WOW ! Twists galore in this story that had me gripped from the start. Another great story from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC which I highly recommend

A clever thriller with a jaw-dropping twist. On Camilla's first day back at work after maternity leave, the Met police arrive to tell her that her husband is involved in a hostage siege and that he is the gunman. As events take a a surprising turn, it soon becomes clear the situation isn't quite what it seems. Genuinely gripping.

From the bestselling author of Wrong Place Wrong Time comes Famous Last Words – a jaw-dropping thriller that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.

It is June 21st, the longest day of the year, and new mother Camilla is ready to return to work after months of maternity leave. But her plans are shattered when her husband, Luke, vanishes—leaving only a cryptic note behind.

Then comes the breaking news. A hostage situation is unfolding in London, and Luke is at the centre of it. But he is not a victim. He is the gunman.

As the truth unravels, Camilla is forced to question everything she thought she knew about the man she loves. What led him to this moment? What secrets has he been hiding? And what danger is she in if her entire life has been built on a lie?

With shocking twists and an addictive plot, Famous Last Words is a must-read for thriller fans. I was completely hooked—each revelation hit me in full force!

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Yet another great read from this author. The story had me hooked from the first page, and I found myself so absorbed I was turning the pages to read what happens next. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading. Highly recommend this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review

Another beauty of a read from this author. A really unusual story, that hooks you in immediately. Very subtle thriller which definitely keeps you guessing right until the last chapter.
Thoroughly enjoyable, I loved it.

Camilla is racing around her London home preparing to go back to work after nine months of maternity leave. It’s a busy morning as she also gets baby Poppy ready for her first day at nursery school and is surprised husband Luke is not there on this big day for them. He’s also not responding to text messages and has left an odd note stating, “it’s been so lovely with both of you”. Luke is a ghostwriter so she would expect him to leave a more clear note but maybe he has an urgent deadline she’s forgotten about and had to go to his co-working space, still something doesn’t feel right.
When the police come to the publishing company where she works Cam is terrified to hear Luke is caught up in a hostage drama. Then horrified when she’s told he’s the one who has taken three people hostage in a warehouse and threatening to shoot them. Her Luke would never do something like that and where would he even get a gun.
The story is told by Cam and hostage negotiator Niall who are separately trying to figure things out as something doesn’t quite make sense. It then picks up seven years later with the same narrators.
It’s an interesting concept and had me hooked. The reader is just as in the dark as Cam and Niall and it’s compelling. In the end it didn’t quite deliver on the promising start but had enough for a solid mystery that’s great for a weekend read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

It is Camilla's first day back at work after maternity leave but when she wakes up her husband, Luke, has left home leaving just a cryptic note for her. After dropping baby Polly at nursery Camilla arrives at her office where she works as a literary agent. She's becoming increasingly concerned that Luke still hasn't been in touch, when she learns that he is involved in a hostage situation but not as a victim but the perpetrator. One hostage is released but two are shot dead and Luke escapes and disappears without trace.
Seven years later Camilla is in the process of having Luke declared dead when strange things start to happen which lead Camilla to wonder if Luke can possibly still be alive.
Told from the perspectives of Camilla and Niall, the hostage negotiator, this is a very enjoyable read with plenty of twists.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity of reading an ARC of this book.

Excellent, she has done it again with a masterful story. Engaging characters and a fantastic plot. A short review to avoid spoilers, but just read and enjoy. Thank you for my early access kindle edition.

#FamousLastWords #NetGalley This one started off with a bang with a hostage situation that had me on the edge of the seat. The pace then slowed down a bit and I found quite a few repetitions. That said, this is still a good thriller with lots of twists and turns and an ending I didn't see coming. All in all, a good book,

Cam wakes up on her first day back at work, after maternity leave to find her husband, Luke, not there and instead a cryptic note. After dropping her daughter at nursery, and heading to the office, Cam whole world implodes when the police turn up telling her Luke is involved in a hostage situation in a warehouse and he is the one holding the gun. During the siege, the readers are introduced to Niall, the hostage negotiator. The siege ends, and the characters are left trying to pick up the pieces.

The book then jumps to seven years later, where we see how Cam and Niall are getting on. As old wounds and cases surface, they are both drawn back into the past, to try and figure out what happened all those years ago in the warehouse.

It is a brilliant book, the plot complex and characters likeable and very believable in their actions and motivations. Loads of twists and turns, this is a real page turner.

5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#FamousLastWords by @gillianmauthor @penguinukbooks

➡️for synopsis

This one had an intense and gripping narrative that kept my attention throughout, the characters were on point, relatable and interesting and with a clever plot that was entwined with lots of twist and turns that kept me guessing. This was a really solid enjoyable read.

With thanks to author #gillianmcallister #penguinbooks and @netgalley for allowing us to read this one early (sorry my review is late)

Publishing: OUT NOW

-EMILY

@the_book_girls_1

This didn't go in the direction I was expecting. It was a lot more character-driven than I usually prefer in a mystery thriller but there were a few twists I didn't see coming and it was very compelling.

It is Cam’s first day at work after maternity leave and when she wakes up, her husband is not there and there is only a very weird note. She drops their daughter off at nursery and goes into the office, still no messages from Luke, who has also not returned her calls.
And then all of a sudden, the police are there questioning her and telling her Luke is holding 3 people hostages in a warehouse!

The siege ends with 2 people killed and Luke on the run. And the case is unresolved for 7 years, Cam is doing the paperwork to get Luke declared dead, but is he?

I just devoured this book. Brilliant writing and a book that is impossible to put down.

I was fascinated by the premise and couldn't wait to get stuck jn and see how it played out and what a ride. A really original concept. It's written from multiple povs and so well plotted out with multiple subplots woven throughout. This keeps you on your toes!! Such a breath of fresh air and an amazing book to get lost in. The only down side is that some bits maaaay be a bit of a stretch. In saying that, it's a fiction story so the whole point is that anything can happen

I don’t read a lot of thrillers but Wrong Place, Wrong Time blew me away, and when I read the premise of Famous Last Words I couldn’t wait to read it. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but I still read it in a couple of days. McAllister manages to write warmly about cold things and I was on board with and invested in the main characters immediately. The plot, however, didn’t quite work for me - there were a few contrivances and coincidences that I just couldn’t accept - and I found the ending rushed and unsatisfying. Having said that, I’m glad I read it and will be interested to see what this author writes next.

This book will grab you on the first page and won’t let you go until the final word - not many writers can do that, but Gillian McAllister is a fine example of those who can! Life for Camilla and Luke is pretty normal for a young couple with a baby. The story opens on Camilla’s first day back at work after maternity leave. The little one has a place at nursery and husband Luke seems to be carrying on with his usual life and work. On the same day, a hostage taking situation develops and this turns everything upside down for both Camilla and for the hostage negotiator Niall. The book continues with both their stories and has all the unexpected twists and turns any reader could possibly want. Wonderful writing, excellent characterisation and a really cracking story - of course it’s.5 stars!

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!