Bang. Bang.

Two Shots.

Two shots changed Camilla's life forever. On the day she is scheduled to return to work after maternity leave, Cam wakes like any other day. She gets herself and her infant daughter ready for the dreaded first day drop off at daycare. Her loving husband has already left for work, leaving her alone to deal with the guilt of having to go back to work. She's just getting settled back into work when she learns her husband is involved in a hostage situation. From there, her life is never the same.

The beginning pacing of this book took off. You follow Cam as she works with the police and hostage negotiator to get to the bottom of the situation and how her husband is involved. However, after the first act, the second slows down quite a bit with the time hop. I felt the middle drug on a little bit in places, building a bit too much on how reluctant Cam is to move on from the beginning's events. The reveal of what really happened felt a little forced and far-fetched that she was able to figure out the truth about her husband from an anonymous book submittal. Besides that this was more of popcorn thriller for me. It didn't require a lot of thought to read and was fairly entertaining.

Cam is going back to work after maternity leave. Her husband isn’t there the morning of her return to work. He did leave a cryptic note. Cam receives a call from the police saying her husband is involved in a hostage situation, but her husband is the one holding others hostage. Cam goes through this ordeal trying to understand if her husband is the person she thinks he is all the while finding it hard to believe her husband would do something like this.

This book had a great premise, but it didn’t land for me. I couldn’t get into it or make myself care about the characters. There were some okay twists, but nothing too groundbreaking. It was still a fun read, but it won’t be one I’ll think about much in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this arc.
I struggled so much with this book and it took me forever to finish, because honestly I never wanted to pick it back up. The whole plot of the story was so far fetched with a lot of unnecessary scenes. The writing felt off and weird. I think the word CCTV was mentioned million times. Huge chunk of the book is inner dialogue from the main character and hostage negotiator that dragged. As a huge thriller reader, sadly this did not work for me. My review is posted on Goodreads @JR

This was well written, and had a great premise; I unfortunately just never felt invested in the story.
While predictable, it was never boring; and even though it wasn’t boring it just felt like it lacked a “spark” to really pull me in.

This is a fantastic book. I couldn't stop reading it. The title itself has nothing to do with the book but I wonder if that is the marketing department adding their spin. Either way, wonderful book - propulsively readable and with twists galore. I will read anything Gillian McAllister writes.

Gillian McAllister's best book yet! When new mother Camilla wakes up on the day she's dropping her baby daughter off at daycare for the first time, her husband is nowhere to be found. Camilla is getting more and more annoyed at not being able to reach him when the police show up at her office to her inform her that her husband is involved in a hostage situation. The twist is, that this ordinary husband and father is the hostage taker! (not a spoiler). After the hostage situation ends badly, Camilla refuses to believe the worst of her husband, and we follow along on her efforts to get to the truth. The story is also told from the perspective of the hostage negotiator, whose life also changed dramatically that day.

My favorite part of this book was Camilla. I felt like I was in her shoes the entire way--refusing to believe the worst about the man she loved. A really powerful story with amazing characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A favorite thriller-lite author has a new book coming! Was pleased to get an advance copy via Netgalley because after some heavier reading I just needed something page-turningly satisfying. While not quite up to the level of Wrong Place, Wrong Time (which is SO good, so hard to top), I was pleased with how Gillian McAllister again pulled off thriller-lite in a creative, non-run-of-the-mill way. Camilla is at her first day back to work after maternity leave when she is pulled out of her office by police officers who show her livestream security camera footage of her husband, who has apparently taken multiple people hostage in a warehouse. She cannot believe this possible of him - surely he was coerced or something? - but as the situation develops it seems it must be true. Cut to 7 years later, her husband disappeared, and Cam trying to figure out how to go on as a single mother with no answers to how/why the person she loved and trusted and believed to be thoroughly good could have done such a thing. But then some clues start popping up... I really loved how Wrong Place, Wrong Time used a creatively formatted page-turner to also explore motherhood and marriage, especially delving into what lengths a mother might go to for her child. This new book explores marriage a bit more than motherhood, particularly around the themes of doubt/faith in the foundation of a marriage and the person you've trusted your spouse is; it didn't feel like the themes were covered quite as in depth as in Wrong Place, Wrong Time - which really made me think about my own life more - but made it a more interesting read all the same. Emily Henry's take is she's “the best at putting her characters in impossible situations and making her readers not only contemplate but feel what it would be like to find themselves in those situations" and that's the perfect description of why I love her stuff. I thought it was interesting that Camilla's chapters alternated with the perspective of the hostage negotiator involved in the situation, as a I like a procedural/investigative side included in any domestics-type thriller. Also loved that Camilla was a literary agent, as I'm a sucker for publishing-world settings. Both job stuff sometimes got a little in the weeds/sidetrack-y at times though. And I did kind of guess the ending, which I never do, so maybe a tad less satisfying in that I saw some things coming, but I enjoyed the twists and turns all the same.

Motherhood is hard enough but when you do not know your own partner, the stakes are even higher. On her first day back from maternity leave and her daughter’s first day in daycare, Camilla is faced with a worst nightmare beyond her imagination when a hostage situation unfolds near her husband’s work…and he is the suspect. Gillian McAllister has written a suspenseful and gripping tale that really strikes a relatable chord with readers. Famous Last Words unravels a whole truth so complex that it leaves the reader on the edge of their seat the whole book!

I had a hard time getting into this book. While the premise is interesting, I was never hooked. Sometimes a book can redeem itself if the twist at the end is good enough but this fell flat. The aha moment didn’t feel like a revelation but a confirmation, which wasn’t satisfying. The ending was wrapped up too nicely, too quickly, without addressing quite a few plot holes.

If mystery/thrillers are your cup of tea, this might be worth a read. If it’s not your usual genre, I’d recommend to keep browsing.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC!

After reading and loving Gillian McAllisters two previous books I was excited to see she has a new thriller coming soon!

Unfortunately this wasn’t a fan favorite for me. While the premise sounded interesting I felt that it moved slowly and could have done without some chapters entirely. Finding out your husband is the gunman in a hostage situation would be horrific. Cam’s reaction didn’t make me feel that way. Why did she want to hide things from the police instead of trying to help her husband and find out why this was happening? The hostage situation was referred to as a “siege” which to me seemed a bit much. There were some good twists which you may get a little feeling like you know what’s coming, yet still satisfying. The ending was a bit rushed and I was looking for more of what happened after when the story jumped ahead in time and I was left with questions.

If you are a fan of Gillian McAllister or of thrillers in general, definitely give Famous Last Words a chance. I will be looking forward to her next book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Gillian McAllister proves once again that she's the queen of the twist: specifically she again flexes her muscles showing the reader one thing, and then slowly unravelling how, however improbably, it is something completely different. Cam and Luke have a good life: nine month old baby, successful careers as literary agent and ghostwriter, and a trust and love filled marriage. Things aren't perfect, but nothing ever is. When Cam wakes up on her first day back from maternity leave to Luke not home, she knows it isn't abnormal, but it feels strange, especially when she finds a cryptic note. Soon, she finds out that he is wrapped up in a hostage situation, as the perpetrator. Cam's life is thrown upside down, and it can never be the same. Told from the perspectives of Cam and the hostage negotiator, Niall, this story is supported by two voices who cannot except the truth as the world seems to know it, and as the story unfold McAllister employs her characteristic plot reveals to shock readers and keep pages turning. McAllister lovers will love this, and readers who found the time structure of Wrong Place, Wrong Time confusing will find this novel more straightforward, allowing them to appreciate McAllister's skill.

I’ll be honest. This one just didn’t do it for me. It was well written. Had an intense and catchy start. But was so incredibly dry and slow in the middle that it lost me entirely. It was my first time reading something by this author and it was very well written otherwise. I would definitely give this author another chance.

This thriller grips you from the first page with its intense plot and complex, unpredictable characters. The author masterfully builds suspense with vivid settings and twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Both chilling and thrilling, this book is a wild escape that keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you questioning who to trust.

Buckle up buttercup because you’re about to go on a wild ride! One you can’t put down!

Alright Gillian McAllister, I’m a new fan! Hooked and already purchased two more books! Guys, this is one you DEFINITELY need to add to your TBR if you’re a thriller fan!

Camillia goes back to work after maternity leave. Her whole world turns upside down when the police show up to tell her that her husband is involved in a hostage situation. Cam is shocked…… even more so when they tell her he is the gunman!!! What???????

Her phenomenal, loving and all around good husband, Luke would never do this. Would he? Why? What is going on?

I can’t spill anymore details or it would ruin the story. And what a story this one was! Just know that you’re in for quite the suspenseful treat! Thrilling and romantic all at the same time. Yep, you get two for one here!

Huge massive thanks to William Morrow, Gillian McAllister and NetGalley for the opportunity!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gillian McAllister once again does a superb job in this twisty psychological thriller. A young family of three is torn apart when the husband murders to men he has held hostage. He ultimately escapes and tears go by with nobody knowing what actually happened and why on that terrible day. Twist after twist make this a compulsive and exciting read. For fans of Heidi Perks and Lucy Foley.

Gillian McAllister delivers a master class in storytelling with this expertly paced thriller. I found myself constantly saying, “just one more chapter… just one more,” because I simply couldn’t put it down.

On Cam’s first day back at work after maternity leave, her husband, Luke, is mysteriously absent. Instead of a warm send-off, he leaves behind only a cryptic note. After dropping her daughter off at daycare and greeting her coworkers, Cam is startled by news of a nearby hostage situation on the office TV—right near where Luke works. Moments later, the police show up at her office, wanting to talk to her. Is Luke a hostage? Oh no, it’s far more complicated than that.

This book is packed with suspense from start to finish, and I especially enjoyed the cast of characters, including the captivating hostage negotiator, Niall. The writing was phenomenal, and I was glued to the story until the very last page. This one easily deserves 5 stars, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know!

I wasn't a fan of this book, and I'll sum it up by saying the language/writing didn't do it for me. I knew this right away because the first chapter was filled with the main character, Cam, doing mundane tasks and "wondering." A book should capture the reader from the first page, better yet, the first line, but this one never truly did. Granted, by chapter two, we actually get into the main plot but my interest only piqued mildly. The story as a whole felt slow-paced when it should have been tense and exhilarating. I found myself only reading the dialogue and even that felt like a chore. I pushed through to the end but was very disappointed by the direction the plot took. I’d go as far as to say the last chapter put me off even more. I’d personally prefer if the story goes on without Luke completely - Cam figures out what happened on her own or with Nial and remove the new man too. Even better plot - don't make Luke out as a good guy but I'm probably asking for too much there.
Mainly, I’d suggest tightening the pacing. For a book like this, slow pacing should not be in any reader's mind. The initial chapters (from the first page) should quickly build momentum. Reducing wordiness between interactions would also help. Writing that caters to a quicker, more consistent pace would have resulted higher rating from me but overall I'm not a fan of where the plot went so....

4.5 ⭐️ for this thriller. It was my first time reading a book by this author. I was on the edge of my seat and wanting to know what would happen next. I also appreciated the love stories that went along with the plot. It was entertaining and thought provoking the entire way through. Thank you netgalley for the advance read.

Another entertaining thriller by Gillian McAllister! I enjoyed the plot and the structure of the timelines. I also enjoyed all the characters. The book felt a bit slow-paced at times, but that helped me stay “with” the protagonists with the amount of information they knew over time.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I was so excited for the chance to read the newest Gillian McCallister book!

I found the story immediately compelling and couldn’t put the book down for the first chunk. Unfortunately as soon as the book jumped forward 7 years it struggled with pacing and I found I had to force myself to keep reading. There were multiple storylines like Niall’s therapy and Libby’s infertility that got far too much focus without adding much to the story.

After such a slow middle I felt like everything came together too quickly and was all wrapped up neatly with a bow. I found the ending interesting but I think it would have been much more enjoyable if it had played out in a more consistent pace.