This books has an interesting premise and I didn't know where it would lead. I definitely wasn't expecting things to happen as they did. This wasn't favorite book of the author's but it was decent. 3 stars!

This heart-pounding thriller delivers nonstop tension, smart twists, and a plot that never lets up. The characters are compelling and complex, pulling you deeper into the story with every page. The writing is crisp and cinematic, making the suspense feel immediate and real. A truly gripping read that hits all the right notes.

This novel had some unique twists which kept me guessing, but I did have a hard time believing the time frame and how much energy was focused on solving the mystery.

This was a little slow at times, it took me a little longer than usual to get through. But there are always a lot of twists and turns by this author so I knew things would pick up. It did but I guessed one of the twists early on. I don't know if it's a British thing but it seemed like there were a lot of unusual or big words just for the sake of it, not to add anything. I enjoy a lot of British authors though and haven't experienced it as much with other authors so it might be Gillian's writing style. I don't hate it, it just slows down my reading because I want to digest it.
I was in between a 3 & 4 rating so it's a solid 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 and I would recommend if someone likes thrillers.

Famous Last Words is the story of a crime, a marriage, and more secrets than Camilla ever could have imagined. This novel cements Gillian McAllister's reputation.

Review: Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Gillian McAllister's Famous Last Words opens with one of the most compelling premises I've encountered in recent psychological thrillers. The story begins with Cam, a new mother, dropping her infant daughter at daycare for the first time - already an emotionally charged moment - only to return to work and learn that her husband Luke is allegedly holding hostages at gunpoint. The juxtaposition of mundane motherhood and sudden, life-altering crisis creates immediate, visceral tension.

The first third of the novel is nothing short of masterful. McAllister perfectly captures the disorientation and terror of Cam's situation, while weaving in poignant observations about new motherhood that feel deeply authentic (perhaps unsurprisingly, given the author's note about writing this while caring for her own baby). The alternating perspective of Niall, the hostage negotiator, adds fascinating procedural depth and raises the stakes even further.

However, the narrative momentum established in these electrifying early chapters inevitably slows as the story progresses. The middle section shifts focus from action to introspection, trading immediate tension for deeper character study. While this allows for more nuanced development of Cam and Luke's relationship, it also gives readers time to anticipate potential twists before they arrive. The final resolution, while emotionally satisfying, lacks the gut-punch impact of the opening setup.

That said, McAllister's talent for crafting original, high-concept thrillers remains undeniable. Even when the pacing falters, her insightful character work and ability to find drama in domestic life keep the pages turning. The novel's exploration of how well we truly know our partners - and ourselves - in moments of crisis is particularly compelling.

Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommendation: A strong choice for readers who appreciate character-driven psychological thrillers with emotional depth, particularly those interested in stories about marriage and parenthood under extreme pressure. While the narrative doesn't quite sustain its breathtaking initial momentum, McAllister's sharp writing and fresh premise make this well worth reading.

If you’re a fan of thrillers, mysteries, or love stories, buckle up—this book has all three! The author seamlessly combines these elements into a fast-paced, emotional roller coaster that had me hooked from page one.

Let’s talk about Cam, our fierce yet vulnerable main character. Seven years after a life-changing hostage situation, she’s trying to rebuild her life and find some semblance of normalcy. The beauty of her story lies in how real and rational her emotions feel. She’s not blind to the trauma she’s endured, and her struggle to move forward feels deeply authentic.

Then there’s Niall, whose journey is just as gripping. The decision he made during the hostage situation didn’t just haunt him—it shaped his next seven years. Watching him wrestle with whether to trust his instincts again was fascinating. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate how therapy is portrayed as a positive and transformative force? More of this in thrillers, please!

But this book isn’t just about Cam and Niall. The strained yet loving relationship between Cam and her sister, who’s struggling with infertility, adds a layer of depth. Their interactions are raw, real, and filled with tension. However, if fertility struggles are a sensitive topic for you, consider this your trigger warning.

The storytelling is on point. The pacing keeps you on edge, and the twists will have you flipping pages late into the night. Whether you’re in it for the murder mystery, the thriller vibes, or the tangled love story, this book delivers on all fronts.

**Final Thoughts:** If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced thriller with heart, pick this one up. Just prepare yourself for an emotional ride—you won’t regret it!

Rounded up from 3.5 stars. This is my third from Gillian McAllister (though honestly, I do not remember the second one at all...darn my bird brain...) and each of them has felt like it's trying to do things a little bit differently. This one is told across a wide span of years from two perspectives - Cam, the wife of a man who starts a hostage situation ending with two dead and her husband on the lam, and Niall, the police hostage negotiator who feels like a failure because he misread the situation and didn't authorize entry before the deaths.

If you are looking for twists and turns - including potentially ones that feel over the top and a bit far-fetched but still interesting - I would definitely check this out. Essentially the book is about discovering what really happened on the day of the "siege," as they call it. Cam learning how her husband Luke got to the point of killing two men and absconding and not coming home to her and their infant daughter; and Niall learning what he got wrong, or didn't, on the day.

In the meantime, there is a lot of exploration of grief, especially grief over the life you thought you would have. (Personally, feels incredibly poignant at the moment.) Cam is navigating life as the wife of a notorious criminal, tryng to determine how and when to tell her daughter about the father who left, and dodging the unwelcome and unsolicited advice that society seems to always have for single mothers. She is also trying to be a good sister to Libby, who is struggling with infertility and a miscarriage. How much can you ask of someone going through that when it comes to helping with your own child? How and when does it make sense to move on and try to find a new person to go through life with when there's no real sense of closure from your previous relationship?

On Niall's side, he's stuck in the bureaucracy and perceptions of police work, worried that the powers-that-be are more interested in punishing Luke than of getting to the truth. Along with that worry, he discovers reasons behind why the original investigation may have stalled out and not identified the two men who Luke killed. So I think what it's ultimately saying is ACAB.

It was a bit over the top, sure, but I found it propulsive and emotionally engaging, and the twists and turns definitely kept me on my toes. I had a great time with it. And I appreciated that while there was resolution, it wasn't a seamless happy ending. The trauma of the situation continued to impact the characters, which felt both satisfying and real.

CW: infertility/miscarriage, violence

This fast-paced domestic thriller hooks you from the opening pages and doesn’t let up. As new mother Camilla’s world unravels on what should be a normal day, the tension ratchets up with each revelation about her husband’s shocking role in a London hostage crisis.
Told with emotional depth and razor-sharp suspense, the story explores love, identity, and the secrets we keep from even those closest to us. A few twists feel slightly telegraphed, but the psychological complexity and high-stakes pacing more than deliver.
A haunting, thought-provoking read perfect for fans of Before I Go to Sleep and The Silent Patient.

Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy

Emotionally gripping and deeply unsettling, *Famous Last Words* explores the complexities of memory, guilt, and truth. McAllister expertly weaves together a high-stakes mystery with psychological depth, making this thriller not only tense but also thought-provoking. The protagonist is caught in a web of conflicting accounts, uncovering revelations that shift *everything* they believed about their past. The suspense builds through a combination of legal drama, dark secrets, and moral dilemmas—resulting in a thriller that grips both your mind and emotions.

I read this with a couple friends and we chatted throughout and it was fun to try to talk out what was going on in this one! We went in pretty blind, having read some of McAllister’s other books, and this one was an enjoyable read! (Idk if I’ll be able to distinguish it from other thrillers in 6 months, but it was entertaining for right now!)

Cam wakes up to an empty house and a weird note from her husband. Only when the cops show up at her office does she find out that her husband is keeping 3 people hostage in a warehouse! It’s a good set up and it gets twisty! We follow Cam and the hostage negotiator through the story as they figure out what is going on.

I probably would have rated this higher if I didn’t have such high expectations for this author. I was really interested in where the story was going and until about 70% in I was on board where it was going. But the resolution was too far fetched for me. The “bad guys” were never fully developed and their reasoning seemed forced and unearned. Just an ok thriller for me.

Loved this one! It was twisty and surprising - I definitely recommend it to all my fellow mystery lovers, and loved seeing that it was chosen as a book of the month!

I really liked this time bendy thriller from Gillian McAllister. I can count on her to write motherhood friendly mysteries that are engaging and make you think. Really enjoyed.

I really enjoyed Wrong Place Wrong Time by this author. The two books released after have not hit the mark. It felt very predictable & a bit overwhelming the top. As soon as the dark web was introduced I just rolled my eyes & just wanted the story to end.

I have really enjoyed this author in the past and I think she delivered another great thriller with this book. Her scenarios are very interesting and I have to say that the events put in motion at the beginning of this novel made me think that there was no way that this story could end up being OK. Told from two perspectives, Camilla, the wife of the perpetrator and Niall, the hostage negotiator, the mystery slowly unravels. Both characters are portrayed as very dedicated and creative in how they uncover the truth about Camilla’s husband, Luke. I did find that the story moved somewhat slowly in the middle but wrapped up nicely. While I was correctly suspicious of at least one character (no spoilers), there were also some great surprises that I didn’t see coming. Overall, a fun and enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

Gillian I think will always be an auto buy author for me. The beginning of this had me hooked. It was easy to put myself in the MCs shoes because Gillian does an amazing job writing to where it feels real. The dual POV I enjoyed also! Overall this was a fun binge read!

This book was good! I liked it but didn’t love it. I definitely see potential in it and look forward to seeing what else the author does.

I though the book was ok. Nothing really special it could have been better. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I've enjoyed some of Gillians writing, she writes solid thrillers that keep you intrigued and interested in the plot but not a mind blowing earth shattering experience. This was a good book with the premise being interesting and exciting to find out what would happen with the "criminal" husband but several of the other characters were a little bit of a let down. The main character was enough to keep me very intrigued though!