I can always rely on Gillian McAllister's novels to deliver top-notch suspense. "Famous Last Words" is an exhilarating thriller that captivates from the very beginning. The plot is outstanding, filled with action that immediately grabs your attention. Camilla is returning to work on her first day after maternity leave when she receives the shocking news that her husband, Luke, is involved in a hostage situation—not as a victim, but as the perpetrator holding hostages at gunpoint. The character development of both Camilla and Niall, the hostage negotiator, is exceptionally well-crafted. Be sure to add this book to your reading list!

Calling this 'an addictive thriller' is like calling a piece of frosted white cake with coffee liquor poured over it a tiramisu. Its tastes ok, but it's NOT a tiramisu.

Told from two perspectives, Camilla, the wife of a hostage taker, and Niall, the hostage negotiator working for the police, this a tale of how these two cope with the aftermath of a hostage situation. Thriller? Not at all. However, we do get well drawn characters whose lives are upended that day. We learn how they cope with the aftermath; Camilla, by dealing with raising their baby daughter alone while wondering where her husband is and if he's still alive. Niall, coping with his wife leaving him for prioritizing work over their relationship, while still feeling there was something 'off' about the whole hostage situation.

The majority of this book is about these two people dealing with life without a spouse, the uncertainty of the future, the questions surrounding what happened that fateful day that threw both their lives into chaos. This was not as engaging as it may sound. In fact, about a third of the way in, I contemplated giving up as I was so bored I couldn't see reading another chapter. But I hung on. And it didn't get any better. Until the last couple of chapters, where things finally happen at breakneck speed (after everyone languishing with no progress for 7 years?). There are laughable coincidences and action that isn't possible unless you're superhuman. For example, one character is running away from a bad guy who grabs them at the waist. They still are able to fall to the ground, dig up a gun buried in the dirt, turn, point and shoot the bad guy. Superhuman indeed.

It's not a badly written book. It just veers from slow and tedious, to unbelievable, to whoa, that ended fast! Maybe don't market it as a thriller. Describe it as an examination of two people who endured a life changing event and how they cope. The 'thriller' aspect was definitely an afterthought.

This was my first book by Gillian McAllister and it did not disappoint. So many twists and turns that had me guessing until the very end. I loved having two point of views from the wife and the police. If you want a non stop thrill ride this is the book for you.

I know it's early in the year, but I am predicting this will be one of the best thrillers of 2025. It was that good. I cannot wait for the world to get their hands on this book as I think it's even better than her most popular book, Wrong Place, Wrong Time.

June 21st is already an emotionally heightened day for Cam; her maternity leave has ended, and she is returning back to work. Her husband is normally her voice of reason, but, he seems to have left for work early that day. She finds a note from him, but it really doesn't make any sense. How could he have forgotten such a monumental day for her?

Fast forward a few hours, and Cam is immersed in the world of publishing. She has a book at auction, and she is ready to dive into some new reads to take her mind off the fact that her husband, Luke, isn't answering her calls or texts. All of a sudden, the police show up at her job to tell her that Luke is involved in a hostage situation. Cam immediately fears for his safety, until she is told that she has it all wrong. Her beloved Luke is not a hostage. He is the gunman in the situation.

Cam is immediately brought to the scene to work with the hostage negotiator, Niall, on getting the hostages (and hopefully Luke) out alive. If there's one thing Cam knows, it's that her husband is good. She will find out why he is in this situation, no matter the cost.

I particularly enjoyed the dual POVs in this book. Both Cam and Niall narrate the story, which at first I was a little thrown by. Why do we need to hear the perspective of the hostage negotiator? But the more I read, the more his character endeared himself to me. He was just as committed to the truth as Cam, albeit for different reasons that I think many can relate to.

There were many elements of this book that reminded me of another popular thriller - The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. There was a cryptic note, a disappearing husband and a wife bound and determined to find the truth, all of which were also in The Last Thing He Told Me. I say all of this to say - if you enjoyed that book, pick this one up! (Can you tell I want you to read this book? It's just so darn good!).

Grab this book if you like reading:
📚 Dual POV thrillers
🔎 Time jumps
📚 Thrillers threaded with love stories
🔎 Disappearances
📚 Unassuming villains

I will post a review of this book closer to the review date on my bookstagram, @thecozybookgal

Gillian McAllister always keeps me on the edge of my seat! When your husband disappears and is all the sudden in the middle of a hostage situation, what do you do? The situation takes a turn for the worse and then, he's gone? How do you keep going? Do you start over? Hold out hope? All of these questions and more were answered in this gripping thriller. I loved the main character and her development through the plot. She was me, or any other middle aged woman starting a family. Seeing her persevere and then the end...WOW! You'll definitely want to check this one out!

5 stars!! A fast moving suspensive thrill ride that is nonstop from the get-go. Highly recommending it!! Pub. 2/25/25

I received an arc copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book! It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to know what's next. The narration is provided by two different characters on different sides of the siege- the wife of the perpetrator, and the hostage negotiator. Different sides of the story but both looking for the same man. Super interesting and a satisfying ending.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

As usual, Gillian McAllister gives us a difficult to put down mystery that I finished in less than a week. I recommend going into this knowing as little about the plot as possible.

One thing I really love about her books is her portrayals of marriage and parenthood, which add an authenticity and emotional aspect to the overall thriller plot lines of her books. I will read anything she writes.

Gillian McAllister is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The short chapters keep the flow of the book at a good pace. The plot is interesting and genuinely kept me guessing towards the end. I also enjoy her writing style. Definitely think this one is worth your time

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

"It's been so lovely with you both" is the cryptic message left from husband to bewildered wife the morning he chose to take three hostages in a siege..."

Famous Last Words is the new must-read mystery thriller by Gilliam McAllister, that will leave you quickly turning the pages wondering if something so bizarre and chilling could ever happen to you. Camilla has a wonderful life with a great job as a literary agent, a new baby, and a loving husband, Luke. On the day she is supposed to return to work after maternity leave and start her daughter in daycare, her husband is no where to be found. When Cam gets word of the "Bermondsey Siege" and realizes that her husband is the suspect with three hostages taken by gunpoint - her whole world changes. Luke escapes, but Cam is left to move on, raise their daughter on her own, and wonder what happened that day and where her husband disappeared to (while still being watched by the law). What was Luke hiding? What is Cam missing? and is there still a threat out there to herself and/or her daughter.

I am definitely a fan of McAllister - if you haven't read Wrong Place Wrong Time - go! now! It was extremely well done and I was excited for this new novel from her. Famous Last Words is a creative, fast-paced ride that will keep you engaged the whole time. Told from the point of view of the hostage negotiator, Niall, and Cam, these two view points intertwine perfectly adding up all the missing pieces and crumbs left for us throughout the novel to build a masterpiece. This book was well thought out and beautifully constructed.

And let's be clear, if I am ever in any type of situation I want Niall working on my case! His persistence and determination made him an extremely likeable character propelling this story forward. And at the heart of it all, an all encompassing love story of one woman's belief in her husband. I do not want to give anything away, so unfortunately I feel like I can't expound on my views more - but I highly recommend this novel and when it releases on February 25, 2025 - go buy it!

4.8 stars - an ingenious story by McAllister!

Thank you so much NetGalley for this clever arc. All opinions are my own and honest!

"Maybe fiction is one of life's great comforts."

Camilla prepares for her first day back to work since having her daughter. She is puzzled by a note she finds left by her husband. Luke, but begins her day. After dropping her daughter off at daycare, Camilla goes to what she thinks will be a normal day at work. She is shocked when police show up to inform her there is a hostage situation and her husband is involved. Camilla finds it hard to believe that Luke is capable of such a horrible thing. The day ends with one hostage freed and two found dead, Luke has disappeared without a trace.

Fast forward, everyone believes Luke is dead. Camilla, however, is skeptical , Though she is dating someone, she holds on to the feeling that Luke is out there alive and well. I won't give too much away, but one simple twist and Camilla is on a wild goose chase to prove Luke is alive and clear his name.

Definity a good read in my opinion. Lots of plot twist, though some I figured out before the end of the book, I would still recommend giving this book a try.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC to enjoy.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this ARC.

Great novel. I enjoyed another great novel by Gillian. It is easy to follow along with good characters you can relate to and cheer on. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick book for a weekend read. The storyline is suspenseful with a few turns and a slight twist.

Gillian McAllister caught my eye when I picked up Wrong Place Wrong Time. The book was phenomenal in a way I craved a mystery to be for a while. I immediately purchased Just Another Missing Person so I could experience again, at some point, the joy this author provides. Famous Last Words became available and I was lucky enough to review it. The wonderful thing about McAllister is that not only does she have clever builds in her stories, they ALL have nice tied off ends. This is often a challenge I see unfurl towards the end of many books.

The story itself pulls from many that have been done before, but McAllister offers personal and in depth point of views allowing the reader to be fully present in the journey. Multidimensional story building allows the reader to really take on the weight of the interactions, consequences and feel for future outcomes on a personal level. I had such a personal roller coaster ride with Cam as she saw her world unfurl upon discovering her husband was at the head of a kidnapping. She went through so many emotions that were believable and raw. The hostage negotiator was a really important element to the pov layer and how he interpreted the whole picture as well. There were even points of anonymous info relays about Cam to a family member that colored the story further making the mysteries more complex. There's a build of seven years where ideas and interpretations of the event weigh heavily on the husband. Things begin to happen and why they happen are important and relevant, which is so refreshing to me. The main characters are intelligent and have their flaws and the mix McAllister gives each is so wonderfully unique and really gives life to the story. Everything affects everyone and the delivery was exciting and fun, and I just thought McAllister did it again! There are twists that may be leading and some were a genuine surprise to me.

This read offers a personal experience, believable situations and good twists. I really enjoyed myself and will continue to read books by this author.

Motherhood, for introverts, is a special kind of difficult, the usual escape routes not available, a thought Cam regularly feels guilty about, but is nevertheless true. 5%

Maybe she's dreaming. Maybe she's reading a novel. 6%

"Threat of life. He's still aiming at them. He failed to engage. Article Two of the European Convention on Human Rights. The hostages have a right to life, Niall." 23%

"There are four human beings in there, not three." 23% Meaning the perp is also a human and should be viewed as such with the same rights to life.

Funny how things look different depending on what you know to be true. 66%

A peaceful feeling comes over Niall. He can do anything, even scary things, if only he knows the why. And he does. 91%

....She wonders if he fell in love, even just slightly. She wonders if she meant anything at all to him. 92%

And so Niall does it for the humanity of it: he does it for love. 94%

I enjoyed this-- while it wasn't my favorite of all the Gillian McAllister books I've read, like all her others it is a compelling thriller with substance and well-done twists. I saw one of the twists in this one coming where I hadn't in her others, but several things still surprised me and it was the perfect fun read to relax with. I always enjoy how McAllister takes an overarching emotional theme, like motherhood or marriage, and weaves it into a crime thriller in unexpected ways, asking readers to hold good/bad definitions of characters loosely and think about the ethics they would choose if ever in these impossible situations. Thanks very much to the publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy-- I will always read anything Gillian McAllister writes!

When Camilla starts her day, getting ready to return to work after maternity leave, she finds her usually supportive husband gone, and a cryptic note left. News is breaking about a hostage situation and the police show up at work for Camilla. Her fear is confirmed: her husband, Luke, is involved in the hostage situation.
Just not in the way she imagines. Luke has taken three hostages in the warehouse where he does his work. He is seen on CCTV with a gun, and the police are ready to breach.
But, not everything is as it seems.
Gillian McAllister kept me turning the pages to figure out just what is going on. Camilla and the hostage negotiator, who is haunted by his gut-feelings of that day, separately search for answers.

Gillian McAllister’s Famous Last Words is a thrilling, fast-paced psychological drama that deftly explores themes of secrets, trust, and the weight of those secrets revealed. Known for her sharp prose and intricate plotting, McAllister once again delivers a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

This was my first Gillian McAllister book but I will now be on the lookout for future publications! The story unfold from 2 POV's: Cam (the wife of Luke) and Niall, the hostage negotiator. There were many twists, turns and surprises and I figured out the "situation" about 85% of the way through but it was a fun ride. I will say the middle of the book did begin to drag a bit for me and I did start to tire of Cam's relentless "introvertedness" excuse for everything but it never dragged enough to consider not finishing. I did enjoy the love story part of this thriller: Cam and Luke and Niall and Viv, a nice addition to the fast action thriller. Many thanks to Gillian McAllister, Wm Morrow publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its publication date and I predict this is going to be on the bestseller list for sure!

This author’s previous book, Wrong Place, Wrong Time was one of my top 10 reads in 2022, so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it! McAllister has a way of creating situations that feel realistic and creating mysteries that are so much fun to try to figure out. I feel like she does a great job of providing clues - but still throwing in unexpected twists to keep the reader on their toes.

This book did start out slow for me - it could have been that I started reading it mid-December when my mind was racing with a hundred other things at each moment though. I just didn’t feel immediately immersed in this one. A murder happens right away, then the story moves to 7 years later. I love that she kept the details about the suspect hazy throughout so that I never really knew if he was alive or deceased. About halfway though the book, the pace quickens from a slow jog to full blown sprint. Once the action starts - it does not let up. I really appreciate this author’s smart women characters and her clever plots. I have been reading less thrillers this year as it is a genre that I do get tired of - but will instantly pick up anything else this author writes! Her stories are unique and her writing is excellent.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. Pub date: 2/25/26.

Gillian McAllister does it again with Famous Last Words! The story pulls you in from the first page with its unique premise and morally complex characters. The way it explores truth, lies, and the ripple effects of a single decision is both gripping and thought-provoking. While some parts felt a little slower than her usual pace, the twists and emotional depth more than made up for it. A compelling read that lingers long after you’ve finished!

This was an enjoyable read. It offers multiple POVs and I love books like that. Cam is so relatable as a main character in a lot of aspects. She learns her husband is behind a hostage situation and everything unravels from there. I wasn’t sure where it would end and I was pleasantly surprised by a few different things. I do think the pace slows down a bit in the middle but it picks back up. This is definitely a more character oriented novel and heavy on relationships. So, if that’s not your thing, this won’t be for you. Overall, a good novel that I think a lot of people will enjoy.

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