This was my first Gillian McAllister book but I will now be on the lookout for future publications! The story unfold from 2 POV's: Cam (the wife of Luke) and Niall, the hostage negotiator. There were many twists, turns and surprises and I figured out the "situation" about 85% of the way through but it was a fun ride. I will say the middle of the book did begin to drag a bit for me and I did start to tire of Cam's relentless "introvertedness" excuse for everything but it never dragged enough to consider not finishing. I did enjoy the love story part of this thriller: Cam and Luke and Niall and Viv, a nice addition to the fast action thriller. Many thanks to Gillian McAllister, Wm Morrow publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its publication date and I predict this is going to be on the bestseller list for sure!

This author’s previous book, Wrong Place, Wrong Time was one of my top 10 reads in 2022, so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it! McAllister has a way of creating situations that feel realistic and creating mysteries that are so much fun to try to figure out. I feel like she does a great job of providing clues - but still throwing in unexpected twists to keep the reader on their toes.

This book did start out slow for me - it could have been that I started reading it mid-December when my mind was racing with a hundred other things at each moment though. I just didn’t feel immediately immersed in this one. A murder happens right away, then the story moves to 7 years later. I love that she kept the details about the suspect hazy throughout so that I never really knew if he was alive or deceased. About halfway though the book, the pace quickens from a slow jog to full blown sprint. Once the action starts - it does not let up. I really appreciate this author’s smart women characters and her clever plots. I have been reading less thrillers this year as it is a genre that I do get tired of - but will instantly pick up anything else this author writes! Her stories are unique and her writing is excellent.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. Pub date: 2/25/26.

Gillian McAllister does it again with Famous Last Words! The story pulls you in from the first page with its unique premise and morally complex characters. The way it explores truth, lies, and the ripple effects of a single decision is both gripping and thought-provoking. While some parts felt a little slower than her usual pace, the twists and emotional depth more than made up for it. A compelling read that lingers long after you’ve finished!

This was an enjoyable read. It offers multiple POVs and I love books like that. Cam is so relatable as a main character in a lot of aspects. She learns her husband is behind a hostage situation and everything unravels from there. I wasn’t sure where it would end and I was pleasantly surprised by a few different things. I do think the pace slows down a bit in the middle but it picks back up. This is definitely a more character oriented novel and heavy on relationships. So, if that’s not your thing, this won’t be for you. Overall, a good novel that I think a lot of people will enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was an amazing, one-day read that captivated me from the very first page. The plot and characters are incredibly well-crafted, drawing you in and keeping you hooked throughout. The character of Camilla goes through a wide range of emotions, and you can truly feel them coming through the pages. The dual perspective of Camilla and Niall adds depth to the story and brings it all together beautifully.


Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

McAllister slays once again. She retains her jump-right-in style with a brilliant new tale that emerges from one mysterious and tragic night. It weaves through the lives of coppers and publishers, and I was undeniably fired up by this as a book lover, an editor and ghostwriter. I’m also pretty sure this will intrigue any reader, so get ready, good times are ahead for you my friends, with some late night reading because you won’t want to stop until you get to the last words. 📚

Famous Last Words tells the story of Camilla, who is a brand new mother who only manages to make it through the first nine months of her daughter's life with her husband Luke by her side. However, one morning Luke is found on surveillance footage to be holding three hostages for reasons that no one can figure out.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, since I always keep my expectations low for thrillers (that way if there is a twist or not I won't be expecting it and I won't be disappointed). However, this was very well-written and entertaining and fast-paced, and I couldn't stop turning the pages to see what happens next. Camilla was a compelling main character, and I cared about Niall, the hostage negotiation, a little less than Cam, but I thought his journey and discovery was interesting as well. This book deals with more than just the straight-forward thriller I had been expecting, including Cam's motherhood journey in tangent with her sister's fertility journey and Niall's PTSD and marital troubles, all of which I found interesting, when usually I just want the story to move on without focusing on all that. McAllister managed to capture these characters in a way that I actually did care about them and not just figuring out what the mystery was.
This book wasn't jaw-dropping or groundbreaking to me in any way, I managed to guess a few of the reveals before they happened, but that didn't make it less entertaining or enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this book - it was my first Gillian McAllister and I will definitely be reading through her backlog and picking up whatever she wrote next, because this was a great thriller!

I really enjoyed this tale, so much so I'm not even sure why.

Camilla works for a publishing company and is married to one of her writers, Luke. On the day that she is back to work after her maternity leave, she can't find her husband. What she does find is a note from him and later learns that he has taken three people hostage.

I think I enjoyed this one so much because I am married and have a toddler. I could appreciate Cam's feelings of being in love, having a great friendship with a fellow introverted spouse, and then something crazy happening and not knowing why.

This story is also told over a long period of time, which was a nice change. I loved the mystery and seeing different characters trying to solve it. It was good fun.

Love is everywhere- even a hostage situation. Camilla is starting a busy day but can’t find her husband, Luke. Suddenly, breaking news of a hostage situation and Luke is involved. But, what is really happening? After missing for 7 years Camilla is ready to declare Luke dead when new details are secretly shared and hope if revealed. Action packed read!

I received this from the publisher as an ARC e-book. I had forgotten to jump into reaching it (and I had to finish my A to Z reading challenge) so I was embarrassed that they had to reach out to me for a review.

I will say this was one that I wanted to come back to it as soon as I was pulled away by other duties. It had really good twists and I didn't know what to expect given the cliffhanger was so early in the book (I'm trying not to give too much away).

I like how McAllister changed-up the typical flow of a book like this. That was good writing. However, a part of me left me thinking, "REALLY - SEVEN YEARS???" If you've read it, too, would you agree?

If anything... 😉

Camilla returns to work after nine months of maternity leave, ready to navigate this pivotal day. But her morning takes an unsettling turn when her husband, Luke, leaves early without offering his support--leaving behind only a cryptic note. Later, Camilla receives a shocking call: there's been a hostage situation. To her horror, Luke isn't a victim--he's the gunman.

What follows is a gripping exploration of how Camilla copies with the aftermath, unraveling the mystery behind her husband's shocking actions. Completely out of character for the man she thought she knew, Luke's choices leave her grappling with unanswered questions and dark revelations.

This thriller is an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you on edge until the very last page. Once you start reading, you'll find it nearly impossible to put down.

This was the easiest five star rating I’ve given a book in a minute! It starts off with a bang and never lets up. A loving husband and devoted father shocks his family by taking hostages in a London warehouse. Told in dual points of view from the wife and the hostage negotiator, the reader gets an intimate look at different aspects of the case as they unfold. Dark secrets are exposed and the twists never stop! The shocking ending will have your jaw on the floor! I never saw it coming!

I read this one with my booksta besties and I’m so glad I had someone to discuss this book with! We all loved it and couldn’t get enough! If you run a book club or host buddy reads, this is the perfect book to discuss with friends! Definitely put this one on your radar for March and get your preorders in for the February 25 publication date!

I loved this book. The mystery was entertaining and left you constantly guessing. I especially enjoyed the writing style. The fact that the book is about an author and a literay agent, it was appropriate to use a more robust vocabulary.

I did not love this book. It was trying so hard to be twisty and suspenseful, but it fell flat.

I can appreciate that Cam kept faith through the whole ordeal and that Niall had a good character arc, but the story just didn’t grip me. I felt the pace was quite slow for a thriller and the plot somewhat predictable.

Overall, it’s a 3/5 for me. Nothing really wrong with this book, but just not for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Famous Last Words.

Yessss, this was great! I couldn't wait to go back to keep reading! Finally I saw what the draw to this author was because I was so underwhelmed by her last book Wrong Place, Wrong Time. Famous Last Words just kept getting better and better, keeping my attention with the roller coaster of a plot. Not only did this book was so good at driving the story along, the emotional and personal counterpart was done so well that it balanced this into such a great thriller.

I really enjoyed the notion that even though we know what Luke had done (or seemed to have done), there was a lingering plot line that there was something else happening. And that need to know, along with Cam (his wife), who had been thrown pretty much into a chaotic blender, that would keep you on your toes while getting. into this. Dual POV (and a third mysterious surprise POV) with Cam and hostage negotiator Niall, the author kept me reeling from start to finish for sure. Great and fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A thriller with a love story.

Cam starts her first day back from maternity leave, wondering where her husband could be. Why would he miss drop off, and why isn't he answering her texts and calls. She soon finds out and has to answer the question of how she could be so wrong about someone.

I picked this book up and didn't put it down until it was finished. It really kept my interest. It is told from a duel POV that is easy to navigate. Apart from the initial setup, the chapters are short and pace the book well.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read it! I wasn’t quite sure how it would end for most of the book so that made it more engaging. Gillian McAllister is a great author so I knew this book would not disappoint.

This book should be at the top of every must read list for 2025! Camilla has been enjoying her maternity leave at home with her daughter and her husband, Luke. On the morning of her first day back to work and her daughter’s first time at day care, surprisingly her husband is gone, having only left a strange and cryptic note. A stressful day is about to become an absolute nightmare when the breaking news of a hostage situation involves her husband, not as a hostage but as the hostage taker!! The suspense is palpable! A spectacular page turner! I thank Netgalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow for the ARC. This was so boring. For a mystery/thriller, there was no mystery or thrill to this read. Also I did not like Niall's POV, it was so boring. And this book dragged.

A thriller told in three acts:
Act 1: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Act 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Act 3: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story is about Cam and Luke, a married couple living in London and suffering through the sleepless nights raising a 9-month old. Luke is a writer and Cam his agent, and on one morning Cam arrives at work only to see that the news has announced a hostage situation, and the police arrive to bring her in because her husband is the kidnapper.

How quickly a life can unravel, and it follows Cam’s story and her disbelief and fallout of being the husband of a kidnapper and murderer. But like anything in a good story, there’s more than meets the eye and that is the meat of it all.

A nice, quick read that leaves little breadcrumbs as the story evolves.

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