Tag: Mark Edwards

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

This year, I discovered the books of Mark Edwards. After attending an event where he interviewed Jo Callaghan, I read ‘The Psychopath Next Door‘ and loved it, so I knew I had to give his new book ‘The Wasp Trap’ a go. I was inspired to pick it up this month because I had spotted a few others reading it and loving it, so I knew it was time.

Spoiler alert, I loved it. In fact, as I was reading it, I could see it as a TV drama. There was so much going on, and so many fascinating characters, I absolutely could not put it down. It is perfect reading for these darks months, as it is a real page-turner of a thriller – it is like Traitors, but far more sinister.

This book has some of the best ingredients of a thriller. A locked room (well a locked house), a set of characters who do not seem to make a whole lot of sense together, but have a shared and complex past and more than one mystery going on. I really enjoyed that we moved between the present and the past as the story unfolded and, of course, how nothing was quite how it seemed. There were twists and turns a plenty, and a good build-up of paranoia for some of our characters, which probably throws the reader off the scent of the real revelation.

I stayed up past my bedtime to finish this book, so to me that is always the best recommendation you can give about a book, as it means it is one that really grips you. I was desperate to know what the solution was going to be to the tale and it did not disappoint.

So, if you are looking for a gripping thriller, for yourself or as you are doing your Christmas shopping (because, let’s be honest, it is that time of year), then this is a book that you need to add to the list. Although there is also a Christmas book from Mark Edwards this year – ‘The Christmas Magpie’ – which I have to admit is on my reading list for the December months, because I just know it is going to a great read.

The Psychopath Next Door by Mark Edwards

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I kicked off my Summer Holiday Reading by picking up ‘The Psychopath Next Door’ by Mark Edwards. I was lucky enough to hear Mark speak and interview Jo Callaghan at a bookish event and it was at this same event that I picked up his book. I am ashamed to say that before then he had not come up on my bookish radar, but I am glad he did that day, because this book was an absolutely brillliant thriller.

I consumed this book in three days, I could not put it down. It sucked you in from page one. Thrillers are always a tough one to write reviews about, as you know I do everything to keep it as spoiler-free as possible. I mean, that title makes it fairly clear what the book is probably about, so that is not a real spoiler, but how that situation came about and how it impacts the Dove family is quite the ride.

It is a rather dark tale as we find how Fiona Smith has found herself living nextdoor to the Dove family and how she becomes part of their lives. But there are some wonderful twists along the way and I could not move until I finished the final few chapters of the book, as I had to know what was going to happen and how this book would be drawn to a close. It is a brilliantly constructed tale from start to finish – full of drama, suspense and thrills. The dark characters are really rather complex, and add the the chills as you read the book. And it is interesting how ordinary the other characters seem to be, and make you realise how much in a family and friendship group we probably accept so much at face value, and sometimes wisdom does not come with age and we should sometimes have more faith in the young.

I am not sure why I am always drawn to thrillers at this time of year – but what this has done has secured Mark Edwards as another author (and the list keeps growing) that I am keen to read the backlist of. And I am excited that he has a new book out this very summer, which, of course, is on the wishlist.