**Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gillian McAllister for an ARC of this book!**

Camilla is about to face the day that every new mom both dreads and waits impatiently for...maternity leave is over, and she's about the drop off her precious Poppy at daycare for the very first time. Her job as a literary agent feels so far away, but at the same time, she's full of anticipation to step back into her 'old' life. When she discovers her husband, Luke, not at home with only a note left in his wake, she isn't too alarmed. After all, if anything were REALLY wrong, surely he would have called...right? Imagine Camilla's shock, then, at finding out that her husband is actually MISSING...and more terrifying still, he's involved in a hostage situation. But what truly blows her mind and doesn't seem real?

It's her HUSBAND that is holding OTHERS hostage...and in that moment, Camilla's world shatters.

His 'famous last words' all of a sudden take on new meaning...and 'It's been lovely with you all' seems more like a cryptic and coded goodbye than ever. The hostage negotiator, Niall, has a pretty quick window to turn things around...but when Luke, the kind and charming man Camilla has loved for so long, actually FIRES at the hostages and leaves dead bodies in his wake, both Niall and Camilla are stunned, horrified, and determined to find answers. Can either of them get to the bottom of the mystery and discover what made the first domino fall? Will Camilla ever get her husband back...and does she even WANT him back? How could a man that made her feel so seen, so safe, and so loved have been harboring such dangerous secrets? And are all of the answers she seeks RIGHT in front of her face...if she can just find a way to decipher the clues?

Gillian McAllister is one of those authors I've been chomping at the bit to try for a couple of years now. With several mystery-thrillers under her belt and many rave reviews from trusted reviewer friends, I was OVERJOYED to get the chance to read an advanced copy of her latest effort...so much so that I MIGHT have chosen to forego reading the publisher's blurb entirely. This isn't entirely out of the norm for me, but I USUALLY reserve the auto request for authors that I've actually tried (and consistently liked) before...but I was willing to push past early hurdles (hostage situation, bumpy pacing, and narration that didn't quite click) in the hopes that in the END, somehow, it would all pay off.

But in the amount of time it took to get from Luke's famous last words to Gillian McAllister's last words, it wasn't only Luke who was missing...but my interest, attention, and intrigue along with him.

First off, my last interaction with a hostage trope in a thriller (or the most memorable, anyway) wasn't memorable in a GOOD way: it was B.A. Paris' The Prisoner, a book that was so painful, I actually felt like I was trapped like a hostage in one of the Saw films. So needless to say, finding out that was at play in this novel as well put me on edge immediately...but I tried to give the setup the benefit of the doubt, and it WAS exciting...for the very first part of the book, that is. Once the plot sort of 'opens up' to include all of Camilla's long, drawn-out past with Luke AND expanded to include the comings and goings of hostage negotiator Niall, however, McAllister started to lose me...and if not for the book's short chapters, it would have been an even quicker descent. I think this pacing was meant to keep the energy up, much like an action film, but to have the actual content and plot of the story moving at a snail's pace at times just made this choice feel a bit off. I kept waiting to feel more excited and invested in what was going on, but I honestly spent most of the book feeling sort of sorry for Camilla...which I'm not sure was the intended result.

There are also a bunch of quick insert bits from an unknown narrator who is keeping tabs on Camilla, but these felt more like excuses for a chapter break than anything else...and none of them truly felt 'tense' to me. The entire character of Niall and all of his narration also made this feel more along the lines of a police procedural and less the psychological thriller I was hoping to read...and I didn't find unwinding all of the behind-the-scenes of Luke's past to be that interesting. Parts of this read as though it was supposed to feel like a love story, but more in the sense of wistful remembrance than an actual living and breathing romance for me to get invested in as a reader, so this too left me wishing for fewer time jumps and more of a through line. Having the murders at the beginning of the book also sort of felt like getting all of the 'excitement' out of the way at the beginning and I could never get back into this anticipatory headspace, even at the denouement. The 'biggest twist' also felt disappointing and a bit predictable, given the clues we were presented with along the way...and weeks later, the fact that I could hardly remember half of the other character's names and their subplots until referencing OTHER reviews really says enough right there.

And being that I found enough potential in these pages to warrant giving this author another try, I guess all I can say is that I hope I enjoy her NEXT words FAR more than her LAST.

3.5 stars

This author is consistently at the top of the game and this latest entry is no exception. This novel explores how well we really know the people we love the most and what we're capable of with our backs against the wall. I love the insight the author provides with the varied points of view with these uniquely captivating characters. Buckle in and enjoy this ride!

Started out real strong and it just got to be not so good once the second part of the story comes about. I didn’t like the whole 7 years later; the characters and moving parts. This just didn’t do it for me. 2.5 stars

This novel grabbed me from the first page and wouldn't let go. My first McAllister novel and I'll now check out the others.

This book did not end up going the way I thought it would 😂.

Don’t get me wrong, I was hooked from start to finish as I usually am with mysteries. I suspected most of the right things. It’s fast paced, and maybe too fast at the end?

There was a continuing thread with Cam’s sister’s infertility that I don’t was necessary, and all the stuff with Nile’s ex wife. Just extra things to bulk up the word count, but didn’t really add to the story.

Overall though, a decent read. The audiobook narrators do a great job!

Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A decent read albeit a bit on the slow side. A family is decimated after one night of mistakes - or so it seems. A father makes a choice. No one understands it including his wife. The consequences will filter down and out over the course of a number of years. This is a tale of twists and turns. Thanks to NetGalley.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the boundaries of trust, family, and the devastating secrets that can lie beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. The novel begins on June 21st, the longest day of the year, when Camilla, a new mother, is set to return to work after maternity leave. However, her world is turned upside down when her husband, Luke, disappears, leaving only a cryptic note in his place.

As Camilla tries to piece together the puzzle, breaking news reveals that a hostage situation is unfolding in London, with Luke at the center of it—not as a victim, but as the gunman. The tension heightens as Camilla must decide how to act, holding the key to Luke's possible redemption through the mysterious note he left behind. The plot unfolds in a fast-paced, high-stakes narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering if Camilla can navigate this unimaginable situation and uncover the truth about her husband.

McAllister’s writing is sharp and thought-provoking, blending suspense with emotional depth. The way she delves into Camilla’s psyche, balancing her maternal instincts with the horror of her husband’s actions, creates a complex, relatable character whose emotional journey drives the narrative. The twists and turns of the plot are skillfully executed, leading to a tense and unexpected conclusion.

Famous Last Words is a compelling thriller that keeps readers questioning everything they think they know about the characters, all while exploring the fragility of relationships and the dark side of seemingly ordinary lives. This is a must-read for fans of psychological suspense who appreciate intricate, character-driven stories.

This book started off with a bang, I thought the first part was great and couldn't put it down. It slowed quite a bit for me during the middle. While the ending had a lot of twists and kept me on my toes, some parts seemed a little far-fetched. Overall an entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Gillian McAllister just keeps getting better. She really is becoming my favorite author of the twisty-turny thriller. I especially loved the characters in this book, they brought me right in before the plot took off and hooked me until the final page. I love the way all the plot threads are woven together by the end... this was a great book!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an Advanced Readers Copy of this book published 25 Feb 2025

I really enjoyed this one. There were so many twists and turns. While I was reading it, I did think it was a bit long, but now that it’s been about a week since I finished it, I think all the information was necessary to really draw you into the story and characters.

This thriller was a unique plotline and I was intrigued to learn more about the mystery. I got sucked in and read it very quickly. Great for fans of thrillers who want a fast paced, suspenseful read.

Gillian McAllister is so consistency good with her family-focused suspense novels and Famous Last Words is no exception. If you like her other books you will love this one just as much.

I love how Gillian McAllister’s stories take the road less traveled, and all the little pieces collect and collect until the satisfying “aha!” moment. Famous Last Words is no exception, and while it’s difficult to discuss without giving away key plot moments, just know that it’s as good as the others in McAllister’s library.

I kind of thought that this book was going in one direction and then BAM. The next chapter starts and it's seven years later. The narrative kind of drug on a bit in the middle and I wasn't quite sure why we were given so much of Niall's point of view. The resolution happened so fast I'm still not quite sure how it was solved exactly.

I don’t know why I waited so long to read this off my arc list, it was really very good, I love a good mystery and this one included a love story. What happens when the man you love and decided to build a family with does something horrific and then immediately disappears? Do you automatically give up on him and all the dreams you had together? How do you move on, do you move on? Is there always that niggling feeling in the back of your mind like you know something isn’t adding up. Cam has the most fun sounding job ever of finding books to be published, married to an author and living her best life after baby and then the seige. Seven years later she’s just trying to live but can’t stop thinking of her husband Luke who hasn’t been seen or heard from since, trying to date again and reading the second manuscript from her client Adam, when everything starts to change again. I’m gonna stop so no spoilers, but I enjoyed this one a lot!

I was so excited for this book since I’ve loved Gillian McAllister’s other work! It started strong, but as the story progressed, it felt overly complicated—especially toward the end. The plot became muddled, and the addition of more characters seemed to serve only to tie things together rather than enhance the story. While I appreciate McAllister’s complex storytelling, this one didn’t quite land for me.

So so boring! Nothing interesting happens. I wish this author would go back to writing scifi thrillers. I would not recommend.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley

Wow, this book really caught you from the beginning and didn't let go!
Cam goes back to work after being on maternity leave, and drops her daughter off at day care. When she wakes up her husband is not there and he left her an odd note.

Then she hears the news about a hostage situation that is developing. The police show up and tell her that her husband is the gunman and that they want her help to talk to him.

The story grabs you and is very well written! I really enjoyed it.

<i>Famous Last Words</i> is easily my favorite Gillian McAllister to date. This family drama / thriller felt unique amongst all of the other thrillers out there. It will stand apart as one that I will remember because of its storyline.
On the day that Cam ends her maternity leave and drops her daughter off at daycare for the first time, her loving and doting husband is nowhere to be found. He isn't there to send them both off, wish them luck on their first days, give them a hug for reassurance as they walk out the door. Shortly after Cam gets to work, the police arrive for her and her life changes forever.
The story follows the timeline of the hostage situation and the police investigation at the time. Then 7 years later, Cam is ready to file her husband as dead so that she can sell the house and move on. Once she starts the process, it triggers other things and the once cold case because hot again. Cam never truly believed he was capable of what he is being accused of, but is he really still out there?
This was definitely a fun one to follow. There were a couple of things that I suspected but wasn't sure of, but there were also a few things that did surprise me and I had to go back and reread what I had just read to make sure I understood it. Love when a book surprises me like that.

You wake up. Your husband is gone. Instead of a good-morning kiss or a "Don't forget the baby wipes," he leaves you a cryptic note. Weird. Then the news breaks: there’s a hostage situation in London. Even weirder. The police show up at your door. Turns out, your husband isn’t one of the hostages. Nope—he’s the guy holding the hostages.

Excuse me, WHAT?!

That’s the nightmare Camilla walks into on what was supposed to be her first day back from maternity leave. One minute, she’s navigating daycare drop-offs and inbox anxiety; the next, she’s questioning everything she thought she knew about her life, her husband, and whether she’s somehow starring in an extended episode of Black Mirror.

What I Loved
- The Mystery Keeps You Hooked
The central question is fascinating: How does a loving husband and father go full-blown hostage-taker overnight? (Spoiler: He doesn’t. There’s always more to the story.) The book does a great job unraveling this, keeping you second-guessing everything.

- Cam is Relatable
She’s not your typical "wife in distress" thriller protagonist. She’s sharp, determined, and just as confused as the rest of us, which makes her easy to root for.

- The Big Twists (Mostly)
Okay, one major twist was obvious. (If you read enough thrillers, you’ll spot it a mile away.) But it’s more of a how than a what, and that part stays gripping.

What Didn’t Work as Well
- Mild Predictability
Like I said, I saw one of the twists coming. Did it ruin the book? No. Did I give myself a smug little nod when I turned out to be right? Absolutely.

Would I recommend Famous Last Words? Absolutely. It’s fast-paced, gripping, and has just enough twists to keep you flipping pages. Even if you figure out the big "aha" moment early, you’ll still want to see how everything unfolds.

⭐ 4/5 stars – because every marriage should come with a “Just In Case I Become a Hostage-Taker” disclaimer. ⭐