Kudos to Gillian McAllister for sticking the landing with an explosive ending to this action-packed thriller. This was a rather distant story for quite a bit of it, with a strong sense of opacity around why the characters did the things they did. I caught a couple of McAllister's twists pretty early <spoiler> immediately clocking for example that the second script from Adam was going to actually be a note from Luc. And also realizing that Charlie was something of a plant</spoiler>, and I think those things made me care for this one a little less. Still, this was an ambitious story of a hostage situation gone wrong, with clever narration and, as mentioned, a really great ending.

Famous Last Words is the first book I've read by Gillian McAllister and I'm kind of kicking myself for waiting so long. I thoroughly enjoyed it and devoured the vast majority of it in one day. If you're a fan of thriller mysteries, you are likely to really like this one. Highly recommended.

Not quite a 4 for me but definitely not a 3! There were a few elements that felt predictable to me, yet I was still invested in the story. This is me second book I’ve read by McAllister, and I’m enjoying her writing style. The unfolding of the plot feels like a “slow burn,” but the dual POVs still move it along. I suspect that Readers who need a lot of action in their stories may find this one too slow, but the ending of each chapter really did make me curious to know what happens next.

Wow, this book was a whirlwind mystery and I loved it! Camilla’s loving, wonderful husband Luke leaves cryptic note behind before he goes missing. Then a hostage situation is developing in London and the police arrive to inform her that her husband is involved. However, he is not a hostage, but the gunman who took the hostages. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator has a British accent (which I love) and is truly excellent! I seriously could NOT stop listening throughout the first part of the book with the hostage situation, I was fully enveloped by the story and just had to know what would happen next! Once the book flashed to the future, it dragged a little for me and felt a bit repetitive - I was beginning to wonder if any action would happen soon. It definitely picked up again in the final part of the book when all the pieces began to click together and I definitely did not see the twist or explanation of events coming at all! Gillian McAllister is an excellent storyteller and delivers another great thriller here. I would definitely recommend this one to others! Thank you to NetGalley, Gillian McAllister, and Harper Audio for the gifted ALC. This is a voluntary and honest review.

Gillian McAllister's Famous Last Words is a super clever and surprising book that will keep you guessing until the very end! You'll constantly be wondering what's really going on and thinking about whether someone who seems good could actually do something bad. The story pulls you in with characters you really feel for, like Polly, and Camilla, who goes through so much and just wants to understand what happened.

The book also introduces Niall, a police negotiator who sees things very logically, which is a great contrast to Camilla's emotions. McAllister does a fantastic job of building suspense by jumping between the past and the present. This really shows how much the events have affected Camilla and slowly reveals little clues that make you rethink everything. You'll be on the edge of your seat as the truth finally comes out in a way you probably won't expect!

Many thanks to NetGallery and Harper Audio for aharing the latest Gillian McAllister read. It drew me in and kept me thinking throughout. Fox’s narration gave dramatic life to the already action-packed plot.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister.
Famous Last Words is a mysterious thriller that pulls the reader into the story from the very beginning. Camilla learns that her husband has taken 3 hostages and ultimately shoots two of them before escaping from the scene. Camilla knows this is not the man she is in love and struggles to move forward. The story is fast-paced, providing enough action and twists to keep the reader turning pages. This will be an easy book to recommend to reader's who like mysteries.

I definitely enjoyed this thriller and I have already sold it in our store. Great for fans of Wrong Place Wrong Time.

This twisty domestic/crime mystery involves a literary agent's author husband disappearing after he inexplicably takes three people hostage. Seven years later, she's still trying to figure out what happened and can't shake the feeling that she's being watched.

OK, I really wanted to like this one, and there's parts of it that I thought were really interesting. It's very character heavy. But it felt wayyyy too long and there were parts of the story that got so repetitive. I feel like it could have been at least an hour or two shorter (I listened to the audiobook) because I found my attention wandering a lot with so many unnecessary details. Camilla and Luke's story was really moving and I think that was the best part about it. She just can't understand why he did what he did and she spends a lot of time grieving him, as anyone would. We also spend a lot of time with the hostage negotiator, Niall, whose career was affected by what happened the day of the siege and he's haunted by what happened.

The narration was well done. It's like the narrator was grieving right along with Camilla.

TW: Infertility

3.5 stars.

What a great premise and opening to this thriller! It was so fast paced in the first part, so much so that the 2nd part could only feel REALLY slow. I like the introspective part 2, but it was a bit jarring after the chokehold the first part had on me. I love the POVs we get in this book and I was able to relate with Camilla. I loved this and will read anything Gillian McAllister writes!

I had high hopes for this book, and it absolutely delivered.
It’s the kind of thriller that keeps you guessing, second-guessing, and spinning theories until the very last page.
Twisty and tense in all the right ways—you won’t want to put it down.

"Does the 21st of April mean anything to you?" And I look over at the calendar.
I had good timing with listening to this one.
This was good. I do not normally love this kind of book but this author writes them well.
I love the narration!

This book was vaguely reminiscent of The Last Thing He Told Me for me. I saw the twist coming at the end but that’s probably because I read A LOT of mystery thrillers. I liked the time jump. I feel like the story wouldn’t have worked as well without it.

3.5/5 stars

A good thriller that is unique because the POV’s are the people who didn’t commit the crime. Or the supposed crime. I did see the bit about the book coming though!

This was a very good thriller. I have enjoyed Ms McAllister's books and this one did not disappoint. It was well written and had a nice twist at the end, It kept my interest and I was keen to find out if the accused man was guilty or not.
The narration was great and made likening to the book vert enjoyable.

Well done book but could have had more potential. I felt It fell a little flat. I do Have friends I told to read it because I knew They would enjoy it.

3 1/2 stars

This book was very reminiscent of The Last Thing he Told me by Laura Dave. Husband mysteriously disappears, is thought to have committed a terrible crime, wife tries to figure it out. In this story, on Camilla's first day back to work after having a baby, her husband, Luke, leaves the house early and is then the prime suspect in a hostage situation. Seven years later, he is still missing and Cam is trying to move on with her life when she gets a cryptic message. She also receives a manuscript for a book that seems to mirror her husband's experience.

At the same time, this is also the story of Niall, the hostage negotiator assigned to the case. He is a workoholic and that eventually costs him his wife. He wants to let this case die, and yet when Cam starts following clues, Niall can't help but get back on the trail. His personal story didn't really add much to the overall story, other than to add to his determination to heal himself and Cam.

I definitely enjoyed this, but it wasn't my absolute favorite.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister has a gripping premise—a new mom wakes up to find her husband missing and learns he’s at the center of a hostage situation. It pulls you in fast, and the emotional stakes are high. The idea of a trusted partner suddenly becoming a public threat is intense, and the story leans into that tension.

Camilla’s perspective as a mother, wife, and someone trying to hold it all together is raw and relatable. The book raises significant questions about trust, love, and how well we know the people closest to us.

That said, the pacing felt uneven. Some parts dragged while others moved too quickly, especially near the end. I also found myself wanting more depth from the characters, especially Luke. His motivations never fully landed for me.

It’s a solid domestic thriller with a unique setup, but it didn’t hit all the marks. If you like slow-burn suspense with emotional twists, it’s worth a read—but maybe not a re-read.

Experiencing "Famous Last Words" by Gillian McAllister as my first audiobook was truly engaging. The story centers on Camilla, a new mother returning to work after maternity leave, who discovers her husband, Luke, is involved in a hostage situation—not as a victim, but as the gunman. This unexpected twist propels the narrative into a suspenseful exploration of trust and secrets.

I found the plot captivating, the story kept me guessing and an outcome I didn't anticipate. Camilla's character resonated with me; her strength and resilience in the face of numerous challenges were inspiring. The audiobook format added depth to the experience, making it even more immersive.

Overall, I rate **Famous Last Words** 4 out of 5 stars and would recommend it to those who enjoy psychological thrillers that delve into complex relationships and unforeseen twists.

*** Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Famous Last Words" by Gillian McAllister is a gripping and emotionally charged novel that expertly weaves suspense with thought-provoking themes. The story follows a compelling protagonist as she navigates a web of secrets and moral dilemmas, forcing readers to question the nature of truth and the impact of our choices.

McAllister’s writing is sharp and engaging, drawing readers in from the very first page. The characters are well-developed and relatable, adding depth to the narrative and making their journeys feel all the more poignant. I appreciated the intricate plot twists that kept me guessing until the very end.

Overall, "Famous Last Words" is a captivating read that showcases Gillian McAllister's talent for crafting enthralling stories. This audiobook is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with emotional depth. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

A must-read!! When some of my favorite reviewers rated this book high, I could not wait to get my hands on it.
A big day for Cam to go back to work as a literary agent, after a maternity leave with her baby Polly. Her husband, Luke, must have left early for work, leaving a cryptic note. When she returns to work, she sees breaking news about a hostage situation. She calls and texts her husband with no response. Her fear kicks in thinking the worse has happened.
When police arrive at her door, she finds her husband is in the hostage situation, but he is the gunman. A nightmare unfolds with the unknown and fear in a phenomenal style. Most of the book is the replay of that day after her husband disappears and the hostages are found dead.
What could have led to his behavior when he is one of the kindest men she has ever met?
The hostages negotiator, Nial, plays a courageous and unwavering part. He is his own worst enemy when he recounts for years that day and above all lost his wife who would not stand by his job.
Seven years later new evidence resurfaces that will keep you glued to the pages... until the final twists pierces your imagination. Secret after secret, cryptic notes and the dark web uncover some darker evidence. Once again...a phenomenal book... I applaud Gillian McAllister!!