I’m going to be in the minority for this one because it was only okay for me. I like my thrillers very fast paced and this was SLOW. I cared enough to not DNF but I would be lying if I said I never considered it. A disappointment.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The pace of the book was pretty good which is important for thrillers. At some points it wasn’t super engaging but by the end it had my attention.

the first book of 2025 and it was such a banger!!! I absolutely love gillian’s creative writing & how everything just ties together so well by the end! 🤯

the “missing spouse” trope is so overdone, but the fact that gillian immediately morphed that trope into a hostage situation blew my ever-loving thriller mind!! this plot had my heart racing as I wanted to read faster and faster to see what the resolution was!

flipping POVs between the confused and devastated spouse who just learned her husband is involved in a hostage crisis & the hostage detective on the case … was an absolutely brilliant move! it kept the pace active and moving without having a dull middle section

and that conclusion, while albeit a bit predictable, was incredible! even though I did guess a part of the twist, seeing all the puzzle pieces click together was so satisfying 🫨🫨🫨

a fantastic thriller to start off 2025! thank you william morrow and netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 4.5 stars
wine pairing: sonoma coast chardonnay

This is my first Gillian McAllister book and wow, what have I been missing. This story did not disappoint.

We have Camilla, who after staying a home with her new baby is going back to work. She is so nervous as she wakes up and goes through the morning routine to take her baby to daycare while her husband is nowhere to be found. She is later at work, still annoyed because she hasn’t heard from her husband when the police comes looking for her as her husband is involved in a hostage situation. She is terrified to hear this news and her world crushes as she learns that her husband is the perpetuator of the situation.

This novel has two POVs, Camilla’s and Niall who is the hostage negotiator and it has multiple timelines in which we learn more about what lead to the hostage situation. We also learned about how both Cam and Niall’s story are tied together to that June 21st date.

This was my first book of 2025 and I completely enjoyed how it gripped me from the beginning and kept me on my toes the entire time. I couldn’t put my kindle down because I needed to know how this book ended.

Completely recommend to anyone that is after a good thriller that keeps them entirely emerged in the story. Character development was top notch.

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book.

I can always rely on Gillian McAllister's novels to deliver top-notch suspense. "Famous Last Words" is an exhilarating thriller that captivates from the very beginning. The plot is outstanding, filled with action that immediately grabs your attention. Camilla is returning to work on her first day after maternity leave when she receives the shocking news that her husband, Luke, is involved in a hostage situation—not as a victim, but as the perpetrator holding hostages at gunpoint. The character development of both Camilla and Niall, the hostage negotiator, is exceptionally well-crafted. Be sure to add this book to your reading list!

Calling this 'an addictive thriller' is like calling a piece of frosted white cake with coffee liquor poured over it a tiramisu. Its tastes ok, but it's NOT a tiramisu.

Told from two perspectives, Camilla, the wife of a hostage taker, and Niall, the hostage negotiator working for the police, this a tale of how these two cope with the aftermath of a hostage situation. Thriller? Not at all. However, we do get well drawn characters whose lives are upended that day. We learn how they cope with the aftermath; Camilla, by dealing with raising their baby daughter alone while wondering where her husband is and if he's still alive. Niall, coping with his wife leaving him for prioritizing work over their relationship, while still feeling there was something 'off' about the whole hostage situation.

The majority of this book is about these two people dealing with life without a spouse, the uncertainty of the future, the questions surrounding what happened that fateful day that threw both their lives into chaos. This was not as engaging as it may sound. In fact, about a third of the way in, I contemplated giving up as I was so bored I couldn't see reading another chapter. But I hung on. And it didn't get any better. Until the last couple of chapters, where things finally happen at breakneck speed (after everyone languishing with no progress for 7 years?). There are laughable coincidences and action that isn't possible unless you're superhuman. For example, one character is running away from a bad guy who grabs them at the waist. They still are able to fall to the ground, dig up a gun buried in the dirt, turn, point and shoot the bad guy. Superhuman indeed.

It's not a badly written book. It just veers from slow and tedious, to unbelievable, to whoa, that ended fast! Maybe don't market it as a thriller. Describe it as an examination of two people who endured a life changing event and how they cope. The 'thriller' aspect was definitely an afterthought.

This was my first book by Gillian McAllister and it did not disappoint. So many twists and turns that had me guessing until the very end. I loved having two point of views from the wife and the police. If you want a non stop thrill ride this is the book for you.

I know it's early in the year, but I am predicting this will be one of the best thrillers of 2025. It was that good. I cannot wait for the world to get their hands on this book as I think it's even better than her most popular book, Wrong Place, Wrong Time.

June 21st is already an emotionally heightened day for Cam; her maternity leave has ended, and she is returning back to work. Her husband is normally her voice of reason, but, he seems to have left for work early that day. She finds a note from him, but it really doesn't make any sense. How could he have forgotten such a monumental day for her?

Fast forward a few hours, and Cam is immersed in the world of publishing. She has a book at auction, and she is ready to dive into some new reads to take her mind off the fact that her husband, Luke, isn't answering her calls or texts. All of a sudden, the police show up at her job to tell her that Luke is involved in a hostage situation. Cam immediately fears for his safety, until she is told that she has it all wrong. Her beloved Luke is not a hostage. He is the gunman in the situation.

Cam is immediately brought to the scene to work with the hostage negotiator, Niall, on getting the hostages (and hopefully Luke) out alive. If there's one thing Cam knows, it's that her husband is good. She will find out why he is in this situation, no matter the cost.

I particularly enjoyed the dual POVs in this book. Both Cam and Niall narrate the story, which at first I was a little thrown by. Why do we need to hear the perspective of the hostage negotiator? But the more I read, the more his character endeared himself to me. He was just as committed to the truth as Cam, albeit for different reasons that I think many can relate to.

There were many elements of this book that reminded me of another popular thriller - The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. There was a cryptic note, a disappearing husband and a wife bound and determined to find the truth, all of which were also in The Last Thing He Told Me. I say all of this to say - if you enjoyed that book, pick this one up! (Can you tell I want you to read this book? It's just so darn good!).

Grab this book if you like reading:
📚 Dual POV thrillers
🔎 Time jumps
📚 Thrillers threaded with love stories
🔎 Disappearances
📚 Unassuming villains

I will post a review of this book closer to the review date on my bookstagram, @thecozybookgal

Gillian McAllister always keeps me on the edge of my seat! When your husband disappears and is all the sudden in the middle of a hostage situation, what do you do? The situation takes a turn for the worse and then, he's gone? How do you keep going? Do you start over? Hold out hope? All of these questions and more were answered in this gripping thriller. I loved the main character and her development through the plot. She was me, or any other middle aged woman starting a family. Seeing her persevere and then the end...WOW! You'll definitely want to check this one out!

5 stars!! A fast moving suspensive thrill ride that is nonstop from the get-go. Highly recommending it!! Pub. 2/25/25

I received an arc copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to know what's next. The narration is provided by two different characters on different sides of the siege- the wife of the perpetrator, and the hostage negotiator. Different sides of the story but both looking for the same man. Super interesting and a satisfying ending.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

As usual, Gillian McAllister gives us a difficult to put down mystery that I finished in less than a week. I recommend going into this knowing as little about the plot as possible.

One thing I really love about her books is her portrayals of marriage and parenthood, which add an authenticity and emotional aspect to the overall thriller plot lines of her books. I will read anything she writes.

Gillian McAllister is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The short chapters keep the flow of the book at a good pace. The plot is interesting and genuinely kept me guessing towards the end. I also enjoy her writing style. Definitely think this one is worth your time

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

"It's been so lovely with you both" is the cryptic message left from husband to bewildered wife the morning he chose to take three hostages in a siege..."

Famous Last Words is the new must-read mystery thriller by Gilliam McAllister, that will leave you quickly turning the pages wondering if something so bizarre and chilling could ever happen to you. Camilla has a wonderful life with a great job as a literary agent, a new baby, and a loving husband, Luke. On the day she is supposed to return to work after maternity leave and start her daughter in daycare, her husband is no where to be found. When Cam gets word of the "Bermondsey Siege" and realizes that her husband is the suspect with three hostages taken by gunpoint - her whole world changes. Luke escapes, but Cam is left to move on, raise their daughter on her own, and wonder what happened that day and where her husband disappeared to (while still being watched by the law). What was Luke hiding? What is Cam missing? and is there still a threat out there to herself and/or her daughter.

I am definitely a fan of McAllister - if you haven't read Wrong Place Wrong Time - go! now! It was extremely well done and I was excited for this new novel from her. Famous Last Words is a creative, fast-paced ride that will keep you engaged the whole time. Told from the point of view of the hostage negotiator, Niall, and Cam, these two view points intertwine perfectly adding up all the missing pieces and crumbs left for us throughout the novel to build a masterpiece. This book was well thought out and beautifully constructed.

And let's be clear, if I am ever in any type of situation I want Niall working on my case! His persistence and determination made him an extremely likeable character propelling this story forward. And at the heart of it all, an all encompassing love story of one woman's belief in her husband. I do not want to give anything away, so unfortunately I feel like I can't expound on my views more - but I highly recommend this novel and when it releases on February 25, 2025 - go buy it!

4.8 stars - an ingenious story by McAllister!

Thank you so much NetGalley for this clever arc. All opinions are my own and honest!

"Maybe fiction is one of life's great comforts."

Camilla prepares for her first day back to work since having her daughter. She is puzzled by a note she finds left by her husband. Luke, but begins her day. After dropping her daughter off at daycare, Camilla goes to what she thinks will be a normal day at work. She is shocked when police show up to inform her there is a hostage situation and her husband is involved. Camilla finds it hard to believe that Luke is capable of such a horrible thing. The day ends with one hostage freed and two found dead, Luke has disappeared without a trace.

Fast forward, everyone believes Luke is dead. Camilla, however, is skeptical , Though she is dating someone, she holds on to the feeling that Luke is out there alive and well. I won't give too much away, but one simple twist and Camilla is on a wild goose chase to prove Luke is alive and clear his name.

Definity a good read in my opinion. Lots of plot twist, though some I figured out before the end of the book, I would still recommend giving this book a try.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC to enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this ARC.

Great novel. I enjoyed another great novel by Gillian. It is easy to follow along with good characters you can relate to and cheer on. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick book for a weekend read. The storyline is suspenseful with a few turns and a slight twist.

Gillian McAllister caught my eye when I picked up Wrong Place Wrong Time. The book was phenomenal in a way I craved a mystery to be for a while. I immediately purchased Just Another Missing Person so I could experience again, at some point, the joy this author provides. Famous Last Words became available and I was lucky enough to review it. The wonderful thing about McAllister is that not only does she have clever builds in her stories, they ALL have nice tied off ends. This is often a challenge I see unfurl towards the end of many books.

The story itself pulls from many that have been done before, but McAllister offers personal and in depth point of views allowing the reader to be fully present in the journey. Multidimensional story building allows the reader to really take on the weight of the interactions, consequences and feel for future outcomes on a personal level. I had such a personal roller coaster ride with Cam as she saw her world unfurl upon discovering her husband was at the head of a kidnapping. She went through so many emotions that were believable and raw. The hostage negotiator was a really important element to the pov layer and how he interpreted the whole picture as well. There were even points of anonymous info relays about Cam to a family member that colored the story further making the mysteries more complex. There's a build of seven years where ideas and interpretations of the event weigh heavily on the husband. Things begin to happen and why they happen are important and relevant, which is so refreshing to me. The main characters are intelligent and have their flaws and the mix McAllister gives each is so wonderfully unique and really gives life to the story. Everything affects everyone and the delivery was exciting and fun, and I just thought McAllister did it again! There are twists that may be leading and some were a genuine surprise to me.

This read offers a personal experience, believable situations and good twists. I really enjoyed myself and will continue to read books by this author.

Motherhood, for introverts, is a special kind of difficult, the usual escape routes not available, a thought Cam regularly feels guilty about, but is nevertheless true. 5%

Maybe she's dreaming. Maybe she's reading a novel. 6%

"Threat of life. He's still aiming at them. He failed to engage. Article Two of the European Convention on Human Rights. The hostages have a right to life, Niall." 23%

"There are four human beings in there, not three." 23% Meaning the perp is also a human and should be viewed as such with the same rights to life.

Funny how things look different depending on what you know to be true. 66%

A peaceful feeling comes over Niall. He can do anything, even scary things, if only he knows the why. And he does. 91%

....She wonders if he fell in love, even just slightly. She wonders if she meant anything at all to him. 92%

And so Niall does it for the humanity of it: he does it for love. 94%

I enjoyed this-- while it wasn't my favorite of all the Gillian McAllister books I've read, like all her others it is a compelling thriller with substance and well-done twists. I saw one of the twists in this one coming where I hadn't in her others, but several things still surprised me and it was the perfect fun read to relax with. I always enjoy how McAllister takes an overarching emotional theme, like motherhood or marriage, and weaves it into a crime thriller in unexpected ways, asking readers to hold good/bad definitions of characters loosely and think about the ethics they would choose if ever in these impossible situations. Thanks very much to the publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy-- I will always read anything Gillian McAllister writes!

When Camilla starts her day, getting ready to return to work after maternity leave, she finds her usually supportive husband gone, and a cryptic note left. News is breaking about a hostage situation and the police show up at work for Camilla. Her fear is confirmed: her husband, Luke, is involved in the hostage situation.
Just not in the way she imagines. Luke has taken three hostages in the warehouse where he does his work. He is seen on CCTV with a gun, and the police are ready to breach.
But, not everything is as it seems.
Gillian McAllister kept me turning the pages to figure out just what is going on. Camilla and the hostage negotiator, who is haunted by his gut-feelings of that day, separately search for answers.

Gillian McAllister’s Famous Last Words is a thrilling, fast-paced psychological drama that deftly explores themes of secrets, trust, and the weight of those secrets revealed. Known for her sharp prose and intricate plotting, McAllister once again delivers a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.