to be planned.

Is it a party? Or is it a trap . . .

******

See what readers are already saying about The Wasp Trap, the latest thriller from the 5 million copy bestselling author of The Magpies and Here to Stay

‘Wow, what a ride! Hooked me from the very first page and didn’t let go’
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
‘More twists than you can shake a stick at. Mark Edwards never disappoints’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ '' ⭐

‘My goodness, what a great read! Compelling, and definitely his best so far’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘Totally loved it, if I could I would rate it higher’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

‘This isn’t just a book, it’s a full-throttle roller coaster’ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

* The Wasp Trap is a Sunday Times bestseller in paperback fiction, 15/2/26



Genre: Mystery

"Never trust a reunion - especially one in a Mark Edwards thriller... Tense, artful and satisfying, The Wasp Trap buzzes between past and present delivering one deadly sting after another." - Louise Candlish

"The Wasp Trap is a compelling mystery that explores the consequences of human behaviour. Whether it's falling in love, keeping secrets or committing murder, this tightly plotted page-turner reveals, piece-by-nail-biting-piece, how the sins of the past can shape our present in violent ways. Full of Edwards' trademark twists and peopled with a fascinating cast of characters, this deserves to be a smash-hit." - Fiona Cummins

"Twisty, clever, often funny, always inventive, The Wasp Trap takes the reunion thriller into new and exciting places." - Elly Griffiths

"I loved this brilliant, edgy, character driven thriller with a passion. So clever and fresh with a wild and incredibly satisfying twist at the end." - Lisa Jewell

"This is AMAZING...I devoured it in two compulsive sittings. 'Gripped' doesn't even come close!!" - Marian Keyes

"A search for the perfect dating site become a search for the DNA of psychopathy, a project that quickly turns towards the dark. Years later, when the experimenters reunite, secrets reaching back into the past ramp up the tension, balancing lives on a knife edge. An ingenious, twisty read from the master of the suspense thriller." - Vaseem Khan

"I read this in one sitting, completely gripped. A fast-paced thriller, full of twists upon twists and tension you could cut with a knife. Hugely enjoyable." - Alex Michaelides

"Great and vivid characterisation that kept me guessing and surprises up to the very last page, this is a highly entertaining read." - Liz Nugent

"The most gripping book I've read in ages. A posh house. A dinner party. Old friends, each with their own slant on their very very dark shared past. Mark Edwards is unbelievably skilled at coaxing you further in to the mystery with each page." - William Shaw

"The ultimate - literal - locked room mystery, that hits you with twist after twist." - Ruth Ware