Famous Last Words

This had such good twists and turns that I was invested the minute I started this book. The characters were everything that I wanted and enjoyed the use of relationships and how characters use that. It had that crime element and it worked with the characters in this story.

This is the story I've been hoping for. I love when a domestic thriller can pull me in right from the first page. Famous Last Words did just that. The writing is excellent, and the plot makes you think about how well you really know someone. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is fast-paced, gripping, and un-put-down-able! A family drama tied up with a police procedural, the story will have you sucked in from the first couple of chapters. What would you do if the person you love--the person you know better than anyone--was accused of a horrible crime, so completely at odds with who you know them to be? How do you move past that? This follow-up to "Just Another Missing Person" was WELL worth the wait. I loved every last page.

I’m always biased when it comes to rating any book by Gillian McAllister—I’m ready to give five stars before I even start reading! And once I finish, I feel validated because her work always turns out to be five-star worthy, mind-blowing as usual!

The same thing happened with this book, but two elements made me love it even more than her previous works. First, Camilla’s way of escaping into fiction resonates deeply with me. The portrayal of a bookish introvert's inner world and her reactions every time she opens a new book are so meticulously written that I wanted to scream, “Yes! I feel exactly the same way! I hear you!”

The second standout is the first third of the book—the bloody siege part—which may be one of the best examples of thriller writing I’ve read recently. The way unknown facts pile up, the escalating tempo, the building tension, the "what’s going to happen next" mystery—it’s all so nail-biting, heart-racing, and adrenaline-pumping that it left me sweating, screaming, and cursing. The first shocking twist is a punch to the face—entertaining and disturbing in equal measure.

As the story moves past the siege into the second act, I was left feeling impatient and restless. I kept thinking, "Come on, Luke can’t be bad! Even though he has a French name, he’s still a good guy! The sweet, extroverted, down-to-earth, Jaffa-cake-loving man who sent those clever texts can’t be a mastermind criminal! There has to be an explanation!"

The mystery continues to build, and McAllister keeps us in the dark for so long about what happened on the longest day, June 21st in Bormendsey. Why does literary agent Camilla find out that her husband left the house earlier than usual, on the worst day of all—her first day back at work after maternity leave—without even warning her? Why did he leave a cryptic note instead of his usual witty comments? Why isn’t he answering his phone? And why do the police insist that her husband has a gun and has taken three people hostage: two unknown men and a woman, who happens to be the wife of a cop? Has he been living a double life? What could have led to this? He couldn’t possibly kill anyone… could he?

And then—bang!—something irreversible happens.

After the siege, Camilla tries to move on with her life, still sending texts and messages to her husband's phone, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he’ll somehow read or listen to them.

The other perspective in the story comes from hostage negotiator Niall, whose life also changed on June 21st due to a misjudgment that cost him his career, his marriage, and his peace of mind. There are still dead bodies after the siege with identities that remain unknown—a baffling mystery. Niall can’t let it go until he uncovers the truth and seeks justice.

I’ll admit that the final third of the book was a little weaker than the earlier parts. Don’t get me wrong—pieces of the puzzle come together, and after many jaw-dropping twists, we do get answers, even if some of them are a little far-fetched. There are no plot holes, though. McAllister is a master at formulating complex timelines, weaving intricate details, and delivering twists you’d never anticipate. She did it perfectly in Wrong Place, Wrong Time (which is still my favorite of hers), and she does it here too, connecting dots you’d never think to consider, giving us surprising insights.

Overall, I loved this book with every fiber of my being. I have to say, though, the first third remains my favorite part. As a hopeless romantic, I rooted for Camilla and Luke, even though Luke turned out to be dangerous! The romantic thread running through the story made me connect with the characters even more. I also really enjoyed Niall’s chapters—his self-reflection, his determination to make up for his mistakes, and his obsession with cracking the bizarre case full of unknowns. He might be my favorite character—a sort of Cupid and justice seeker rolled into one, a workaholic who is likable despite his flaws.

This is now my second-favorite McAllister twisty, smart, and addictive thriller, easily a 5+ star read. My advice: go into this one blind, cancel your plans, and set aside time to immerse yourself in this rollercoaster of a book. You won’t regret it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this digital review copy of an unputdownable thriller in exchange for my honest thoughts, which I truly appreciate. And a huge thank you to Ms. McAllister for taking me on yet another smart, thrilling, and twisty ride!

How exciting to see a new book by Gillian McAllister! I loved her book Wrong Place Wrong Time and recommended it to my friends. Famous Last Words was everything I look for in an engrossing read. She kept me guessing the whole way through and gave this reader a satisfying ending to the story. In the acknowledgements, she explains that writing this book took longer as she had a baby. Here’s hoping her next un-put-downable novel will come along soon.

I don't even know where to begin with this book. Once again, Gillian McAllister has outdone herself. I sat in stunned silence, thinking about the elaborate theme of this book. I know from reading all her books how good they are but this one blindsided me. There were so many layers to the story to unwrap and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The story is told by two viewpoints.

Cam, a literary agent, is returning to work after her maternity leave. Her husband Luke was supposed to help her get out the door on that first day, but he is nowhere to be found. Thinking something came up at his work, Cam moves on with her day. But all her texts and calls go unanswered. This is so out of character for Luke and is starting to rattle her a bit. Then she sees on the news there's a hostage situation near Luke's workplace. Suddenly police are in her office and tell her Luke is not a hostage but is the hostage taker.

The second POV is Niall the hostage negotiator. Niall makes some decisions that day that will haunt him for the rest of his life. His actions cost him everything he holds dear and he has to learn how to live with that.

After the siege, Cam and Niall both try to move on. It takes time but we eventually learn what lead up to the events of that infamous day and what caused the funny, kind, extroverted Luke to snap.

This book is very fast paced and mind blowing. It definitely puts the thrill in thriller. I also love that Gillian was so descriptive about how Cam felt being among new books. It is so relatable. This is a must read for all thrill lovers.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy

I have loved all of Gillian McAllister’s books and this one was no different! Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow.

I love thrillers and this is one of my favorites yet! Such a new and cunning story that will have you in a grip until the end.

I am the ultimate domestic suspense fan, so it is especially satisfying and exciting when I read a terrific representation of it. Gillian’s writing is superb, and the storyline prompts you to reflect on how well you truly know your loved ones.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

I can always rely on Gillian McAllister's novels to deliver top-notch suspense. "Famous Last Words" is an exhilarating thriller that captivates from the very beginning. The plot is outstanding, filled with action that immediately grabs your attention. Camilla is returning to work on her first day after maternity leave when she receives the shocking news that her husband, Luke, is involved in a hostage situation—not as a victim, but as the perpetrator holding hostages at gunpoint. The character development of both Camilla and Niall, the hostage negotiator, is exceptionally well-crafted. Be sure to add this book to your reading list!

This book pulls you in from the very first page, which at this point is how I've felt about all books by this author. It has the usual twists and turns.

Gripping, twisty and thought provoking, 'Famous Last Words' is a.brilliant read. Well drawn and believable characters.

Gillian McAllister has done the unthinkable and written a thriller that will not only stump you, it will completely surprise you!

When Camilla looks at the tv coverage of a hostage situations, she never dreams that her husband would be involved. Minutes later, the police are in her place of work and asking her questions about her husband Luke. Camilla is scared and confused - what is happening?

Mcallister guides us through the maze of how Luke ends up with hostages and events that lead to this pivitol moment. Via the hostage negotiator, cops, family members and friends we begin to learn more about the family and realize that nothing is what it seems.

This is a wholly original story! I loved every minute of it and see if you can guess what is happening before it's too late!
#FamousLastWords #williammorrow #gillianmcallister #uniquethrillers #realtwists

The beginning premise of Gillian McAllister’s bestseller “Wrong Place, Wrong Time” was that the main character is wishing very hard to change something terrible that has happened — in “Famous Last Words” we have new mum Cam (Camilla) wishing very hard that her mild-mannered husband, Luke, is NOT the gunman on the news who has taken three hostages. Luke? Compliant, doting dad, easy-going Luke? He’s a ghostwriter for smaller celebrities and he met Cam when she was a literary agent. He cooks dinner every night. He loves their 9 month old baby daughter Polly very much. Why would he be pointing a gun (in fact, where would he get one?) at the heads of unknown people? Cam is further baffled by a note that Luke left her that morning.

There are two alternating POVs: Cam’s and Niall’s, the hostage negotiator, who thought he knew and liked his job. Niall’s world gets shattered as much as Cam’s does. These two are not initially close, but they both get entangled in the mystery of Luke’s strange circumstances.

This novel reminded me a lot of Laura Dave’s “The Last Thing He Told Me” (which I loved), but there are some very different twists. It’s suspenseful, emotional and action packed — and quite a page turner near the end. I was enthralled through the last chapters. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Lambert has camouflage green eyes. Viv and Jess also have green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Nothing unusual for London in summer.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Never thought I’d enjoy a book centered around a hostage situation so much. I could not put it down. The layers of the story were expertly woven and the tension and curiosity continued to build. Was not completely satisfied with how everything came together- both the content and the feeling it was rushed at the end. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this enjoyable experience!

read if you like:
📚 books by Ruth Ware
😱 missing people
🕵🏻 organized crime

summary:
This book is SO GOOD and everything a thriller should be! It’s about Camilla, a new mom returning from maternity leave. On her first day back, she wakes up to find her husband, Luke, gone and a mysterious note left by their door. As her day progresses, a hostage situation is developing in London, with a man taking three individuals hostage in a warehouse. When the police come to talk to Cam, she realizes Luke is involved — and he is the gunman. I don’t want to give anything away, but the book follows Camilla and Niall, the lead hostage negotiator, during the crisis, and then in several periods after. Camilla learns that Luke had more secrets than she ever could have imagined — secrets that put herself, Niall and others involved at risk.

Again it’s so hard to summarize this without giving anything away, but WOW. Cam is a deep and complex character, traumatized by her past with an eye towards her future. Despite moving on, she can’t escape the fallout of Luke’s actions, and in the back of her mind, keeps asking herself — was he really who she thought he was? Niall is also a fascinating character, relentlessly haunted by that day and like Camilla, struggling to move on without some closure. The story moves very quickly, with a complicated but easy to follow plot (if that makes sense). There are so many twists and unexpected events that keep you going, and a twist at the end that really makes you think.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy and make sure you check this out when it releases on February 25!

4 stars out of 5

Wow, what a fast paced thriller! I could not put this book down and was immediately drawn into the story. I thought the characters were well developed and I really enjoyed reading Cams point of view. We also get to see Neill's point of view (the hostage negotiator) which really makes the story come together. Everything is tied up by the ending and I really thought the ending was perfect. Overall, definitely read this book!

In Famous Last Words, We met Cam whose world was just turned upside down. Her husband Luke was holding 2 men by gunpoint in a warehouse and she has no idea why. After failed attempts to talk him down he kills the 2 hostages then escapes. Luke disappeared and had not been seen for 7 years. Cam had no idea where he went and had no contact with him. But then Cam starts getting weird messages that she think could be from Luke. But is it him after all this time or something more sinister?

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book! Definitely worth the wait. I was very tempted to stay up until the wee hours of the night to finish it. I ended up going over the plot again and again in my mind instead turning over the characters in my mind and trying to see where the book would go. I probably would have been better off just staying up late lol. I ended up finishing it the next day and wow, I loved how it all came together.

This book follows a couple, Cam & Luke in the heart of London where Cams husband commits a crime and then disappears. It reminded me a little of The Last Thing he told me which I also loved. The book follows the aftermath of that crime and the ripples of why until the end when the author spills some answers! This one is a 5 star winner for me, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I went into this book completely blind, and I’m so glad that I did. A happy couple with a meet cute of a story and an adorable baby are disrupted out of nowhere when the husband finds himself the perpetrator in a hostage situation. What could’ve led a sweet and funny ghostwriter to take three people hostage and let only one of them walk away alive?

Follow the story told from the perspective of the wife, left alone at home and trying to sort out who her husband really is and the hostage negotiator chasing the one that got away.

Love a book that grabs you from the first page, and doesn't let go until the end! Just what I needed to get out of my reading slump. I preferred this to the authors last novel. Thanks to NetGalley and the author and publisher for this ARC! Pick this one up if you enjoy a domestic thriller with great twists and turns.

It is a normal morning. Cam wakes up to take her daughter to her first day of daycare. She can not get in touch with her husband but figures he must be busy with work. When Cam arrives at work later that morning she sees on the news there is a hostage situation happening and she soon learns her husband is the kidnapper of the hostages. Cam can not wrap her head around the fact that her husband would do this on his own free will.

This was a great fast paced mystery book. I was hooked from the beginning! Great plot twist and love how everything pulled together. Would definitely recommend!

4.5
I'm fondly reminded of Let The Great World Spin in that kind of self-referential, encountering old friends and suble tie-ins, warmish kind of way. But. There was a situation that was clearly set up to be a twist which read much more like a bump, or perhaps a crack that is in no way offset or threatening.

Luke and Camila live a moderately happy, married life, together. They’ve recently had a child, Polly, and are struggling through the difficulties of having a newborn.

Maternity leave has come to an end for Camila. She wakes up on the morning she is to return to work, with a faint memory of Luke kissing her goodbye in the early AM (this isn’t totally abnormal). Camila takes Polly to daycare and heads off to work, something nagging in her brain about the cryptic note Luke left her.

A while into being back at the office, Camila is visited by policemen. There’s an ongoing incident with Luke and they’d like her to accompany them to the location. She’s confused, doesn’t understand how the husband she knows is wrapped up in this crime. We find out shortly later that the negotiation has failed, Luke has shot and killed two hostages, and he has disappeared.

The story fast forwards 7 years into the future where Camila is trying her best to re-start her life. She still has no answers around what happened that day (hostages were never identified) but is trying her best to connect with a new beau and make a life for her daughter.

The hostage negotiator from that day, though, has not been able to let the nagging feelings of the odd facts (or lack thereof) of the day of Luke’s siege and is desperately trying to find and piece facts together that explain what happened that day.

Gave me with whiplash with its unexpected twists and turns. If you read one thriller this year, make it Gillian McAllister's Famous Last Words!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC. I’ve enjoyed all of Gillian McAllister’s books and this one did not disappoint. This reminded me a little of The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, Same sort of plot. And even though I could see some of the plot twists, I couldn’t put this down and finished it in 24 hours.

I squealed in public when I got the ARC for this new one by Gillian. One of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with, Famous Last Words. What would you do if your spouse was in a hostage situation, and he was the hostage taker? I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and could not put it down until I unraveled the mystery. Very thought provoking as well! 5/5 stars. Thank you Gillian McAllister, netgalley, and William Morrow for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This author is brilliant, first of all. I will read anything she writes. I especially enjoyed this thriller because 1) I always appreciate a book where I don’t guess the twist (or at least all of the twists 😉) and 2) her ability to build a simmering sense of anxiety/dread was spot on & made me keep turning the page.

This novel is a WOW thriller that had me from the first pages where new Mom, Camilla returns to work following maternity leave.
It's a busy morning getting ready when she realizes that her husband has left the house with only a note that leaves her wondering "Why didn't he say Good-bye"?
Then.. while at work this morning, she finds out her husband is in the middle of a hostage situation. Horrifically he is the kidnapper
The story continues and while Camilla tries to resume her life through the years, there is an ongoing investigator, Niall who tells of this journey forward.
It is definitely an interesting, ongoing story that had me deep into the pages of this book!
Everyone who enjoys mystery and thrillers will love it!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @William Morrow for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.

That only happens to other people. That is of course, until it comes knocking at your door!
It’s Cam’s first day back at work following a lengthy maternity leave. All she just needs now is a loving pep talk from her husband Luke and she’ll be ready to hit the ground running.

Only he’s nowhere to be found and not answering his phone or texts. As she readies their daughter to drop off at daycare she finds a very short and disturbing note from Luke. She has no time to dwell on it, she must get ready to face the day…alone.

Once at work, and still not able to reach Luke, Cam catches a glimpse of a T.V. in the background covering a current hostage situation. Suddenly the police are in front of her! “Oh no! This can’t be happening! Is Luke a hostage?”😱

Bad news for Cam. It’s so much worse than that!

Wow! This book grabbed me right from the start! I flew through it! Simply unputdownable!
I had no idea how Luke got caught up in this situation. And all (well most of) my guesses were wrong.

Gillian McAllister did an amazing job with the lead characters. Told from the perspectives of Cam and the hostage negotiator, Niall. I enjoyed each POV equally and how this fateful day affected their lives.

I’ve only read a few of her previous works, but this was by far my favorite (so far). And you know I’ll be reaching for some of her previous reads sitting on my shelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow

This one is outstanding! I could not put it down. The central characters, Cam, Luke, and Niall, were so well written. The plot had me guessing up until the very end. As a book lover, I loved that Cam was a book editor and that she could lose herself in a story. That is exactly what I did with this book…no laundry got done, no dinner got cooked- I had to finish this book! Thank you for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Famous Last Words won’t let go of you from the moment you start reading until the last ‘what the what’ scene that you’ll feel compelled to get all the details around. Gillian McAllister’s past books have her firmly at the top of best of Mystery and Thriller lists so I should not be surprised, but this one had me questioning what was actually going on and how it could possibly be resolved.

Opening up fairly quickly to the action at heart, Camilla starts her first day back at work after having a baby when she finds out her husband Luke, who left the house before her despite promising to help see their daughter off at daycare, is at the heart of a hostage situation. As the kidnapper with the gun. Wheeling between denial and disbelief, Camilla is trying to make it all make sense while hostage negotiator, Niall, is trying to diffuse the situation. After the main events, we follow both of these characters as they try to get past what Luke has done and figure out the whys behind it all. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers, but you won’t believe how it all comes together. I especially loved how this book was structured with a seven year jump after the main events and really masterful switching of perspectives between Camilla, Niall, and occasional report from a mystery third person.

This is a mystery worth reading, and I highly doubt you’ll figure it out before the end.

Gillian McAllister is always on my list of TBR for her new books, and WOW did she out do herself with this one. It was just phenomenal. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. My husband was evening asking what was happening. Wonderful story!

I loved this book so much. I was intrigued as soon as I started reading and could barely put it down. I needed to know why all of this happened.

The POV goes between Cam, the wife of the man who took people hostage, and the hostage negotiator. There was also one other POV occasionally, but I don’t want to give anything away.

There were a few times I thought I had it figured out about halfway through, and I was half right.

I don’t know why, but something that stood out to me, and this isn’t important at all, just something I found interesting, was that she described adrenaline as ‘fizzy and sharp.’ I really liked that description. It’s simple, but that’s exactly what it feels like.

One thing caught me off guard a little. Cam’s sister has fertility issues, and surprisingly, early menopause was mentioned. I have been going through fertility issues for the last two years, one being early menopause, and this was a little hard for me to read. It was a very large part of the plot (although it doesn’t necessarily further it. It does give you insight into Cam and Libby’s relationship) so if you also struggle, just be aware. I think that Gillian wrote Libby’s feelings about it well. Infertility really is envy and grief that hurts you physically and makes you feel things about others that you really wouldn’t otherwise. It changes you. It didn’t really “trigger” me (I hate that word, but I don’t know what else to use) because I think it was all written well, but I just wanted to mention it because we are all different, and infertility is such a hard thing in different ways for everyone.

Anyway, all that being said, I did really enjoy the book. It was a very fast and easy read. It kept me hooked the whole time. I never had a moment when I felt like I would rather do something else than pick it up and keep reading. There were a few things that I predicted and a few things that I didn’t. But aren’t all thrillers that way? It was captivating, thought-provoking, and had great twists. It was just great. I loved it.

thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for letting me read an advanced copy of Famous Last Words.

Every. Single. Gillian. McAllister. Book. I’ve. Read. I’ve. Given. Five. Stars. And. Im. Not. Stopping. Now.

Camilla Dechamps and her husband Luke seem to live a normal life with their new baby Polly.
Then one day Camilla wakes up to find Luke gone, his phone off and nothing but a note by the door saying it’s been lovely.
Shortly after, when Camilla is as work, her worst fear hits her when the police show up asking for her. She knows it’s about Luke, only what they have to tell her leaves her feeling like she’s stepped into an alternate universe.
They explain that Luke is at a warehouse and has taken on hostages. This is not like the Luke she knows, he would never do this. And before she knows it, two hostages have been shot and her husband is on the run.
Seven years later, Camilla is trying to still put her life back together when suddenly a text message with coordinates is sent to her phone. And just like that, Camilla back in it all over again on a hunt to find her husband and the truth of what happened that day.
This very jaw dropping thriller keeps you in your toes, but still with a lot of heart to it. Gillian McAllister has a wonderful knack for story telling and readers will surely not be disappointed.

This was a great British thriller. I didn't see some of the bigger twists coming, and I loved the character development of Camilla and Niall. Camilla and Luke are your average new parents, except one day everything changes. I don't want to give away too much, beacuse I loved going into this blind--but it is safe to say there are twists and turns and no gore or deeply disturbing topics (which I appreciate). I would have preferred to have a bit more depth into Camilla's life in the 7 year gap, but the story progressed well. I don't always love thrillers, but I found this one engaging and stayed up way too late reading it! Thanks much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

Wow, wow, wow! Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is an absolute page-turner that I found myself wishing I could finish in a single day. Unfortunately, mom duties got in the way, but the story was so gripping that I found myself gripping the book tighter and internally pleading to read faster. This captivating read seamlessly weaves together elements of mystery, crime, and love, making it hard to put down. While I haven’t always been a fan of McAllister’s previous works, this one reads like a Paula Hawkins novel—it's that good.

A huge thank you to @williammorrow for the physical ARC and eARC! Gillian McCallister’s previous two thrillers: Wrong Place, Wrong Time and Just Another Missing Person were both so unique yet had that signature McCallister touch of characters you can’t help but become invested in and a mystery that’s equally as captivating that will keep you guessing until the end.

Famous Last Words is no different. This time a love story is more central to the story and it makes this so gripping. The three parts of the novel are divided so well: the intrigue and action of part I is intense and devastating. Parts II and III divide the story nicely and keep the reader engaged. Gillian McCallister has cemented herself as one of my favorite thriller authors and is an auto-read author for me. This book was outstanding and highly recommend it to any thriller lovers!

This book starts off very quickly, and sucked me right in. It reminded me of another book The last thing he told me, so if you liked that book you will like this one. Only two POVS which I really like as there are not a lot of characters to keep track of. My one complaint is that it did lose steam about 2/3 of the way through and did drag a little. However, it did pick back up and had a great ending. Overall, I really enjoyed Famous Last Words and would recommend it to readers.

Gillian McAllister's Famous Last Words is a gripping psychological thriller that expertly weaves suspense, mystery, and emotion. The story revolves around a woman who uncovers shocking truths about her husbands past after his sudden disappearance. McAllister's talent for building tension and crafting complex characters keeps you hooked from the start, as secrets slowly unravel with every twist.

However, while the plot is compelling, the pacing can feel a bit drawn out at times, with some sections dragging before key revelations are made. . This novel reminds me of The Last Thing He Said to Me by Laura Dave, where the intense emotional core and unexpected turns are similar, but Famous Last Words could have been more concise in its execution.

Overall, if you're a fan of psychological thrillers with emotional depth, Famous Last Words is a solid read. Just be prepared for a slow burn.

I loved this book! It was really interesting how the plot was divided into multiple timelines and I think it added a lot to the story. Will definitely be recommending this to family and friends when it comes out!

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow! This book was hard to put down. Unpredictable and thrilling.

In Cams first day back at work after maternity leave, she learns her husband is involved in a hostage situation. But he’s not a hostage, he’s the captor! Again, wow! I can’t say more without giving too much away but Gillian McAllister has done it again.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC approval

Thanks to William Morrow for the copy of this book!

Camilla is a new mom and has finally made it to that day where she’s heading back into the office. It’s a little weird, though… that morning, her husband woke up and left early, leaving her to take Poppy to day care herself and leaving behind a cryptic post-it note on the table. Cam heads to work expecting a regular day as a literary agent, but what she gets instead is the police showing up at the office with some news….

Gillian did it again! If you’re into fast-paced thrillers like me, you have to read this. I loved our cast of characters and really felt for Cam, and was on the edge of my seat as the situation developed in part 1. I also really appreciated the timeline in this book and how all the twists were revealed — just so excellently done and with a perfect ending.

4.5 to 5 stars

Wow, I am SHOCKED. I seriously tried so hard to guess who was the bad guy and figure out her husband's involvement in all of this. The twist just kept twisting, and I was 100% here for it! I DID NOT guess the biggest twist near the ending, but I'm so glad it happened. The ending truly made me happy!!! I loved this, as it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! There is so much suspense and filled with twists to force you to read it in one sitting.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and William Morrow to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

This may be the best thriller I’ve read this year!!

Cam, a new mother and literary agent, just had her world turned upside down when her husband is found at the center of a hostage situation.

Gillian McAllister always delivers a jaw dropping thriller but at the same time makes me FEEL. I felt connected to Cam as she navigated an impossible situation and questioned how much she truly knew the person closest to her. at he hostage negotiated Nail, was an amazing secondary character who brought a new perspective to the story. The best part was the execution. I don’t want to give any spoilers but the pacing, revelations and twists were perfect and made it impossible to put down. Beyond brilliantly done !!

Thank you William Morrow for the gifted copy!

This is a surprisingly different book. It is the story of two different people, a wife in a loving marriage who discovers something terrible about her husband and the hostage negotiator whose life is changed when a hostage situation goes very wrong. It is a story of love and a story of being able to heal and to trust yourself. It is a story of what happens in the 14 years after and if the mystery will ever be solved. I guessed a couple of the twists but overall it was not predictable and I enjoyed it a lot. got involved right away 4.5

Gillian does it AGAIN, folks. A gripping story with twists that you never see coming.

Camilla and Luke had it all. Great jobs in writing/publishing, a beautiful baby girl, a quirky home that they enjoyed, and of course, each other.
But when Luke starts acting off, Cam notices, but all hell breaks loose before she can get to the bottom of it.

Luke. Her Luke. Luke is involved in a hostage situation, but not as a hostage … as the hostage-taker. Cam’s world is turned upside down that day. Shots are fired, Luke is MIA, Cam is left to parent by herself. Nothing will ever be the same.

Though Cam can never get over what her husband did, she still misses him. And 7 years after the hostage situation, she receives clues leading her to believe that she may finally get some answers.

Between Cam, and Niall (the hostage negotiator from Luke’s case), they are absolutely determined to figure out what exact happened that night … and more importantly … why?!

This book was un-put-down-able, just like McAllister’s others. Once this book is released to the public, SPRINT to the closest bookstore and buy this bad boy. You won’t regret it.

The suspense started immediately and I loved it. The first part of the book had me on the edge of my seat. I loved Cam and the integration of books in the story. I also loved the twists and did not see them coming. This was a good thriller and love story!

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.