Very, very cleverly-plotted and well-written. Even sub-par me can see that

There are certain things in life that it's perfectly OK not to do if the circumstances are wrong. For example, if you have a fear of heights, there's no shame in refusing to do a parachute jump. Or, if you suffer from motion sickness, there'll probably be plenty of people that are thankful if you don't go on the fastest fairground ride. And I can now add a third thing to that list: it's probably best to choose a book by someone other than Gillian McAllister if you're suffering from what may be simply (and childishly) described as 'the lurgy'.

I should emphasise that this is in no way a criticism of the author, or of her latest book, Famous Last Words. And I'll explain further. I'm writing this whilst on my fifth day of having my sinuses, nasal passages, larynx and chest cavity all either blocked or broken. Which means that I may be single-handedly responsible for keeping the manufacturers of nasal decongestant and Vaporub in profit for another year, my chest is aching from coughing so much, I can only speak in whispers or croaks and my head hurts from not having had an uninterrupted night's sleep in the last week.

All of this means that my ability to concentrate isn't quite what it could be. Which wouldn't be a big issue if I'd been reading something like a cosy crime novel, or perhaps a children's book. But in a Gillian McAllister novel, where the plots are so clever and so intricate that every detail matters, it's a problem.

That said, I still adored the first third of Famous Last Words. Camilla (Cam) is surprised, but not initially concerned when she wakes to find that her husband Luke has already left the house. She's perplexed, but still not worried at the cryptic note that he's left her. But these early chapters, of mostly normality with just the tiniest hint of mystery, do their thing. They make the reader form enough of a connection to Cam that when, just a few short hours later, she learns of a hostage situation in which Luke is the gunman, we're with her when her whole world is turned upside-down. We're routing for her, and for hostage negotiator Niall, as we hope against hope that Luke and his three hostages will escape unharmed. Right until ...

No spoilers here. But, after the shock had subsided, I realised that there were still two-thirds of the book left to go and thought: where can it go from here?

I wonder if Gillian McAllister struggled as well, or whether I just missed some subtle hints. But to me, the book seemed very slow in the middle. It feels as though Cam and Niall, separately and over some time discover what appear to be new clues, only for each one to seemingly reach a dead end. Don't get me wrong, I was never - not once and not for so much as a single second - tempted to stop reading. But nor was I glued to my kindle, turning page after page. The portrayal of both Cam and Niall, who for their own separate reasons have tried to move on but equally won't - can't - give up is powerful. And the added details relating to both law proceedings and the publishing industry - both matters on which Gillian has knowledge aplenty but I have none - kept me interested. But compare this sections of the book to my two favourites of this author's novels - Wrong Place, Wrong Time and How to Disappear, in which almost every chapter has the reader asking questions about themselves as well as the main characters, and it does seem to be lacking something.

But then comes the final section, and, wow. Perhaps it's a little improbable, but I didn't care. Because, and I know I've used this word before but, with my brain's current capacity I can't think of another that will do: man, it's clever. The way the conclusion is reached, and the way in which details you hadn't thought mattered - including the title of the book - suddenly become significant, is masterful. But even better is the way in which the truth is finally revealed, and you realise that it's done in such a way that only Cam could possibly have understood. Which, quite apart from firmly reinforcing the reader's connection to the main character, makes it OK that you didn't get it.

Summing up Famous Last Words is fairly easy. Rating it is much harder. Because I loved the beginning and the end. I just wish that the book had been able to do more to hold my attention in the middle. But I suspect that's down to me as much as to Gillian McAllister's writing.

I'm therefore going to give it four stars for now, with the potential for this to rise if I can find the time to read it again when I'm able to pay more attention. My final message to you, however, is this: if you're able to give your next book your full attention, make it this one. But if you're not feeling quite well, there's no shame in picking up something by Agatha Christie instead.

My thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for my digital ARC of this book, which will be published on 30th January 2025. I have reviewed it voluntarily and honestly, and will post my review on Goodreads, Amazon and my social media pages.

Terrific book! Gillian McAllister has a knack for creating a compelling premise and delivering beyond expectations, and this novel does not disappoint. Suspenseful and unpredictable, FAMOUS LAST WORDS keeps readers' attention with a dual POV and rising stakes. I also loved that she pulled in a sister relationship and issues of motherhood. Definitely recommend!

Cam wakes up on her first day back to work after the birth of her daughter. She’s surprised that her husband Luke has already left without waiting to accompany her to Polly’s first time at daycare. She begins to worry when Luke doesn’t return any of her calls and texts. Then, in the afternoon, her life changes. In a rundown factory in London, Luke is holding three hostages at gunpoint. He releases one, kills the other two and escapes. Fast forward seven years. Cam has never stopped hoping that she will see Luke again. I can’t describe what happens next without spoilers but it won’t be like anything you have read before. There will be surprises. There will be twists. And there will a perfect ending. Famous Last Words deserves every one of 5 stars. I will be reading everything that Gillian McAllister writes from now on.

Thank you yo NetGalley, William Morrow and Gillian McAllister for this ARC.

okay… I loved this! Cam wakes up on her first day back from maternity leave and her husband isn’t home. Assuming Luke went to his work space to write, she drops her 9 month old, Polly, off at day care and heads to work. Once she arrives, she sees the news of a hostage situation and soon the police arrive looking for her, asking about her husband. Only Luke isn’t one of the hostages, he’s the one with the gun. Hostage negotiator Niall is called in, but things don’t go as planned. Fast forward 7 years, and no one has closure. What really happened that day?

I don’t wanna spoil anything but I will say, there was no slow start to this book. we jumped right in! I was hooked pretty quickly with this one and couldn’t put it down. definitely recommend this fast paced thriller!

thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister. A bit slow paced and just couldn't get into the story. Ms McAllister's fans will most likely enjoy the story.
Thank you to the author, William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

When I get a new book by Gillian McAllister I am always torn. Read slowly to prolong my reading enjoyment or rush through to figure out the story? It never fails that I rush through and Famous Last Words was no exception. The story starts with a life changing bang and we are left to follow why…what caused a loving family man to commit a horrible crime and then disappear? And how does his wife go on..she loves her husband and can’t believe he committed this terrible crime but the evidence looks that way. The author is a master at dropping clues along the way and I found myself going in one direction then another.
If you have never read Gillian McAllister do yourself a favor and start now. Then start to wish for her next book.

This was a fantastic novel with a unique plot. A mystery, a love story and a thriller, all wrapped up in one package!
It’s well-written, full of suspense and has excellent character development. I really enjoyed the literary references throughout.
This was an emotional and
heartfelt read with many surprising, unexpected twists. Cam resonated with me in many ways. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this arc.

I ate this book up! This definitely is my favorite book by Gillian McAllister by far! It definitely reminded me allot of ‘The Last Thing He Told Her’ so if you enjoyed that book, you will like this as well!

Camilla is returning back to work after maternity leave and finds a weird note from her husband Luke before leaving. Later at work, Camilla is notified that Luke has been involved in a hostage situation, as the hostage. Luke flees and goes off the grid. While Camilla is trying to get her life back together, she can’t give up hope that Luke is still alive and innocent.

Camilla is a new mom. On the morning she is to return to her job as a book editor after a lengthy maternity leave, her adoring husband Luke is nowhere to be found. The house is mysteriously quiet and an odd note scribbled on a small piece of paper lies in his place: One side reads “If anything” but it’s been crossed out. The other side “It’s been so lovely with you both. Lx.”. Camilla is confused but doesn’t have time to worry as dropping her little girl off at day care for the first time consumes her. But later that day she is summoned by the police. There is a hostage situation in a London warehouse and three people are being held. Immediately frantic that Luke is in danger she can’t stop thinking of the note and his leaving earlier than usual. That is when the coppers tell Camilla that Luke is the gunman. After the siege goes awry, Luke disappears and the world as she knows it abruptly ends. This fast paced mystery is filled with suspense and danger as the puzzle must be drawn together from a mismatched pile of pieces. Just as Niall, the hostage negotiator cannot let go of this case that he bungled, Camilla knows deep in her heart that the man she loves is out there somewhere. An unputdownable page turner and must read for February 2025!

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is a truly gripping read that had me hooked from the very first page. It’s been a while since I’ve encountered a book so suspenseful that it kept me up late into the night, unable to put it down. McAllister masterfully builds tension with each chapter, keeping the reader on their toes and second-guessing every character and motive.

The story's twists and turns are unpredictable yet feel completely earned, making the experience both thrilling and satisfying. McAllister's ability to create such vivid, cinematic scenes and deeply human characters made it easy to picture this novel playing out on the big screen. I can absolutely see Famous Last Words becoming a movie—it has all the makings of a hit thriller.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers that combine razor-sharp writing with an unrelenting sense of suspense, this book is a must-read. Gillian McAllister has truly outdone herself, and I can’t wait to dive into more of her work. Highly recommended!

what an absolutely engaging read the famous last words is. the perfect book for the fans of true crime and thrillers. It made me miss on some sleep because i got so sucked in into the story and the ending was so phenomenal, i literally couldnt put it away. I am definetely going to go back and read Gillians previous works cause this one got me hooked!

4,5 stars! absolutely loved it!

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow books for this ARC for review. I have read multiple Gillian McAllister books and have enjoyed them all. This author writes a solid thriller and is always on my must read list when I see they are releasing a new book. This book has some good twists and turns and kept me interested throughout. Definitely won’t give anything away, but I didn’t see where it was going in the end.

Every book I have read by Gillian has been a five star read for me, so I was beyond excited when she announced a new book! This book was so damn good! As always with her books, it made me sit back and really think about what I would do in this circumstance. All of her books are so relatable and the character building is so unique and perfect! The way the story is crafted, to the tiniest details, is truly fascinating to read! The fact that this one is set on my birthday was just the icing on the cake 😉 This book is going to cause so much buzz and I think will be especially notable for mothers. The main character, Cam, is a new mother and one that is easy to root for! I loved getting to see the POV from the hostage negotiator, Niall, as well. You could truly see the depth of the impact this day had on both the narrator’s lives. The twists and reveals in this are so well timed and perfectly placed. I could go on and on! Trust me, you will love it! It is one to be binged, talked about and not missed!

Oh my goodness! I literally could not put this book down, and I love it when that happens. This was my first book by this author, and it will not be my last. I look forward to recommending it to our patrons.

I gave this book the whole 5 stars. I love Gillian McAllister and this book did not disappoint. I was hooked from page one. I would recommend everyone put this on their To Be Read list.

A wife's worst nightmare comes true in this propulsive, heart-pounding thriller that will keep you up well into the night.

I want to start off by saying that the fact that I read this during the worst slump of my life and still found myself loving and devouring it says a lot about this book. The descriptive writing of the inner turmoil of the wife, Camilla, was phenomenal. I felt so deeply each and every emotion, especially the utter devastation, denial, and heartache. Adding to the story is the other unique perspective of the hostage negotiator and how much certain situations can affect those in that profession. Not only will this one make you think, but it will stay with you. This is one that will remain memorable to each and every reader. The story flowed seamlessly, and the revelations were done to perfection, leaving us shocked, but no so out there that it becomes unbelievable as we so often see. This author will never cease to amaze me, and I give this one four and a half stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC.

Thank you so much @williammorrowbooks for a gifted copy!

𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Famous Last Words
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Gillian McAllister
𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: February 25, 2025
5⭐️

🖋️ 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 🖋️
McAllister knows how to pull you into a unique story plot and keep you hanging on every word! This is my third book of hers, and I really enjoy her writing style. She writes her main characters in such a way, where you imagine yourself in their shoes and wonder how you would choose to act when presented with their situation.

The premise of the plot immediately stands out - Cam has a lovely family whose world is turned upside down when the police show up and tell her that her husband is holding three hostages by gunpoint in a warehouse. The good husband Luke, no inkling in Cam’s gut that he is a bad person that would do this. He left her a note that morning that was cryptic, and makes her head spin as she goes through this situation.

The plot of this story unfolds by jumping forward in time, where Cam is still wanting answers for what happened when her husband held the hostages. Another POV is from the hostage negotiator Niall, which I enjoyed seeing multiple sides of this story unfold. Niall and Cam mirrored each other in similar ways, that helped move the story forward.

I didn’t guess the ending of this one! I don’t think I have in a McAllister book, but I still get hooked to every word and page along the way! I definitely recommend picking this up in February! I can’t wait for McAllister’s next book!

📝 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🖋️ Psychological Thriller
🖋️ Missing Husband
🖋️ Wife Searching For Answers
🖋️ Unexpected Twists

This book was so good! The characters are well developed and the plot is intriguing and fast-paced. I was glued to the pages and read it in one sitting! There are tons of satisfying twists and turns. I also enjoyed the romance and love aspect between the characters. This makes you think about how well you really know someone and shows that love always prevails. This is a must read for any thriller fans!

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Gillian McAllister once again delivers a masterclass in suspense with her latest tour de force Famous Last Words. This gripping psychological thriller grabs you in the first few pages and doesn't let go. Camilla, a new mother back at work following maternity leave, has her world turned upside down when she discovers her seemingly ordinary husband Luke is involved in a terrifying hostage situation. As the events unfold, Camilla is forced to confront the dark secrets lurking just beneath the surface of her seemingly perfect life. You'll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish. A perfect 5 star read.

The plot of this book had me BEGGING to get pre-approved but man, I am disappointed! The first 1/3 of the story is really good but then it starts dragging in the middle. I found myself not caring at all about the negotiator's POV and I wish we could have focused more on Cam.