When Cam’s husband, Luke, takes hostages on a seemingly random summers day, she’s left feeling. He’s a good man, isn’t he? So why is he doing this?

‘Famous Last Words’ follows Camilla and DCI Niall Thompson seven years after the hostage situation, as they fight to uncover the secrets of the unsolved mystery surrounding the siege.

My first Gillian McAllister book, and certainly not my last! There were moments in this novel when my stomach dropped like I was on a rollercoaster, a physical reaction brought on by the authors ability to weave in unexpected twists.

The plot itself went from incredibly fast paced in the beginning, slowing down to then picking back up later on in the book. I find the characters to be relatable with their flaws, worries and actions which always adds an extra layer to a thriller book for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication. I really enjoy Gillian McAllister's work and 'Famous Last Words' was no exception.

In her unique style, McAllister blends the emotion and minutiae of romantic and familial relationships with a gripping suspense element, to provide a very satisfying read. The reveals are clever and carefully seeded. I enjoyed living in Cam's head as the wife of the hostage taker and found myself wishing I could discuss books with her over a cup of coffee - a very believable character and I was firmly on her side (I loved Niall too!) The child character Polly was actually likeable and not annoying; a tricky thing to pull off in fiction - particularly in psych-thrillers.

'Famous Last Words' blurs genre boundaries being at once, contemporary, romantic, domestic, and suspenseful. It is a book about a siege, a crime, but it is also a book about a marriage, about parenthood (touching also on what it means when becoming a mother isn't straight forward) It holds the love vs. career debate up to the light and makes one wonder whether it isn't one or the other, that in fact we do what we love because of the people we love or our experiences of love and being loved.

I think this is my favourite Gillian McAllister book to date. She certainly know how to reel you in. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough.

This book needs to be made into a TV crime series.

Massive five stars.

I really enjoyed this latest thriller from Gillian McAllister, one of my favourite authors.
I don’t really know how to review this, as it’s definitely one of those books that it’s best to go in blind, so you can enjoy the twists and reveals.
The book is told from Cam (Camilla) and Niall’s (the hostage negotiator) points of view, in alternating chapters. I liked both characters, as well as Cam’s sister Libby. I loved the references to Cam’s work in publishing, and how she wanted to do nothing more than to escape into a good book whenever she had free time.
The big twist came quite late in the book, and it was really good. There were also a few reveals towards the end, one of which I’d guessed early on, but it didn’t spoil the story at all.
Once again Gillian McAllister has put family dynamics and relationships at the heart of the book, something that she does so well and that I always look forward to.
Highly recommended if you enjoy thrillers or police procedurals.

Gillian McAllister has written another brilliant pageturner! I read 'Famous Last Words' in record time, couldn't put it down, loved it.
It is Camilla's first day back at work after her maternity leave. She can't get in touch with her husband Luke. It turns out that Luke is involved in a hostage situation and then disappears. Cam is living her life but can't forget Luke and never finds out what really happened. Seven years later things start to unravel and with the help of the hostage negotiator Niall in many twists and turns the truth finally emerges in an unexpected ending.
This is a very well written thriller, highly recommended for all fans of crime fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for the opportunity to review 'Famous Last Words'.

I have loved all this author’s books but I’m afraid this one just one just did not live up to the premise. Started off strong but really slowed down after the first act and only picked up towards the end. Not enough suspense for my taste. I’ll definitely read her next one though . Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

A huge 5 stars from me.
Gillian is my go to favourite author & I have to read her books as soon as they come out!
Absolutely loved it!

Now, I love this author and usually devour their books. She's a phenomenal writer, but for some reason, this didn't quite do it for me.

While I enjoyed the love stories that simmered constantly in the background, I found myself getting a bit bored with it (sorry). I'm not really sure entirely what Niall's relationship had to do with the overall story.

I'm not sure whether it just felt a bit too implausible or whether it was just one of those books that isn't entirety for me, the world would be a boring place if we all agreed wouldn't it?

Now, whilst it might all sound negative... it's not! I found myself unable to put the book down. It did grip me and hold my attention.
This is a character driven novel, and as a positive, the characters are well executed, in parts relatable and not at all padded out unnecessarily.

Broken down into four sections, the first part was the introduction to the hostage situation, which grabbed me immediately and had me feeling like I was in Camilla's shoes. The next two parts, for me personally, seemed to go on forever. The pacing really slowed down at this point, which was disappointing as the first part was full on speed. It picked up again for the last part, which wasn't completely unpredictable, but finished the story off well.

I really enjoyed the visualisation this book gave. The author has a fantastic way of creating this in all of her books! I do wish more time had been spent on the actual siege, though.

Overall, it's a decent read, but it's not my favourite by this author and not one I'd be shouting loudly about.

Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random Books for the ARC.

Another great book with plenty of twists and turns from Gillian McAllister.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Such a great story, beautifully told. I love Gillian McAllister's writing and she always creates characters with real emotional depth. She takes a unique premise - a wife who discovers her husband has taken three people hostage at gunpoint - and adds so many layers. Love, grief, failed marriage, motherhood, all wrapped up in a cleverly structured mystery.

I typically gravitate toward light-hearted rom-coms, but the intriguing blurb for this book completely hooked me—and I’m so glad it did!

The story begins with Cam preparing for her first day back at work after maternity leave, only for her plans to be derailed by an unexpected and shocking crisis: a hostage situation, with her husband, Luke, as the hostage taker.

Told from two perspectives—Cam, the wife, and Niall, the hostage negotiator—the dual narrative does an excellent job of painting a full picture of the events as they unfold. The story is full of suspense and twists, keeping me guessing right until the end. I’ll admit, I had an inkling about a particular twist early on, but even when my suspicions were confirmed, it didn’t detract from the story’s impact or the gripping conclusion.

Like some other reviewers, I noticed the pacing slowed a bit in the middle, but I’m glad I stuck with it because the payoff was absolutely worth it.

Overall, this was a fantastic read that kept me hooked from start to finish. A big thank you to NetGalley for providing the download!

This is beautifully written and so cleverly put together. A real page-turner that I devoured in about a week. Highly recommended for any crime fans!

Gillian McAllisters new thriller , Famous Last Words, due out 30th January. An ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.
I have to give her books 5/5. They are such good pageturners.
This starts with a Hostage siege, a man on the run, and a police officer willing to do what's necessary, even if it's not legal.
An excellent novel with plenty of twists and turns.

This has been my GO TO book so far this year! Bloody loved it. If you want a book that’s sucks you in and spits you out…. THIS is it!

Hostages, cops, murder, disappearances; if these are the ingredients of a good book for you then, you are going to have a feast!
Very well-written crime thriller.

4.5 stars

This might just claim the top spot on my personal Gillian McAllister reading list. This gripping thriller is a masterclass in suspense, constantly twisting and turning in unexpected directions, leaving me completely captivated until the very end.

Camilla's world shatters when her writer husband, Luke, inexplicably disappears on her first day back from maternity leave. Initially, she dismisses his absence, assuming he's found a quiet corner to work. However, this naivete quickly crumbles as Luke becomes embroiled in a terrifying hostage situation – not as a victim, but as the hostage-taker. The narrative follows Camilla's descent into disbelief and despair as she grapples with the impossible truth about her husband.

McAllister masterfully explores the emotional turmoil of a shattered marriage and the agonizing process of rebuilding a life.What truly sets "Famous Last Words" apart is its unpredictability. I pride myself on my ability to unravel plot twists, but McAllister consistently outmaneuvered me, keeping me guessing at every turn. The suspense was palpable, leaving me breathless and on the edge of my seat.

A clever, compelling, and unforgettable thriller. Highly recommended.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for providing me with a review copy.

I loved the premise of the story, and the first act was really good.
It felt like the middle of the book dragged a little, for ages I didn't feel like we were getting anywhere, and I'd guessed one of the twists before it unfolded.
While the first time hop at least made a little sense, once everything came together I was disappointed we then jumped again - I'd have rather we stayed closer to that point to find out all the consequences, then an epilogue that jumped and finished the story.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

Good book. I was gripped at the start and remained gripped up until about 60% through and then it became a bit too complicated and it lost me at bits. The plot twists were a bit predictable and I wasn’t surprised at any point. A good read overall though.

I loved this book so much. It quickly became one of my favourites by Gillian McAllister.

When Camilla learns of a hostage situation happening in London, her world falls apart as she is told that the gunman is her husband Luke. She is desperate to uncover the truth with only a note that he left behind.

Within just a few pages you are right there seeing this terrible situation unfold yet you have already learned enough about Camilla to instantly root for her. I completely felt for her as she went through the realisation of what was going on with her husband. It was exciting and emotional at the same time.

This is one of those all-consuming books that you find yourself constantly thinking about and itching to get back to reading.

If you enjoyed Wrong Place Wrong Time or Just Another Missing Person by the same author then this will definitely be for you as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I read the first chapter of this book at the end of Gillian’s last book and was hooked so I was delighted to receive an advance copy via NetGalley.

Gillian has a knack of immersing her readers right in the middle of the action. It’s Cam’s first day of work following her maternity leave and Luke, Cam’s husband is nowhere to be seen. He leaves a slightly cryptic note for her so
Cam is forced to get on with her day and take their daughter to nursery before starting work.

Later she hears about a siege in London and is shocked to find out from the police that Luke is involved but not as a hostage but as the hostage taker.

Without giving too much away Luke completely disappears after the siege and Cam is left to get on with her life, bringing up their daughter alone. Cam can’t get her head round the fact that her loving husband would harm anyone.

I liked how the hostage negotiator narrates part of the story and he is like a dog with a bone, trying to find out exactly what happened on that fateful day.

Cam gets on with her life as best as she can. Without giving anything away I was shocked by the conclusion of the book and didn’t guess the ending!

As expected from Gillian’s writing nothing is as it seems and the whole story is refreshingly different!