This is my first book by Gillian McAllister, but certainly won’t be my last. An engaging, interesting, unusual crime thriller, intelligently written, I really enjoyed this story. I loved the character development, it was good to get to know the main players, and understand them.
Having said that, I feel that the narrative dipped in the middle section. Niall and his introspection about his professional and personal life, added nothing to the story for me, it was filler that the book would have been great without.
Unusually, I did not have any idea as to the twists and turns the story would take, though belatedly, I did have doubts about one character’s motives. The plot was refreshingly different. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
My thanks to the editor and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book. Highly recommended.

I devoured this in less than 24 hours… absolutely phenomenal. Now I need to go and buy every Gillian McAllister that I’ve not yet read.

I’ve read quite a few of Gillian McAllister’s books and she has a fantastic ability to completely blindside you when you think you know exactly what is going on. The amount of times I’ve smugly thought “aha I’ve sussed it!” only to be proved totally wrong is ridiculous. Famous Last Words is another clever blend of love story and thriller. I enjoyed Camilla’s pov more than Niall’s but they worked together to set up a very clever mystery with an excellent twist at the end. One to keep you reading long into the night.

I became addicted to this book after the first couple of chapters! It's flicks between different character perspectives which works perfectly with how the plot unfolds. Full of twists and really tense, I had to stay up late a few times to read 'just one more chapter'. The plot is refreshing for the genre and as it unravelled I found myself gasping in shock. Incredibly difficult to put down and one I would absolutely read again. This book is brilliant!

Honestly, a strong contender to be my favourite book of 2025.

This is a smart thriller, as McAllister usually does, and I was invested in Camilla’s urge to investigate for herself the criminal activity and then disappearance of her husband. I did roll my eyes a bit at the easiness of some discoveries, and I didn’t love the second of the dual POVs, but overall a solid read.

Thank you first of all to Netgalley and UK Publishers for an Advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved the two other books I've read from this author, particularly Wrong Place Wrong Time. This one was right up there with it.

The action starts immediately and pretty much doesn't let up for the entire book. The plot is intricate, very well thought out, and has plenty twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.

The characterisation is strong as well. I particularly enjoyed Niall the negotiator!

I'd thoroughly recommend this book. 4.5 🌟. Half star deducted only because I wished I had got even more from the villain.

Yet another fascinating pot boiler by the Queen of psychological thrillers, Gillian McAllister.

This book engaged from the first page with an original premised and story line and provides the reader with thrills and spills plus - naturally - an unexpected twist.

It is well up to standard and I really enjoyed it.

Told from the perspectives of Camilla, Niall, and an anonymous character, this book explores how one drive, one night, one phone call forever alters the lives of many.

The opening and closing chapters are action-packed, with the story kicking off with a tense siege and its aftermath, which reshapes everything for the characters.

In the middle, we dive into the emotional chaos Cam and Niall experience in the wake of the siege. Their thoughts and feelings are fragmented and overwhelming, creating a sense of internal conflict. While I struggled to connect with this part of the narrative initially, I realised later that the disjointed style mirrored the characters' own cyclical sorrow, which added to their storylines and character development.

The conclusion brings everything together as Cam and Niall inch closer to uncovering the truth, leading to the big reveal, revealed through a story in a story. The final pieces of the puzzle fall into place seamlessly, offering an intense conclusion to the story that leaves the reader feeling satisfied.

I am a huge fan of GillIian McAllister and have loved all her books, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Famous Last Words, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise was intriguing but the execution didn't quite work for me. I'm clearly in the minority here as all other reviews rave about it, It just didn't grip me the way her other books did.

A Captivating and Immersive Read

I absolutely loved this book! The characters were so well-developed that I found myself deeply empathizing with them. It's rare to come across a story that delves into the lives of those left to deal with the aftermath of a hostage situation, and this book did it brilliantly. The pacing was perfect, keeping me engaged from start to finish. The twists were masterfully executed, each one more surprising than the last. The writing style was incredibly vivid and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the story.

The plot centres around Camilla, a new mother whose life is turned upside down when her husband, Luke, becomes involved in a hostage situation—not as a victim, but as the gunman. This unexpected twist adds layers of complexity and emotional depth to the narrative, making it a truly unforgettable read. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an arc of this book.
#FamousLastWords #NetGalley.

It’s Camilla’s first day back at work after maternity leave when the police arrive to tell her that her husband Luke is involved in a hostage crisis, and that he is the one holding the gun!

The story is told from the point of view of Camilla, who is torn between helping the police and trying to protect Luke, and Naill the hostage negotiator who tries to bring the situation to peaceful resolution

I thought this was really clever and unexpected read which had me hooked right from the start, my only criticism would be that the ending seemed a bit rushed

I am a fairly recent convert to Gillian McAllister’s books and I was thrilled to be approved for this eArc. I’ve not read all her books yet but this is definitely the best I’ve read so far.

At the start of the book and from reading the synopsis I kind of thought I knew where this was going to go but I was very wrong! As the book went on I did figure out some of the twists but I never underestimate McAllister’s ability to surprise her readers!

The story is told from two view points, Camilla, or Cam as she’s known, and Niall, the Hostage Negotiator. This device works really well as we get to see what each doesn’t want the other to know. I love when we, as the reader, have more information than the characters.

I loved Cam; she works in publishing, which would be my absolute dream job, and was so well written. She has her flaws and I really related to some of the decisions she made. McAllister’s characterisation was great in this. The supporting characters felt nicely fleshed out with their own stories going on as well.

As with a lot of McAllister’s books it’s very difficult to write a review because I really don’t want to spoil any of the twists. Her writing is so well suited to this style of book and I was gripped from beginning to end.

If you love a twisty crime thriller then this one will be for you.

WOW WOW WOW. I absolutely adore this book. It’s cleverly plotted with believable characters that you engage with from the outset. Gillian McAllister is a master craftsman who deserves all the accolades she receives. A genuine 5 star book!

A great initial premise - Cam is returning to work after maternity leave, but her husband Luke has already left when she wakes. She goes to work, only for the police to come for her as her husband is involved in a hostage situation, but he is not the victim, he is the perpetrator. But he is just not that sort of guy. Cam begins to question how well she knew Luke as she realises he has been acting strangely for some time, and then finds he has left her a very cryptic note.

Niall is the hostage negotiator sent to deal with this situation, but he is left feeling he misread everything when Luke escapes and disappears.

The repercussions of this day continue into the future, and we rejoin the story 7 years later, as Cam finally tries to have Luke declared dead and to pick up her life with her new love interest, Charlie. Niall is no longer a negotiator, but he can't let this case rest.

The plot is exciting and intricate and although it doesn't always hang well together, it does make for a good read. The ending didn't really work for me, and I felt occasionally the author lost her way a little, but overall its a gripping story. Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph and Penguin Random House for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a twisty thriller! New mum Camilla has come to the end of her maternity leave, and on the first morning back to work, her husband is nowhere in sight. He appears to have left already, which is selfish and maddening. A few hours into her work day, the news ammounces a seige in a local warehouse and before long police are descending on Canilla with the horrific revelation that her husband is involved. This is such a multilayered novel with the truth being so far from my conscious. Such a great read. #famouslastwords #gillianmcallister #netgalley

My thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Famous Last Words’ written by Gillian McAllister in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

It’s Camilla’s first day back at work after nine months’ maternity leave and baby Polly’s first day at nursery but her husband Luke has already left for work and as she leaves their home she finds a note from him saying ‘It’s been so lovely with you both Lx’. Shortly after the police arrive at Camilla’s workplace telling her that there’s a hostage situation unfolding in a warehouse in Bermondsey and that Luke’s involved.

‘Famous Last Words’ is a brilliant thriller, gripping and addictive, where a wife never stops believing in her husband regardless of what the police say he’s done. The further I got into the story the more involved I became until it was near impossible to stop reading. It was exciting, chilling, disturbing, shocking at times, and the tension increased considerably towards the final chapters which were powerful and heart-stopping. The characters were realistically described and had me totally connected with what was happening. This is an excellently written thriller than I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and can recommend with no hesitation.

Mae mynd yn ôl i’r gwaith ar ôl cyfnod mamolaeth yn ddigon o her, ond gyda dim sôn o’i gŵr ar y bore cynta hwnnw mae pethau’n gwaethygu’n gyflym ar gyfer Cam a’i merch Polly. Mae hwn yn dechrau’n llythrennol bron gyda bang, y cyffro yn cyrraedd o’r tudalennau cyntaf wrth i ni ddeall bod ei gŵr, Luke, yn dal gwystlon mewn warws. Mae’r stori’n datblygu’n gyflym ac mae’r awdur yn wych am gadw momentwm ac mae’r troeon annisgwyl yn ddi-ddiwedd! Cawn y stori o’r hyn a ddaw wedyn gan Cam wrth iddi ddygymod a’r digwyddiad ac wrth iddi gwestiynu popeth yr oedd yn ei wybod am ei gŵr a’u bywyd gyda’i gilydd. Cawn hefyd safbwynt Niall, swyddog yr heddlu a oedd yn gyfrifol am geisio trafod gyda Luke i geisio rhyddhau’r gwystlon, wrth iddo yntau geisio dygymod â’r diwrnod a’i rôl yntau yn y cyfan. Am gyffro, stori anhygoel sy’n hawdd ei dychmygu fel cyfres deledu lwyddiannus. Mae hon yn sicr yn un o’r goreuon i mi!

Going back to work after maternity leave is not easy, throw in a husband that’s disappeared on that fateful morning and things are about to go from bad to worse for Cam and her daughter Polly. This one starts quite literally with a bang, full of action from the first few pages as we discover her husband, Luke, has taken three people hostage in a warehouse. The story is fast-paced, and the author is fantastic at keeping momentum and the unexpected twists are never ending! We hear the story from Cam’s perspective as she comes to terms with the events and questions everything she knew about her husband and their life together. We also get Niall’s perspective, the hostage negotiator on that day as he also tries to come to terms with how it all unfolded and his role in the result. What excitement, an incredible story that could easily be made into a successful tv series too. This is certainly one of the best for me!

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that starts with an ordinary day and quickly spirals into an unthinkable nightmare. Camilla, returning to work after maternity leave, discovers her husband Luke missing, leaving behind only a cryptic note. Soon, a hostage situation in London dominates the news, and shockingly, Luke is identified as the gunman.
The story masterfully alternates between Camilla’s struggle to understand Luke’s actions and the intense perspective of the hostage negotiator. The twists and turns kept me hooked, as Camilla unravels secrets about the man she thought she knew. McAllister's writing is sharp, and the tension never falters.
I appreciated the balance of emotional depth and suspense, with Camilla’s journey of love, doubt, and resilience taking center stage. While some twists were predictable, others genuinely surprised me. This gripping, well-researched thriller is a must-read for fans of psychological mysteries!

Famous Last Words is a gripping novel that kept me guessing. It's dramatic, intriguing, and a lot of fun!

It's a big day for our protagonist Camilla: she's dropping off her daughter for her first day of nursery. And her husband Luke seems to be missing. As the day goes on and Cam gets more fraught, she becomes aware of a hostage situation unfolding on television. When the police turn up at her door and tell her that Luke is the gunman, she can't believe it.

The book takes us on Cam's journey as she follows the day unfolding and then jumps forward in time as we see the after-effects of that fateful day. I don't want to give too much away but the story takes us on plenty of twists and turns, with mystery and tension running throughout. I didn't want to put it down - a feeling I find has become very familiar with Gillian McAllister's books! - and although there's obviously plenty of drama, it never felt ridiculous which I think is amazing considering the subject of this book. The book felt really well researched (I'm saying that with zero knowledge of how hostage situations or the following investigations would be carried out, but I just feel in very good hands with Gillian McAllister's books, including this one).

I'd highly recommend this novel. I knew it would be hard to follow the utterly addictive 'Wrong Place Wrong Time' but this is a very worthy follow-up that will keep you compulsively turning the pages.

Cam is happily married with a baby daughter, and is just starting back at the literary agent job she loves after completing her materniry leave. She is puzzled when her husband Luke is not around when she wakes up on her first day back, with only an unfinished note saying how lovely the time with her and their daughter Polly has been. As her working day unfolds, news starts breaking about a hostage situation in a warehouse in Bermondsey, and the police get in contact with Cam- but inexplicably, it is Luke who is holding three people at gunpoint. As the years pass, Cam struggles to make sense of the events of that day, and to rebuild her life, but she still loves and misses Luke and when she receives a mysterious text, cannot damp down the hope that she will finally get some answers. Gillian McAllister is an excellent writer who somehow manages to come up with original ideas in the rather crowded market of psychological thrillers. She builds up such a convincing portrait of Luke and the person he was before the siege that we care about him and want there to be a reasonable explanation for his actions, which racks up the tension. Cam is also very relatable in her struggles with this total nightmare and the seesawing of her emotions. I also loved the portrayal of her supportive sister. Clues are pieced together slowly, and I was most of the way through before I started to guess what had happened-and I was wrong about some things! A total treat to read.