📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖

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#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!

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.