The five million copy bestseller
Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers about ordinary people who encounter terrifying events. His novels include The Magpies and Here To Stay. The Wasp Trap, his hardcover debut, is out now in the UK, USA and Canada. His next book, One of the Family, will be published this summer.
A very special giveaway! I recently had the pleasure of interviewing one of my favourite authors, Sabine Durrant, about her fantastic new psychological thriller, Dead Heat, and Sabine has agreed to give away a signed hardback to one lucky reader. To enter, all you have to do is like this post, leave a comment then head over to @sabinedurrant and give her a follow. Dead Heat contains all the elements of a scorching psychological thriller: a beautiful but dangerous setting, unreliable characters, toxic behaviour, dark secrets and twists galore. It’s also exquisitely written and full of sentences that make other writers weep with envy. I want to spread the word about this book and Sabine’s backlist - all of which are fantastic - hence this comp! Go add it to your TBR pile now.
One of the Family covers, side by side. If you want to read chapter one now, follow the link in my bio to download a special sneak peek PDF. You can also preorder the signed and doodled edition while you’re there!
Posting this for the second time because for some weird reason it turned black and white the first time! (Edit - it’s still b&w! I give up 😂)
Had a great time chatting with Dorothy Koomson and Barbara Copperthwaite at the Kings Heath Festival this morning. Thank you to everyone who came along. What better way is there to spend a Sunday morning than discussing psychopaths and the shadowy people who run the world? My next event is in Wrexham next Saturday (25th) so if you’re in North Wales come along and get a signed book and a free Magpies pen!
Harrogate panel announcement! I’ll be at this year’s Theakstons Crime Festival on stage with this marvellous lot - Lisa Jewell, John Marrs and TM Logan plus Chris Ewan who wasn’t at the launch party last night. What a line up!
Harrogate is Glastonbury for the crime and thriller community. I’ve been every year since 2012 but it’s always extra special when you’re on a panel. Ours is called Man About the House and is about blokes writing domestic suspense. Can’t wait!
Work companions. One is considerably more chilled than the other.
Another event to tell you about! As a Forest supporter who spent a lot of my childhood summers in Nottingham I’m particularly excited about this one, especially as I’ll be in conversation with the fabulous KL Slater.
Come see us at Waterstone Nottingham to celebrate publication of One of the Family on 24 June at 6.30pm. I promise not to mention football. Link in bio or get your tickets in store.
I have decided to fully embrace baldness and have shaved my head 🪒 for the first time. Anyone who mentions Right Said Fred or Duncan Goodhew will be banned.
Let me show you my The Secret History collection. One day I might be able to afford a first edition hardback but for now this lot will have to do! I’ve been re-reading it, along with fellow crime author @clairemcgowanwriter and I love it as much as ever. Have you read it? For me, it’s the perfect book and nothing will ever come close.
5 reasons to pre-order the hardback of One of the Family from Booka Books or The Heath Bookshop (links in bio):��1. You’ll get a gorgeous first edition, first printing hardback which might be worth a fortune one day!��2. I’ll sign it and dedicate it to you (or a loved one) with a message of your choice - well, within reason. ��3. It comes with a unique doodle, drawn by my own fair hand - after the wasps and magpies of 2025, this one is snake-themed because, well, this book is full of snakes - mostly of the human variety. Gotta love a metaphor, right?��4. You will be entered into a prize draw to win a hamper full of Scottish goodies like shortbread, chocolate, cakes and lots of tea. (I bought myself one and have eaten everything already!)��5. It’s a brilliant book, even if I do say so myself. It’s about going on holiday with the in-laws from hell, set in the chilly Scottish Highlands. Murder, secrets, betrayal, family feuds, and a lot of evil behaviour. ��And here’s a sixth reason: by pre-ordering from Booka or Heath you will be helping to support two fantastic indie bookshops who do amazing work in their communities. Follow the links in my bio.
Had the most brilliant evening taking part in Clare Mackintosh’s literary chat show, Get Booked, in Mold last night alongside Steph McGovern and Ann Cleeves. Steph showed off her Irish dancing and I was made to sing Sweet Caroline in front of 200 people. Obviously, I loved it 😂 I also got to see the Wrexham stadium although there was no sign of Rob and Ryan. I’ll be back in Wrexham on 25 April appearing at the Carnival of Words. I probably won’t be singing at that one.
A really fun event in Wolverhampton last night with the Time 2 Book Club. 25 keen readers who asked loads of great questions about The Wasp Trap and what it’s really like being an author. I was in my element 😂 Huge thanks to Coreen and Oni for inviting me along.
If you’re in a book club and would like me to join you to talk about my novels, online or in person, get in touch! You can also download a reading group guide to The Wasp Trap. Link in bio.
You have just two more days to get The Wasp Trap on your Kindle for 99p. If you’ve been holding out, take the advice of a man I met in the signing queue at Bay Tales: “I didn’t think it would be very good but actually I really liked it.”
The Wasp Trap - surprisingly good!
Follow Mark on Instagram
Want to keep up with what Mark's doing, find out what Dottie the Maine Coon has been up to, keep track of the latest special offers and see what Mark is reading or listening to? Head over to Instagram and give @markedwardsauthor a follow.
FREE box set of short stories
Join the Readers Club to download the Mark’s FREE box set of four thrilling stories and The Wasp Trap book club guide, plus all the latest news, book releases, special offers and giveaways.
Contact Mark
Got a question or comment for Mark or want to enquire about rights, media or events?