This is a great read. I always have high hopes when Gillian McAllister has a new book out and once again she delivers. Great characters and a clever plot made this just an ideal book for me. Highly recommended.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
Published by: Michael Joseph Penguin Random House
Publication Date 30/1/25
No Spoilers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cracking contemporary page turner. I was gripped from the outset and the story kept my interest all the way through to a very satisfying conclusion. I loved the time jumps and the different character perspective on each chapter, which was always easy enough to follow.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for providing me with this advance digital copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

The author at her very best. Compelling characters, a really fresh plot and some brain-bending twists and turns. Loved it.

Another sterling read from a favourite author!

Camilla has a busy day ahead; her first day back at work and her daughter's first day at nursery but there's no sign of her husband Luke - apart from an unfinished note. Where is he? But with so much on her plate, she doesn't have time to be overly concerned. Reaching work, she is overwhelmed with the welcome from her colleagues and has plenty to do - until, that is, the news breaks that there's a hostage situation in London. Could Luke be caught up in it? Well, no ... Luke's the gunman . . .

I've been a fan of Gillian McAllister's writing since her very first novel; each one is completely different to what has gone before and this is no exception. It's not a scenario I've come across before and it wasn't long before I was completely engrossed and ignoring the clock as the time crept into tomorrow. Stunningly written, as always, this is another story which grabs you and won't let you. Utterly superb! My very highest recommendation and all five sparkling stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

4.25 stars
As a big fan of Gillian McAllister's previous book, Wrong Place Wrong Time, I was so excited to read her latest release. And I was immediately hooked.
First of all, I liked the use of the dual POVs of Cam and Niall, with the overall story being an interesting and fresh take on the typical mystery/thriller.
We get a really good insight into both Cam and Niall's lives and how that one day has impacted many.
Frustratingly, after an engaging and fast paced beginning, the middle of the book dragged for me, with it only really picking up towards the conclusion.
I did have a feeling that a particular manuscript might not be all that it seemed, but I didn't predict exactly how everything was resolved in the end or who had been involved.
I maybe didn't need quite as much about Niall and his marriage issues. At times this felt a bit unnecessary for moving the plot forwards.
But it was really well written and had my attention the whole way through.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love it that when you start a book by this author, you have no idea where the story will take you, just that you know it will be one hell of a ride!

This book had me wanting to constantly read a little bit more and I did not know what the final outcome would be, even following all the clues. A few bits I worked out, but certainly not how it all came together seamlessly at the end.

Gilliam McAllister is great at creating ‘human’ characters who leap off the page into your mind and in this plot, I was desperate for both Niall and Camilla to get some closure on their turmoil.

I won’t say anything about the plot (avoiding any spoilers) except to say that it takes place mainly over a seven year period. The settings were realistic and I could clearly visualise the topsy turvey house and the half and half bedroom.

This is a brilliant thriller, expertly combining a fast pace with gradual plot development. A unique multi-layered storyline adds to the ‘must read’ strong recommendation!

This is an excellent, pacey thriller that I found really hard to put down. I try not to figure out what is happening with books like these, instead just go with the story......this way tension builds, there are usually shocks and surprises and there were definitely a few gasp out loud moments in this story. The twists and turns were insane.

As well as the tension and reveals , there were also some really lovely explorations of love and grief. I couldn't help but think of my own husband while reading.....I have to say though, I hope to goodness I'm never in a situation like this one.

Overall, a brilliant, exciting, thrilling race to the finish, it's a hard recommend from me!

I received an ARC of this story in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed it, initially, though had guessed a couple of the plot twists.
Cam’s husband Luke behaves completely and inexplicably out of character, and her life, and that of her young daughter, are turned upside down. You know there has to be an explanation…. Jump seven years, Cam has had to get on with her life but never fully believes that there is no rational explanation for Luke’s behaviour. Then a seemingly coincidental set of events set both Cam and one of the original police team to wondering….all going great, an absorbing read….4, 4.5?….until the ‘tell-all’ where everything is revealed.
Several eye-rolling emojis and a good number of ‘Eh? Seriously?’s later…. I just could no longer buy into the plot at all.
I like McAllister’s characterisation and and writing style, but felt let down by the lack of plausibility at the end. Probably won’t stop me reading other books of hers though.

Camilla is excited to get back to work after her maternity leave. She's not quite as excited about having to leave her baby daughter at daycare but, it's time. She wakes on that morning to find husband Luke has already gone - to work she assumes - he's left a note but it doesn't make much sense. Anyway... she drops off her daughter and proceeds to work.
And then it all kicks off... It appears that Luke has been caught up in a hostage situation. The police inform her of this. But then comes the punchline... he's not a hostage, he's the gunman.
Camilla can't believe it, won't believe it, and then all too soon the situation is over, Luke is missing, having fled the scene, and we pick up the pieces years later...
Along with Luke and Camilla, we also hear from Niall who is a hostage negotiator whose life is rather colourful...
And that's all I am saying. To get the very best from this book, you need to go in as blind as possible, trust the author all the way through, even if what you are reading is confusing, hold onto that and wait for all to be revealed, and it will be, in all its glory. Fantastic!
I have read, devoured, and loved every single book this author has written. It's almost like she writes just for me they are so perfectly matched to what I need from a book. Well plotted narrative acted out by some crackingly well crafted characters and delivered in a perfectly paced way for maximum reader engagement. All culminating in a wholly satisfying conclusion.
I could wax lyrical about this book and indeed this author forever. If you have read her books before, you know what to expect and, believe me, she will deliver. If you haven't then, where have you been? Me, I'm now just hanging for the next book...
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Camilla is returning to work after maternity leave and it's also Polly's first day at nursery so Cam is understandably anxious, on top of all that husband Luke has done a disappearing act and all Cam can find is a very cryptic note left by him, what she doesn't know is very soon her life and the life she has known with her family will never be the same again. Just after she arrives at work she hears breaking news that a hostage situation is happening in London and then the police arrive to inform her that Luke is involved but, he's not a hostage, he's the gunman...

Famous Last Words is the latest thriller by McAllister and it hits the ground running on the day of the siege. Told in four parts and from a multi perspective, this is a very cleverly laid out plot which, in true author style, keeps you guessing throughout. With Cam and Niall, the hostage negotiator, brought together through this seemingly unbelievable act by the kindest and most laid back man that Cam has ever met, we see her life descend into absolute chaos and years down the line Niall is determined to get to the truth, whatever the cost to his career. This is a fast paced rollercoaster ride of a read that we've come to expect from McAllister and she delivers every time.

I'd like to thank Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The story begins with Cam finding out that her husband has holding people hostage at gunpoint. She finds this hard to believe and is shocked and trying to understand why this is happening.

Then, seven years later, the reasons why that situation happened begin to come clear.

The story had me hooked, turning the pages to read what happens next. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you reading.

I highly recommend this book.

This was my first novel by this author and won't be my last - I was absolutely intrigued by the mystery of where Camilla's husband Luke was - why would he abandon her and their young child? I loved the anticipation and the ending did not disappoint - a definite recommendation from me!

Perfectly paced, interesting characters with great depth, and a great twist! What more could you want.
I really loved this.

Thank you for my copy!

An interesting story but I felt it was quite a long book and could have moved along more quickly. I enjoyed all the twists coming together.

Simply brilliant and one I could not put down. Once I started reading it, I stayed up all night to finish it.

**Book Review: A Gripping and Emotional Thriller**

Camilla’s first day back at work after maternity leave should have been a step toward normalcy, but it turns into a nightmare she could never have imagined. With her daughter starting nursery and her husband, Luke, supposedly heading off to his usual routine, life seems to be settling into place. That is, until Luke disappears, leaving behind only an unfinished note.

As Camilla struggles to make sense of his absence, she is drawn into a whirlwind of confusion and fear when breaking news hits: a hostage situation is unfolding in London. But the truth is even more shocking—Luke is not among the hostages. He is the gunman.

This gripping thriller masterfully unravels the layers of Luke's seemingly perfect life—devoted father, successful writer, and cheerful optimist—forcing Camilla to confront questions about who her husband truly is. The stakes rise as Camilla realizes she holds a critical piece of the puzzle: the incomplete note he left behind, which might contain clues to his motives.

The novel deftly balances psychological tension with emotional depth, exploring themes of trust, family, and the lengths we go to for the ones we love. The pace is relentless, with each twist leaving readers desperate to uncover the truth. Camilla’s journey is both harrowing and heart-wrenching, as she battles to protect her family and uncover Luke’s secrets.

For fans of suspenseful, character-driven stories, this book is an unmissable read. It’s a story that will linger long after the final page, leaving readers questioning how well we can ever truly know those closest to us.

This is a great thriller with plenty of twists and turns.
Camilla’s life changes on the day she drops her daughter off for her first day at nursery.
She is surprised that her husband Luke is not there when she gets up but eventually finds a strange note from him, so presumes something came up.
She’s not prepared for the Police to contact her and tell her that her husband is holding three people hostage at gun point.
Niall is the negotiator at the siege and the day affects his life as well as Camillas.
The next part of the book is set seven years after the siege and we find out how both Camilla and Niall have tried to move on from that day.
This is a great read that will definitely keep you guessing.
Thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this book.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

what would you do if after hearing about a hostage situation and then the police turn up at your workplace saying your husband is the hostage taker....

this was camillas nightmare....

her first day back at work after maternity leave ...leaving her daughter at a nursery and then being escorted out by the police to be questioned about her husband holding 3 hostages....

what a book ..... could not put this one down at all... it riveting and compelling at the same time

cant wait for the next book from this author

This book was a wild ride. It starts with the main character Cam discovering that her loving husband is holding people up at gunpoint. Completely out of character for him and Cam is utterly shocked and devastated. Seven years later - the mystery of why starts to unfold.
This had me HOOKED. Lots of twists and turns. Some were maybe slightly predictable but nonetheless a great read that I was so excited to pick up.
Thank you for this ARC NetGalley and Michael Joseph / Penguin 🫶

Another great read from Gillian McAllister.
The book was told from a couple of point of views and was very cleverly written, i thought I had it worked out only to discover I hadn't.
Camilla always believed her husband could not be guilty of murder but where was he and how could she prove his innocence.
If you haven't read any books by Gillian McAllister before then definitely give this a try.
Sit down and enjoy!

Thank you to Netgalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Gillian McAllister for an ARC in return for an honest review

Each Gillian McAllister book I read brings something new to the crime thriller genre. Famous Last Words felt like the biggest side step of her most recent novels but I still loved it just as much.
Even with more of a police procedural feel (without it being a police procedural) and less jaw dropping twists, I was still held captive by the narrative and characters.
This is a solid book for fans of McAllister, and the crime thriller genre in general.