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.

McAllister slays once again. She retains her jump-right-in style with a brilliant new tale that emerges from one mysterious and tragic night. It weaves through the lives of coppers and publishers, and I was undeniably fired up by this as a book lover, an editor and ghostwriter. I’m also pretty sure this will intrigue any reader, so get ready, good times are ahead for you my friends, with some late night reading because you won’t want to stop until you get to the last words. 📚

Famous Last Words tells the story of Camilla, who is a brand new mother who only manages to make it through the first nine months of her daughter's life with her husband Luke by her side. However, one morning Luke is found on surveillance footage to be holding three hostages for reasons that no one can figure out.
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, since I always keep my expectations low for thrillers (that way if there is a twist or not I won't be expecting it and I won't be disappointed). However, this was very well-written and entertaining and fast-paced, and I couldn't stop turning the pages to see what happens next. Camilla was a compelling main character, and I cared about Niall, the hostage negotiation, a little less than Cam, but I thought his journey and discovery was interesting as well. This book deals with more than just the straight-forward thriller I had been expecting, including Cam's motherhood journey in tangent with her sister's fertility journey and Niall's PTSD and marital troubles, all of which I found interesting, when usually I just want the story to move on without focusing on all that. McAllister managed to capture these characters in a way that I actually did care about them and not just figuring out what the mystery was.
This book wasn't jaw-dropping or groundbreaking to me in any way, I managed to guess a few of the reveals before they happened, but that didn't make it less entertaining or enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this book - it was my first Gillian McAllister and I will definitely be reading through her backlog and picking up whatever she wrote next, because this was a great thriller!

I really enjoyed this tale, so much so I'm not even sure why.

Camilla works for a publishing company and is married to one of her writers, Luke. On the day that she is back to work after her maternity leave, she can't find her husband. What she does find is a note from him and later learns that he has taken three people hostage.

I think I enjoyed this one so much because I am married and have a toddler. I could appreciate Cam's feelings of being in love, having a great friendship with a fellow introverted spouse, and then something crazy happening and not knowing why.

This story is also told over a long period of time, which was a nice change. I loved the mystery and seeing different characters trying to solve it. It was good fun.

Love is everywhere- even a hostage situation. Camilla is starting a busy day but can’t find her husband, Luke. Suddenly, breaking news of a hostage situation and Luke is involved. But, what is really happening? After missing for 7 years Camilla is ready to declare Luke dead when new details are secretly shared and hope if revealed. Action packed read!

I received this from the publisher as an ARC e-book. I had forgotten to jump into reaching it (and I had to finish my A to Z reading challenge) so I was embarrassed that they had to reach out to me for a review.

I will say this was one that I wanted to come back to it as soon as I was pulled away by other duties. It had really good twists and I didn't know what to expect given the cliffhanger was so early in the book (I'm trying not to give too much away).

I like how McAllister changed-up the typical flow of a book like this. That was good writing. However, a part of me left me thinking, "REALLY - SEVEN YEARS???" If you've read it, too, would you agree?

If anything... 😉

Camilla returns to work after nine months of maternity leave, ready to navigate this pivotal day. But her morning takes an unsettling turn when her husband, Luke, leaves early without offering his support--leaving behind only a cryptic note. Later, Camilla receives a shocking call: there's been a hostage situation. To her horror, Luke isn't a victim--he's the gunman.

What follows is a gripping exploration of how Camilla copies with the aftermath, unraveling the mystery behind her husband's shocking actions. Completely out of character for the man she thought she knew, Luke's choices leave her grappling with unanswered questions and dark revelations.

This thriller is an emotional rollercoaster that keeps you on edge until the very last page. Once you start reading, you'll find it nearly impossible to put down.

This was the easiest five star rating I’ve given a book in a minute! It starts off with a bang and never lets up. A loving husband and devoted father shocks his family by taking hostages in a London warehouse. Told in dual points of view from the wife and the hostage negotiator, the reader gets an intimate look at different aspects of the case as they unfold. Dark secrets are exposed and the twists never stop! The shocking ending will have your jaw on the floor! I never saw it coming!

I read this one with my booksta besties and I’m so glad I had someone to discuss this book with! We all loved it and couldn’t get enough! If you run a book club or host buddy reads, this is the perfect book to discuss with friends! Definitely put this one on your radar for March and get your preorders in for the February 25 publication date!

I loved this book. The mystery was entertaining and left you constantly guessing. I especially enjoyed the writing style. The fact that the book is about an author and a literay agent, it was appropriate to use a more robust vocabulary.

I did not love this book. It was trying so hard to be twisty and suspenseful, but it fell flat.

I can appreciate that Cam kept faith through the whole ordeal and that Niall had a good character arc, but the story just didn’t grip me. I felt the pace was quite slow for a thriller and the plot somewhat predictable.

Overall, it’s a 3/5 for me. Nothing really wrong with this book, but just not for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Famous Last Words.

Yessss, this was great! I couldn't wait to go back to keep reading! Finally I saw what the draw to this author was because I was so underwhelmed by her last book Wrong Place, Wrong Time. Famous Last Words just kept getting better and better, keeping my attention with the roller coaster of a plot. Not only did this book was so good at driving the story along, the emotional and personal counterpart was done so well that it balanced this into such a great thriller.

I really enjoyed the notion that even though we know what Luke had done (or seemed to have done), there was a lingering plot line that there was something else happening. And that need to know, along with Cam (his wife), who had been thrown pretty much into a chaotic blender, that would keep you on your toes while getting. into this. Dual POV (and a third mysterious surprise POV) with Cam and hostage negotiator Niall, the author kept me reeling from start to finish for sure. Great and fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A thriller with a love story.

Cam starts her first day back from maternity leave, wondering where her husband could be. Why would he miss drop off, and why isn't he answering her texts and calls. She soon finds out and has to answer the question of how she could be so wrong about someone.

I picked this book up and didn't put it down until it was finished. It really kept my interest. It is told from a duel POV that is easy to navigate. Apart from the initial setup, the chapters are short and pace the book well.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.