Camilla (Cam) is heading back to work after maternity leave and her husband Luke is nowhere to be found, just a note left behind. Later, Cam learns of a hostage situation with Luke at its center and we meet hostage negotiator Niall. The situation ends and we are bumped ahead seven years to see how the characters are living with what happened and can they ever figure out the truth of that day and what preceded it?

One of the things I've always enjoyed about McAllister's books is the focus of a mystery, usually a fast-paced opening story, followed by delving into characters and who they are in this new reality and what they do, with a heart-racing conclusion at the end. This book is no exception and while it is a slow burn that can seem to drag at time, once the ending becomes clear, the reader will see why seemingly unimportant details and scenes were actually clues.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me guessing until the end. I would definitely recommned to others! Another great Gillian McAllister mystery!

This was a fun non-scary thriller! I figured out the twist, but was still hooked from the get go! I loved the two different POV's, and how everyone and everything intertwined with one another. Definitely recommend! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This was twisty, and just what I expect from McAllister. Dare I say, it was almost so twisty that I lost control of the plot for a minute. However, overall I really enjoyed it and kept thinking how does she come up with this stuff?!

The story kept me hooked. I loved having the two different narrators. I do wish we had more from Luke and his story. Also, I wish we had more of the family interaction at the end. It felt like there was a lot of filler and the ending was rushed. Overall, I still enjoyed it. 3.5 stars.

Fans of Gillian McAllister know to expect, and even look forward to, plot twists where the narrative transforms in to a doppelganger of what you thought was going on. In Famous Last Words, Ms. McAllister exceeds any previous efforts. Very early on, we the protagonist Cam's developing horror as she learns that her husband is at the center of a hostage situation, and not as a hostage. He is the perpetrator. Besides Cam, central characters include Neill a profiler who makes a questionable judgement call during the situation, and an anonymous (for most of the book) person who sends mysterious "surveillance reports". The pace of the thriller is wonderful. As Cam is a literary agent, there's an enlightening cache of details about the literary scene. A unique aspect of this thriller is its focus on the partner of someone who has committed a heinous crime, and how she lives with that (and tries to hide her identity). The twists are pure genius!

My favorite by Gillian McAllister to date. If you like smart main characters, a twisty whodunnit/thriller and a side serving of the publishing profession, this one's for you! It was a page-turner, perfect for vacation, but with a storyline I keep coming back to after finishing it. I'll be recommending this far and wide.

Famous Last Words is another thrilling book from Gillian McAllister. This story follows main character, Camilla, in her search for answers about her husband after he leaves a mysterious note and then gets caught up in a hostage situation. The book was easy to read and enjoyable. Some parts did get a little boring for me. The story was unique and I enjoyed the ending.

Cam and Luke have a picture perfect life. They just had their first baby, Polly. Cam is excited to get back to work as a literary agent. But as she wakes for her first day back, Luke is no where to be found. There is a hostage crisis in London. Cam's life will never be the same. Her husband has taken three hostages in a warehouse. What is happening? Cam can't figure out how her life went from picture perfect to a nightmare overnight. Now Luke is on the run after killing two of the hostages. Did Cam even know who she was married to?
Seven years later, Cam is trying to move on. She wants to declare Luke dead so she can buy a new place for her and Polly. For some reason, she jut can't let go. How did she not know Luke? How did all of this happen? Suddenly she is receiving cryptic texts. Could this be Luke trying to communicate with her? As she tries to continue on as best she can for Polly, she can't help but to think something isn't right with Luke and the hostage situation.
Gillian McAllister writes an exciting and suspenseful story you can get lost in. I loved the storyline and characters. She kept me guessing until the end. I would definitely recommend Famous Last Words to my suspenseful story loving friends and would continue to look for future works by McAllister. 4 stars for me. #FamousLastWords #NetGalley

Absolutely loved this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The combination of a love story, hostage situation, and a cat-and-mouse style police investigation in a thriller were brilliant and read effortlessly. Ms. McAllister weaves different viewpoints with ease, and made this novel difficult to put down. Thank you to NetGalley and Ms. McAllister for providing me with an ARC of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.

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You said:
please rewrite this: So so many twists! I truly loved Theo and Connor! So many things got revealed and the twists truly shocked me. I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire time. Truly gripping, I had to read it in one sitting. I love Kate Alice Marshall's writing style, her way of world building truly makes you feel like you're a part of the story and experiencing it all with the characters. Such an amazing suspenseful novel! I loved how it unfolded! 5 stars!
ChatGPT said:
Packed with twists and surprises! I absolutely loved Theo and Connor—such fantastic characters. The reveals were jaw-dropping, and the twists kept me on edge the entire time. This gripping story was impossible to put down—I devoured it in one sitting. Kate Alice Marshall's writing is incredible; her world-building fully immerses you, making every moment feel real. An outstanding, suspenseful read that unraveled brilliantly. 5 stars!







You said:
please rewrite: This is my first Pam Jenoff novel, and I will certainly be reading more by this author. Jenoff masterfully weaves real elements into the historical backdrop of WWII France. The story is told in a dual timeline ten years apart. We meet Helaine, a Jewish girl who falls in love with a cellist and has a difficult relationship with her parents. Later, we meet Louise, who worked for the Red Cross during the war and found half of a necklace that belonged to her best friend. The story centers around these characters and the real life Levitan department store in Paris that housed prisoners during WWII.

I loved this new perspective on WWII that I was not aware of. Jenoff centers a true story around a lost necklace, a love story, and hope and redemption during the darkest of times. There were many heroes during the war. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things that made a difference. I highly recommend it. The Last Twilight in Paris is told in a more uplifting way than most.
ChatGPT said:
This was my first Pam Jenoff novel, but it certainly won’t be my last. Jenoff masterfully blends real historical elements into the WWII-era setting of France, bringing the past to life. The story unfolds across a dual timeline, set ten years apart. We follow Helaine, a Jewish girl who falls in love with a cellist while navigating a strained relationship with her parents. Later, we meet Louise, a former Red Cross worker who discovers half of a necklace that once belonged to her best friend. Their stories intertwine with the real-life history of the Levitan department store in Paris, which was used to house prisoners during the war.

I was fascinated by this fresh perspective on WWII, shedding light on a piece of history I hadn’t known before. Jenoff weaves a powerful narrative around a lost necklace, love, and the resilience of the human spirit in the darkest of times. The novel highlights the extraordinary bravery of ordinary people who made a difference. The Last Twilight in Paris stands apart from many WWII novels with its more uplifting tone, and I highly recommend it.







You said:
please rewrite: Gillian McAllister doesn't disappoint! This thriller takes a wild spin on a hostage situation, packed with twists you won’t see coming. The short chapters make it a breeze to read, even though I did start guessing who was behind it all pretty early. But the real fun is in figuring out why and how.

I loved the big time jump—ending part one with a bang and then skipping seven years ahead made everything feel even more intense. The pacing had its ups and downs for me, but by the 70% mark, it all clicked, and I couldn’t put it down.

The ending was satisfying, though it felt a bit rushed. But the love between Cam and Luke was so sweet and the perfect little bonus to the story. One thing to note: there’s a subplot about infertility for a side character, so if that’s something close to you, just be mindful. Overall, this was a tense, twisty, and totally gripping read.
ChatGPT said:
Gillian McAllister delivers yet again! This thriller puts a unique spin on a hostage situation, packed with twists that will keep you guessing. The short chapters make it a fast, addictive read, though I did pick up on who was behind it early on—the real thrill, however, was uncovering the why and how.

I loved the bold time jump—part one ends with a bang, then leaps forward seven years, adding even more intensity to the story. While the pacing had its highs and lows, everything clicked around the 70% mark, and from there, I couldn’t put it down.

The ending was satisfying, though it felt a little rushed. But the love between Cam and Luke was such a sweet touch and added an extra layer to the story. One note—there’s a subplot involving infertility for a side character, so if that’s a sensitive topic, just be aware. Overall, this was a tense, twisty, and completely gripping read!

Blindsided. Addictive. Stunned. Fast-paced. Ahh! There are so many descriptors for this book. She delivered. Things felt crazy and compelling. Why was it happening? What was the connection? I was trying to noodle it out, and while I did guess a little bit it, I didn't get enough to not be shocked by the ending! 5.

Loved it!

Cam’s husband leaves a note and is gone. Then, he does something unthinkable. Except, Cam doesn’t believe it. And she’s the only one. Life moves on and we watch Cam try but she never stops missing her husband, it’s haunting, raw and oh so real.

During the period when she feels as she should move on, things start happening and we all know, or feel, it’s the husband. The book gets hopeful and heartbreaking all at once. Such a good combo and an even better story.

Advanced reader copy provided by William Morrow and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this was not a good read for me. The plot felt very predictable and the FMC was very infuriating. I found the 3rd person omniscient narrator boring as well.
True rating: 2.5⭐️

Truly unlike other thrillers I have read - a nice change of thinking and keeping my interest with a new plot.

This book had me hooked from the very start. I never knew who to believe or what was truly the motive until the very end when McAllister ties everything together.

McAllister is on a roll with the gripping thrillers, and this one is no exception. Can’t wait to read the next!

This was a good thriller/suspense book to mix it up a bit for me. Cam’s whole life changes before she even realizes what is happening. Her husband is mixed up in a terrible situation and she is turned upside down, along with their young baby. This story moves fast at the beginning to draw you in, and then a majority of the book is a bit slower (but still intriguing!). Cam and a police officer are both still trying to figure out what really happened years later and we get a lot of twists and turns as readers. If you’re a fan of suspense, this is a solid choice.

A fun fast paced read- twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat! Was excited to be wrong when I thought I knew what was right! Overall a good story, well written and worth the rec!

I really enjoyed this book, which was an interesting take on a domestic thriller. Some readers found it slow paced, but I loved the more in-depth character development. I din't 100% buy the ending (as was the case for in her last book) but I thought it was well worth the read and definitely recommend it!

3.5 stars

Such a good start but the middle was just sooo slow. I liked the premise but it was such a drag to get through. I kept reading because the beginning intrigued me soooo much much I just had to know how it all played out.

And it was ok….i mean I saw it coming and I kinda was hoping there would be one final twist but there wasn’t.

The book wasn’t what I was expecting but I still had a fun time with it.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Famous Last Words was my first Gillian McAllister Book, and my TBR just got a lot longer. I can't wait to read more.

Camilla knew life was going to change that day, but she just didn't know how much. First, she couldn't find Luke anywhere, and she was counting on his help. Then she finds a weird note from him that says, “It's been lovely with you both.”. What's that supposed to mean? That's weird. Camilla doesn't have time to worry about it. It’s her first day back at work after maternity leave. Now, she must get ready and drop the baby off on her first day of Nursery. She gets to work and sees there is a hostage situation taking place on TV. After texting and trying to call Luke with no answer. She gets worried. That worry becomes panic when Officers walk in looking for her.

It's impossible; It can’t be Luke; he would never do anything like that…. All of these thoughts run through her head as the officers begin to explain that they need her to come with them.

You know you need to read what happens next. Go Get This Book!!! It is a rollercoaster ride till the end. I already bought a copy as a gift.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gillian McAllister for an ARC in exchange for an honest review