On Camilla's first day back at work, and her baby daughter’s first day at nursery, something is off. Her husband, Luke, is missing, and the only clue is an unfinished note he left behind.

At work, she's greeted with warm welcomes and distracting tasks, but her world is about to be turned upside down. Breaking news reveals a hostage situation in London, and Luke is caught in the middle. But he’s not a victim - he’s the gunman.

As the story unfolds, Camilla realises that the note Luke left holds critical clues.

Told in three parts over 14 years and in multiple points of review, Famous Last Words is the latest gripping psychological thriller by Gillian McAllister, and explores the complexities of truth, guilt, and the consequences of decisions.

This novel had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Gillian McAllister’s writing is sharp and tense, with each twist more surprising than the last. The way she builds tension, blending suspense and emotional complexity, is brilliant.

The characters are compelling and layered, with Cam’s internal struggle drawing you in as she faces increasingly difficult decisions. As always, McAllister expertly plays with the theme of how far one is willing to go.

Famous Last Words is a standout thriller, cleverly plotted and masterfully executed. It’s a must-read for fans of suspenseful, character-driven novels, and it will keep you guessing right up until the moment you turn the last page.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister in return for my honest review.
Wow this book is brilliant had me hooked from the first page till the last, if you’re going to read one book this year then make it this one, this is a really well written fast paced thriller with great characters. Camilla finds out her husband is part of a hostage situation not as a hostage but as the hostage taker!!
So many twists and turns, I can’t recommend reading this book enough. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would.

This was my first read of the year and what a wonderful start! I truly couldn't put the book down, right from the very first chapter.
It was really different to other thrillers I've read and I loved that.

It begins with Camilla getting ready for her first day back at work after maternity leave, to the chaos of her husband being in the centre of hostage situation! It's captivating! And nobody has any idea as to why he might be involved.

We follow the story from the perspectives of both Camilla Deschamps, and Niall, the hostage negotiator. Starting from the day of the hostage, a week after, ad seven years down the line, and I loved the way it all unfolded.

The writing is so good, there are so many links and mysteries and the way it's all interwoven is so clever. Not only could I not put this book down, but it also gave me a book hangover after, I couldn't start another one as I just couldn't stop thinking about this one and wishing I was still immersed it in!

I cannot wait for Gillian's next book!

Thank you to Netgalley, Gillian McAllister and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Utterly brilliant!
This is a gripping thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish
The plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it impossible to predict what will happen next.
The writing is both engaging and suspenseful, with well-developed characters that add depth to the narrative.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with just the right amount of tension to keep readers hooked without feeling overwhelmed.
The setting is vividly described, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall reading experience.
Highly recommended!

I really like the way this author writes. I am always engaged from the moment the book starts and can’t stop reading it because I want to find out how the plot pans out.
A crisp storyline with interesting characters.
Highly recommended.

Really liked this book and did read it quickly and did enjoy it. It had lots if twists and it did make me think.

In this fantastic read, Camilla is about to go back to work, having secured her daughter nursery spot.

It is an ordinary day. Or is it? At least, it starts out that way, but by the end of the day, Camilla's life is changed beyond recognition. Because the hostage situation she heard about on the radio turns out to involve her husband, Luke. Not as a hostage, but incredibly, as the hostage taker!

For years after the tragic inexplicable events of that day, Camilla is haunted by what happened. Especially since she still does not understand what actually happened!

Gillian McAllister is at the height of her powers with this book. Her story telling is intelligent, subtle, relatable and complex, and this novel is not to be missed.

A fantastic read!
Camilla and Luke are new parents dealing with all the trials and tribulations this brings .
One day Luke leaves Cam a note and never returns .
What he does on this day l means Camilla’s life will never be the same .
This book is full of twists and turns !
Who is on Camilla’s side who can she really trust?
An absolute wow of a read I devoured it!
Highly recommended!
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House .

I’m afraid this one was a struggle for me.

Famous Last Words starts fast and gripping with a hostage situation that Cam finds her husband caught in the middle of. But he’s not a victim, he’s the hostage taker.

Unfortunately, it went downhill after this. The story becomes more literary / romance than thriller and was so slow burn that I nearly DNF’d. We get two POVs, Cam and the hostage negotiator’s. Whilst the characters aren’t unlikeable, I also wasn’t rooting for any of them.

A twist near the end was unexpected, but the ending also left me unsatisfied, both plausibility and procedurally.

I can’t ignore the fact it took me nearly 2 months to read this - I normally devour thrillers in a few days! I’m still a Gillian McAllister fan and recommend Wrong Place Wrong Time and How To Disappear.

* Thank you Penguin Random House / NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review *

Rating - 4.5 stars

A bookish thriller that will blow your mind!

Thanks Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC!

Synopsis -

Camilla is ready to return to her job as a literary agent on the longest day of summer and drop off her infant to the nursery. But her husband Luke is no where to be found and has only left a cryptic note. Meanwhile, there’s an ongoing siege with hostages in London and to Camilla’s horror, Luke might be somehow involved in it.

Review -

Wow talk about heights of misdirection in a thriller! McAllister is known for her ultimate gobsmacking twists and #FamousLastWords certainly delivers those, only when you least expect it!

I warmed up quickly to the protagonist Camilla, going through all the emotions of a new mother, left in the lurch - single parent all of a sudden, with a husband who might be a fugitive. So relatable and it felt so realistic, as this could happen to any of us.

McAllister has a developed a clever, cast-iron plot - playing with timelines, the classic book inside book trope harnessing the power of words, multiple POVs , leading us stray and sowing the seeds of doubt in our minds that is already bewildered with questions.

While the narrative is fast paced and keeps us turning the pages transfixed, the book is also high on emotional evocation. The author explores the love Camilla and Luke shared, capturing the poignancy, exposing their vulnerabilities and flaws. I could feel for the characters and really cared about them.

When it all clicks though, you realise just how wickedly brilliant and out of reach the whole puzzle was! Some might feel the police investigation side of it lacked depth and some the ending a bit far from real world scenario.

However, everything is masked by how much you are invested in these characters’ lives, how you are still rooting for this couple despite the circumstances while enjoying all the incredible reveals along the way.

Thriller lovers, run!

This was a really great read. Twisty and lots of clues to follow. I felt very sorry for the wife and kids and at times I didn't even trust her. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I adore Gillian McAllister, and have enjoyed so many of her books in the past. This book was no exception!

A really exciting and intriguing opening, and I was hooked! It was such an epic story, that involved multiple characters, time jumps, and a super fleshed out plot. However, the reason I couldn't give this book the full 5*, was I felt it was a little too long. I found the pacing at times to dip, and would have benefit from 50-100 pages being cut.

Overall, this is another corker from McAllister - it's not my favourite, but still thoroughly enjoyable and I was happy to go along for the epic ride.

I absolutely loved this book. I mean, I thought Wrong Place, Wrong Time was good, but this time Gillian just blew my mind. There were so many people involved that I didn't question, and I was along for the ride wholeheartedly. I was routing for Cam and her belief in Luke. At this point I'd read Gillian McAllister's shopping list, especially since her writing style seems to have really evolved and matured with this book.

What do you do if your husband, who you know without a shadow of a doubt is good, kind and gentle, what if he is involved in a hostage situation. Involved, not as one of the hostages (you wouldn’t like it, but you could get your head around that scenario) but as the gunman? The one with 3 hostages tied and masked while, quite literally holding a gun to their heads - you can see it, they’ve shown you the footage?

Cam’s day doesn’t start well - it’s her first day back at work after maternity leave, the first day she’s leaving Polly at day nursery and all she has from her husband is a half written note, no sign of him, no help, no words of encouragement. ‘It’s been lovely spending time with you both’ is what is written on the note - what does that even mean? And her day ends, well it ends so much worse.

An enjoyable twisty turny thriller, with a smidge of romance and a backdrop of crime families and a hostage situation, what’s not to love?

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommended.

Famous Last Words is my book of the year. I'm calling it, right now!! I always know Gillian's books will be five star reads for me and OF COURSE her latest is no exception! This book feels - if it's even possible - just a step above.

Is it a thriller? God yes. But it’s also a love story, and I’ve never read anything so different, so striking, so beautiful in all my life. It’s an intense exploration of how a hostage situation escalates, years without closure or answers for Cam, whose husband is caught up in it in the worst possible way. It’s completely absorbing, so incredibly thought-provoking, forcing us to answer the question, “What would you do?” It’s filled with tension and so fiercely gripping. It really takes your breath away, and I was sobbing by the end. A truly unmissable book. Please read it!

Woahhhhhhhh!
I was hook line and sinker from the very first page. It’s highly addictive so don’t think you can just pick it up for half an hour, you won’t want to put it down.
There is a vast array of characters each with their individual traits. Easy to follow but that doesn’t take away from the cleverness of the plot. Loved it.

I’ve been a fan of Gillian’s for 2/3 years now. Her books just get better and better!!

It had me gripped from the first page to the very last one. I didn’t know where the storyline was going (unusual for me) and it did not disappoint.

Sypnosis -
It’s Camilla’s first day back at work, her daughter’s first day at nursery.
But husband Luke is nowhere to be seen. The only trace of him is an unfinished note. Camilla tries to put it out of her mind; there must be a rational explanation.
At work, there are welcomes back, and too many distractions.
Then it starts.
Breaking news: there's a hostage situation developing in London.
The police arrive: Luke is caught up in it.
But he isn't a hostage. Luke - doting father, successful writer, enthusiastic runner and eternal optimist - is the gunman.
What Camilla does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind says, and the clues it might hold . . .

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Literary agent, Camilla’s first day back to work after her maternity leave is not the peaceful transition she wanted as she is horrified to discover that her husband has been caught up in a hostage situation. When Camilla discovers that her normally peaceable husband is not the victim but the perpetrator her whole world falls apart.

What then follows is a tense and cleverly plotted thriller in which we follow this complex story as it unfolds. We get to know Camilla, her life after the event and her overwhelming need to discover just what made her loving husband act in the way he did and what drove him to such a desperate situation. With a strong cast of supporting characters including, Niall, the police negotiator, who played such a pivotal role in the hostage crisis, a picture of a complex crime starts to emerge.

This is one of those intriguing stories in which it would be all too easy to give away something important so I won’t reveal any spoilers only to say that this kept me engrossed trying to understand why a seemingly mild mannered family man would act so out of character. There are enough twists and turns to keep the momentum going and some dark moments which fit in well with the plot. I enjoyed the reveal, parts of which I didn’t see coming, and felt a great deal of satisfaction at the conclusion of the story and the hidden meaning in the book’s title.

Famous Last Words is a well written mystery/thriller by a talented writer who brings such a sense of reality to her stories.

Another great read from Gillian McAllister

I like her books and was looking forward to this.

I got into in straight away and like the fact each chapter is a character.

There were lots of twists and turns, I did guess some of what was going to happen however it didn’t ruin the book for me.

Literally couldn't stop reading this. Started out as one thing in my mind, only to become another. Appreciated the twists and the theme of leaning on books and reading in difficult times.