The dark imagination of

Mark Edwards

Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers about scary things happening to ordinary people. He has sold more than five million copies of his books and topped the bestseller lists numerous times since his first solo novel was published in 2013.

“Mark Edwards is in a league of his own.”

Lisa Jewell

"Mark Edwards takes readers on an almost unbearably suspenseful thrill ride“

Lisa Unger

“Tense, atmospheric, and full of twists and turns right up until the last page.”

Angela Marsons

"Mark is king of the curveball"

John Marrs

“I drop everything for a new Mark Edwards.”

Louise Candlish

His novels include The Magpies, Follow You Home, The Retreat, Here To Stay and The Psychopath Next Door. He has also published six books co-authored with Louise Voss.

Many of his books have been translated into foreign languages including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Estonian, Thai, Lithuanian, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish and Russian. In 2019 Mark won The Cat and Mouse Award for Most Elusive Villain at the Dead Good Reader Awards for Last of the Magpies. 

His debut hardcover, The Wasp Trap,  will be published in 2025 by Penguin Michael Joseph in the UK, as well as in the USA and Canada, with more countries to follow. 

New to Mark Edwards?

Mark has set out a guide to help new readers find their next favourite page turner.

“Mark Edwards is in a league of his own.”

Lisa Jewell

"Mark Edwards takes readers on an almost unbearably suspenseful thrill ride“

Lisa Unger

“Tense, atmospheric, and full of twists and turns right up until the last page.”

Angela Marsons

"Mark is king of the curveball"

John Marrs

“I drop everything for a new Mark Edwards.”

Louise Candlish

Mark loves hearing from his readers and encourages them to contact him. He regularly interacts with readers on his Facebook page, where he hosts book release launch parties and lots of giveaways. You can also follow Mark on Twitter or take a peek at his pics on Instagram. Mark lives in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, their three children, two cats and a golden retriever.

Latest Release

Order now
The Wasp Trap (US Edition)

Connect with Mark

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Event announcement. I will be at Imagined Things Bookshop in Harrogate from 11am next Saturday, 19th July, where copies of The Wasp Trap will be in stock 12 days before publication day. Come along, meet me, get a book signed, have a chat, take a selfie… It’s taking place during the Harrogate Crime Festival weekend but you don’t have to be attending the festival to come along to this. It’s free, no booking required. Just turn up! Hope to see some of you there! ... See MoreSee Less

Event announcement. I will be at Imagined Things Bookshop in Harrogate from 11am next Saturday, 19th July, where copies of The Wasp Trap will be in stock 12 days before publication day. Come along, meet me, get a book signed, have a chat, take a selfie… It’s taking place during the Harrogate Crime Festival weekend but you don’t have to be attending the festival to come along to this. It’s free, no booking required. Just turn up! Hope to see some of you there!
3 days ago

Exciting news! The signed US hardcover of The Wasp Trap is available to pre-order now from the Mysterious Bookshop in NYC. Along with the beautiful American edition you get an exclusive bookmark, a gorgeously designed bookplate, membership of my private readers group and - only with this signed edition - a BONUS CHAPTER. These are strictly limited so when they’re gone, that’s it. Also, they deliver worldwide so you don’t have to be in the US to order it. The bonus chapter was written especially for this edition and features one of the main characters from the book.

In The Wasp Trap, six old friends reunite at a dinner party in Notting Hill and find themselves having to play a deadly game in which everyone has to reveal their darkest secret - all of which relates back to 1999, when they devised a test to trap a psychopath…

To join the private readers group, simply message me after you’ve placed your order.

Link in comments, or google mysterious bookshop wasp trap

Please note: The image that says ‘Please do not read this unless you have already finished the wasp trap’ is a picture of the front of the bonus chapter, which will be sent out when the book is published.
... See MoreSee Less

Exciting news! The signed US hardcover of The Wasp Trap is available to pre-order now from the Mysterious Bookshop in NYC. Along with the beautiful American edition you get an exclusive bookmark, a gorgeously designed bookplate, membership of my private readers group and - only with this signed edition - a BONUS CHAPTER. These are strictly limited so when they’re gone, that’s it. Also, they deliver worldwide so you don’t have to be in the US to order it. The bonus chapter was written especially for this edition and features one of the main characters from the book.  In The Wasp Trap, six old friends reunite at a dinner party in Notting Hill and find themselves having to play a deadly game in which everyone has to reveal their darkest secret - all of which relates back to 1999, when they devised a test to trap a psychopath…  To join the private readers group, simply message me after you’ve placed your order.  Link in comments, or google mysterious bookshop wasp trap  Please note: The image that says ‘Please do not read this unless you have already finished the wasp trap’ is a picture of the front of the bonus chapter, which will be sent out when the book is published.Image attachmentImage attachment+2Image attachment
7 days ago

This is your final call if you want a signed, dedicated UK copy of The Wasp Trap.

Booka have completely sold out but there a few copies left at The Heath Bookshop. As a reminder, you get a signed, stamped and dedicated first edition, an exclusive bookmark and access to my Elite Readers Club, which is already a thriving community where you can help me with research, get news first and meet other Mark Edwards readers. Just email (mark@markedwardsauthor.com) or message me once you've bought it and I'll add you to the group.

Link in comments.
... See MoreSee Less

This is your final call if you want a signed, dedicated UK copy of The Wasp Trap.  Booka have completely sold out but there a few copies left at The Heath Bookshop. As a reminder, you get a signed, stamped and dedicated first edition, an exclusive bookmark and access to my Elite Readers Club, which is already a thriving community where you can help me with research, get news first and meet other Mark Edwards readers. Just email (mark@markedwardsauthor.com) or message me once youve bought it and Ill add you to the group.  Link in comments.
1 week ago

Thrilled to see The Wasp Trap get a starred review in Library Journal.

" What if psychopaths could be identified by filling out a questionnaire? This is the ingenious premise of Edwards’s (The Psychopath Next Door) nail-biting new suspense novel. Twenty-five years ago, Will, Georgina, Theo, Lily, Sophie, and Rohan were chosen by their professor, Sebastian Marlowe, to help him build a dating website. After working together for several months at Marlowe’s country estate, the group was ready to launch the site when Marlowe abruptly pulled the plug on it. Now the six of them are getting together again for the first time in decades, for a dinner party in honor of the late Professor Marlowe. Almost immediately upon arriving at Georgina and Theo’s home in London, the group discover that someone has a very different idea of what is going to happen at that night’s dinner. Edwards deftly builds the novel’s quiet unease, which blooms into a full-blown sense of dread by the end of the story, neatly dispensing a number of jaw-dropping plot twists along the way.

VERDICT Superbly satisfying psychological suspense from an author who isn’t afraid to flirt with the shadowy side of human nature.
... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

This event in Nottingham on 29 July has almost sold out (over 100 tickets sold already) so if you want to come along you need to grab yours now. It should be a hugely entertaining, fun event with some amazing authors. TM Logan, KL Slater, Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley, Lucy Diamond, Isabelle Broom and me. Hardbacks of The Wasp Trap will be on sale. Come along, meet us and have a laugh! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/genre-wars-romance-v-crime-tickets-1336425617999 ... See MoreSee Less

This event in Nottingham on 29 July has almost sold out (over 100 tickets sold already) so if you want to come along you need to grab yours now. It should be a hugely entertaining, fun event with some amazing authors. TM Logan, KL Slater, Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley, Lucy Diamond, Isabelle Broom and me. Hardbacks of The Wasp Trap will be on sale. Come along, meet us and have a laugh! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/genre-wars-romance-v-crime-tickets-1336425617999
1 week ago

The Wasp Trap is out THIS MONTH. July 31st to be precise. (Sept 16 in USA/Canada.) It feels like I’ve been thinking and talking about this novel since the dawn of time but it will be worth the wait. Here’s what some very nice authors will great taste said about it. If you’ve preordered it and want to join my elite readers group, email me mark@markedwardsauthor.com for an invite.

Summer 1999. Will joins five other idealistic graduates working for an eccentric psychology professor. They’re going to launch a website to change online dating forever.
No-one expects it to end in tragedy.
Twenty-five years later, Will gets an invitation: a dinner party. A chance to see the old gang again.
But as soon as he arrives, something doesn’t seem right.
There’s an unexpected guest. The hosts are clearly keeping a secret. And on the way in, Will is sure he heard crying.
Everyone has something to hide about what really happened that summer.
But only one of them is willing to kill to find the truth…

Available to preorder wherever you buy your books, ebooks or audiobooks
... See MoreSee Less

The Wasp Trap is out THIS MONTH. July 31st to be precise. (Sept 16 in USA/Canada.) It feels like I’ve been thinking and talking about this novel since the dawn of time but it will be worth the wait. Here’s what some very nice authors will great taste said about it. If you’ve preordered it and want to join my elite readers group, email me mark@markedwardsauthor.com for an invite.  Summer 1999. Will joins five other idealistic graduates working for an eccentric psychology professor. They’re going to launch a website to change online dating forever.
No-one expects it to end in tragedy.
Twenty-five years later, Will gets an invitation: a dinner party. A chance to see the old gang again.
But as soon as he arrives, something doesn’t seem right.
There’s an unexpected guest. The hosts are clearly keeping a secret. And on the way in, Will is sure he heard crying.
Everyone has something to hide about what really happened that summer.
But only one of them is willing to kill to find the truth…  Available to preorder wherever you buy your books, ebooks or audiobooksImage attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
2 weeks ago

Free event. Come and meet me, get a book signed, a selfie, whatever you want (within reason 😂). I’ll be at Wolverhampton Waterstones 1-2pm Sat Aug 2nd. No ticket required, just show up. This is your chance to help me celebrate publication of The Wasp Trap. ... See MoreSee Less

Free event. Come and meet me, get a book signed, a selfie, whatever you want (within reason 😂). I’ll be at Wolverhampton Waterstones 1-2pm Sat Aug 2nd. No ticket required, just show up. This is your chance to help me celebrate publication of The Wasp Trap.
2 weeks ago

Exciting things seem to be happening every day at the moment. Yesterday I wandered into town and saw this!! Wolverhampton Waterstones have this Wasp Trap display in their window and inside. It looks amazing and I am so grateful to them for being so supportive.

I’ll be doing a free event there on Saturday Aug 2nd, 1-2pm, signing books, chatting, even posing for selfies if that appeals to you! Come along and buy a book. Wolverhampton is very easy to get in and out of 😂 There’s even a cat cafe across the road from the shop!

Anyway, I am giddy with excitement. Just over a month to go until The Wasp Trap 🐝 buzzes into stores.
... See MoreSee Less

Exciting things seem to be happening every day at the moment. Yesterday I wandered into town and saw this!! Wolverhampton Waterstones have this Wasp Trap display in their window and inside. It looks amazing and I am so grateful to them for being so supportive.  I’ll be doing a free event there on Saturday Aug 2nd, 1-2pm, signing books, chatting, even posing for selfies if that appeals to you! Come along and buy a book. Wolverhampton is very easy to get in and out of 😂 There’s even a cat cafe across the road from the shop!  Anyway, I am giddy with excitement. Just over a month to go until The Wasp Trap 🐝 buzzes into stores.Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
2 weeks ago

Some answers to FAQs about The Christmas Magpie.

I don’t yet know when it will be published in the US/Canada but hopefully it will be in 2026. You will be able to get UK hardbacks shipped over there this year although I realise that’s not cheap.

The UK paperback will be out Christmas 2026.

It’s in the Magpies series - Lucy is in it - but it can be read as a standalone. Chronologically, it takes place shortly after The Psychopath Next Door but none of the characters from that are in, except Lucy.

It’s a novella so is approximately half the length of a novel, about 200 pages.

The hardcover is going to be small format so it will make a perfect stocking filler.

And you can preorder it wherever you get your books BUT you might want to wait for the signed edition. I need to start practising my Christmas doodle 😂
... See MoreSee Less

Some answers to FAQs about The Christmas Magpie.  I don’t yet know when it will be published in the US/Canada but hopefully it will be in 2026. You will be able to get UK hardbacks shipped over there this year although I realise that’s not cheap.  The UK paperback will be out Christmas 2026.  It’s in the Magpies series - Lucy is in it - but it can be read as a standalone. Chronologically, it takes place shortly after The Psychopath Next Door but none of the characters from that are in, except Lucy.  It’s a novella so is approximately half the length of a novel, about 200 pages.  The hardcover is going to be small format so it will make a perfect stocking filler.  And you can preorder it wherever you get your books BUT you might want to wait for the signed edition. I need to start practising my Christmas doodle 😂
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