The book moves along at a nice pace, other than the fact the author tells us Camilla is introverted about seven-elventy times. Got it. It’s well-written and I didn’t figure anything out, however it just felt a little…flat to me for a reason I can’t seem to put a reason to. My opinion won’t matter, though. I would think people will like this a lot.

Gillian McAllister has done it again. This will keep you on the edge of your seat and second guessing what you think will happen in the next chapter. I appreciate this fresh and new, orginal story line that hasn't been done before for a thriller. It will keep you guessing until the very end!

This book was not what I expected, in the best possible way. A woman with a new baby wakes up to a note from her husband, only to discover that he is the hostage-taker in a situation that's dominating the news. I was hooked right from the start.

It was fascinating to see the perspectives of both the wife and the hostage negotiator. The twists at the end were unique, and the story was well executed. This book is perfect for those who enjoy police procedurals and thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don’t know if it’s because I was sick or super busy while I read this book but this book just dragged on. It felt like we were at a snails pace as the story developed. very slow and then the conflict was just over.

Another win from one of my favs!
Thank you, William Morrow Books, for the gifted copy of Famous Last Words {partner}

Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date:  2.27.2024
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5

“Sometimes solving a case stops the demons.”

I don’t think I’ve ever hit ‘read now’ as fast as I did when this gem popped into my inbox. It was THE book I had been waiting for, and it came at the perfect time - a vacation in the mountains with nothing to do but read. I devoured this book - it was addicting in all the best ways and had me eagerly flipping through the pages, trying to figure out the truth behind what happened to Luke. 

Like McAllister’s last titles, Famous Last Words was perfectly paced — the tension kept building and building with every chapter. I felt like I could see all the puzzle pieces start to come together the closer I got to the end. I had theories on what might happen but could not figure it out. But Gillian McAllister knew what she was doing, and I finished the last page, blown away by the path she had paved. 

This book has a little something for everyone, and I just know Famous Last Words will be a hit in 2025. 

Read if you enjoy:
🕰️ Multiple timeline
✌🏼 Dual narration
💨 Fast-paced
😵‍💫 Complex Family Dynamics
👏🏼 Perfect Pacing

I recommend reading Famous Last Words if you enjoyed reading The Last Thing He Told Me.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister had me guessing from the outset and I never knew where or how the book was going to end. A wonderful mystery novel filled with plenty of twists and turns.

It is June 21st, the longest day of the year, and new mother Camilla’s life is about to change forever. After months of maternity leave, she will drop her infant daughter off at daycare for the first time and return to her job as a literary agent. Finally. But, when she wakes, her husband Luke isn’t there, and in his place is a cryptic note.

Then it starts. Breaking news: there's a hostage situation developing in London. The police arrive, and tell her Luke is involved. But he isn't a hostage. Her husband - doting father, eternal optimist - is the gunman. What she does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind that morning says...

Gillian McAllister odes a wonderful job structuring Famous Last Words using distinct acts which effectively breakup the story while allowing different moments of discovery and action within the story. Each act peels back layers of mystery surrounding motivations and past secrets. These acts compel us as the reader to constantly reassess what we believe we know about Luke alongside Camilla's journey toward truth-seeking clarity. The division into acts also provides natural pauses for reflection without disrupting momentum—a testament to the author's skillful pacing throughout most parts of the book.

Famous Last Words is a story filled with twists at every turn—each twist more shocking than its predecessor. McAllister's vivid characterizations intertwined well within the plot developments crafting a tale that you never really knew where it was headed. When I thought I may have guessed something, the author tosses a wrench into that thought to turns me the other direction with ease.

While some can argue that certain middle sections slightly drag—especially after the initial adrenaline rushes subside post-introduction events—the overall pacing remains consistent across remaining chapters leading up towards a satisfying resolution ultimately tying together the threads of the book. Famous Last Words is a page turner mystery that was hard to put down.

Famous Last Words is a twisty, turny, mystery we can come to expect from Gillian McAllister. With the wonderful writing, overall great pacing and a number of mysteries hard to guess, this latest novel by McAllisters hits on all fronts. By the end of Famous Last Words, I was thinking about how well you really know people and what would really go through my mind if this book was about me.

I was so excited to be approved for this title as I loved Wrong Place Wrong Time and I certainly wasn’t disappointed with this one either albeit in a very different way from my first interaction with her books.

The FMC Cam was very easy to connect with and root for her along the way. That is what kept me engaged in the duel narrated novel. The other POV is from a hostage negotiator Niall who did make the story drag a bit. I just didn’t care about his passages at all. However, he did provide a much needed sub plot as well as the viewpoint of the police department aspect.

A lot of the action happened within the first 20% of the book and then it slows down into more of a romance type novel a bit. However, Cams chapters propelled me to keep reading as I needed to know what happens.

As always McAllisters books are filled with twists and turns. It’s a wild ride that really is an “unputdownable thriller” as the prose is worsen and edited very well.

While the masses will have to wait until February 25th 2025 to read this great thriller, get it on your TBR as it’ll
Be perfect to get you through the winter doldrums if you’re in the northern hemisphere!
I am thankful to have gotten the eARC for free from Netgalley and William Morrow so I can leave my voluntary review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Cam is set to go back to her first day of work after maternity leave when she is called away by the police. Her husband Luke takes hostages at gunpoint. Who was Luke, why did he do this? Was he not the loving, caring husband Cam thought he was.

Great book told through the point of view of Cam and the hostage negotiator, Niall. Highly recommend.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is an edge of your seat suspense read that I did not want to put down. Luke and Camilla are married with a nine month old daughter, living in London. Cam is a literary agent, Luke a ghost writer and seemingly, the most easy going, sweetest man alive.
One day, Cam gets news that her husband is holding three people hostage in a warehouse. It ends in death and Luke on the run. Fast forward seven years later, and Cam is moving on with a new boyfriend Charlie, putting the past behind her by going back to her maiden name and omitting her past story to new acquaintances. The police have never completely given up on the search for Luke, and things start happening that make Cam start wondering where Luke is and what really happened. Readers are taken on an exciting ride to the truth of what happened and why.
I found this a lot easier to follow than Wrong Place,Wrong Time by McAllister yet still typical of her if she is one you enjoy. Fans of Lisa Jewell would enjoy this. Thanks to NetGalley and William and Morrow for my ARC.

Very very very good! You'll be addicted

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

A multiple time jump, multiple POV mystery/thriller with many reveals, set in the publishing, ghost writer world.

Cam is a new mom, ready to return to work. Husband Luke is a ghost writer with an outside office. She gets a call to hear that her husband has taken hostages and is in hostage negotiations with Niall. This is a shock to her because he is a law abiding, good dad and doting husband. The hostage negotiations do not go well. Time jumps forward 7 years.

I found this to be a decent mystery with a fast pace. I like female POV and non police procedural stories. I found the ending to be ultimately unsatisfying, but the characterization was good. If you are a big Gillian McAllister fan, this is one to pick up, even though it may not be your favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. Book to be published February 25, 2025.

#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations #famouslastwords

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Yes Gillian McAllister, yes!!! What a way to start my dive into 2025 releases. I was so excited to get approved for this early copy, having been a long time fan of this author and her amazing storylines. Famous Last Words absolutely blew me away… so freaking good!! It was incredibly addictive, fast paced and so very clever.

Camellia is dreading her day. It is her young daughters first day at daycare care and she is returning to work from maternity leave. And her husband Luke is nowhere to be seen. He is not answering his phone and she has to negotiate it all alone. She has a horrible feeling that something is wrong, and then the police come knocking.

This book is just so well done. Told in various timelines, we see what happens at the time, and then we jump ahead 7 years. How this day changes all of their lives and makes you think about how you would deal with what happens. How life can change in a split second, nothing is ever the same again.

Thank you so much William Morrow for my advanced copy of this amazing book. Published on February 25th, 2025.

I had a super hard time getting into this book. I love Gillian’s writing but I don’t know if I was in the wrong headspace or what. But I just couldn’t get myself connected to the story and I tried so hard.

Camilla and Luke are a happy, busy young family. Baby Polly is just 9 months old, Cam is heading back to work after maternity leave. On Cam’s first morning back, Luke isn’t there to help shoulder the stress of that dreaded first drop off at nursery. Fear starts to form, as all efforts at contacting Luke fail. This fear intensifies as breaking news of a siege starts to filter out.

As you would expect from the author, the characters are well developed, so real, they brought out so much empathy from me. I felt Cam’s loss of direction, her urgency and desperation for information, that would give her the answers she desperately needs; that may bring her closure.

Cam’s profession in the bookish world, allows us to read the submissions she receives. I can’t be the only reader to want to know what happens in debut author Jenny’s story, or what task the father had requested in Adam’s manuscript. I love to be hooked by the first paragraph.

I’m a very big fan of Gillian McAllister’s writing, so I was extremely eager to get between the covers of Famous Last Words. I’m so sad to say that I saw the twists coming, I really wanted to be proved wrong, but I wasn’t unfortunately. It gives me no pleasure saying this, it’s just 3.5 ⭐️ from me. Having said this, I am looking forward to reading to the author’s next book.

Another terrific book from Gillian McAllister! I’ve loved her other work and was delighted to receive an ARC of Famous Last Words. I was not let down! From the first capture I was captivated by the story. Very well written and truly left me guessing. Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow books!

🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Famous Last Words
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Gillian McAllister
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: February 25, 2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝:
⇥ I’ve never read a book about hostages—at least, none that I can recall—and this one was incredibly engaging and, dare I say, "fun." It felt like I was reading a movie script, which is a high compliment in my eyes.
⇥ Loved the multiple POVs from the the hostage negotiator, which added layers to the narrative. His subplot involving a side love story was honestly a great touch, too.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝:
⇥ There was definitely a few plot holes that I just couldn't get past. They seemed a bit too major to be dismissed how it was. He was "off grid" for that whole time? Never once was recognized by ANYONE? Ehhhh....
⇥ This isn't even a negative to the book, but the "cryptic note" as mentioned in the synopsis kind of plays zero significance to the plot, in my opinion, especially since that's what the book is titled. Unless I missed something...

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
★★★★.5 (rounded up)
What a fantastic read! This was my first book by Gillian McAllister, and I was so impressed that I immediately borrowed Wrong Place Wrong Time. She has a remarkable talent for crafting engaging stories filled with unexpected twists. Her ability to draw readers into unique and thrilling plots is truly shocking. How have I never read anything by her before? Definitely add this to your TBR and pick it up next year.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 @𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 @𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

Famous last words by Gillian McCallister

Cam is a newly mother of one and has just received the most horrific phone call. After her husband had left for the morning without saying a word. She is now brought into questioning as her husband is said to be located in London in a hostage situation.

To her shock her husband is not one of the hostages but he is the gunman.

The his story takes an unexpected turn and shocks you all the way through. I enjoyed the pace of the book as the author took us through the characters mind and motivation for the truth.

What a great book! Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow books!

Well this was certainly a snooze fest. I was bored to tears and I’m so sad about it. I loved her debut book so I was excited to read this one as I didn’t love her second book, but I was bored from the beginning. DNF around 49% mark

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC of this book! I absolutely love Gillian McAlliter and felt like an early Christmas present getting to read this extra early and skip the wait. I finished it in two days and wished I could finish it in one!

As part of the deal, I agree to give an HONEST review and I have serious angst about this. Because similarly to another reviewer, I immediately want to give 5 stars to anything Gillian writes based on the previous books of hers I have read which are: Wrong Place, Wrong Time; Just Another Missing Person; The Choice. I absolutely devoured all of these and loved every second, every page, every word. (I purchased all of her books after this, since only the listed ones are available in the US. I haven’t made it through any of those yet though.)

So IF this were the first book of hers I had ever read, this would no question be a 5 star with unexpected twists and turns. And there were still some and I enjoyed the read. But unfortunately, I can’t see it through that lens because I have read the others, and at each point I felt surprised for an instant by the twist but then immediately drawing the same or very similar connection to Just Another Missing Person plot . By the end my overall suspicion was confirmed. I feel like there was a main idea bubble graph and the overall plot was very similar and new characters were plugged in and the narrative around it changed to fit the change in the storyline . Again, as an overall story it was great but I couldn’t NOT see the similarities and that felt disappointing and made it overall less of a shocking jaw-dropper as the others. So If have read JAMP the review thus far might already be a bit of a vague spoiler if you go into it with this awareness. But to illustrate my point I am explicitly spelling it out below so don’t read any further if you don’t want spoilers!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


COMPARISON OF PLOT THEMES FOR Just Another Missing Person AND Famous Last Words

MISSING THROUGHOUT THE MAIN BULK OF THE NOVEL IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY, UNCERTAIN IF DEAD OR ALIVE.
LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SO THE EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED COPPER CONTINUES DIGGING TO FIND THE TRUTH INDEPENDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S AWARENESS OR APPROVAL AND USING INSIDE CONNECTIONS TO GET ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
INSIDE INVOLVEMENT FROM CORRUPT COPPER IN THE DEPARTMENT
WORKOHOLIC POLICE OFFICER, SPOUSE MARITAL STRAIN
FAMILIAL LOVE, HOPE, BELIEF IN THE BEST SOMETHING ABOUT THE PERSON THAT JUST COMPLETELY DOESN’T LINE UP WITH WHAT THEY KNOW TO BE TRUE ABOUT THE PERSON THAT THEY KEEP FIGHTING TO GET THE TRUTH ABOUT THEIR FAMILY MEMBER.

There are further connections but you’ll be able to see those on your own. These similar themes were just repetitive enough that I can’t rate it more than 3 stars

Gillian McAllister delivers a master class in storytelling in this deftly paced thriller. My mantra throughout was, “just one more chapter….just one more chapter”, I just could not put it down.

On Cam’s first day back to work from her maternity leave, her husband, Luke, wasn’t there to wish her a good day. All he did was leave behind a cryptic note. After dropping off her daughter at daycare and then greeting her coworkers, there’s a ruckus in the office and she notices on the tv that there’s a hostage situation near where her husband works. Within minutes, the cops are in her office and need a word with her. Is Luke a hostage? Oh no, it’s much worse than that.

This book is suspenseful to the end and I really enjoyed the characters, including the hostage negotiator, Niall. I found the writing phenomenal and was glued to this book until the very last page. This easily rates 5 stars and I’ll be recommending it to everyone I know.