Huge thanks for giving me the opportunity to read Famous Last Words. I’ve been a huge fan of Gillian McAllister’s books for years and this one is as intricately plotted and beautifully written as ever. I think she knows what my deepest inner fears are, then deliberately brings them to life to freak me out even more. I’m not going to try and describe the plot, but will just say that the unexpectedness of the twists caught me out every time. I raced through this dazzling, terrifying, unputdownable novel in two days and it will stay with me for years. Thank you again - I’m now exhausted!

Camilla Deschamps is at the end of her nine months' maternity leave and about to go back to work as a literary agent. However, when she wakes up her husband Luke is nowhere to be seen, apparently he (a ghostwriter for celebrity memoirs) has gone into to his shared workspace early. Cam feels slightly aggrieved by this, she's the introvert and catastrophiser and he's the extrovert happy-go-lucky one -on a day like today she really needs him to talk her off the ledge about putting their daughter Polly in nursery. He's not even answering his phone or reading her messages.

Later that morning at work, Cam is astonished to see that the man holding three people hostage in a London warehouse is none other than Luke. Although instinctively she can't think of any reason why this charming, sunny-natured man would do such a thing, as the police question her she recalls a few instances where he snapped at her, or behaved out of character.

I don't want to spoil anything so I'll be vague. Seven years later Luke has disappeared without a trace, Cam seesaws between thinking it has all been a big mistake and hating him for what he put them through. Although the police are monitoring Cam's internet searches and phone calls their investigation is very low key, except for Niall, the hostage negotiator that day, whose personal and professional lives fell apart on that day. he can't get over what happened and is looking for some kind of closure.

Can Cam or Niall piece together the clues and find out what really happened that day?

First off, let me say this was a really good book, loved the story. However, having read a couple of Gillian McAllister's books before I was already looking for the surprise twist - didn't always get it right, mind - and therefore in some respects this was a little too predictable. I also felt at one point that there were going to be too many similarities with (what I consider to be her best book) Wrong Place Wrong Time, although that turned out to be incorrect.

Overall, if you are new to Gillian McAllister's work I think you'll love the twisty-turny plot, but if you read and loved Wrong Place, Wrong Time I suspect you will find it fell slightly flat. Still better than most of the contemporary mystery/thrillers out there.

I received an ARC from the publisher Penguin Random House via NetGalley.

Omg I’m shook! What a book, absolute rollercoaster ride of twists, turns and emotions! I love Gillian’s books but this one is the best I’ve read! She just keeps getting better and better! How can I go back and work now when I just want to talk about this book!! Thank you so much and can’t wait for the next book!

Cam’s first day back at work after her maternity leave. Nervous and apprehensive, she had hoped that husband Luke would be around to help her get nine months old Polly ready for her first day at nursery, knowing just how important this day was to them all as a family, but he’s done a disappearing act. Cam vaguely remembers a quick kiss at some ungodly hour when it was still dark, but no response to her texts, etc., is leaving her a little worried. Not like the usually gregarious Luke not to reply. Once in the office Cam tries again, this time calling and WhatsApping, but still nothing. She tries to convince herself that there’s nothing wrong, but when two police officers walk into the office reception, she knows, without a doubt, they are there for her.

Wow! What brilliant writer McAllister is. Never fails to disappoint and always something new and totally unexpected. Just gets better and better with each new book.

I was into this from the first few pages. A line from about 3% in, “That feeling you get as a reader, 10 per cent in, where you just kind of sink into the novel and it’s world” is kind of my mantra, but not in this case. At 3% I was already in and committed!

A clever, polished and extremely readable book, a true masterclass in writing. I shall definitely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House.

Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for this ARC.

Cam, young mother of baby Polly has her first day back at work after maternity leave. She doesn't know where her husband Luke is and he has only left a cryptic note but she isn't too worried until the police raps at her office door.

The facts as set out to her are that Luke has taken three hostages in a Bermondsey warehouse and he is armed. A siege continues until hostage negotiator Niall comes on the scene and tries to engage Luke. Then he lets the female hostage go, shoots the other two dead and disappears, never to be heard of again. Until, seven years later, Cam receives a cryptic email and begins to try and get answers but each clue throws up more questions.

The story is told in dual POV between Cam and Niall, both traumatised by the events they couldn't stop and that have changed their lives.

The twists and turns are excellent but I have to say that the plot drags in the middle when Cam is blocked at every turn from finding out more. Whatever it is that people are hiding, it must be big. Why did no one ever find out who the hostages were? Was Luke good after all?

We get an insight into Niall's life and the therapy he's been having for PTSD. His wife left him as he always prioritised work, and he has never forgotten that terrible siege so when covert surveillance of Cam suddenly throws something up, he is right back in, and this time he doesn't just want the perpetrator - he wants the truth, unlike his colleagues who just want to close a case at the expense of what really happened.

This is a thriller of course but it's also an exploration of love and relationships and how well we really know someone. It's an engaging read, with Cam's sister and her battle with IVF prominent, as is Cam's work as a literary agent.

As usual, Gillian McAllister delivers in spades. This is an outstanding suspenseful psychological thriller with two unique, believable POVs that go deep into the human psyche.

4.5 stars

Cam is a book editor about to return to work after maternity leave. Luke,her husband, is a ghost writer who goes out to his co-working space and doesn't return.

He doesn't return as he is holding three people hostage in a warehouse with a gun.

Niall is the hostage negotiator and must talk him down. Something goes terribly wrong and Luke becomes a fugitive.

As with most of Gillian McAllister books,all is not as it seems and she takes on a rollercoaster ride with many twists and turns.

I enjoyed it as I have all her books, bravo!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Random House Publishing

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is a fascinating and mesmerising read that keeps the reader guessing until the end, as to who did what, why and when.
There are many twists and turns to the storyline and many characters in the story who are not what they appear to be. There are also some characters who are what they first appear to be and continue to act with integrity throughout the book.
I thought it was a captivating read and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Another good read from the author.
Highly recommended.

Another excellent thriller from the author of 'so many gripping tales, I was delighted to get a copy of this novel because I have loved this author ever since I read 'Wrong Place Wrong Time'. This was a real page turner and I finished it as quickly as I could. It features Cam and her husband who, on her first day back at work, is shown a video by the police of her husband holding hostages. He is not a criminal as far as she knows, so what is going on? Highly recommended.

Christmas came really early for me this year thanks to the wonderful people at Michael Joseph who sent me an ARC of Gillian McAllisters upcoming book, Famous Last Words. Its not officially due out til the end of January but its a book you want to add to you TBR list immediately.

This is the story of what should be the perfect couple, but when Camilla (Cam) goes back to work after maternity leave it all goes wrong. Her husband, and baby daddy Luke is caught holding people hostage which to Cam feels out of character but with the evidence stacking up how can she argue?

I really like that although its small steps into the story I felt like I was thrown into Cams world. Appriciating her empathy at times even though it didnt always come accross how she really felt was a great way to help the reader feel like they knew the character, and connect.

After spending some time during and immediately after the incident we jump seven years forwards. Luke is still blamed for the situation and Cam hasnt really moved on. Her daughter is none the wiser to who her dad really was and theres the usual single parent hurdles to navigate.

Rather than show the other side of the story we get a view from Niall, the hostage negotiator. He's confident in what he does and from the start was clear that he didnt think Luke really wanted to kill anybody. As we follow his side of the story, we see him fail both in his work and personal life but still like him as a person because he just wants things to be right.

The other character to talk about is Libby. I really felt for her with multiple rounds of IVF and miscarriages. It did make me wonder how much she supposedly earns though - That many rounds isnt cheap and we dont really know much about her husband. Personally I didnt like the way Libbys story ended - I felt like as a supporting character the writier was trying not to 'punish' her too much but I would have preffered for her story to turn out differently, a little bit more real.

This is one of those books to really settle down with and enjoy whilst you're mind whirrs in the background looking at every possible clue to work out what really happened

I’m a big fan of this author and expected it to be a good read. It was fantastic. Great characters, a great story and a twist I didn’t see coming. Every book I’ve read by Gillian McAllister has been so bloody good yet somehow she gets better with every book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

WoW! McAllister puts the thrill into thriller. Superb writing, a brilliant plot, believable characters and breathtaking twists. This book has to be in the running for thriller of the year.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange of an unbiased review.

With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.

WOW WOW WOW! Another masterclass in the art of writing a top class, flawless book from the wonderful Gillian McAllister. This has it all - fantastic writing, brilliant characters and a clever plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Nothing is as it seems and the twists and turns keep on coming. An absolutely riveting read that just needed to be finished in one sitting. Not only my favourite of Gillian’s but one of my favourite reads of the year. Spellbindingly brilliant

This book is outstanding! I loved every page.
Gillian McAllister has always been one of my favourite authors and I’ve enjoyed all of her books. That being said, this is definitely the best one yet.
I was gripped from page 1 and couldn’t put it down. The plot is unique but also super engaging. It’s definitely one of my favourite reads this year and more than worthy of 5 stars.

This book is a show stopper - one I would give to my friends. I would buy multiple copies of this book for people! After reading plenty of thrillers it takes a lot these days for me to not work out the ending but this one totally got me. Overall really clever, well written and one I will be recommending. I am now going to purchase the rest of the authors books that I haven’t read yet. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early copy.

Cam, Luke and little Polly have a seemingly normal life then BANG!
A hostage situation involving Luke and there lives are turned upside down.
What a thriller this was i spent the weekend struggling to put it down.
This would make a fantastic movie and i have to say i found this the best book by this author.....so far.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my early copy.
Easy five stars from me.

An absolutely gripping read and very clever. I found it hard to put this book down. I am confident that this book will be a bestseller.

Cam drops her daughter off at daycare for the first time since maternity leave. Not long into her first day, cops show up and tell her that her husband has three people held hostage. This turns into a race basically of trying to figure out why. Without giving anything away, the book skips ahead seven years for the second half.

I don’t think this book is as good as her last two, but I’m not sure she will ever top those. This was a great book though that was hard to stop once I started. I did figure out some of the twists but def not to the depth they were. I almost feel like the hostage part should have been longer. Still a great book!

It's Cam's first day back at work after maternity leave. It's stressful, but it's about to step up to next-level insanity when there's a seige in a warehouse in Bermondsey with three hostages held at gunpoint. Unsettling for Cam because the gunman is her benign and caring husband.

I loved the high octane thrills. It's a relentless story that propelled me forward to the conclusion.

This is perceptive writing. McAllister has a skill for putting a character in a mad situation whilst ensuring that their responses are always credible. I was constantly thinking: 'Well, of course, that's how you'd feel if that happened.'

You'll love this if you loved JUST ANOTHER MISSING PERSON and WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME. It's every bit as good