Mark Edwards

Note: this is a spoiler-free zone!

This is a contemporary, UK set, psychological thriller. The author presents a typical thriller buildup of friends — who for one reason or another haven’t met for several years — gathering for a dinner party. Once they were involved in an internet startup. What happened and why?

From the arrival of the first guest the tension mounts and the twists wait in ambush.

The evening is full of long-held secrets being revealed and the inevitable consequences as the friends learn all sorts of new stuff about each other and themselves.

The writing is taut with little flowery detours or other time-wasting. The core characters are all well done: they are human, believable, and interesting. I was less impressed by the supporting cast, but perhaps I gave them less attention while being carried along by the story and a more patient read might have meant they were more appreciated.

The plot unfolds at a decent pace and it’s not long before you realize you are engrossed in a real page-turner.

This is a fine, entertaining, exciting novel. It’s not going to feature as an award winner in the corridors of the literary establishment but it deserves recognition as a damn good piece of work.

If you like modern thrillers, you should not miss The Wasp Trap.