How does literary agent Cam connect the dots between her husband’s disappearance?
Famous Last Words by Gilliam McAllister takes us through every emotion from the beginning of a hostage negotiation involving her husband to 7 years later when clues of what happened re-surface.

I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller! It kept me guessing to the end but didn’t have an outlandish ending. Really liked both points of view throughout this story!

On the day of Cam’s return to work from maternity leave, something terrible happens, and the police call upon her. Her husband has entered a hostage situation, and Niall is the one tasked as the negotiator. After that day, the story picks up 7 years later, and Cam and Niall are both trying to find a new normal. However, they keep getting drawn back to the events of that day. When a new manuscript arrives for Cam to review, it turns out there might be more to it than she was expecting. Niall also finds out there may be more to that day 7 years ago than they knew.

It’s Cam’s big day. Following a maternity leave, she’s returning to work as a literary agent. And it’s baby Polly’s first time at daycare. Her husband, Luke, leaves early for work, she assumes. Cam finds only a short, cryptic note left by him. In the office, she hears breaking news of a hostage situation. After texting and calling her husband and receiving no response, her fear goes into overdrive. Could Luke be one of the hostages?

Instead, the situation is worse. Police arrive to inform her that her husband is part of the hostage situation, but he is the gunman. Cam’s nightmare is only beginning.

This novel is true Gillian McAllister style, with a story that immediately grabs your attention, and you cannot turn the pages fast enough. Luke and Cam an ordinary couple, like so many of us, and are still in love and relishing all the firsts of raising a new baby. So what happened? I loved the tension, the fears, and the guessing as the drama increases until all the pieces start to fit together. This book is an example of masterly story-telling with great characters and more twists than one can imagine.

This story is told in third person and primarily follows two characters, Camilla, a wife and new mother just returning to her job as a literary agent after maternity leave, and Niall, an experienced hostage negotiator who is so bewildered that he misread the situation wrong that he continues to investigate it for years even though it’s not his job. When Camilla gets up on her first day back to work, she assumes that her missing husband has gone to his office to work though he leaves a note with a strange message behind for her. She is later shocked to find out that he is involved in a hostage situation developing in London.

This story really piqued my curiosity. I’m not sure I would say that I was on the edge of my seat throughout, but I was intrigued. I was spinning all sorts of ideas for what was going on and I have to say that I was wrong about most of it. At points I was suspicious of just about everyone, so the fact that I was right on a couple is not surprising. LOL. I’m not sure I enjoyed it quite as much as Wrong Place Wrong Time, but I did like it more than Just Another Missing Person.

Camilla tries to move on with her life after the events of that fateful day, summer solstice, which also coincides with my anniversary, apropos of nothing. But she just can’t reconcile what happened with the man she knew her husband to be. Niall, whose personal life also blew apart that day, is obsessed with finding out what happened, still has nightmares about that day and sees a therapist as he tries to work it all out. I found his story extremely relatable as he tried to figure out that career/life balance that is so hard to find when your job is not just work and you are passionate about what you do.

Recommended to readers that enjoy fitting all the puzzle pieces together.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for a copy provided for an honest review.

**4.5/5, Rounded Up**

Hold on to your hats, and make sure your shoes are secure. Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister will knock your socks off. Camilla’s life is forever changed when her husband, Luke, goes missing on their daughter’s first day of daycare. The police inform her that he is holding people hostage, gun aimed and ready to fire. Everything goes downhill from there. Gillian McAllister takes readers on a wild ride through London through the perspectives of Camilla, the hostage negotiator (Niall), and an anonymous source. You better breathe now, as you’ll be holding your breath until the final page.

McAllister fills Famous Last Words with twists—and if you read closely, you’ll see them coming. If you don’t, or you speed through the novel like I did because you can’t put it down, you’ll have the “AHA!” moments. And then you’ll see hints McAllister dropped along the way. I loved, too, the little bits of romance scattered throughout the novel. Never overwhelming, but they give readers glimpses into who Camilla is—and Luke, too. Niall never believed he was a killer. Seven years later, he’s still investigating the case…without approval. He still needs to know why it all happened. For closure, for him and for Camilla.

Camilla is an editor. Clients send her manuscripts, and she helps those authors get published. Camilla spends her free time reading. Always reading. When a client sends her a manuscript in the mail, she thinks nothing of it, as it’s not out of the ordinary. And the draft consumes her. McAllister flawlessly incorporates Camilla’s career into the mystery in her newest novel. I don’t want to say much more because of spoilers.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is brilliant. Exciting, gripping, and heart-pounding. I loved the characters, the story, the suspense, and the mystery. I predicted a few things, but overall, it’s a can’t-put-it-down, won’t-be-sleeping-at-night kind of novel!

Book: Famous Last Words
Author: Gilliam McAllister
Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2025

This book was just not for me. I will say up front I don't enjoy this trope at all so that didn't help. Also I felt like this was more of a love story with a little "thriller" thrown in and I do not read romance either. I am giving it two stars because I think if I had understood the premise I might not have requested it so I hate to give it a bad review.

I love domestic thrillers and Gillian McAllister’s latest release, FAMOUS LAST WORDS is no exception. Fast-paced, gripping and full of suspense, I was hooked from page one. With well developed characters, a unique storyline, and plenty of twists the execution was perfect! I definitely recommend for fellow thriller lovers.

This one was just okay for me. I attempted to start it several weeks ago but couldn’t get into it. Picked it back up on publishing day and while I found the first part of the book intriguing, everything else felt very slow and predictable.
Perhaps it is just me but I knew the twist from the beginning. Nothing seemed to cause me to to “woah I didn’t already see that”. And for that reason this was just an okay read for me. I can see though where it might be a good book for people who do not typically read mysteries for that reason.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Wow!!! This novel has the most tense twists and turns. A hostage situation is happening in London and the main character thinks her husband is one of the hostages. Turns out he is the one taking hostages. Nothing is what it seems in this fast paced thriller.

Camilla (Cam) and Luke Deschamps are parents to 9-month-old Polly. Today is the first day back at work from maternity leave for Cam and the first day she will be leaving Polly at nursery. She is surprised that Luke is not home to help and bolster her up for these big changes.

Cam is a literary agent and Luke is a ghostwriter. They have a loving relationship and Luke is so helpful. Yet, Cam has noticed he has been a little on edge lately but nothing to worry about.

Back in the office, the television shows a hostage situation unfolding with three people tied up in a warehouse and a man with gun pointing it at their heads. That man is Luke!!

Naill Thompson is an experienced hostage negotiator and is immediately assigned to the case. Cam is contacted by the police and taken to the hostage site. While they hoped to get Cam to talk to Luke, shots ring out. One hostage had been released and the other two are killed. But Luke escapes.

Seven years later, Luke has not been found and Cam has just signed papers declaring him dead. Life has been difficult for her but she struggles to go on. Niall has been blamed for not sending in police to kill Luke instead of trying to negotiate with him. He has a hard time living with that. When Cam receives a strange text, she wonders if it could be Luke trying to communicate with her.

Oh, my goodness. This book is a total mess. The first book I have read by this author and I’m sure it will be the last. Such a confusing and dull book. I kept trying to find a real story in this book but it is truly a train wreck. Sorry, but this is not for me.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was so fun. The beginning was such a page turner. It slowed down for me during part 2 but I started putting clues together and did guess the ending, but the reveal was still fun. The only other book I’ve read by this author is wrong place wrong time which I remember none of so this one I would say is my fave of hers.

I absolutely binged this one! I love the combination of suspense, romance, and emotional depth, which creates a rollercoaster ride of twists, tension, and heartfelt moments. The plot revolves around a hostage situation, a missing husband, and a wife’s desperate search for answers. The pacing is excellent, with captivating character exploration.

McAllister’s writing immediately hooked me! I love how many chapters end with a cliffhanger, which adds to the story's addictiveness. The plot blends elements of thriller and romance. While the hostage situation and police investigation create plenty of suspense, there is also a touching love story between Cam and her husband, Luke, which adds emotional depth. The dual POV from Cam and Niall (the detective) provides a richer understanding of the unfolding drama—Cam grapples with her inner turmoil as she questions her husband's involvement in a crime. At the same time, the police struggle to piece together the case with minimal clues. I appreciate both Cam and Niall's character arcs.

I split my time between both the physical book and the audiobook. This is my first audiobook narrated by Emilia Fox, and she’s a perfect choice. I could feel Cam's inner turmoil as she grappled with the contrast between the Luke she loved and his criminal actions.

Other Highlights: Cam’s love of books (easy escape from reality!), Niall’s eventual openness to therapy, young Polly’s insight that good people do bad things but for good reason

I've read my fair share of thrillers and this one had a fresh, unique take. The character development was fantastic and I think any thriller fan will really enjoy it. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review - pub day is today, 2/25/25!

Have you ever woken up in the morning and just had this feeling inside telling you something is wrong or off? A feeling that whispers instinctively to be on guard? Something is coming.

Camilla wakes up the morning of June 21st and instinctively knows something isn’t right. She can’t pin it down, but it’s about an hour before her world is about to change forever.

I’m a huge Gillian McAllister fan. Her thrillers are impeccably crafted: suspenseful, propulsive, engaging, treacherous, and filled with some of the most excellent twists and turns I’ve read. One of the things I love most about her books, though, is how accessible they are for readers. In my opinion, Gillian McAllister is a thriller writer that’s fantastic for any level of thriller reader. If someone asked me what author I’d recommend to someone who’s just starting to read thrillers, I’d recommend McAllister over any other author. Likewise, I’ll never stop telling experienced thriller readers to read her books too (if they haven’t already).

Domestic thrillers aren’t usually my jam unless there’s feminine rage involved, but I can’t resist how utterly human McAllister crafts her characters. I cried a lot in the first half of this book as I sympathized with Camilla and her complex emotional processes surrounding her husband, her daughter, and her life in the wake of the events that unfold in the beginning of the book. I teared up for the sake of her daughter and what her future might be like. I got angry and frustrated and anxious, too.

The blurb for this book had the good sense to stay vague, and I’ll stay vague as to the rest too. Rest assured, McAllister wrote another banger novel and I loved every page. 5⭐️

🩶 What to Expect 🩶

🍒 Triple POV
💣 Literary agent protagonist
🍒 Cop protagonist
💣 Anonymous protagonist
🍒 Two time skips
💣 Maternal guilt
🍒 All he left was a note
💣 Bad things could happen to me
🍒 Being a cop is an antisocial job
💣 Everyone on Earth wants something
🍒 Instinct vs. rules
💣 Is this my fault?
🍒 There was Before and now there is After
💣 And just like that you fall apart
🍒 Am I being watched?
💣 Constantly conflicting emotions
🍒 Books: One of life’s great comforts
💣 You can’t solve everything by just Googling it, sadly
🍒 A hidden code
💣 There’s McDonalds everywhere


I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Crime Thriller/Domestic Thriller/Suspense Mystery

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book, like several others from this author, had me hooked from the first pages. Readers are immediately thrown into a high-stakes situation, which made me see things through the eyes of the FMC. This book was fast-paced, with MCs that I was rooting for. I was able to guess one of the twists in the book, but didn’t see any of the other puzzle pieces until the author revealed them. Definitely recommend giving this one a read, but be sure to set a bunch of time aside because you’re not going to want to put this one down!

Camilla is ready to return to work after months of maternity leave. But her morning takes a terrifying turn when she wakes up to find her husband, Luke, missing, leaving only a cryptic note behind. Then the news breaks: a hostage situation is unfolding in London, and it seems that Luke is involved.

Gillian McAllister delivers another gripping, thought-provoking thriller that keeps you questioning everything. Famous Last Words is a tense and emotional read that explores love, trust, and the secrets we keep from those closest to us. I enjoyed the twists and turns, the fast pacing, and found myself completely hooked by the plot from start to finish.

Read if you like:
• Psychological thrillers
• Stories about marriage and secrets
• Thought-provoking moral dilemmas
• Multiple POVs

Gillian Mcallister does it again! I loved her wrong place wrong time book, and this one didn't disappoint. She had me twisting and turning around every page, and I'll promptly be buying a copy ASAP.

Thank you Netgalley, Author and William Morrow Books for the ARC.

Camila’s first day back at work after maternity leave should have been just another milestone—exciting, nerve-wracking, but normal. But the news that breaks that morning shatters everything.

A hostage situation. A gunman. And the unthinkable possibility that her husband, Luke—a charismatic ghostwriter, a devoted father—might be the man behind the trigger.

Even more chilling? He left behind a cryptic goodbye note.

How could the man she loves—the man she thought she knew—be capable of this? What pushed him to this breaking point? And what really happened inside that building?
.
I love a good hostage thriller (The Negotiator with Kevin Spacey, anyone?), so I was immediately drawn to this premise. The story unfolds in four acts, alternating between Camila’s and negotiator Niall’s perspectives, adding layers to the suspense.

For Camila, the shock of seeing her husband—an extroverted, doting father—painted as a perpetrator is just the beginning. As the crisis unfolds, so does the unraveling of her life, leaving her with more questions than answers. Meanwhile, Niall, the negotiator, finds himself obsessing over the case in ways that threaten his own personal life.

The book is fast-paced with an addictive narrative that kept me turning pages. While I guessed the major twist early, the why behind it and the unexpected reveals still made for an intriguing read. The mix of personal drama and high-stakes tension added depth, though some parts felt predictable.

3.5/5 🌟 read for me.
A gripping premise with solid twists, perfect for fans of emotional thrillers.

Camilla's life is about to change and in a different way then she is anticipating. It is her first day back from maternity leave, she is dropping her daughter off at daycare for the first time. Her emotions are high as a new Mom. What makes it even harder is that her husband is mysteriously gone. She assumed he would go with her to drop their daughter off for her first day, but instead he has left a strange note behind. She does drop off on her own, and is now at work trying to settle in when the unexpected happens. The television comes on with breaking news. A gunman has 3 hostages in a warehouse. Her phone rings. The police say that her husband is involved.... he is the gunman.
Review:
3.5 stars
Famous Last Words starts off fast paced. It is enthralling and captured my attention right away. The stakes are high and I had so many questions. The middle part of this, for me, was slow. It lost me a little bit with the organized crime aspects (completely a me problem - not my favorite trope). The ending picks up again with high stakes and a lot of action. I liked the back and forth chapters between the hostage negotiator and Camilla. I was pleasantly surprised with how this ends and did not guess the perpetrators. Although I did have strong suspicions of one of the characters that was involved. Overall, I enjoyed this one and recommend picking it up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Gillian McAllister, and William Morrow for this ARC of Famous Last Words in exchange for an honest review!