Thank you for this book in exchange for my honest review. This book was genuinely written very well and I found myself intrigued the entire time, but the book could’ve been a lot shorter and I wasn’t connected to the characters.

I loved Wrong Place Wrong Time, so I was ecstatic to get this as an ARC. Gillian McAllister is a master of creating engaging thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat with unique plotlines. The mystery of how literary agent Camilla’s seemingly normal husband Luke becomes the perpetrator in a hostage situation, and her resulting hunt for answers is unlike any thriller that I’ve read up to this point. I did take one star off because something about the last third of the book and the ending was unsatisfying to me, and the suspense kind of died down towards the end. Overall though, the book kept me engaged and I could not put it down. I would definitely recommend to any reader who loves a good thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and the author for this book in exchange for an honest review.

FABULOUS. 10/10. Gillian McAllister knows how to write a thriller and I always devour her novels. This one was about a husband and wife, so deeply in love, so in tune with one another and out of the blue, the husband takes 3 people hostage one morning. It was such a wild ride and the way it all played out was brilliant. Thank you to NetGalley and Gillian McAllister for an advanced copy! 🤍

The story of Cam who returns back to work after being on maternity leave. While at work she is notified that her husband was holding people hostage in a warehouse. Cam is completely floored, never imagining that her husband could be capable of such a crime. The story really makes you question how well you know the closest people to you. Overall it was a good story. The story kind of dragged a bit until the very end of the book. Wish there was more going on throughout the story instead of just a build up to the very end.

Camilla is a new mom and is heading back to work after maternity leave. During her first day back in the office, the police show up and tell her that her husband is involved in a hostage situation. Camilla’s life is turned upside down.

I really enjoyed the writing style and seeing it from Camilla’s and Niall’s (the hostage negotiator) pov. It kept me guessing and the twists and turns flowed well and were believable. This is the first book I have read from the author but I will definitely be reading more of her work.

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

On her first day back to work after her maternity leave, Cam (Camilla) wakes up to find a strange note from her husband, Luke, with no indication of where he is. As Cam starts her day, she learns that her husband is involved in a hostage situation with an armed gunman and then the police tell her that her husband isn't one of the hostages, but the gunman. Niall is the police negotiator who is tasked with getting Luke to give up the hostages. Through his years of study, he thinks that he can get through to Luke as his instincts tell him that Luke isn't going to shoot. Things are starting to look up with Luke lets one of the hostages go, but that's when two gunshots are heard and Luke is found to be missing. In one day, Cam and Niall's lives are both forever changed through Luke's actions....

Gillian McAllister books are very hit or miss for me- I either LOVE them or find them to be extremely irritating and I'm happy to report that this is the former. This novel is told in the points of view of Cam, Niall, and someone reporting on Cam's movements. While I did end up guessing some of the twists, I still was eager to take in the story and get to the end. The time jump from after the siege shocked me as I didn't see such a huge amount of time passing, but I appreciate that McAllister got us closer to the action. I would advise of trigger warnings for anyone dealing with miscarriages and infertility as those are mentioned in the book. The parallel between Cam and her sister Libby and the pain and grief they both suffer through while both trying to still be there for the other was a nice way to show that relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Giving this one a 3.5, Famous Last Words was an emotional thriller that in my opinion just started off great, got a little slow, and ended with a bang! I enjoyed the beginning- I related to the main character Camilla’s new role as a mother- but after her husband holds 3 people hostage and vanishes the story fell a little flat. I’m so glad I stuck with it though because the last 20% of the book was phenomenal. I figured out some of the big twist but not all, which I always enjoy. It’s enough to keep me guessing but not totally unbelievable that way! I’ll definitely recommend this one with the advice of just keep with it, the ending is worth it! Thanks to the author, Harper Collins, and Net Galley for the ARC. All thoughts above are my own.

I am openly obsessed with Gillian McAllister's books. Her publisher even called me one of her superfans! So I will happily own that title!
When I first saw the plot for her latest novel, I was obsessed anew. I've always wondered about hostage situations- the reasoning behind the assailant's decision to start one, and the negotiations to get the hostages released without harm. I hadn't really considered about the aggressor's family and their reactions to what unfolds from their actions.
Gillian McAllister tackles this idea head on, so we don't need to wonder any longer.
It starts off with Camilla preparing for her first day back at work after her maternity leave, and her husband Luke is nowhere to be found, aside from a note he left her. As events of the day progress, Camilla's world falls apart when she hears Luke is the gunman in a hostage situation.
I loved reading about the siege, and the chapters from Niall, the negotiator provide a fascinating insight into this.
The siege itself is over rather quickly, I had expected it to last further into the book. I think for me, this is where the pacing dropped very slightly. It picks up again as our characters connect the dots, and then I raced through it.
Another fabulous read from my favourite author.
Sincerely, your superfan.

Another fabulous book by Gillian McAllister. This is one of those books you just can’t put down.

Camilla’s first day back at work after being on maternity leave is not what she expected. She woke up to find her husband, Luke, already gone, leaving a cryptic note behind. Shortly after dropping their daughter off at daycare and being back in the office police officers arrive to speak with Camilla. There’s a hostage situation and Luke is the suspect. The events of that day leave Camilla struggling to find answers seven years later. She can’t let it go and is determined to find out what happened to her husband so many years ago.

A twisty way to show that everything is not always as it seems and having faith in the people you love can go a long way. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this ARC!

It is Cam’s first day back at work after maternity leave. She arrives at the office after dropping her daughter off at daycare and doesn’t think much of the unusual silence from her husband. He probably just got held up, she thinks. Only the day has barely begun when police come to her office to inform her that her husband is in the middle of a hostage situation. As the hostage taker. Seven years later, Cam is still unable to fully move on from the events of that day.

I love the way McAllister alternates between multiple POVs—Cam, the mother and wife, and Niall, the hostage negotiator who seven years later is also still stuck on that fateful night, and of course the anonymous POV of someone tailing Cam. The chapters are short and end in a way that kept me saying “just one more.”

If the police told you your significant other has taken hostages in a warehouse, would you believe them?

I read two McAllister books back to back ... first one 5 stars all the way. This one, although absolutely excellent, was a bit predictable.

Which is really my only criticism with this book. The predictability.

Even with easily guessing the outcome or actions of certain characters of this story, it was nonetheless absolutely exciting. The reader is put through such an adventure of emotional rollercoaster of epic proportions.

(Hope you enjoy that slightly grammatically incorrect sentence.)

At first I was prepared for a book completely about a tension filled hostage situation. If that annoys you, dont worry, the hostage scenario is the tip of the iceberg of this story.

I really enjoyed the two POVs of wife and hostage negotiator. Switching between one or the other never annoyed me. Both helped carry the story along. The cast of characters was also the perfect amount and everyone had their part to play.

Again, any grievances I have with the predictability of the story are washed away with such well developed characters. The tension build and suspense is wonderfully done you can tell this is coming from an expert like Gillian McAllister. I would recommend this book and many from her back catalogue.

Amazon Link - Famous Last Words By: Gillian McAllister

Stats: 336 pages - First published February 27, 2025

An immersive, insightful read—beautifully crafted and rich with detail. Perfect for readers who love compelling stories.

2.75
The book started really promising, the premise sounded like it would be this action-packed thriller, but after the first part, it got really boring and felt so repetitive. I also felt like there were way too many details and if the details were lessened it would've been a much more interesting read.

It did get a bit more interesting towards the end when we started finding out more, but that wasn't for long.
I am really disappointed that I didn't enjoy this more because I was highly anticipating this.
Also, the negotiator's pov felt very unnecessary because we kept getting these snippets of his life and I was just skimming through his povs because I didn't care for what was going on with him I just needed to get to the end of the book!

I think this should be classified as a slow-burn mystery or romance.

I am in the minority of people who have read this book and not enjoyed it, so take my review with a grain of salt.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister grabbed me from the very first page and didn't let go until the very end!
The plot of this book was so unique and I was completely invested in the characters' lives. I was hanging on to every page to see what would happen. I definitely let out an audible gasp more than once!
Thank you to Gillian McAllister, Netgalley and William Morrow Books for this ARC. Famous Last Words comes out February 25!

BOOK REVIEW: Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

Famous Last Words is a gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Camilla (Cam) is a new mom, just coming off of maternity leave and returning to work as a literary agent. But the morning of her first day, when she wakes up, her sweet, loving, attentive husband, Luke, is oddly already gone. Aside from finding a cryptic note he left her, Cam cannot reach him by phone or text which unsettles her. After dropping her daughter off at daycare and upon arriving at the office, there is a breaking news bulletin. There is a hostage situation currently unfolding. Simultaneously, the police arrive at Cam’s office and tell her that Luke is involved…….as the gunman.

This story is filled with mystery, tension and so much suspense, it is anxiety inducing. I could not put it down! It is written in dual POV from the perspective of Cam and Niall, the hostage negotiator, whose lives both changed drastically that day. This one is a roller coaster. I really enjoyed it! This might be my favorite Gillian McAllister book yet. I highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read an ARC of Famous Last Words in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Non-stop action and intrigue from the very first pages. I did guess a few things in it, but somehow they did not detract from how invested in this book I was. I feel like it has been a while since I read a book that I didn't fully know the ending or found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, and this book surpassed my expectations. Gillian always write page-turners and I was so happy to receive an advanced copy of this book, and it absolutely did not disappoint!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

MY REVIEW: This has to be my favorite Gillian McAllister novel to date. Famous Last Words is a gripping mystery thriller told through multiple povs and timelines, over four acts. I loved the structure of this novel; each act having a distinct tone and pace. Act I pulls you in immediately, opening at the siege, where Cam is riddled with emotions and faced with a life-altering event. While Act II is slower, it is more introspective and details where Cam and Niall are seven years after the siege. Act III ties all ends of the intricate plot together, where shocking revelations are made about the days leading up to, and day of, the siege. From the start, Famous Last Words is a complex puzzle full of twists and connections made until the very last page.

The characters feel incredibly real, with authentic emotions projected mostly in act two. The reader is a first-hand witness to Cam’s intense experience via mental tug-of-wars and her will to hang on to hope, even when all odds are stacked against her. From devastation to shock to revelation, Cam’s emotions were palpable and I sympathized with her throughout the entire novel.

Famous Last Words is about letting go, starting over, and following your heart. It’s a story of crime, marriage, and secrets the people keep that are closest to you.

4.5 (rounded down)/5!!!!!

if you like: a hostage situation, multi pov, timeline jumps, life-altering event, puzzling misdirection, suspense, twists, intricate plot, hanging on to hope, secrets, suspense

Another hit from Gillian McAllister. At the very start of the novel McAllister creates a juggernaut of a story, opening with a wife returning to work from maternity leave, after dropping off her baby at nursery school, her husband has taken on hostages.

With mind blowing twits and turns (when I found out who one of the POV's from certain chapters were, I instantly needed to reread the book), I completely forgot McAllister's signature writing style of not everything is as it seems. Jam packed with highlighted lines I want to hoard in my long term memory, I'm looking forward to what McAllister publishes next.

My favorite part of Famous Last Words is how McAllister continues to write stories that has a razor sharp focus on motherhood and all of its intricate complexities from conception to when the child is born and thriving.

A must read.

Happy Reading ~ Cece

I loved Gillian McAllister's first novel Wrong Place Wrong Time, so I was excited to read her upcoming release. Unfortunately the pacing felt uneven and I didn't particularly care for the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an Advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Cam’s husband Luke goes missing, and she is concerned because it is out of character. Then it’s discovered he is involved in a hostage situation, but he’s not who you think. Luke is the gunman.

I really liked this book and am giving it 4 stars. The plot hooked me from the beginning, and I found it a very suspenseful love story. I got confused with the 7 years later timeline at first, but as I read it became more clear. I liked the multiple points of view, and the writing was fast paced. I would recommend and read other books by this author.