Cam drops her daughter off at daycare for the first time since maternity leave. Not long into her first day, cops show up and tell her that her husband has three people held hostage. This turns into a race basically of trying to figure out why. Without giving anything away, the book skips ahead seven years for the second half.

I don’t think this book is as good as her last two, but I’m not sure she will ever top those. This was a great book though that was hard to stop once I started. I did figure out some of the twists but def not to the depth they were. I almost feel like the hostage part should have been longer. Still a great book!

This book was so much fun to read! It hooks you early on making this a fairly-quick read, as I was eager to figure it out. There were unexpected twists and this kept me guessing. This was a great mystery/thriller with a love story within.

I enjoyed this one! The ending felt a little hurried and convenient, compared to the deliciously slow build and teasing development of the vast majority of the book. Still I enjoyed it, and while I saw the twists coming from a mile away, that didn't lessen my enjoyment. McAllister does a nice job laying out characters and plot and keeping the pacing clicking along. I will definitely look her up in the future.

I was so excited that I got to read an early copy from Netgallery of Gillian McAllister's new book, 'Famous Last Words'. Gillian McAllister is a phenomenal author and I have enjoyed many of her previous books! And WOW. This new book from her was an insanely good read! I was hooked from the start and all I could think about was how I wanted to finish this book. The writing is fast-paced and full of crazy twists and turns that will shock you. This book is set to come out February 2025.

Here's a blurb of what the story is about:

When Camilia wakes up, her husband Luke isn't there, and he leaves behind a cryptic note. She is shocked when police inform her that Luke was the gunman in a hostage situation. What she does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind that morning says...

Thank you so much to Gillian McAllister, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the ARC of Famous Last Words.

This is only my second McAllister novel and I was even more hooked than reading my last. This book follows Cam, wife, and Niall, hostage negotiator as they try to unravel what happen in the siege where Luke shot and killed two hostages in 2017.

I could NOT put this book down! There were so many different ideas and plot lines that swirled in my head and again I was so surprised at how this book unfolded. McAllister is amazing at keeping me guessing throughout her books. I loved both of the narrators, the literary twist… this book is sure to be a hit. 5/5 stars!!

From the beginning, the book had a hold on me. I enjoyed the dynamic between Cam & Luke. I was able to relate to Cam's feelings about being an introverted, bibliophile new parent. I feel the author did a great job of creating sympathetic, relatable characters that you want to root for. The events ramped up early and I couldn't put the book down until I finished it and found out why the situation happened in the first place. I enjoyed the reveals that came along the way and didn't expect the various puzzle pieces to connect the way they did. The book summary on Goodreads places a lot of emphasis on the "cryptic note" Luke left behind, but I feel like the note wasn't as big of a deal as it's made out to be in the description, unless I'm not thinking enough into it. And the "final battle" did feel a little abrupt to me, but I can attribute that to me just wanting more & more, which is a good thing.

Couldn’t stop reading. Kept the story interesting with a twist for the ending. Everything I expected from this author.

Really wonderful thriller because at the heart of it is a love story that rings true over the course of the book. The characters are deep and interesting and the mystery is compelling enough to keep my interest.

As I posted on IG before I began reading, WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME was my fav book of 2022. I know this book took Gillian a bit longer to write because she also had a live baby as she was writing this book.

The book starts out in a second by second account of a hostage situation. The reader has little to no background on the man who has taken 3 people hostage.

There's then an abrupt jump to 7 years later. The characters are all so well-developed. I adore Can & her sister Libby's sister relationship. They talk the same as my sister and I do with each other. Gillian must have sisters because there's an intimate langu6only spoken and understood between close sisters who want the best for one another even when they don't sound or act like they do.

This is Gillian's 3rd book I've read, as well as countless other psychological thrillers. Ive become quite the sleuth. I suspected a lot in this book but am not going to reveal any spoilers. It was fun to discover that I did correctly pick up on the clues! Go me!

I rate FAMOUS LAST WORDS 4.5 coffee beans out of 5.

I hope Gillian is hard at work on her next book! I will certainly be telling everyone to read this, along with WRONG TIME, WRONG PLACE.

I have to confess that I read that I spent a day reading this book in one sitting. I was so hooked until the end that I really did try to put it down and do something else, but I could not figure out where it was going, so I plowed on.

I had no prior experience reading a Gillian McAllister book, so I did not know what to expect. I must admit, I don’t normally read mysteries, and I read it to clear my mind after a big 480 pager I had just completed.

This is a fun read, would make a good movie, and keeps the reader guessing until the end.

The story seems so simple. Camilla is a literary agent, marries one of her writers (Luke) and they have a baby. Life seems good, they have a house and they are a solid couple. Life drastically changes when Luke is involved in a hostage crisis.

From here Camilla’s world is turned upside down and she has no idea what is happening and why. The story is tight, interesting and very plausible. Could this happen to anyone.

I don’t want to give details, as I will ruin the reading experience. Just pick up the book and read it. It is hard to put down.

OMG, I loved this book. I stopped everything I was doing to to read this and could not put it down. There were twists and turns that I expected and those I didnt but it was fabulous. Loved every minute and love the author. She knows how to tell a story and keep you wanting more, guessing and makes you dissappointed its over.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

In Famous Last Words, Gillian McAllister masterfully crafts a gripping psychological thriller that explores the fragility of trust and the unforeseen darkness lurking beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect life. New mother Camilla is ready to return to her career as a literary agent when her world is shattered by a shocking revelation: her husband, Luke, is involved in a hostage situation in London—not as a victim, but as the gunman. With a cryptic note left behind and the authorities descending upon her, Camilla is thrust into a harrowing situation that forces her to question everything she thought she knew about the man she loves.

As events unfold, McAllister skillfully builds tension, unraveling layers of secrecy and presenting readers with a complex portrait of love, deception, and the lengths to which one will go to protect their family. Camilla’s desperate race against time to uncover the truth behind Luke’s actions drives the narrative forward at a breakneck pace. Famous Last Words is a gripping read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, perfect for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a deeply emotional and thought-provoking plot.

This is a total gem! It sucked me in right from the start, and I couldn’t put it down! The way it blends suspense and emotional depth is just chef's kiss. Camilla's world gets flipped upside down when she finds out her husband is involved in a hostage situation, and it keeps you guessing about what’s real and what’s not. The twists? Wow, just wow! I mean, I thought I had it all figured out, but then it just kept throwing surprises at me!

The characters are so relatable, especially Cam. You really feel her panic and confusion as everything around her spirals out of control. I loved the dual perspectives, too—it added such a cool layer to the story! Honestly, it made me think about how quickly everything can change and how well we really know the people we love. 💔

If you’re looking for a thrilling ride with unexpected twists and some emotional moments, you need to grab this one!

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A well-written mystery/thriller with a surprise happy ending as well! I have read a few books from Gillian McAllister and I have not been disappointed. There was quite a few twists and turns in this book and each one made my jaw drop! The happy ending also wrapped it up in a nice little bow and made the hopeless romantic in me swoon. I will definitely be recommending this book!

Fast paced, edge of your seat action from beginning to end. Most of the story is told by Camila, a young mother who wakes up on the last day of her maternity leave to find her loving, gentle, work-at-home husband has already left the house without waking her. She's a little irritated, but not worried as she struggles to get ready for work and get the baby to daycare. Later, at work, a phone call from the police turns her world upside down. They say her husband has taken three hostages and is holding them at gunpoint. Camila thinks it must be a mistake until a camera shows her husband with the gun in his hand. Her home is searched, her friends and family interrogated. Part of the story is narrated by Niall, the police hostage negotiator, who struggles to end the siege and get the hostages out alive. Famous Last Words kept me guessing and surprised me with unexpected twists all the way to the end

4.5⭐️
I am soooo excited for this one and squealed when I got it in the mail.
Gillian McAllister does it again!!!
When I tell you I couldn’t put this book down….very addictive and fast paced. It will have you on the edge of your seat. And the twist?! Soooo good. I did NOT see it coming. A bingeable thriller that I will be highly recommending!

As a big fan of Gillian McAllister, I was thrilled to receive this ARC and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. What a good time, I read it all in 2 days!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Coping With Uncertainty and FAMOUS LAST WORDS by Gillian McCallister

Cover of the book Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister, used as a teaching example for coping with uncertainty
When Camilla wakes up, her husband Luke isn’t there. It’s weird and slightly worrisome that Luke left early on their daughter’s first day of daycare following maternity leave. But, Camilla reasons, Luke is reliable and steady—a good husband and father. Everything’s probably fine. Daycare drop-off is hard and unremarkable, and the first day back at work is busy. Camilla’s worries abate.

Then the police arrive, and Camille sees the news. Luke is holding three people hostage. He ultimately releases one hostage, kills the other two, and escapes – disappearing without a trace and leaving his family behind to deal with the consequences.

Years pass with Camilla wondering. Is Luke alive? Will she and her daughter ever see him again? Why did her seemingly wonderful husband take hostages and murder people? What else doesn’t she know? The uncertainty is destabilizing.

Uncertainty is when a person has limited knowledge and a weakened ability to make plans, predict, or control the future. The inability to accurately impact or predict expectations is distressing and leads to increased stress and anxiety. Uncertainty is always a part of life, and some people even find a certain amount of uncertainty exciting. But, when uncertainty becomes overwhelming, there are positive steps you can take.

Here are tips for coping with uncertainty:

Avoid Generalizing: Uncertainty can seem to expand into all life domains. Write a list of what is uncertain and another of what is concrete, understood, or known.

Identify the Feelings Uncertainty Provokes: Next to each item on your uncertainty list, write the specific feeling provoked, which might include frustrated, weak, scared, startled, lonely, etc.

Engage Targeted Coping Skills: Respond to feelings with impactful healthy behaviors. For example, if feeling lonely, spend time with friends; if feeling weak, try empowering experiences.

Focus on the Present: Uncertainty encourages worry about the future. Deal with a wandering mind by redirecting it to the here and now and focusing on your current surroundings.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

Love Gillian McAllister? Me too. Check out my post on Turn Towards To Strengthen Relationships and JUST ANOTHER MISSING PERSON by Gillian McAllister

Not going to lie, I am here for anything Gillian McAllister writes. But unlike some of my other long term mystery and thriller writers favorites, McAllister's novels just keep getting better and better and better. My recommendation for Famous Last Words is to read it as soon as it is released but do not - and I repeat do not - read any reviews that may spoil even a scintilla of the carefully crafted clever plot. Highly recommend and thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book well before publication date.