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

About the Author
Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people. He has sold 5 million books since his first novel, The Magpies was published in 2013, and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include The Wasp Trap, Follow You Home, The Retreat, Because She Loves Me, The Hollows and Here to Stay. He has also co-authored six books with Louise Voss. Originally from Hastings in East Sussex, Mark now lives in Wolverhampton with his wife, their children, two cats and a golden retriever.

Reviews
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
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
This is AMAZING...I devoured it in two compulsive sittings. 'Gripped' doesn't even come close!! -- MARIAN KEYES
Great and vivid characterisation that kept me guessing and surprises up to the very last page, this is a highly entertaining read. -- LIZ NUGENT, author of Strange Sally Diamond
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 plot swerves in an entirely unpredictable direction , providing an intriguing mystery that turns on their mentor's work on the behaviour of psychopaths * Sunday Times *
The ultimate - literal - locked room mystery, that hits you with twist after twist. -- RUTH WARE
This locked-room mystery is a super satisfying edge-of-your-seat thriller * Sun *
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



Book Information
ISBN 9781405971485
Author Mark Edwards
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Penguin Books Ltd
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 290g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 129mm * 29mm