Gillian McAllister has quickly become a favorite new author of mine. Her books always give me some new and different storyline idea that is hard to put down. Like this one. Cam and Luke are happily married. Cam is returning to work after her maternity leave, catches the news, learns of a hostage situation nearby and lo and behold, Luke is the suspect. How did this funny, loving husband/father get to this point? Great twists and turns and characterization. You really feel for both Luke and Cam. This is not my usual type of story, and I am so happy that this author gets me outside of my reading box!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Gillian McAlister and William Morrow for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of February 25, 2025.

The beginning half was super good and had me fully focused! The last half I did drift off a couple times but overall I enjoyed it! The audiobook was a good choice in my opinion!

I really enjoyed this twisty book.
Told in dual perspectives it was entertaining and had me turning the pages. I also liked Wrong Place Wrong Time. Thank you NetGalley for this review copy.

The first half of this book is gripping with a storyline leaving you guessing as to where it will go. Unfortunately the suspense doesn’t last and the story is lost some what as in my view we get a far to detailed description of Cam’s relationship with her sister which is completely irrelevant. The story line soon becomes predictable. It is an enjoyable read but nothing thrilling or suspenseful

Gillian Mcallister is one of our new queens of mystery and I'm here for it. She has weaved another tale of mystery and suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seat.

4.5 rounding up!
The hostage situation kept me on the edge of my seat! Then the rest of it, although slower, kept me guessing until the end. I will definitely be reading more from Gillian McAllister.

Thank you William Morrow for the gifted copy.

I love a thriller where something happens at the beginning and you legit have NO idea how it's all going to play out and all you can do is keep reading. That's how Famous Last Words was for me. At the beginning, Camilla is on her way to drop her baby off at daycare for the first time, when she finds out that her husband, who she thought was totally normal and innocent, has taken 3 people hostage. Although, she hasn't been about to get hold of him all morning, and he left her a weird note...Excuse me, what??

Seven years later, Camilla is trying to live her life without Luke, but also without any closure. Nobody knows where Luke went after the hostage situation, or where he's been hiding the last seven years. Camilla can't help but still wonder if he's innocent and it was all a big mix up.

The hostage negotiator, Niall, is also still wondering how he read the whole thing wrong and is still haunted by the events of that day. He's pretty sure he missed something, and is determined to figure out what exactly led Luke to do this and find out where he is now.

This book kept me reading and wondering until the end. The twists at the end were great, and although I had ideas/guesses about the whats and whys, I wasn't spot on with any of it. This book was exactly the thriller I needed!

I don't even know where to begin with this book. Once again, Gillian McAllister has outdone herself. I sat in stunned silence, thinking about the elaborate theme of this book. I know from reading all her books how good they are but this one blindsided me. There were so many layers to the story to unwrap and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The story is told by two viewpoints.

Cam, a literary agent, is returning to work after her maternity leave. Her husband Luke was supposed to help her get out the door on that first day, but he is nowhere to be found. Thinking something came up at his work, Cam moves on with her day. But all her texts and calls go unanswered. This is so out of character for Luke and is starting to rattle her a bit. Then she sees on the news there's a hostage situation near Luke's workplace. Suddenly police are in her office and tell her Luke is not a hostage but is the hostage taker.

The second POV is Niall the hostage negotiator. Niall makes some decisions that day that will haunt him for the rest of his life. His actions cost him everything he holds dear and he has to learn how to live with that.

After the siege, Cam and Niall both try to move on. It takes time but we eventually learn what lead up to the events of that infamous day and what caused the funny, kind, extroverted Luke to snap.

This book is very fast paced and mind blowing. It definitely puts the thrill in thriller. I also love that Gillian was so descriptive about how Cam felt being among new books. It is so relatable. This is a must read for all thrill lovers.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy

3.50 stars

The book started out really fast paced with lots of action but the middle part seemed to have dragged on. This book had a decent twist. What was missing for me was cliff hangers, twist after twist throughout the book to keep my attention.

This was fabulous. I love any story with a writer involved and the ghost writer aspect of this story was excellent for many reasons. GM books always make me feel so anxious for all the characters involved, but in a good day. The way that won't let you put the book down way.

New mother Camilla's life changes in the worst of ways when a hostage situation involving her husband, Luke, erupts on her first day back to work. Not only is Luke involved, which would be awful enough, but, it appears, that her mild-mannered, laid-back spouse is the aggressor. When Luke then shoots the hostages and disappears, Camilla is left with conflicting memories, a newborn, and doubts about her own ability to read those closest to her.

Fast forward seven years, and Camilla, though actively mothering and handling the day-to-day, is still in a bit of a downward spiral. She believes that her husband is alive, though she hasn't--contrary to what the police want to think--heard from him. She still believes in his overall goodness. But she cannot move on, and knows that she must, if only for the sake of her daughter.

Then comes the text. A set of coordinates. Ignoring her promises to herself and her sister to quit going down the rabbit hole of Luke's disappearance, Cam goes. No one is there.

Or is that true? It's not, as it turns out. Because the hostage negotiator from seven years before is nearly as vested in this case--the one that went so completely wrong. He has still been tracking Cam's phone and receives the text before she does. He goes as well, only he finds nothing, either..

Is Luke reaching out? Or have Cam and Niall, the negotiator, just clung to this hope for seven long years while living in a stasis generated by that morning?

Primarily told from Camilla's heartbreaking POV, Niall the negotiator also gets a good chunk of chapters himself. The writing is solid, and the characters are wholly, breathtakingly human. The plot drags a bit, however, while the reader waits for someone to make a move or finally move *on*. The story and the mindsets are particularly dark in this one, so I certainly won't categorize it as a summer thriller; but it is well worth putting on the to-read list when you're wanting something moody.

I really enjoyed Gillian McAllister's latest thriller. The story line was intriguing and the twists kept me hooked though the entire book.

In Famous Last Words, Cam's world is turned upside down. Her husband Luke was holding 2 men by gunpoint in a warehouse and she has no idea why. After failed attempts to talk him down he kills the 2 hostages then escapes. Luke disappeared and had not been seen for 7 years. Cam had no idea where he went and had no contact with him.
It's an interesting plot, but the book didn't hold my attention (which appears I am definitely in the minority!).
I appreciate the ARC and will be purchasing this book for our library when released

I was very excited to get an ARC of this book, but found while reading Famous Last Words that I had a difficult time keeping my attention on it. This book's plot gives similar vibes to The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, but unlike that book I had to work hard to stay invested in this one.

Famous Last Words is told through multiple POV's including the two main characters Cam and Niall. Cam is the wife of Luke, who seems to take multiple hostages out of nowhere on her first day back to work from her maternity leave and Niall is the hostage negotiator called to the scene. This story had two timelines: one during the siege 7 years ago and 1 set in present day. The book felt very slow moving at times and had way too many unnecessary details. It was hard to figure out where the story was going and none of the real action happened until the last 15% of the book.

Overall, the book was well written but didn't hold my attention well at time because of its slow pace, but I was invested enough to want to know how it ended and I will say I was shocked by the twist at the end. I didn't see it coming at all.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is suspenseful thriller that keeps you guessing to the end. This is my first Gilliam McAllister book, but will not be my last. I loved the way Gillian wrote the POV narration with the twists and turns making you wonder if everything is exactly what it seems. I was unable to put this books down as I wanted to know what happen next. Even 200 plus pages in I was still guessing, which is rare in books today. Gillian McAllister did a great job on this book and I would highly recommend adding this to your goodread TBR list and/or making this a bookclub read.

This would be better titled "The Ghost Writer" but was an OK mystery. I got invested but do think there were pieces missing to make it memorable.

Certainly! Here's a thoughtful book review for *Famous Last Words* by Gillian McAllister:

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**Book Review: _Famous Last Words_ by Gillian McAllister**

Gillian McAllister’s *Famous Last Words* is a gripping and contemplative exploration of justice, regret, and the elusive truth, wrapped in the structure of a tense legal thriller. As with her previous works, McAllister masterfully blends psychological nuance with plot-driven suspense, but this novel takes a particularly introspective turn, asking not only *what happened*, but *why it matters*.

At the heart of the novel is a courtroom drama that unravels more than just a crime—it peels back layers of moral ambiguity, human fallibility, and the quiet devastations that echo long after choices are made. McAllister draws readers in with her signature prose: crisp, emotionally resonant, and quietly powerful. Her characters are richly developed, particularly the protagonist, whose internal conflict and evolving perspective lend depth to every scene. The narrative shifts effortlessly between moments of high-stakes tension and quiet, reflective stillness, allowing the reader to feel both the urgency of the trial and the weight of personal consequences.

One of the novel’s most compelling elements is its meditation on the concept of last words—not just in the literal sense, but metaphorically: the final things we say or do, the lingering impressions we leave behind, and how our truths can be reframed by time and memory. McAllister asks difficult questions about guilt, responsibility, and the permanence of our actions, without ever offering easy answers.

Though the pacing may feel deliberately measured at times, it serves the story’s introspective nature well. The legal intricacies are precise but never overwhelming, and McAllister’s ability to infuse them with emotional gravity is impressive. By the final chapters, what begins as a story about a crime becomes something far more personal and profound.

*Famous Last Words* is both a page-turner and a quiet philosophical inquiry—an intelligent, layered novel that lingers long after the last page. Gillian McAllister continues to prove herself not just as a master of suspense, but as a storyteller deeply attuned to the complexities of human emotion.

(3.5, rounded up to 4)

In "Famous Last Words," Gillian McAllister delivers an emotionally charged thriller that masterfully intertwines mystery and human drama.

Beginning with an ordinary morning, Camilla Deschamps’ life quickly spirals into chaos as her husband, Luke, becomes the prime suspect in a harrowing hostage situation. McAllister wastes no time in plunging readers into the heart of the mystery, deftly combining the tension of unfolding events with the intimate emotions of a young family on the brink of collapse. The plot brims with twists and turns, keeping readers on edge as the truth behind Luke’s actions is slowly unraveled.

The pacing is perfect, shifting seamlessly between the present-day aftermath and the devastating events of seven years prior. McAllister expertly uses dual timelines to build suspense while exploring the lingering effects of trauma and unanswered questions. Each revelation peels back another layer of the mystery, pulling readers deeper into Camilla's unwavering belief in her husband’s innocence, despite the overwhelming evidence against him. The tension reaches its peak as Camilla and Niall, a former hostage negotiator, begin to piece together the inconsistencies surrounding the fateful day.

McAllister’s characters shine, with Camilla as a particularly vivid and relatable protagonist. Her fierce loyalty to Luke and her determination to uncover the truth form the emotional core of the novel. The supporting characters, including Niall, add depth and complexity to the narrative, ensuring that no relationship or interaction feels superficial. "Famous Last Words" is a thoughtful and deeply satisfying read, offering both thrills and emotional resonance. Balancing gripping suspense with poignant moments of reflection, this thriller is perfect for fans of psychological stories that dig deep into the human heart.

To say that Cam is having a stressful day is an understatement. She takes her daughter to her first day at daycare, returns to work and then receives a call that will rock her world and make her question everything. Her husband is holding people hostage! Fast forward seven years and she is still trying to get her life together. Then the odd messages start.

I can’t believe that this is the first book I’ve read by this author, although I do have another on my shelf. This book was so easy to get lost in, I actually read this on a road trip because I couldn’t put it down. The plot was original and characters well developed. I loved how the story was told not only from Cam’s point of view but also Niall, the hostage negotiator. So many twists, turns and layers. If you enjoy thrillers, I recommend you put this on your list.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This is McAllisters best novel yet. While I figured out all of the twists it did not take away from the story at all. I had to keep going to see that I was right. I rooted for the couples to end up just like they did. This was such a good book.

I chose this as a BOTM book and am so happy that I did. It kept me turning the pages. It was a fast read for me. Even though I figured everything, and I do mean everything, out, it was so good.

This is about a man and woman who have a nine month old daughter. Camilla and Luke have a very close and deep love. They have a special kind of marriage that the two of them put first above everything. Until something happens to shatter that. Until she gets news that rocks her to her very core. Luke has taken three people hostage. He is in a warehouse and has a gun..

Niall is the hostage negotiator. He feels like something is not right in this situation. He does not believe Luke will kill these hostages. But something goes terribly wrong. Luke does the unthinkable.

Seven years after the Siege as it was called, Cam is trying to move on with her life. Raising Polly, her daughter, alone. She still holds out hope that Luke is alive. And innocent.

There are a few characters in this story but the main ones are Camilla/Cam, Luke, Naill, and Cam's sister Libby. There is also a few secondary characters that add to this story. One being the man Cam kind of likes after Luke. Luke has been gone seven years before she even thinks about anyone and her heart will never belong to anyone else. But she tries to give Charlie a chance. She really tries.

This story has many twists and turns. It's told from two POVs, Camilla's and Niall's. Niall wants nothing more than to find Luke. Hopefully before he is killed. Once the pieces finally start falling in place both Cam and Niall figure out exactly who and where Luke is. But will one of them be too late. Will Luke end up dead after all these years...

Thank you #NetGalley, #WilliamMorrow, for this ARC.