The Mark Edwards Community
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.
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Community Book Club Questions
Are you a member of a book club or group? I’ve put together sets of questions for my novels which will help you discuss them with your group. This is a work in progress and each book will be added over time.
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This is where it started. If you liked The Psychopath Next Door but haven’t yet read The Magpies, this is the book that introduced the OG psycho, Lucy Newton. She also appears in the two short sequels, A Murder of Magpies and Last of the Magpies.
Of all my characters, Lucy is the one I get asked about the most. Pure evil, with no redeeming features, Lucy’s only purpose in life is to destroy the lives of weaker, milder people. To wreck their nests and steal their happiness. She’s sadistic, narcissistic and never ever lets go of a grudge.
And maybe, just maybe, we haven’t seen the last of her…
The Magpies, A Murder of Magpies and Last of the Magpies are available on Amazon stores worldwide, including Kindle Unlimited and Audible. The paperback of the sequels is only available directly through my website.
“In cities, you are always within screaming distance of a psychopath…”

UK proofs of The Wasp Trap are being sent out to authors and the press right now. Don’t they look pretty? I’m so excited to see what everyone thinks of this book…
I’m going to be giving away one of these (my spare copy!) very soon. You just need to be signed up to my newsletter… markedwardsauthor.com/free

Who’s read The Psychopath Next Door already? What did you think? Were you rooting for the anti-hero? And where does it rank among your favourite of my books? (No spoilers in the comments please!)

I adored The Frozen People, the new one by @ellygriffiths17 which is out this month. Both hugely entertaining and erudite, it’s like Quantum Leap meets Slow Horses. It’s about a time-travelling detective, and I don’t think there will be a more original crime novel published this year. I highly recommend that you pre-order it now.

Watched Companion last night and it’s an early contender for my favourite movie of 2025. It’s best to go into this one with zero knowledge though that’s probably impossible because the trailer gives so much away… It’s funny, dark and twisty, and Sophie Thatcher is a new scream queen. If you liked M3GAN - as featured in The Psychopath Next Door - you’ll love this.

Thank you to everyone who has bought The Psychopath Next Door this week. 10,000 copies sold already, which is amazing, and I’m delighted with the reviews - especially the reactions to that shocking, unguessable ending. If you haven’t met Fiona and Rose yet, and want to know why my inbox has been flooded with messages from people asking me what the hell just happened, The Psychopath Next Door is available now on Kindle, including Kindle Unlimited, Audible and in paperback.

I’m very excited to reveal the American cover of The Wasp Trap. It will be published by Atria Books on Sept 16 2025 and is available to pre-order now. (Please note: a paperback will follow later.)
This cover is so different to the UK one. I love them both but would love to hear what you think.
Here’s a reminder of the blurb (from the British edition because I think the American one isn’t final yet):
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…
You can pre-order it now via the links in my bio, US and UK. #thewasptrap

Phew! What a week it’s been. My research trip to Scotland. Publication of The Psychopath Next Door. The announcement of my US deal and the UK cover reveal of The Wasp Trap. Tomorrow I’m appearing at the Wolverhampton Literary Festival with Mark Billingham and on Monday I have to start writing my next novel. So today I’m doing nothing except tidying the house, watching football and taking the dog out.
Thank you to everyone who has bought Psychopath, helped spread the word about that one and The Wasp Trap, and an extra big thanks to the bookstagrammers who took part in the cover reveal. Sherlock and I salute you!

For those who prefer a still image… Here it is - the UK cover of THE WASP TRAP, which will be published as a hardback, ebook and audiobook on 31 July 2025, with the paperback to follow later. It’s available to pre-order now. Just search ‘mark edwards wasp trap’ on your favourite book retailer site, or go to your local bookshop and ask them to reserve a copy.
I’m very, very excited about this book, which is my first traditionally published hardback. It’s about a dinner party reunion that goes terrifyingly wrong, and I’d love to know what you think of this cover. BTW, the American cover will be revealed next week. And finally, for a chance to win a very early signed advance copy, make sure you’re signed up to my newsletter. Link in bio.
#thewasptrap

Paws off - it’s mine. Dottie loves the smell of a new book and thinks it tastes pretty good too.
The Psychopath Next Door features a kitten called Karma, which is both a Taylor Swift reference and a nod to one of the book’s themes. It’s out now on Kindle, audiobook and paperback, as modelled here. Just search ‘psychopath Edwards’ on Amazon.

There’s almost too much excitement in my life at the moment! But I am extremely happy and excited to announce that The Wasp Trap is going to be published by @atriabooks (@atriathrillers) - part of Simon & Schuster - in the US. It will be out on September 16th, not long after its UK publication on July 31st. It’s a two-book deal with the second to follow in 2026. Huge thanks to my brilliant new editor Sean deLone and my magnificent agent @madeleinemilburn who did the deal.
The UK cover reveal is coming tomorrow for those of you who weren’t at my live launch yesterday, with the US reveal coming very soon. Both covers are amazing…

The Psychopath Next Door is out now! Available as a Kindle ebook (including Kindle Unlimited), paperback and audiobook, on Amazon stores worldwide. You can also ask your local library or bookshop to order it in.
When Fiona is released from prison, she has one thing on her mind: revenge. But when she moves next door to a nice, normal family, she begins to suspect their little girl, Rose, might be just like her . . . And when Rose’s unsuspecting parents allow Fiona to look after Rose during the school holidays, they have no idea of the terrible danger they are putting themselves in . . .
It’s got twists. It’s got turns. It’s dark and it’s fun. It also features cameos from at least one Magpies character. I can’t wait to hear what you all think of it.

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This is where it started. If you liked The Psychopath Next Door but haven’t yet read The Magpies, this is the book that introduced the OG psycho, Lucy Newton. She also appears in the two short sequels, A Murder of Magpies and Last of the Magpies.
Of all my characters, Lucy is the one I get asked about the most. Pure evil, with no redeeming features, Lucy’s only purpose in life is to destroy the lives of weaker, milder people. To wreck their nests and steal their happiness. She’s sadistic, narcissistic and never ever lets go of a grudge.
And maybe, just maybe, we haven’t seen the last of her…
The Magpies, A Murder of Magpies and Last of the Magpies are available on Amazon stores worldwide, including Kindle Unlimited and Audible. The paperback of the sequels is only available directly through my website. “In cities, you are always within screaming distance of a psychopath…” ... See MoreSee Less
50 CommentsComment on Facebook
I love the Magpies and two sequels. They are the first three books I read after my sudden cardiac arrest and recovery. I'd been in a coma for 8 days and had some memory issues and loss of concentration. It was a big achievement for me to get back into reading and the gripping storyline of your books most definitely helped
I just finished The Magpies series. I absolutely loved it! I read The Psychopath Next Door first then had to find out more about Lucy! I’ve also read Because She Loves Me. What else is Lucy mentioned in?
Love your kitty! My old boy loves sitting with me when I read. I have this book on my shelf read it and had no idea there are 2 others!
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UK proofs of The Wasp Trap are being sent out to authors and the press right now. Don’t they look pretty? I’m so excited to see what everyone thinks of this book…
I’m going to be giving away one of these (my spare copy!) very soon. You just need to be signed up to my newsletter… markedwardsauthor.com/free ... See MoreSee Less
49 CommentsComment on Facebook
Any for booksellers? Pretty please! 😍
Mark Edwards finished The Psycopath Next Door last night.. the ending 😱😱😱😱😱 . Ive read all of your books and had already preordered the Wasp Trap before I even knew what its about, as I know its going to be goooooood...
Can't wait. Will it be on Netgalley?
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Who here has read The Psychopath Next Door? I’d love to hear what you think of it and where it ranks among your favourite Mark Edwards books. (No spoilers in the comments please.) ... See MoreSee Less
101 CommentsComment on Facebook
This was my first of yours. Overall I liked the story. I just got hung up on some small details that I felt didn’t help the story line at all. But overall pretty good story. Do you have another you recommend of your own to try?
Loved it! Love The Magpiesverse
Loved it! Is there a sequel to it yet?
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Watched Companion last night and it’s an early contender for my favourite movie of 2025. It’s best to go into this one with zero knowledge though that’s probably impossible because the trailer gives so much away… It’s funny, dark and twisty, and Sophie Thatcher is a new scream queen. If you liked M3GAN - as featured in The Psychopath Next Door - you’ll love this. ... See MoreSee Less
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
Hi Mark, finished your latest and was SO NOT expecting the end! Thanks for another fab read 😁 Oh, don’t have Sky so wondering what chanel Companion is on? X
We just watched it tonight and really enjoyed it. Better than expected.
Just watched it. Twists turns and shocks right to the end.
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If you're an audiobook person, Here To Stay is the Audible Daily Deal in the UK today. Just £1.99, today only ... See MoreSee Less
Here to Stay
www.audible.co.uk
Check out this great listen on Audible.com. “Mark Edwards always delivers! Taut, gripping, scary and original - a fabulous read!” - Robert Bryndza, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author A beau...7 CommentsComment on Facebook
This is my favourite book by you and favourite audiobook! 😍
Last audiobook I read and it was so good 👍
BEST book! This is my favorite by you (so far)!
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Why are the British and American covers of The Wasp Trap different? Why do I need two covers? So many people have asked that question - and here’s the answer:
I have two different publishers for this book, Penguin Michael Joseph in the UK (who will also publish it in Australia and New Zealand), and Atria/Simon & Schuster in the United States.
(I also have a different publisher in Canada, Penguin Random House, but they haven’t unveiled their cover yet. And there will be separate publishers in other countries, eg Italy and Denmark.)
Each publisher creates their own cover: one that they think will most appeal to readers in that country. We authors are consulted but, at the end of the day, the publisher decides and we writers trust their expertise.
I really love both covers, UK and US, and find it fascinating how different they are: they both represent what’s inside the book in different ways. The British cover focuses on the back story element, and is more similar to my previous books, and the American one highlights the dinner party element of the book.
At some point in the near future I will be telling you how you can pre-order a special signed edition of The Wasp Trap, so keep your eyes on this page and your email inbox.
Whichever cover you prefer, the contents of the book are the same - and I’m really excited for everyone to read it! ... See MoreSee Less
13 CommentsComment on Facebook
I appreciate this answer because I did wonder about that.
Thank you for that explanation, I must say I do like the UK cover more then the USA one.
Thanks for the explanation!
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Here they are, side by side: the American (left) and British (right) covers of The Wasp Trap. I love them both equally in the same way I love all my children. ... See MoreSee Less
55 CommentsComment on Facebook
On preorder can't wait for it to be delivered. Love all your books Mark😀
Both look great, but why do American and British cover differ?
Just curious, why do the two countries have different covers?
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I'm very excited to reveal the American cover of The Wasp Trap. It will be published by Atria Books on Sept 16 2025 and is available to pre-order now. (Please note: a paperback will follow later.)
This cover is so different to the UK one. I love them both but would love to hear what you think.
Here's a reminder of the blurb (from the British edition because I think the American one isn't final yet):
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…
Pre-order www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Wasp-Trap/Mark-Edwards/9781668204771 ... See MoreSee Less
32 CommentsComment on Facebook
I juat accidentally posted this twice so apologies if you commented on the other post because I had to remove it.
I find the UK cover more appealing, but it won’t stop me from buying it 🎉 I’m curious why the covers chosen are so different from one another? I’ve seen this on many books but wasn’t ever sure why?
I think you meant 2025?
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Phew! What a week it’s been. My research trip to Scotland. Publication of The Psychopath Next Door. The announcement of my US deal and the UK cover reveal of The Wasp Trap. Tomorrow I’m appearing at the Wolverhampton Literary Festival with Mark Billingham and on Monday I have to start writing my next novel. So today I’m doing nothing except tidying the house, watching football and taking the dog out.
Thank you to everyone who has bought Psychopath, helped spread the word about that one and The Wasp Trap, and an extra big thanks to the bookstagrammers who took part in the cover reveal. Sherlock and I salute you! ... See MoreSee Less
22 CommentsComment on Facebook
Happy anniversary to you both xx
My ancestors immigrated to the USA from Scotland in the early 1800's. We're taking a Greece trip this year, but Scotland is next on international trips. I want to see where my family originated from. I hope you enjoyed it ~ despite the weather. I'm finishing up a book now ~ but will be 📚 reading yours next. Relax and rest up this weekend and Happy Anniversary to you and your wife.
Good stuff & happy anniversary to u both 🙂
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