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.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Pub Date 2/25/25!!!

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Imagine you get a call that your husband (of no crime history, love of your life, father of your child) has taken three hostages at gunpoint in a warehouse. This story follows the wife and the hostage negotiator as they solve this strange mystery. Gripping, completely had me guessing but not getting it right til 85% in. Gillian McAllister is now an instant buy author for me. If you haven't seen, I also gave "Wrong Place Wrong Time" 5 stars. Just completely unique storylines and non stop page turning books. Cannot wait to read more of her work!

Started off interesting and engaging, but lost steam in the second half. It also got kind of messy plot-wise. But if you're looking for a quick read thriller, this would be a good choice.

Twisty and turny with a romance set against the backdrop of a mysterious thriller? Say less. I absolutely devoured this. It was my first book by McAllister, but it definitely won’t be my last.

This is a twisty, turny ride of a story! Imagine going back to work after a long maternity leave with your first child. Camilla, our main character does just that. All she needs is the support of her husband but he’s nowhere to be found!
She later finds out about a hostage situation and her husband appears to be the hostage taker! How can this be? It is completely out of character for her husband? Or is it? Does she really know him at all?
Enter a hostage negotiator, Niall, who thinks he is in the zone dealing with Luke, the husband. His instincts never fail him! There’s a first time for everything though! How could he read the situation so wrong!

Told from the perspective of Niall and Cam alternately we learn a lot about both of their lives. Their stories intertwine as they both lose sleep and so much more. Crazy how one day can change everything! Both characters are in love with their perspective spouses and both have so much to lose in this situation.

The main twist sent me for. a loop! I didn’t see it coming! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this exciting ARC.

BOOM!

A missing husband, a new mom, and a cryptic note all lead to one heck of a suspenseful ride!!

My third by this author and my favorite.

The wife, Cam has a dream job where she gets to read novels for a living. She drops her baby off at daycare and goes to work after being on maternity, but her day takes a terrifying turn when she sees Breaking News flash about a siege in Central London.

The story takes off quickly and my heart skipped a beat more than once. Some parts read like an action movie, chapters with little cliff hangers made if impossible to stop!

I don't want to say to much because there are many surprises and spine tingling moments. I don't want to give anything away. Just read it if you enjoy suspense and rooting for some likeable characters!

This book was totally captivating! It was so very gripping that I kept turning the pages!! Don't miss this thriller!!! Put this on your TBR right now! Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me review this book.

This book will change the game for thrillers going forward. The breaking of the fourth wall, the nod to the publishing industry, and the dual POV was phenomenally done. I enjoyed reading this.

This is a thriller about Luke, who leaves his wife and infant daughter one morning, ostensibly to go to work, and ends up on the news holding three people hostage in a warehouse. The timeline splits between his wife Cam, left to pick up the pieces, and Niall, the hostage negotiator who was sent onsite during the siege. The beginning of the book is so intense but I was led t hanging in the slow, drawn out middle. The manuscript aspect was a cool twist and ultimately made me want to finish the book, but overall it was just ok.

An excellent thriller that also saved me from a major reading slump! Fast-paced from the first chapter, when young mother Cam is returning to work after her maternity leave. Her husband left early in the morning instead of supporting her at this difficult time, and her day just gets worse from there when the police show up at her job. Even with a time jump, the action continues as Cam is trying to move on, but the past keeps bubbling up and pulling her back in.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher William Morrow for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Publishing in February 2025.

I really enjoyed this one although I found the ending to be anti-climatic. I do like how it all wrapped up, but I felt there needed to be more. It was a very slow burn, and the twists that were included were unpredictable. I enjoy McAllister's books!