There were parts of the book I thought didn't make a lot of sense. The timeline was way different than I assumed based on the description. I appreciated that although things were resolved, there were still ongoing issues and we didn't get a perfect, happy ending.

This thriller kept me on the edge of my seat. It was so good! This is an auto-read, auto-buy author for me! Highly recommend for the twists and turns.

Gillian McAllister does it again, and this one might be my favorite yet. I devoured Famous Last Words in just two sittings and honestly, I’m still thinking about it.

The premise hooked me immediately: Camilla, a new mom just returning to work, catches a glimpse of her husband on the news… in the middle of a hostage crisis. Not as a victim, but as the gunman. I mean, come on. That opening had my heart in my throat.

What I love most about McAllister’s books, and this one in particular, is that the suspense is never just about the plot. It’s emotional. It’s intimate. You’re not just wondering what happened, you’re asking yourself: How well do I really know the people I love? What would I do in her shoes?

Camilla’s voice felt so raw and real to me. Her confusion, her fear, her need to protect her child while questioning everything she thought she knew about her husband... it was all so honest and compelling. And the way the story weaves between the present and the past made it impossible to stop reading.

There are twists, of course and they’re great, but for me, the real power of this book is in how deeply it explores love, betrayal, grief, and the quiet unraveling of a relationship under pressure. It’s as much a character study as it is a thriller, and that’s what made it stand out.

If you love psychological suspense that hits you right in the chest and makes you question every assumption you’ve made… read this book. Gillian McAllister is an auto-buy author for a reason.

This was my first time reading anything by Gillian McAllister, and unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be rushing to pick up another. The blurb had me hooked but the story itself felt painfully slow.

The pacing dragged, the tension never really built, and I struggled to stay engaged. It all felt rather flat. There’s a lot of introspection, a lot of repetition, and not nearly enough actual suspense. By the time the “twist” arrived, I’d more or less lost interest.

I can see what the book was trying to do but it just didn’t work for me. A great premise let down by a lack of momentum.

Lots of twists, it really kept me engaged til the end! I read it in one day. There were some obvious connections and the end was a little too quickly/tidily wrapped up, but overall it was enjoyable and I will definitely read more by the author!

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is an exciting new suspense novel written in four acts. Camilla (Cam) is about to start back at work after her maternity leave and is quite anxious about sending her daughter Polly to the nursery for the first time. Her husband Luke is supposed to join them, but he's not at home and Cam finds a strange and unfinished note from him. "It's been lovely with you both", the note reads - and Cam can't figure out what it means. As she heads off to work, she puts the strange note in the back of her mind and tries to concentrate on her job as a book editor. Unfortunately, Cam gets distracted again by a breaking news story about a hostage situation and about the fact that Luke *still* hasn't answered any of her texts or calls. She is soon informed by the policec that her husband is involved in the hostage situation but he's not a hostage - he's the hostage taker. As Cam's life moves from normal to a nightmare, we're taken on a journey that spans over 14 years full of secrets, fears, and unwavering love.

This book started off with a bang and the first act was completely fast paced. I was turning pages so quickly and I didn't want to put the book down to sleep. When we hit the second act, the tone shifts and we're much more introspective = getting glimpses into Cam's thoughts. We also get to see from Niall, the hostage negotiator who hasn't stopped looking into this bizarre case. While this section was slow, I appreciated hearing how Cam and Niall were dealing with the strange things that took place that night. The ending was pretty good and everything wrapped up nicely. There may be some parts that the reader can guess, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the mystery.

If you enjoyed either of McAllister's other novels, you may find this one a little slower but give it a try! I think you'll enjoy it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Where is Camilla’s husband Luke? Already anxious about returning to work after her maternity leave has come to an end is stress enough. But then, Luke is nowhere to be found. And then, she receives shocking news: there’s a hostage situation, and Luke is holding the victims with a gun in his hand. How? Why?

Completely shocked and terrified, Cam can’t believe this is happening. But then, the situation takes a turn, and Luke disappears. Gone. For seven years. This is the point in the story where the book takes readers on a terrifying ride. The drama and intensity grow exponentially as the story is developed.

With the excellent narration by Emilia Fox, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. This was especially so due to the fast-paced story. Chapter after chapter, I was riveted to this story. This book takes on some shocking twists, all while giving a peek into the world of book publishing. It’s a truly fabulous read, especially as an audiobook.

Many thanks to William Morrow, HarperAudio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This book opens with immediate intrigue (and maybe hits a little too close to home as I read it about halfway through my pregnancy!) Camilla is filled with all the emotions as she prepares to return to work after a long maternity leave, knowing she’ll be leaving her infant daughter at daycare for the first time. But then she wakes up and her husband isn’t there to support her through this momentous occasion. She obviously knows something is very wrong, but attempts to go through the motions of the day, until we quickly find out why her husband is MIA. Camilla is pulled near to the scene to try to help police convince her husband to let these innocent people go. Right away I was hooked.

From there, we begin to follow both her and the hostage negotiator, Niall, as we move forward in time but they are both still fixated on this unsolved case. The story does considerably slow down and I may have guessed one or two pieces of the twist. Overall, I always really enjoy Gillian McAllister’s stories and I think each of her thrillers has a unique premise that sets them apart from some of the more popular ones out there!

4⭐️

On Camilla's first day back from maternity leave, there is a breaking news report about a hostage situation near where her husband works. When she is unable to reach him, she knows in the pit of her stomach that something is wrong. It doesn't help that she keeps remembering the cryptic note he left her that morning. It's confirmed when the police show up, but to her surprise they say that Luke is the gunman!

What ensues is a high stakes, anxiety inducing tactical mission led by the authorities to get everyone out alive. When things go sideways, Camilla becomes a prime person of interest and every aspect of their life is put under the microscope. She doesn't know who to trust, everyone has a hidden agenda. But, Camilla cannot get past the question of, "Why?" This was an enjoyable read, it grips you and keeps you until the last page.

I just have to start by saying that this is one of those books in which I initially thought I would hate it, but I am so glad I stuck it out because I ended up loving it.

This book starts as a long story and quickly devolves into horror.

Camilla finds out on a totally normal day that her husband is a murderer, and then when he disappears she has to try to figure out a way to move on with her life. But how do you move on when there's no closure?

A total rollercoaster, I could not put this book down. I kept trying to figure out what exactly was going on, but Gillian McAllister kept me guessing until the very end. And all I can say about that is that you will be so satisfied.

Pick this book up today!

Famous Last Words was a clever, thought-provoking thriller that had me hooked from the very start. Gillian McAllister masterfully blends suspense with emotional depth, creating characters who feel both flawed and deeply human. The concept was unique, and the twists were smart and satisfying without ever feeling forced. It was a gripping, intelligent read that kept me thinking long after I finished.

Wrong Place Wrong Time was one of my favorite recent thriller reads, so I was excited to get into this one. The plot was really gripping and I thought it was well paced- it definitely slows down in the mid section but that makes sense to me plot wise. There were some inconsistencies that bothered me (maybe could be fixed in the published version), and I unfortunately predicted nearly all of the twists! Nonetheless, it was still a fun read that I didn’t want to put down.

Gillian McAllister really knows how to suck me in! This book started out with a bang and then the character development took over to the point where I couldn't get through the book fast enough. I really felt for the main character and I thought it was really creative of McAllister to write this book from the perspective she did (no spoilers here, but it is in the book synopsis). I was left with some questions centering around the realism of the book (re: the ending), but overall it wasn't enough to change my overall thoughts. I really enjoyed this one!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.

When I first started Famous Last Words, I set it down—not once, but twice. I just couldn’t get into it at first. But on the third try, something clicked… and I was hooked. What starts as a slow simmer quickly turns into a full-blown psychological thriller with emotional stakes, high tension, and twists I never saw coming.

This isn’t your typical police procedural. One of the main POVs is from a hostage negotiator—a refreshing and fascinating angle I haven’t come across in other thrillers. The other perspective comes from the wife of the captor, and her storyline is just as gripping. The book opens with her getting ready to take her daughter to her first day of preschool. She’s in her feelings about the milestone but also increasingly anxious—her husband isn’t answering her calls, and something feels off. That gnawing dread builds slowly… until she finds out he’s involved in a hostage situation. From that point on, the story takes off and doesn’t let go.

The emotional complexity, layered characters, and intricate plotting make this a standout. I genuinely wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. And the twists? The perfect mix of shocking and totally earned. A wild ride from start to finish.

If you enjoy thrillers with strong psychological elements, unexpected perspectives, and a few gut punches along the way, give this one a try—just don’t give up too soon. It’s more than worth it.

Thank you william morrow books and netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are entirely my own.

I really enjoyed famous last words. I am very hooked to her riding. It kept me on the edge the whole time and I enjoyed it very much. I would rate it at five stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. While I was initially very excited for this story, I realized roughly about 20% of the way through that this just might not be the book for me. The premise is incredibly intriguing, but the characters fell a little flat for me and I found myself not really caring about the story.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is a clever, genre-blurring novel that blends suspense with a touch of the surreal. Known for her skillful exploration of “what if?” scenarios, McAllister once again plays with time and memory in a way that feels fresh and urgent. The story hinges on a final conversation—a moment most of us take for granted—and turns it into a haunting, high-stakes mystery.

The emotional weight of the characters’ regrets and missed chances adds surprising depth to what could’ve been a straightforward thriller. Some pacing issues and minor plot contrivances prevent it from hitting five stars, but McAllister’s prose is sharp, and her insights into human connection are poignant.

Perfect for fans of thought-provoking mysteries with heart, Famous Last Words leaves you questioning how well we ever really know someone—and what we’d say if we had just one more chance..

What a wonderful mystery full of twists and turns. I loved this book and can’t wait to read another by the author

“Funny how things look different depending on what you know to be true.”- @gillianmauthor

Camilla has her first day back as an agent at a publishing company after giving birth to her daughter 9 months ago. She remembers her husband, Luke kissing her goodbye that morning. And as she stresses to get the day started and the baby to nursery she clocks that it isn’t like her husband to not be present on a big day like this. She considers he must be busy and sends texts… it’s not long before she gets to work that the police show up at her office.

Done in parts with 7 year gaps, this story is about the things you do for the ones you love even in the hardest of times. There are twists and turns, loneliness and connection, and I really loved this book. Still thinking about it days later. I will read anything McAllister writes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for this #advancedreaderscopy - I’m a bit behind on this one. Pub date was in February.

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