I received an ARC of this book from William Morrow via NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback. I LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK! Easily one of my favorites this year. It grabbed me from basically the first sentence, and I hated having to put it down. Ms. McAllister has a tremendous gift with words, which she gave to all her author characters. I kept wondering if some of the characters' opinions/ points-of-view with respect to books and publishing were a sort of subtle commentary on the author's own feelings. I was imagining her chuckling as she wrote.

I was so afraid the conclusion would let me down, because the entire book was so amazing, but I was thrilled to see it didn't. It made perfect sense.

All the characters are so well-developed and detailed. I loved Camilla & Luke's inside jokes/vocab and also Viv's stray animals.

I was honestly sad when I finished this and feel sorry for my next book which is highly unlikely to live up to this one!

Thank you so much, NetGalley! Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I'm in the minority here, so don't take my word for it, give it a try. For me, it was very slow paced and repetitive. nothing really happened until around 90 percent into the book. I will try another book by this author

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister. Hostage, Love and starting over.

I rated this 4 stars.

June 21st, the longest day of the year and Camilla’s first day back to work after maternity leave. Camilla readies herself and her daughter, Polly, for the day and hoping to receive help from her husband, Luke, but he has already left the house. Did he kiss her goodbye…? Leaving the house Camilla finds a note from Luke with “It’s been lovely with you both”, odd but she puts it to the back of her mind and thinks about her first day back. Camilla is a book editor and Luke is a ghost writer.

Camilla still hasn’t heard back from Luke, now there is a hostage situation on the news and suddenly the police are looking for her. They are there to inform her that he is apart of the hostage situation but not a victim, he’s the gunman.

Gillian did a wonderful job writing a mystery thriller with twists and turns but also a little bit of a love story. Was a great read that kept me interested will definitely recommend this to others.

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Starts off with a bang... and then the pace gets tedious. When a wife discovers that her husband has taken several hostages in a warehouse, she questions EVERYTHING she's ever known about him. The note he left, the recent break-in at their house, even the miles he drove. We learn the backstory of the hostage negotiator's relationship, the sister's fertility struggles, a little too much distraction and then the story jumps forward in time. The narrative drags, gets a bit convoluted, and I found myself pushing through just to find out the ending. Overall, it was a decent thriller and the premise is excellent. Not as good as Wrong Place, Wrong Time.

What a story. Honestly in the first part of the book I had no idea where it was going. Although it was a bit slow in the middle, the connections that come out of this book were so good. It really keeps you guessing and the ending will have you on the edge of your seat. My only critique is that it needed to be a bit faster, to really keep a reader hooked but otherwise I really enjoyed it.

"All along, she was looking for the heroes and the villains, and she had them the wrong way around. At the heart of this mystery was a book that solved everything for her, the way they always do. A story that made sense of the chaos of life."

I'm absolutely blown away by this book! From the very first page, I was hooked. This is one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read in a long time! The pacing is fast, the tension is high, and the stakes couldn’t be more intense.

What I loved most is how the story is told from two timelines and multiple perspectives—Camilla’s frantic journey to understand what’s happening to her husband and Niall, the police negotiator who’s dealing with the crisis. The shifting viewpoints really pulled me in, making it impossible to put the book down.

Gillian's writing is phenomenal, effortlessly building suspense while forcing you to reflect on how well we really know the people closest to us. This book keeps you guessing, offering twists and surprises that’ll leave your jaw on the floor.

I devoured this in one sitting and can’t recommend it enough. If you’re a fan of thrillers with family drama, police procedures, and jaw-dropping twists, this is a MUST-read! It’s binge-worthy, heart-pounding, and truly unforgettable!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

When your husband disappears and then reappears on video masterminding a crime, how do you move on? What if you still believe in his innocence? McAllister takes us thru a seven year story where a woman struggles to move on but eventually does. Her husband vanished after escaping the cops, but when she tries to have him legally declared dead, her world begins to change in several ways. Who's controlling it all? I was so hooked from the moment she learned it was her husband with the gun. Couldn't put it down, and then... when the truth came out, it makes you wonder how far you'll go to protect someone you love!

An addicting page-turner right from the start!

After months of maternity leave, new mother Camilla is dropping her daughter off at her first day of daycare. She's looking forward to being back at work as a literary agent. But when she wakes, her husband Luke isn’t there, and in his place is a cryptic note: "It's been lovely with you both." Then, what starts as usual day turns into BREAKING NEWS - the police inform her that her husband Luke is involved in a hostage situation, only not as a hostage but as the gunman.

When I say FAMOUS LAST WORDS starts off with a BANG, I mean, it starts OFF WITH A BANG. The pacing and tension kept me so engaged as the pages just kept turning. Told from the perspectives from Niall (the hostage negotiator) and Camilla, these characters carried the story seamlessly. I was obsessed and just HAD TO KNOW the reason behind Luke's involvement in the hostage situation...WHYYYYY would a seemingly normal husband and father just FLIP like that?? And let me tell you, the plot is so unique, you'll never guess until the story unfolds at the end. I love a 'book within a book' and it's execution here is brilliant. The middle did drag a bit as we get more of Cam and Niall's inner thoughts as they deal with the aftermath of the siege BUT once we get the first revelation, the rest of the story is on SPEED CONTROL. This would make a great EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT movie adaptation. I definitely RECOMMEND!

I absolutely loved this book! I had been in a book slump and this got be right out. I couldn’t put it down. It’s just so good and has lots of twists. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC!

“We pause for a moment, here, to bring you breaking news from Central London…. There is a hostage situation unfolding.”

Gillian McAllister is an absolute master of
suspense, and she’s done it again with Famous Last Words. What a wild ride of a thriller.

”Jesus Christ. It isn’t as it seems. Not at all.”

The book starts at breakneck speed, right in the middle of a typical morning, when new-mom Camilla receives word that her loving husband has taken three people hostage. Within hours, two of them are dead and Cam’s husband, Luke, is on the run. With Luke missing and police on his tail, Cam is left to pick up the pieces of her life, while also trying to figure out why he might have done this and how he got involved in the first place.

”She is not tied up. She is not bound and gagged. But she is his hostage, no doubt about it.”

Filled with tension and adrenaline, this book will dropkick you right out of a reading slump if you’re in one. There was so much happening, and so many little breadcrumb clues dropped along the way, that I really needed to pay attention to what I was reading to make sure I didn’t miss a thing. I didn’t want to put it down!

”It was always, always going to end this way, consequences be damned…”

I loved the story and its twisty plot, but I also loved the woven-in musings on unexpected kinds of grief, and the theme of learning when to let go and when to hold on. McAllister’s books are so much more than popcorn thrillers, and I love them every time.

——

A huge thank you to Gillian McAllister, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thrilling story from start to finish! Gillian knocked it out of the park with this book. I absolutely loved it! Must read for thriller/mystery fans!

I don’t often read mysteries because they completely take over my life—but Famous Last Words was absolutely worth it! From the very first page to the jaw-dropping ending, I was hooked. Gillian McAllister masterfully weaves suspense with deeply emotional storytelling, creating a thriller that also resonates as a love story.

Cam’s journey as she pieces together her husband Luke’s shocking actions, and Niall’s determined hostage negotiations, kept me on edge. The alternating perspectives were captivating, and the twists—wow! I pride myself on guessing endings, but this book had surprises that left me gasping.

This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read in years, combining mystery, heart, and an utterly unique plot. I’ll be recommending this to everyone I know and cannot wait to read more from McAllister. Five stars and then some! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I really hated this book. It took so incredibly long for anything to happen - the book doesn't gain any momentum until 63% into the kindle version. Just a lot of sad, wistful thoughts from our main character about this big event that happened in her life. It's boring. Also this book has clearly been workshopped through several edits as details from their home and a murder don't align throughout the book. Will explain further underneath a

*****SPOILERS*****

There is a big deal made about the family's upside down house (i.e. bedrooms downstairs, living spaces up) --- especially as this is integral to the denouement of the book. However multiple times the characters are going up to a room that should be down, or vice versa. Likewise, the murders we find out kicked off the entire story keep switching details. Originally we're told the one kid is killed by a shot to the temple. Later as the husband is describing the story of the murders that ultimately involve him, he says the kid was shot in the chest and he was trying to save him. Clearly if I saw someone shot in the temple, my first thought wouldn't be to try and save them, so I assume this is the cause for the change. Either way, this plot is absolutely bonkers because what new parent leaves their infant in the car as they race to try and help someone who has been shot while the shooter is still there?! Also the husband constantly referring to the people trying to kill him as "his enemies." Who the heck would talk about it like that?
The storyline of Niall being haunted by this hostage situation seems silly by American standards. Maybe I'm just desensitized to violence, but two people dying in a hostage situation hardly seems like life altering trauma to a hostage negotiator. His chapters felt unnecessary as well as boring.
I also hate when the author makes her characters stupid for the sake of plot. Like how does Cam not realize the couriered book isn't from her author and is instead from her husband WHO'S WRITING STYLE SHE IS INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH?! Or that Charlie is clearly the one keeping tabs on her for nefarious reasons? Stop talking to him and sharing your secrets! Also to act like Cam is still in love with her husband and unwilling to really commit to a new relationship because she holds out hope he will someday return...but then drop they've had sex several times like it ain't no big thang. WTH.


Truly, steer clear. This book is awful.

I don’t often read mysteries because when I do then I cannot get anything else done! Famous Last Words is one of this novels that kept me intrigued from the first page till the last. I am glad I was able to read this thru NetGalley and will look for more work by the author

After 9 months maternity leave, Cam returns to work. It is also her first day dropping her daughter, Polly, off at daycare. Cam assumes her husband Luke left early but he's not answering his texts or calls. And there's a weird note from him in the foyer. Cam tries to push the negative thoughts away and go to work. But once at work her world changes. The cops come and tell her there is a hostage situation unfolding in a wearhouse nearby and her husband is involved. She didn't think it could get any worse until they tell her he is the perpetrator, not a hostage.

Outside the wearhouse, hostage negotiator Nial attempts to make contact with Luke before things take a turn he didn't expect.

This is told in 4 parts and for the majority of the time it is told in Cam and Nail's perspective.

Lots of twists and turns in this one that literally had me gasping at reveals. I saw a few things coming but ultimately was surprised at the ending. This is a thriller, and a love story. I don't read a lot of romance but you could feel the pain dripping off of the pages and it made you root for our main characters.

The best thriller I have read in a long time. So unexpected and such a different story. I am recommeding it to anyone that needs an escape with gread characters, several twists and the power of true love.

This was one of the more captivating thrillers I have read. I had to keep reminding myself to breathe while reading. The concept of this book was fascinating and the execution was so well done. Loved it.

One thing I can say for sure about Famous Last Words - you probably won't guess the truth before the big reveal!

The good of this - surprise is always a delight in a thriller. It's rare to come across a book that truly twists the story in a new way.

The less good - the twist felt a little random to me. And I guess, really, that's the crux of the story. The way random events can impact your life in unknowable and unforseen ways.

I always enjoy Gillian McAllister's writing, and Famous Last Words was no exception. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and the level of suspense that was sustained throughout the novel. The pace was consistent and readable.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a midwinter thriller to warm the blood!

I rate this book 4 stars. Thanks to Netgalley, Gillian McAllister, and the publisher for making this book available in exchange for my honest review.

I appreciated the idea of this book and how the story evolved. I did not enjoy the writing and I found it hard to read and follow around with what was happening.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is one of those novels that makes you think it’s one thing, but as you pull back the layers, it’s much more complicated than that.

We start with Cam, a new mother who is just about to return to work after her nine month maternity leave. Her day proceeds as normal, dropping off her daughter at her new nursery school and proceeding to work. Once she arrives though, she notices the breaking news alert: there’s a hostage situation underway and her husband is involved…as the gunman.

What unfolds is a years long investigation into what really happened that day. What caused Luke to do it. What mess was he involved with. In an alternating POVs we follow Cam as she attempts to figure it out, while also how to move on, and we follow Niall, the hostage investigator who knows there’s more to this story than what’s on the surface than what was presented…if only someone would listen to him.

I’ve read a novel or two of McAllister’s before and she does a great job of plotting this story, giving you just the minimum of what you need to know to keep you intrigued. I will admit I saw every one of the twists coming, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. I liked both of our main characters as well. Cam’s yearning for the truth was compelling and Niall’s determination to get those answers was riveting. I like the way this wrapped up too. It great tension to get us to the finish line.

I highly recommend checking this one out when it hits bookstores in February.

Thank you to William Morrow Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: 2/25.