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Sun Trap
BE CAREFUL
Ellie has wanted to be an actor since she was a child so, when a role in a blockbuster film presents itself, she grabs it.
WHAT YOU
On the plane to location in Abu Dhabi, Ellie overhears something she shouldn't – two people discussing their plans to murder someone.
WISH FOR
Unsure if what she heard was even real, and not wanting to ruin her big break, Ellie remains quiet. Then ten members of the crew become nine...
Ellie needs to be careful – it's more than just her career on the line.
Because she isn't who she says she is.
And liars are always the prime suspect.
WHY READERS LOVE RACHEL WOLF
'Glamorous and atmospheric with a cast of brilliantly untrustworthy characters' CATHERINE COOPER
'Totally gripping... Succession on the high seas' HARRIET TYCE
'Deadly glamour on the high seas and lashings of schadenfreude in this addictive, claustrophobic thriller.' ERIN KELLY
'Glamour, tension and twists galore! A thrilling read that will whisk you away into treacherous waters!' LESLEY KARA
'Agatha Christie meets Succession!... Just like the passengers, you'll be all adrift, not knowing who to believe. A compulsive drama.' JO FURNISS
Ellie has wanted to be an actor since she was a child so, when a role in a blockbuster film presents itself, she grabs it.
WHAT YOU
On the plane to location in Abu Dhabi, Ellie overhears something she shouldn't – two people discussing their plans to murder someone.
WISH FOR
Unsure if what she heard was even real, and not wanting to ruin her big break, Ellie remains quiet. Then ten members of the crew become nine...
Ellie needs to be careful – it's more than just her career on the line.
Because she isn't who she says she is.
And liars are always the prime suspect.
WHY READERS LOVE RACHEL WOLF
'Glamorous and atmospheric with a cast of brilliantly untrustworthy characters' CATHERINE COOPER
'Totally gripping... Succession on the high seas' HARRIET TYCE
'Deadly glamour on the high seas and lashings of schadenfreude in this addictive, claustrophobic thriller.' ERIN KELLY
'Glamour, tension and twists galore! A thrilling read that will whisk you away into treacherous waters!' LESLEY KARA
'Agatha Christie meets Succession!... Just like the passengers, you'll be all adrift, not knowing who to believe. A compulsive drama.' JO FURNISS
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2025
102 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
April 22, 2025
A destination thriller set is Abu Dhabi - I was excited to read this. However, the most exciting part turned out to be getting to the final pages.
Firstly, for me, a thriller needs to be thrilling. I expect fast-paced scenes that have me on the edge of my seat. I'm prepared to suspend my disbelief to a point, but some of the stuff here is so left field that it's ridiculous. I love a twist and a turn, but this was just silly.
Secondly, if you're promoting a book as a destination thriller, I want to feel the destination. Apart from the mention of a Friday Brunch UAE style, there's nothing UAE here. The author could have gone so much further to promote UAE daily life and culture. Emirati police officers and local laws, the nationalities of the hotel staff and multi-cultural environment, and the feel of the desert. For someone who experienced a sandstorm in Syria, the author didn't do a great job of creating an atmosphere of the desert and the scenes there. This could have been set on a sand pit in Clacton on Sea.
Thirdly, it's 2025. Can we please stop putting in sexual assault references that do nothing for the story. It does not advance the story in any way, nor is it handled well. If anyone is sexually assaulted, can we please not treat it like a cut knee. This really did not need to be included.
And finally, aren't we bored of the unreliable unstable female narrative now? It's been done over and over again, and it is becoming insulting. Don't even get me started on female mental health.
Sadly, this is a two star for me.
Firstly, for me, a thriller needs to be thrilling. I expect fast-paced scenes that have me on the edge of my seat. I'm prepared to suspend my disbelief to a point, but some of the stuff here is so left field that it's ridiculous. I love a twist and a turn, but this was just silly.
Secondly, if you're promoting a book as a destination thriller, I want to feel the destination. Apart from the mention of a Friday Brunch UAE style, there's nothing UAE here. The author could have gone so much further to promote UAE daily life and culture. Emirati police officers and local laws, the nationalities of the hotel staff and multi-cultural environment, and the feel of the desert. For someone who experienced a sandstorm in Syria, the author didn't do a great job of creating an atmosphere of the desert and the scenes there. This could have been set on a sand pit in Clacton on Sea.
Thirdly, it's 2025. Can we please stop putting in sexual assault references that do nothing for the story. It does not advance the story in any way, nor is it handled well. If anyone is sexually assaulted, can we please not treat it like a cut knee. This really did not need to be included.
And finally, aren't we bored of the unreliable unstable female narrative now? It's been done over and over again, and it is becoming insulting. Don't even get me started on female mental health.
Sadly, this is a two star for me.
September 13, 2025
⭐️ 1 star ⭐️
This sucked so bad, I’m not going to even waste energy on a review. It was just nonsensical twists and a boring plot.
The urge to throw this book in a lake is very strong at the moment.
This sucked so bad, I’m not going to even waste energy on a review. It was just nonsensical twists and a boring plot.
The urge to throw this book in a lake is very strong at the moment.
May 8, 2025
Happy publication day 🎉🥳🎧
I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of Sun Trap, I was really invested in Ellie getting her big break in an unorthodox fashion. I was swept along as she met her costars and boarded the flight, overhearing a murder plot had me hooked and I needed to find out just exactly what was going on with this movie.
Then along came the first big twist, and I was drawn deeper into the story, the deception pricked my attention and I enjoyed the unravelling of the story, unfortunately at this stage it all became a bit too unbelievable, I made the grave mistake of trying to apply logic, and from there the story sort of lost a bit of interest for me. There was twist after twist after twist, and I have to be honest, I’d usually love that, it was just a bit too much.
Where the novel gains points is definitely in its originality, I don’t recall ever reading anything quite like it.
So nearly a 4. 3.5 🌟
I enjoyed the audio narration by Alexandra Boulton although there were some issues with accents, which was actually understandable.
Huge thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of Sun Trap, I was really invested in Ellie getting her big break in an unorthodox fashion. I was swept along as she met her costars and boarded the flight, overhearing a murder plot had me hooked and I needed to find out just exactly what was going on with this movie.
Then along came the first big twist, and I was drawn deeper into the story, the deception pricked my attention and I enjoyed the unravelling of the story, unfortunately at this stage it all became a bit too unbelievable, I made the grave mistake of trying to apply logic, and from there the story sort of lost a bit of interest for me. There was twist after twist after twist, and I have to be honest, I’d usually love that, it was just a bit too much.
Where the novel gains points is definitely in its originality, I don’t recall ever reading anything quite like it.
So nearly a 4. 3.5 🌟
I enjoyed the audio narration by Alexandra Boulton although there were some issues with accents, which was actually understandable.
Huge thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
December 17, 2024
Before you start reading, you need to take your sense of belief and suspend it. Then just read. Don't question the coincidences. Don't question the neat bows. Just read it. If you do that, then I think you're on to a 4-star read. It is bloody chaos. Secrets, manipulations, suspicious and unreliable characters...
The minute I started questioning elements, the rating wavered. It does feel too neat at times. There are one too many coincidences, so they started to lose their credibility. A few of the explanations were too out there or hard to believe.
I read about 60% in the first few hours of reading. Like a sand storm, it sucked me in and swirled me around. I wanted to get back to it every time I had to put it down. I remember Five Nights being like that as well. Completely absorbing.
But a few too many niggles for a higher rate for me.
Read via Netgalley.
The minute I started questioning elements, the rating wavered. It does feel too neat at times. There are one too many coincidences, so they started to lose their credibility. A few of the explanations were too out there or hard to believe.
I read about 60% in the first few hours of reading. Like a sand storm, it sucked me in and swirled me around. I wanted to get back to it every time I had to put it down. I remember Five Nights being like that as well. Completely absorbing.
But a few too many niggles for a higher rate for me.
Read via Netgalley.
May 4, 2025
Ellie has always dreamed of being an actress, it’s all she has ever wanted and so when a huge opportunity to star a movie is presented to her Ellie grabs it with both hands but when she overhears two people planning to unalive someone and her cast mates goes go from ten to nine maybe staying quiet wasn’t the best choice but when she isn’t who she says she is what Ellie truly to do?
While this was an easy read I did feel as though it moved a little slower than I would have liked. There were times my attention dipped a little and I found a lot of the book super far fetched which I struggled with. However, despite all that I love a destination thriller and I really enjoyed Ellie as a character. She was a well thought through character who I found quite easy to relate to. Her desperation to finally have the career she has always dreamt of holds her back from making the right decisions and leads her to down a stupid and at times dangerous road. I found the first 50 to 60% to be strong. I was genuinely interested in the story and the mystery. I couldn’t predict the end result and I was super suspicious and it put me in the position of Ellie so well!
I wish we had seen more from Ellie and her friendships, we were rushed through their connections very early on and I was left wanting more. The audio narration was enjoyable but at times I did get confused and struggled to keep up. I loved that the inner thoughts narration was with an English accent and when Ellie was speaking she stayed in character with her American accent it again brought her to life.
I would recommend this to fans of destination thrillers and those who love a mystery that is genuinely hard to predict
While this was an easy read I did feel as though it moved a little slower than I would have liked. There were times my attention dipped a little and I found a lot of the book super far fetched which I struggled with. However, despite all that I love a destination thriller and I really enjoyed Ellie as a character. She was a well thought through character who I found quite easy to relate to. Her desperation to finally have the career she has always dreamt of holds her back from making the right decisions and leads her to down a stupid and at times dangerous road. I found the first 50 to 60% to be strong. I was genuinely interested in the story and the mystery. I couldn’t predict the end result and I was super suspicious and it put me in the position of Ellie so well!
I wish we had seen more from Ellie and her friendships, we were rushed through their connections very early on and I was left wanting more. The audio narration was enjoyable but at times I did get confused and struggled to keep up. I loved that the inner thoughts narration was with an English accent and when Ellie was speaking she stayed in character with her American accent it again brought her to life.
I would recommend this to fans of destination thrillers and those who love a mystery that is genuinely hard to predict
June 27, 2025
if you are looking for a story to get lost in and are prepared to read it for what it is without really thinking this is the one for you. destination thriller is a bit of a stretch though as the description of the location needs more work. the plot was interesting including the overheard murder plot on the plane. Once they arrived on the location it felt like it lost its way. There was loads of twists and turns in this but many were just a bit too far fetched and too necessary for the plot line. and came too close together. Telling the story from the female pov was good however the typical metnal health was a big predictable twist and the sexual assault angle did not seem appropriate. It had good elements to keep me reading but only if my brain was switched off. i can see the appeal if you want to loose yourself , for me this is 3.5 star rounded up to 4 with some editing it could be so much better.. Thank you netgallery, publisher and author
February 14, 2025
I really wanted to love this book as it sounded intriguing but it was only ok. I liked the exotic setting and the couple of twists in the middle got me! However towards the end there were almost too many twists (never thought I would say that!) and it all got a bit much.
Overall you really do have to suspend belief to enjoy this book, otherwise there would be a lot of plot holes. But if you enjoy a destination thriller where things get really crazy with twists every five minutes you might enjoy this one! Just wasn’t my favourite type of thriller sadly.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall you really do have to suspend belief to enjoy this book, otherwise there would be a lot of plot holes. But if you enjoy a destination thriller where things get really crazy with twists every five minutes you might enjoy this one! Just wasn’t my favourite type of thriller sadly.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2025
Ellie is chasing her big break.
Crikey! Sun Trap is one heck of a thrilling read. Yes, you’ll need willingly to suspend your disbelief as there is so much packed into the story, but I suggest you do so that you can enjoy this brilliant narrative as much as I did. I gulped it down in a couple of days because I found it so exciting and entertaining.
Firstly, there’s a real sense of place in both New York and the luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi that transports the reader right into the settings. As a result of reading Sun Trap I can’t decide if I’m desperate to visit Abu Dhabi or determined to stay as far away as possible. The heat, the sand, the hotel ambience all feel perfectly drawn.
The plot is breathtakingly fast paced and there was a moment when I genuinely exclaimed ‘What?’ because I had been so taken in by the story. Its episodic nature means that it is impossible not to want to read on and I think it would make a fantastic television series or action film.
The characters are exactly what we might expect from over-privileged famous actors, but that belies the complexity of inter-relationships between them and their fascinating hopes, fears, ambitions and desires. These are flawed, often equally repugnant and appealing, people that make the reader desperate to find out who is genuine, who’s a threat and what personal demons are driving them on. I had no idea what would happen next and who might do what – and to whom!
Of course it is Ellie we learn about most, and what I found so intriguing is that, even at her most dislikeable, she is compelling and appealing. I didn’t always approve of what she did, but it didn’t stop me wanting her to succeed. That’s very clever writing.
With its modern day Christiesque locked room (or resort) feel and being packed with intrigue, twists and turns, I thought Sun Trap was terrific. I could not have been more entertained or have enjoyed it more. It’s definitely a book to take on holiday – but perhaps not to Abu Dhabi!
Crikey! Sun Trap is one heck of a thrilling read. Yes, you’ll need willingly to suspend your disbelief as there is so much packed into the story, but I suggest you do so that you can enjoy this brilliant narrative as much as I did. I gulped it down in a couple of days because I found it so exciting and entertaining.
Firstly, there’s a real sense of place in both New York and the luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi that transports the reader right into the settings. As a result of reading Sun Trap I can’t decide if I’m desperate to visit Abu Dhabi or determined to stay as far away as possible. The heat, the sand, the hotel ambience all feel perfectly drawn.
The plot is breathtakingly fast paced and there was a moment when I genuinely exclaimed ‘What?’ because I had been so taken in by the story. Its episodic nature means that it is impossible not to want to read on and I think it would make a fantastic television series or action film.
The characters are exactly what we might expect from over-privileged famous actors, but that belies the complexity of inter-relationships between them and their fascinating hopes, fears, ambitions and desires. These are flawed, often equally repugnant and appealing, people that make the reader desperate to find out who is genuine, who’s a threat and what personal demons are driving them on. I had no idea what would happen next and who might do what – and to whom!
Of course it is Ellie we learn about most, and what I found so intriguing is that, even at her most dislikeable, she is compelling and appealing. I didn’t always approve of what she did, but it didn’t stop me wanting her to succeed. That’s very clever writing.
With its modern day Christiesque locked room (or resort) feel and being packed with intrigue, twists and turns, I thought Sun Trap was terrific. I could not have been more entertained or have enjoyed it more. It’s definitely a book to take on holiday – but perhaps not to Abu Dhabi!
May 2, 2025
The first part of Sun Trap had me hooked. Intriguing premise - aspiring actress on her way to a major movie when she overheard a conversation planning a murder, hours before one of the crew is killed - and as the plot unfurls I found myself keen to know what was going on. Unfortunately, it went downhill rapidly.
As the body count piles up and more people seem to discover Ellie is not who she says she is, I found myself hoping someone would call things out…and soon.
The truth behind the story was not bad, but by the time we’re being told what’s going on things had tipped into a rather melodramatic situation. Nobody acted as you might believe them to, and the resolution with Ellie and Phoebe was far-fetched.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication. A definite holiday/travel read.
As the body count piles up and more people seem to discover Ellie is not who she says she is, I found myself hoping someone would call things out…and soon.
The truth behind the story was not bad, but by the time we’re being told what’s going on things had tipped into a rather melodramatic situation. Nobody acted as you might believe them to, and the resolution with Ellie and Phoebe was far-fetched.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this before publication. A definite holiday/travel read.
May 4, 2025
It’s hard to describe this book without giving anything away! When Ellie ,from London, meets Phoebe at an actors class in New York they’re so similar they could pass for twins. When Phoebe falls ill just as she’s about to fly to Abu Dhabi for her first role in a film Ellie agrees to “become” her so she doesn’t loose this opportunity. On the flight on the way over Ellie hears two people plotting to kill someone on the set. Desperate for the part and be close to Hannigan her favourite actor after so long, Ellie keeps quiet.
This book came with so many twists it was hard to keep up at times! As long as you suspend your disbelief (some things were definitely implausible or so far fetched) you’ll have a blast. I loved the book and a solid 4 stars for me!! I do love an unreliable narrator and you couldn’t get much more unreliable than Ellie!!
This book came with so many twists it was hard to keep up at times! As long as you suspend your disbelief (some things were definitely implausible or so far fetched) you’ll have a blast. I loved the book and a solid 4 stars for me!! I do love an unreliable narrator and you couldn’t get much more unreliable than Ellie!!
April 12, 2025
I was lucky enough to listen to this one while reading along with my ebook copy. While the story started out strong, I found myself getting a little distracted as more and more characters were killed off. I don't know why, as the suspense should have kept me intrigued but the way each of the deaths happened just seemed so unbelievable that I found myself shaking my head several times. I did love the Abu Dhabi setting though since I'm also desert based in Qatar! The audiobook narration was also done well with the narrator doing a fantastic job.
July 16, 2025
just when i thought this might get a bit boring…..it REALLY got going!!! i did not see the twists coming at all. the pace was good and fast and i enjoyed how all the characters were linked & the dual timeline situation. this was a really good thriller and i thoroughly enjoyed!!
April 24, 2025
Finished reading: April 23rd 2025
"I hope I was dreaming but it felt so real. And if it was, then I'm sat on a plane with two people who are planning murder."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Head Of Zeus in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
May 5, 2025
When Ellie and Phoebe meet on a short acting course, the fact they look scarily like twins brings them together and they are soon close friends, even sharing an apartment. When Phoebe falls ill and Ellie offers to take her place on a film to be shot in Abu Dhabi, it all seems like an easy swap. Phoebe will work at the diner Ellie usually works at.
However, what appeared to be a simple off the cuff jokey remark by about taking Phoebe’s place whilst she gets well, soon turns out to be not quite as innocent as it first sounded.
A nightmare plane trip. A car accident. A murder. What has Ellie got herself into? What is really going on behind the doors of the famous actors and director in the luxurious hotel?
Oh my goodness what a page turner this was! I was gripped immediately by the ‘now’ situation of a girl stranded in the desert.
I enjoyed the way the book was written as we slowly find out the secrets which are being kept. We are taken back and forth to find out how and why Ellie was on the acting course and how she found herself stranded in the desert.
I can’t say any more about the brilliant storyline as this is a book you just have to read to appreciate the detailed planning and plotting which has gone into this very clever whodunnit mystery. Claustrophobic, atmospheric, a line up of dubious characters and I eagerly lapped up every twisty word. The perfect read for the hot weather.
Thanks to Sophie Ransom and Kelly Pike for my spot on the tour and for sending me a stunning ARC.
However, what appeared to be a simple off the cuff jokey remark by about taking Phoebe’s place whilst she gets well, soon turns out to be not quite as innocent as it first sounded.
A nightmare plane trip. A car accident. A murder. What has Ellie got herself into? What is really going on behind the doors of the famous actors and director in the luxurious hotel?
Oh my goodness what a page turner this was! I was gripped immediately by the ‘now’ situation of a girl stranded in the desert.
I enjoyed the way the book was written as we slowly find out the secrets which are being kept. We are taken back and forth to find out how and why Ellie was on the acting course and how she found herself stranded in the desert.
I can’t say any more about the brilliant storyline as this is a book you just have to read to appreciate the detailed planning and plotting which has gone into this very clever whodunnit mystery. Claustrophobic, atmospheric, a line up of dubious characters and I eagerly lapped up every twisty word. The perfect read for the hot weather.
Thanks to Sophie Ransom and Kelly Pike for my spot on the tour and for sending me a stunning ARC.
May 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this authors previous book Five Nights, but unfortunately this one didn't quite work for me.
The main reason for this was the characters. I just couldn't differentiate them, as none of them stood out. Because of this I wasn't invested in them and I struggled to get into the plot.
The plot idea sounded great but the execution didn't meet my expectations.
I did like the setting but it didn't have any impact on the plot and it could have been set anywhere.
BUT at the 50% mark a twist happened that did grab my attention and I did start to enjoy it slightly. However this wasn't to last as the plot just became ridiculous and at times had me rolling my eyes.
If you are looking for a fast paced, popcorn destination thriller, you may enjoy this one a bit more than me, as I did like the writing, it was the characters that let it down.
So whilst there were some parts I did enjoy about this book, overall it was a disappointing read.
I would read from this author again as did enjoy her other book.
Thanks to Aria & Aries/Head Of Zeus for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
The main reason for this was the characters. I just couldn't differentiate them, as none of them stood out. Because of this I wasn't invested in them and I struggled to get into the plot.
The plot idea sounded great but the execution didn't meet my expectations.
I did like the setting but it didn't have any impact on the plot and it could have been set anywhere.
BUT at the 50% mark a twist happened that did grab my attention and I did start to enjoy it slightly. However this wasn't to last as the plot just became ridiculous and at times had me rolling my eyes.
If you are looking for a fast paced, popcorn destination thriller, you may enjoy this one a bit more than me, as I did like the writing, it was the characters that let it down.
So whilst there were some parts I did enjoy about this book, overall it was a disappointing read.
I would read from this author again as did enjoy her other book.
Thanks to Aria & Aries/Head Of Zeus for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review
May 7, 2025
3.25* for the story, 3.5* for the audiobook experience
I love a destination thriller and enjoy suspending belief to become immersed into the high unrealistic and crazy world of the story and 'Sun Trap' is no different. You really do need to suspend belief with the story premise but it's so ridiculous that you can't help but go along for the ride. There are plenty of twists and turns and our main character, Ellie is well realised and reasonably likeable (not often the case in these books!). There are pacing issues for the middle third of the book but the ending comes at you like a speeding train with reveal after reveal that for the most part I didn't see coming.
What also helped was the enjoyable narration from the audiobook narrator. I felt that Alexandra Boulton did a really solid job bringing each character and the story to life. I really appreciated that Ellie's inner thoughts were in an English accent and when she was speaking 'in character' she maintained her American accent. The production quality is great as well - high quality, clear, well edited and produced. The glamourous but deadly setting was well brought to life and helped keep me engaged when the story pacing felt off.
You know what you're getting with this kind of book so don't think too much about the story or how far fetched it is. Just go along and enjoy the whirlwind ride, and whilst it's a cliché to say, it really is going to be a great read by the pool for your 2025 holiday.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus Audiobooks | Aries Fiction for a review copy of the Audiobook of "Sun Trap" and Aria & Aries | Head of Zeus - an Aries Book for a digital review copy of "Sun Trap" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
I love a destination thriller and enjoy suspending belief to become immersed into the high unrealistic and crazy world of the story and 'Sun Trap' is no different. You really do need to suspend belief with the story premise but it's so ridiculous that you can't help but go along for the ride. There are plenty of twists and turns and our main character, Ellie is well realised and reasonably likeable (not often the case in these books!). There are pacing issues for the middle third of the book but the ending comes at you like a speeding train with reveal after reveal that for the most part I didn't see coming.
What also helped was the enjoyable narration from the audiobook narrator. I felt that Alexandra Boulton did a really solid job bringing each character and the story to life. I really appreciated that Ellie's inner thoughts were in an English accent and when she was speaking 'in character' she maintained her American accent. The production quality is great as well - high quality, clear, well edited and produced. The glamourous but deadly setting was well brought to life and helped keep me engaged when the story pacing felt off.
You know what you're getting with this kind of book so don't think too much about the story or how far fetched it is. Just go along and enjoy the whirlwind ride, and whilst it's a cliché to say, it really is going to be a great read by the pool for your 2025 holiday.
Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus Audiobooks | Aries Fiction for a review copy of the Audiobook of "Sun Trap" and Aria & Aries | Head of Zeus - an Aries Book for a digital review copy of "Sun Trap" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
June 22, 2025
A destination mystery thriller set in Abu Dhabi. Ellie has dreamed of being an actress and when her doppelgänger best friend Phoebe falls sick and can no longer take a role in an upcoming movie, Ellie steps in and pretends to be Phoebe in the hopes of starting out her own career
While on the plane with some of the cast, she overhears two people discussing planning a murder. Is it part of the movie or is something more sinister at play?
I loved the past and present storyline, and was convinced I knew where it was going until about half way through a huge curve ball was thrown!
You almost have to let go of any form of reality as some parts are slightly fare fetched, which ultimately made for an entertaining story
Thank you Netgalley and Aria & Aries for my gifted arc 🫶
While on the plane with some of the cast, she overhears two people discussing planning a murder. Is it part of the movie or is something more sinister at play?
I loved the past and present storyline, and was convinced I knew where it was going until about half way through a huge curve ball was thrown!
You almost have to let go of any form of reality as some parts are slightly fare fetched, which ultimately made for an entertaining story
Thank you Netgalley and Aria & Aries for my gifted arc 🫶
May 11, 2025
4:5 stars
The action starts immediately and we’re taken on a rollercoaster of a ride in the desert.
From the very beginning, Sun Trap is so atmospheric - the descriptions of the desert, the sandstorms and the heat add to the tension.
Every page makes you feel like you’ve misstepped as we’re sent first one way and then the other as the page turns.
None of the characters are particularly likeable but the story flies as we’re wrapped in their lives and stories. Secrets and deceptions are exposed as more of the characters backstories are exposed and shared.
Rachel Wolf has written a cleverly woven, fast-paced mystery full of lies, misdirection and deception.
The action starts immediately and we’re taken on a rollercoaster of a ride in the desert.
From the very beginning, Sun Trap is so atmospheric - the descriptions of the desert, the sandstorms and the heat add to the tension.
Every page makes you feel like you’ve misstepped as we’re sent first one way and then the other as the page turns.
None of the characters are particularly likeable but the story flies as we’re wrapped in their lives and stories. Secrets and deceptions are exposed as more of the characters backstories are exposed and shared.
Rachel Wolf has written a cleverly woven, fast-paced mystery full of lies, misdirection and deception.
June 1, 2025
Ridiculous trash
October 5, 2025
It took a while to get going with the story but wrapped it up in the end
February 21, 2025
How far would you go for your dream role? When Ellie is handed the opportunity of a lifetime—stepping into a friend’s shoes, quite literally—she jumps at the chance. A blockbuster film, a career-defining moment. But on the flight to Abu Dhabi, she overhears something chilling: two people plotting a murder. She convinces herself it’s nothing… until the first body drops. And the lies start closing in.
Sun Trap is a slick, sun-drenched thriller that gripped me from the first page. Tension crackles through every chapter, and just when I thought I had it figured out—another twist sent me reeling. Ellie is a compelling protagonist, caught in a dangerous web of ambition, deception, and survival, where the price of success might just be her life.
Cinematic, addictive, and impossible to put down, Sun Trap is the perfect summer thriller. If you love psychological suspense with a touch of Hollywood glamour, this one’s for you!
Would you risk it all for a shot at fame?
A huge thank you to @NetGalley and Aria & Aries (Head of Zeus) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
#SunTrap #RachelWolf #ThrillerReads #MysteryAndThrillers #Bookstagram #SuspenseBooks #NetGalleyReview #AdvanceReaderCopy #AriaAndAries #HeadOfZeus
Sun Trap is a slick, sun-drenched thriller that gripped me from the first page. Tension crackles through every chapter, and just when I thought I had it figured out—another twist sent me reeling. Ellie is a compelling protagonist, caught in a dangerous web of ambition, deception, and survival, where the price of success might just be her life.
Cinematic, addictive, and impossible to put down, Sun Trap is the perfect summer thriller. If you love psychological suspense with a touch of Hollywood glamour, this one’s for you!
Would you risk it all for a shot at fame?
A huge thank you to @NetGalley and Aria & Aries (Head of Zeus) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
#SunTrap #RachelWolf #ThrillerReads #MysteryAndThrillers #Bookstagram #SuspenseBooks #NetGalleyReview #AdvanceReaderCopy #AriaAndAries #HeadOfZeus
March 26, 2025
Wow!
I want to start by saying a massive thankyou for giving me an ARC of this! This is my very first!
This book… Absolutely fantastic! When I tell you I binge read it in an entire 2 days……Not forgetting being unable to put it down at 3am! The twists, and turns! So many times I thought I had it figured out! Only for another twist to take place! This is amazingly thought out! The attention to detail is fantastic! I could see things in my head because of how much attention to detail was put into many aspects of this book!
Follow the Journey of Ellie, who has suffered loss, hurt, manipulation and lies. Journey across the world in this twisty and turbulent read! From UK, To New York, to Abu Dhabi. From the busy streets and bustling city life, from the calm before the storm.
I want to start by saying a massive thankyou for giving me an ARC of this! This is my very first!
This book… Absolutely fantastic! When I tell you I binge read it in an entire 2 days……Not forgetting being unable to put it down at 3am! The twists, and turns! So many times I thought I had it figured out! Only for another twist to take place! This is amazingly thought out! The attention to detail is fantastic! I could see things in my head because of how much attention to detail was put into many aspects of this book!
Follow the Journey of Ellie, who has suffered loss, hurt, manipulation and lies. Journey across the world in this twisty and turbulent read! From UK, To New York, to Abu Dhabi. From the busy streets and bustling city life, from the calm before the storm.
February 19, 2025
There was literally twist after twist after twist in this destination thriller. With a cast of highly unlikable characters and set in the desert on a film set, you reel from one dramatic incident to each murder, right back into intrigue. It's 100% a beach or poolside read! If you like thrillers, you like unlikable characters, and you want to be whisked away to the sun, this book is for you. Thanks to the author, Aria, Aries (the publisher), and NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced copy!
January 14, 2025
The first thing I did after reading the book was add Rachel Wolf to my Goodreads shelf. A killer in paradise with a setup of a movie shoot? Count me in!
I knew this was going to be great 20 percent into the story. And just when I thought I knew what was going on things took a 360 degree turn. A couple of times. There are some major twists and the narration is brilliant. I loved the destination thriller as it mixes the elements of mystery and a light vacation. Only it isn't light or a vacation. I loved the setting and premise and the characters are all equally suspicious, filled with red herrings. Going to recommend this one for sure.
Thank you Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.
I knew this was going to be great 20 percent into the story. And just when I thought I knew what was going on things took a 360 degree turn. A couple of times. There are some major twists and the narration is brilliant. I loved the destination thriller as it mixes the elements of mystery and a light vacation. Only it isn't light or a vacation. I loved the setting and premise and the characters are all equally suspicious, filled with red herrings. Going to recommend this one for sure.
Thank you Aria & Aries, Head of Zeus and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.
May 22, 2025
Ellie Miller is introduced to Phoebe Thomas at a summer acting school in New York. They are so similar in both looks and likes; they could be taken sisters if not twins. It seemed only natural that they gravitate to each other and become best friends. Phoebe has landed a movie part, only small one, but it’s in Abu Dhabi and a great opportunity to get noticed, only she is unwell and dare not her agent. Desperate she asks Ellie to go in her place, what could possibly go wrong? The curse of the doppelganger?
I must confess that for the first half of the novel I think that this was going to be a straightforward role swap story as the situation was being set up. Then everything is turned on its head and carefully set up perspectives prove to be incorrect. To say it gets twisty is something of an understatement as the reader is drawn in and becomes absorbed in a gripping story. People prove to be different from who they appeared to be, and surprises come every few pages right up to the very end. This is one story I could not conceive never mind guess the ending, the idea is well worn but the execution is magnificently original.
They say you should never meet your heroes, yet Ellie is determined to get close to famous actor Elijah Hanneghan, for good personal reasons. It transpires that she is far from alone in this as it seems everyone at the hotel wants a piece of him. He has something of a past that is about to catch up with him and a movie filmed in Venezuela many years ago looms large. This is a story jam packed with secrets to be revealed and links not envisaged.
Ellie is a great character who I quickly warmed to, as she wants to be part of the private jet and luxury hotel scene that comes with film stardom, grabbing a fateful opportunity with both hands. As the story progresses, we become exposed to the real Ellie, who proves to be a different young woman altogether, someone far less likable. Yet the reader never completely gives up on her as she stumbles through disasters, not all of which are of her own making. It’s quite a feat of writing to have a reader simultaneously liking and disliking a character and sticking with them to the end, no matter how painful that might prove to be.
Although revenge and retribution figure strongly as motives, it is essentially a tale about families and marriage, of separation and loss. Actor’s marriages are notoriously difficult to maintain, largely due to their lifestyles, of which it is only the glamour that the public sees. More importantly it examines how losing a parent affects children and the adults they turn out to be.
The setting is a wonderful, I can imagine many readers wishing they could be whisked to such a luxury hotel, though without all the bloodshed. For the Middle East the local police seem to be somewhat laid back and placid, I guess even they can be in awe of star quality. It is a book written by a writer who is clearly well travelled and will be appreciated by those who like the finer things in life.
The pacing is great, steady at first but then ratcheting up towards the end with the clever use of shorter chapters. There is plenty of action throughout for the thriller lover with some clever use of the surroundings. Its bloody without being gory and it never gets bogged down with lots of dialogue which one might expect from thespians.
Twisty, entertaining and clever thriller.
I must confess that for the first half of the novel I think that this was going to be a straightforward role swap story as the situation was being set up. Then everything is turned on its head and carefully set up perspectives prove to be incorrect. To say it gets twisty is something of an understatement as the reader is drawn in and becomes absorbed in a gripping story. People prove to be different from who they appeared to be, and surprises come every few pages right up to the very end. This is one story I could not conceive never mind guess the ending, the idea is well worn but the execution is magnificently original.
They say you should never meet your heroes, yet Ellie is determined to get close to famous actor Elijah Hanneghan, for good personal reasons. It transpires that she is far from alone in this as it seems everyone at the hotel wants a piece of him. He has something of a past that is about to catch up with him and a movie filmed in Venezuela many years ago looms large. This is a story jam packed with secrets to be revealed and links not envisaged.
Ellie is a great character who I quickly warmed to, as she wants to be part of the private jet and luxury hotel scene that comes with film stardom, grabbing a fateful opportunity with both hands. As the story progresses, we become exposed to the real Ellie, who proves to be a different young woman altogether, someone far less likable. Yet the reader never completely gives up on her as she stumbles through disasters, not all of which are of her own making. It’s quite a feat of writing to have a reader simultaneously liking and disliking a character and sticking with them to the end, no matter how painful that might prove to be.
Although revenge and retribution figure strongly as motives, it is essentially a tale about families and marriage, of separation and loss. Actor’s marriages are notoriously difficult to maintain, largely due to their lifestyles, of which it is only the glamour that the public sees. More importantly it examines how losing a parent affects children and the adults they turn out to be.
The setting is a wonderful, I can imagine many readers wishing they could be whisked to such a luxury hotel, though without all the bloodshed. For the Middle East the local police seem to be somewhat laid back and placid, I guess even they can be in awe of star quality. It is a book written by a writer who is clearly well travelled and will be appreciated by those who like the finer things in life.
The pacing is great, steady at first but then ratcheting up towards the end with the clever use of shorter chapters. There is plenty of action throughout for the thriller lover with some clever use of the surroundings. Its bloody without being gory and it never gets bogged down with lots of dialogue which one might expect from thespians.
Twisty, entertaining and clever thriller.
June 3, 2025
Thriller set in ABU DHABI
3.5*
The thriller opens in New York, where Ellie is studying on a four week drama course. She meets Phoebe, who, frankly, is her double. Once the course has finished, Phoebe, in theory, is off to film in Abu Dhabi, a tiny part for an entrance level actor but somehow, mentally and emotionally, she isn’t up to it. Ellie is more than willing to take Phoebe’s part, as they truly are Doppelgängers – she is especially keen knowing Hanneghan is one of the lead actors. She is in true fan girl mode on the private plane that whisks them away on a 13 hour flight – she has spent most of her adult life in awe of this handsome man, seeking him out wherever and whenever she can.
On the flight she is befuddled because she has taken some pills to calm her mood, but it appears they don’t combine well with free-flowing champagne. She has already teamed up with Josh, who will be her on-screen husband and he takes care of her. But as she is on the way back from the lavatory (where she can fish through fabulous stocks of complimentary make up, moisturisers and the like) she seems to overhear a plot to kill off a male member of the team. That cannot be right, surely, but it leaves her feeling on edge. Obviously.
The scene is set for a tumultuous few days on set, in the desert, a perfect location for drama and death. She also disappears down the rabbit hole of magical thinking, that perhaps some of the devastating events the team comes to face may not have happened if she hadn’t chosen to impersonate Phoebe; and of course, there is ample stress in keeping up appearances, remembering as a Brit to keep the American accent going.
A nocturnal, dramatic excursion on a dune buggy ensues, a race against time during a burgeoning sandstorm in order to track down one of the team who seems to have gone AWOL, a tricky exercise given there are “..no streetlights in the desert ..” (no sh*t, Sherlock ). The buggy overturns and survival is achieved by cowering under a blanket for the duration of the night until help arrives in the morning. The author herself encountered a terrible sandstorm in Syria, and has based this episode in the novel on her own experience.
“You are film people, the rules are different” says the hotel manager at one point and indeed, the gilded life of 5* luxury, palatial accommodation with “.. decor for the rich and elite” doesn’t mitigate the mayhem. At one point Ellie closets herself in a cupboard, as she is snooping around in her Nancy Drew persona, only to witness the end stages of an affair. Whatever happens, she cannot let anyone or anything sabotage her on-screen debut. Partway through, the storyline dramatically shifts gear, changes direction and the reader is offered a wider perspective.
There are multiple murders and a variety of upsets and unfolding dramas in the closing pages, which are extremely inventive.
It is all a bit bonkers, to be honest, preposterous at times but the story bowls along at a cracking pace, tacking this way and that. A quick and entertaining poolside read.
3.5*
The thriller opens in New York, where Ellie is studying on a four week drama course. She meets Phoebe, who, frankly, is her double. Once the course has finished, Phoebe, in theory, is off to film in Abu Dhabi, a tiny part for an entrance level actor but somehow, mentally and emotionally, she isn’t up to it. Ellie is more than willing to take Phoebe’s part, as they truly are Doppelgängers – she is especially keen knowing Hanneghan is one of the lead actors. She is in true fan girl mode on the private plane that whisks them away on a 13 hour flight – she has spent most of her adult life in awe of this handsome man, seeking him out wherever and whenever she can.
On the flight she is befuddled because she has taken some pills to calm her mood, but it appears they don’t combine well with free-flowing champagne. She has already teamed up with Josh, who will be her on-screen husband and he takes care of her. But as she is on the way back from the lavatory (where she can fish through fabulous stocks of complimentary make up, moisturisers and the like) she seems to overhear a plot to kill off a male member of the team. That cannot be right, surely, but it leaves her feeling on edge. Obviously.
The scene is set for a tumultuous few days on set, in the desert, a perfect location for drama and death. She also disappears down the rabbit hole of magical thinking, that perhaps some of the devastating events the team comes to face may not have happened if she hadn’t chosen to impersonate Phoebe; and of course, there is ample stress in keeping up appearances, remembering as a Brit to keep the American accent going.
A nocturnal, dramatic excursion on a dune buggy ensues, a race against time during a burgeoning sandstorm in order to track down one of the team who seems to have gone AWOL, a tricky exercise given there are “..no streetlights in the desert ..” (no sh*t, Sherlock ). The buggy overturns and survival is achieved by cowering under a blanket for the duration of the night until help arrives in the morning. The author herself encountered a terrible sandstorm in Syria, and has based this episode in the novel on her own experience.
“You are film people, the rules are different” says the hotel manager at one point and indeed, the gilded life of 5* luxury, palatial accommodation with “.. decor for the rich and elite” doesn’t mitigate the mayhem. At one point Ellie closets herself in a cupboard, as she is snooping around in her Nancy Drew persona, only to witness the end stages of an affair. Whatever happens, she cannot let anyone or anything sabotage her on-screen debut. Partway through, the storyline dramatically shifts gear, changes direction and the reader is offered a wider perspective.
There are multiple murders and a variety of upsets and unfolding dramas in the closing pages, which are extremely inventive.
It is all a bit bonkers, to be honest, preposterous at times but the story bowls along at a cracking pace, tacking this way and that. A quick and entertaining poolside read.
August 12, 2025
I almost set this aside at the 15% mark. The writing wasn’t gripping me, and I found the prose a little clumsy in places. But something – maybe curiosity, maybe just stubbornness – made me press on. By the end, I still wasn’t sure whether that was the right call.
The biggest issue for me was the sheer number of plot holes. The continuity between scenes felt disjointed, almost as if whole sections of the story had been cut without any attempt to bridge the gaps. In one instance, our narrator is in London, broke to the point where she can’t afford a sandwich. A few pages later, she has somehow bought a ticket to New York and is sitting in a café surrounded by three coffees, a smoothie, and a slice of cake. There’s no explanation, no suggestion of how her circumstances changed – just an abrupt shift that left me wondering if I’d missed a chapter.
It happens again when she tries to book a place on a course, is told she’s waitlisted, and then, without warning, is suddenly attending the course as though she’d been accepted all along. It’s these kinds of leaps – moving from A to C without bothering with B – that made the narrative feel rushed and undermined my engagement with the story.
The book also suffers from a lack of polish. There are numerous grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, the kind that a more thorough editing process should have caught. While I can usually overlook the odd slip, here they were frequent enough to pull me out of the moment and felt more like I was reading a draft that hadn’t been fully refined.
That said, the story itself is oddly compelling. It’s implausible and frequently over the top, but that heightened sense of unreality worked in its favour at times. The constant shifts in the narrative – the feeling that we were being fed a version of events that wasn’t entirely true – kept me intrigued. Each twist made me reassess what I thought I knew, and by the final chapters, I’d accepted that half the fun was in not trusting anything I was told.
The changing landscape of the plot, both geographically and emotionally, gave the book a restless energy. Even when I rolled my eyes at the improbability of certain events, I still wanted to see where it was going. It’s a strange reading experience – frustrating and flawed, yet strangely enjoyable.
In the end, I’m glad I stuck with it, but I can’t say I’d be quick to pick up something else by this author. This was a book that entertained me in spite of itself, not because of the quality of its craft. If you can overlook the jumps, errors, and implausibilities, there is a twisty, unpredictable ride underneath – just be prepared for a bumpy journey.
The biggest issue for me was the sheer number of plot holes. The continuity between scenes felt disjointed, almost as if whole sections of the story had been cut without any attempt to bridge the gaps. In one instance, our narrator is in London, broke to the point where she can’t afford a sandwich. A few pages later, she has somehow bought a ticket to New York and is sitting in a café surrounded by three coffees, a smoothie, and a slice of cake. There’s no explanation, no suggestion of how her circumstances changed – just an abrupt shift that left me wondering if I’d missed a chapter.
It happens again when she tries to book a place on a course, is told she’s waitlisted, and then, without warning, is suddenly attending the course as though she’d been accepted all along. It’s these kinds of leaps – moving from A to C without bothering with B – that made the narrative feel rushed and undermined my engagement with the story.
The book also suffers from a lack of polish. There are numerous grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, the kind that a more thorough editing process should have caught. While I can usually overlook the odd slip, here they were frequent enough to pull me out of the moment and felt more like I was reading a draft that hadn’t been fully refined.
That said, the story itself is oddly compelling. It’s implausible and frequently over the top, but that heightened sense of unreality worked in its favour at times. The constant shifts in the narrative – the feeling that we were being fed a version of events that wasn’t entirely true – kept me intrigued. Each twist made me reassess what I thought I knew, and by the final chapters, I’d accepted that half the fun was in not trusting anything I was told.
The changing landscape of the plot, both geographically and emotionally, gave the book a restless energy. Even when I rolled my eyes at the improbability of certain events, I still wanted to see where it was going. It’s a strange reading experience – frustrating and flawed, yet strangely enjoyable.
In the end, I’m glad I stuck with it, but I can’t say I’d be quick to pick up something else by this author. This was a book that entertained me in spite of itself, not because of the quality of its craft. If you can overlook the jumps, errors, and implausibilities, there is a twisty, unpredictable ride underneath – just be prepared for a bumpy journey.
May 5, 2025
Sun Trap, Rachel Wolf's second novel, was basically a very silly but fun thriller, and I think if it had leant into the silliness earlier, I would have found the first half more gripping. This reminded me a bit of Andrea Bartz's novels (We Were Never Here, The Last Night) which I enjoy, but I definitely think less would have been more. 3.5 stars.
I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
I received a free proof copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
May 10, 2025
Ellie longs for a career as an actor, so when a set of extraordinary circumstances lead to the opportunity to take on a role in a star-studded film on location in Abu Dhabi, she grabs the chance with both hands. However, the potentially career making job starts in the most inauspicious way, when Ellie hears two unidentified people on the plane to their swanky desert hotel discussing plans for a murder...
When one of the film crew subsequently dies, Ellie is caught in a dilemma. She might hold the key to solving the crime, but admitting it to the police means risking uncomfortable questions she would prefer to avoid. Because Ellie is not who they think she is...
Sun Trap is a highly entertaining destination thriller, with all the fun of clashing egos, and trolley-loads of emotional baggage. The story plays out from Ellie's perspective, as events begin to go seriously awry on the film shoot, and then flips back and forth in time to expose jaw-dropping twists that take the plot in very surprising directions.
Wolf cleverly uses the glamorous location to make this feel every ounce a Christie-esque locked-room whodunnit, as a storm rages around the hotel, which I loved. And she has Ellie facing peril from multiple directions at once as she does not know who she can trust with her life and her secrets, pitting the danger from the human element within the hotel against the life-threatening desert environment in which it is set.
Bodies begin to pile up as murky scores are settled, and I think I suspected practically everyone of having blood on their hands at some point along the way. Wolf really keeps you on your toes, ramping up the tension to fever pitch, and when she subverts what you think is a doppelganger plot into something far more complicated, she certainly sets you reeling. Lovely themes run through this page-turner too, especially deception and revenge, which are perfect for a story filled with characters who are used to hiding who they really are beneath manufactured images.
I swallowed this gem whole, and was absolutely here for every gritty (pun intended), dramatic second.
When one of the film crew subsequently dies, Ellie is caught in a dilemma. She might hold the key to solving the crime, but admitting it to the police means risking uncomfortable questions she would prefer to avoid. Because Ellie is not who they think she is...
Sun Trap is a highly entertaining destination thriller, with all the fun of clashing egos, and trolley-loads of emotional baggage. The story plays out from Ellie's perspective, as events begin to go seriously awry on the film shoot, and then flips back and forth in time to expose jaw-dropping twists that take the plot in very surprising directions.
Wolf cleverly uses the glamorous location to make this feel every ounce a Christie-esque locked-room whodunnit, as a storm rages around the hotel, which I loved. And she has Ellie facing peril from multiple directions at once as she does not know who she can trust with her life and her secrets, pitting the danger from the human element within the hotel against the life-threatening desert environment in which it is set.
Bodies begin to pile up as murky scores are settled, and I think I suspected practically everyone of having blood on their hands at some point along the way. Wolf really keeps you on your toes, ramping up the tension to fever pitch, and when she subverts what you think is a doppelganger plot into something far more complicated, she certainly sets you reeling. Lovely themes run through this page-turner too, especially deception and revenge, which are perfect for a story filled with characters who are used to hiding who they really are beneath manufactured images.
I swallowed this gem whole, and was absolutely here for every gritty (pun intended), dramatic second.
September 2, 2025
Sun Trap is a twisty, sun-soaked thriller that grabs you from the very first page and refuses to let go. Set against the scorching backdrop of Abu Dhabi, this is a destination thriller dripping with glamour, secrets, and danger.
When aspiring actress Ellie meets Phoebe at a New York acting class, she can’t believe how alike they look—so alike they could be twins. What starts as a coincidence quickly spirals into something much darker when Phoebe, suddenly unwell, convinces Ellie to take her place in a film role abroad. It feels like the opportunity of a lifetime… until Ellie realizes she’s walked into a trap far more sinister than she could have imagined.
From private jets to luxury hotels to the egos of an international film set, Wolf creates an intoxicating, claustrophobic world where no one can be trusted and every character has something to hide. The overheard conversation about a murder plot sets the stage for a high-stakes game of deception, and the tension ratchets up with each new revelation.
Ellie is a fascinatingly unreliable narrator—flawed, ambitious, and hard to pin down. Just when you think you’ve figured her out, another layer peels back, and the truth gets murkier. The supporting cast is equally compelling, from the enigmatic star Elijah Hanneghan to the rivalries and obsessions that fester behind the scenes.
Yes, the twists are bold—sometimes outrageous—but that’s part of the fun. This isn’t a thriller you read for gritty realism; it’s one you devour for the rollercoaster ride of betrayals, secrets, and shocking reveals. The shifting timelines and flashbacks add to the sense of disorientation, keeping the reader guessing right up until the final page.
Atmospheric, unpredictable, and completely addictive, Sun Trap is the kind of summer thriller you can lose yourself in. If you love destination mysteries, unreliable narrators, and a healthy dose of Hollywood drama, this is one to pack in your beach bag.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Rachel Wolf for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
When aspiring actress Ellie meets Phoebe at a New York acting class, she can’t believe how alike they look—so alike they could be twins. What starts as a coincidence quickly spirals into something much darker when Phoebe, suddenly unwell, convinces Ellie to take her place in a film role abroad. It feels like the opportunity of a lifetime… until Ellie realizes she’s walked into a trap far more sinister than she could have imagined.
From private jets to luxury hotels to the egos of an international film set, Wolf creates an intoxicating, claustrophobic world where no one can be trusted and every character has something to hide. The overheard conversation about a murder plot sets the stage for a high-stakes game of deception, and the tension ratchets up with each new revelation.
Ellie is a fascinatingly unreliable narrator—flawed, ambitious, and hard to pin down. Just when you think you’ve figured her out, another layer peels back, and the truth gets murkier. The supporting cast is equally compelling, from the enigmatic star Elijah Hanneghan to the rivalries and obsessions that fester behind the scenes.
Yes, the twists are bold—sometimes outrageous—but that’s part of the fun. This isn’t a thriller you read for gritty realism; it’s one you devour for the rollercoaster ride of betrayals, secrets, and shocking reveals. The shifting timelines and flashbacks add to the sense of disorientation, keeping the reader guessing right up until the final page.
Atmospheric, unpredictable, and completely addictive, Sun Trap is the kind of summer thriller you can lose yourself in. If you love destination mysteries, unreliable narrators, and a healthy dose of Hollywood drama, this is one to pack in your beach bag.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Rachel Wolf for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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