A great synopsis that leads into a thriller of a book that I found hard to put down. After an explosive start, I felt part two really came into its own and had me hooked. Cam’s life is turned upside down when her husband commits a serious crime. How well does she really know the man she loves? Her life is about to change forever. This is a tale of crime, secrets and family and it certainly makes you wonder how you would react. Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Joseph Penguin Random House and the author for the chance to review.

Absolutely classic McAllister here. A twisty, gripping read. It’s a thriller, but really more an examination of life and relationships. How well do you truly know your partner? What would you do if you found they had done something bad, something illegal - something horrific? What could you believe in?

All the evidence points towards Luke being a bad man. A very bad man. But Cam is not convinced. 7 years after he holds three people hostage - and shoots two of them dead - she is trying to persuade herself that she is ready to move on. But when a text comes out of the blue, she’s sure it’s her husband reaching out.

Meanwhile, Niall - the hostage negotiator in the original case - is struggling with his own demons. Dumped by his wife for always putting work first, he is haunted by dreams of gunshots and violence.

Bit by bit, McAllister feeds us clues from the two independent investigations - and piece by delicious piece the mystery is solved. Highly recommended!

Famous Last Words by author Gillian McAllister was a real adventure of a ride.

I have read a couple of Gillian McAllister's novels before but will be catching up on the ones that I have missed.

We meet Cam, married to Luke and new mum to Polly. Cam is works in the world of literary agents and she is starting back at work after time off to become a mum.

The police show up on her first day, and she is told her husband is holding three hostages in a unit. The reader is taken on the journey of Cam and police negotiator Niall who is trying to rescue the situation..

When the outcome of the situation, leaves Luke having disappeared it changes the lives of all involved.

The book is then thrust to 7 years later and we see where Cam and Niall are in their lives. Both are still wondering on what happened to Luke and neither want to leave it. For me, this is when the novel really kicks up a gear and I could not put it down.

A very well written novel, again, by author Gillian McAllister that is an adventure of a read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars from me.

I absolutely love Gillian McAllister’s novels and she really does seem to be getting better and better if that is possible !
I read this over the course of 24 hours, ignoring everything else I had to do as I just could not put it down.

It’s a beautifully written, stunning thriller , so twisty and intricately plotted that it left me breathless and desperate for one more chapter. Although I did guess a couple of the twists I still had no idea where the plot was going.

The best thriller I’ve read this year by far and highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

This compelling story draws you in from the first page. Camilla is returning to work following maternity leave. She leaves Polly, her baby at the nursery, wondering where Luke, her husband has gone. He has left a cryptic note, and his behaviour has seemed strange recently. She is welcomed back to work then hears of hostages being taken in another part of London. And Luke is the suspect.

Camilla’s whole world disintegrates as she is drawn into a world she has no experience of. With several dark, shady characters, the pace increases as this complex, gripping plot unfolds with its many twists and turns. Gillian McAllister skilfully draws the characters - Camilla. puzzling where Luke could have disappeared; her sister going through difficult IVF treatments, and Niall, the police negotiator. All are relatable and believable characters, making a more rounded picture as this pacy thriller unfolds.

Having enjoyed reading previous books by this author, I found this to be one of her best. Skilfully researched with its intriguing plot, I couldn’t put down this book until the mystery had been resolved. Recommended.

Another wonderful read!
This book gripped me from the very first chapter and it kept getting better and better. Gillian is superbly masterful at keeping you guessing when you think you know the direction the book is going and then whips that idea away from you just as quickly.
Skilful, suspenseful , superbly crafted and a book like no other.
Thank you so much for my copy to read and review. Being part of the early readers is an absolute privilege and it’s a book I adored.

I adored this book. I'd give it 6 stars out of 5 if I could. It's a genre bending book... thriller, crime, murder, love story, police procedures, family ...you name it, you can find a story within a story here about it. There's no extra words, every word has a meaning, the devil's in the detail. Just snuggle down, read and enjoy it. I did.

Really cool concept, found the beginning slow which nearly made me give up but the premise was good enough to make me carry on. Glad I did, was a good thriller.

Superbly Plotted..
Seemingly humdrum lives are upturned in this superbly plotted and ingeniously devised novel of suspense where an apparent siege/hostage situation is not at all what it seems. Perfectly executed plot populated with a host of credible and well drawn characters, a pacy narrative littered with hair bend twists and turns and an edge of seat denouement. An all round fabulous read.

What a fantastic read!

This had me completely gripped from the first page and I could not put it down! You are pulled into the plot and the characters instantly grab your attention.

Something felt very real about the plot of the story and how it plays out, as the characters are so well developed and relatable. Gillian McAllister has done brilliantly to make you question the husband and who his wife thinks he is as a person in their marriage.

Famous Last Words is filled with unexpected twists and turns but the major twist was exceptional, personal and fitted the characters in the most perfect way. My jaw dropped!

A totally immersive story that kept me hooked and involved from early on. This is my kind of thriller- characters that I can connect to and a plot that keeps me guessing and gasping. I enjoyed having a different point of view from the hostage negotiator and the seven year time taps worked well in the author’s skilled hands. Another great read, bring on the next McAllister!

4.5 stars rounded up.

Cam is already anxious to head back to work and leave her baby girl, as the day has come where her maternity leave has ended...so when she wakes up to find her husband has left for the day.....it does nothing to soothe her anxiety. She then finds a cryptic note.....but tries to brush it off and go on with her day. A few hours later, the police show up and inform her that her husband is involved in a hostage situation....and SHOCKER.....he is the hostage taker....the gunman! What would drive Luke to do this? Does Cam even know the man she married?

As a mother, this book grabs me from the outset, because I know that stressful first day back to work.....added to that a missing husband and a cryptic note, I felt for Cam! The story just goes from there.....every page is a page turner and because it moves so fast, you're wondering....what is coming??? Gillian does this so well....gets you to imagine what you'd do in that situation. Would you abandon your own morals and values to help somebody you love? Wrong Place, Wrong time was a classic example of that...and she does it again here.

I don't want to say too much, because unfortunately I'd have to give some good plotlines away. I was so surprised by the turn the book takes as the blurb doesn't give it away. Another reviewer actually spoilt that for me.....but it didn't spoil the story for me....though I really wish I didn't know. Anyways....that may make no sense....lol....but I don't want to do that to any of you.

I'm docking half a star, just because I just loved Wrong Place, Wrong Time a bit more...a smidgen more. With this book, there were some things that I guessed and I thought perhaps some characters were a bit too unhinged for me in the end, but really that's just me nit picking.

If you love a well plotted story with great plot twists, you'll love this one! Page turner, thriller, hold your breath, whodunnit....Famous Last Words has it all!

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House and Michael Joseph for this advanced review e-copy :)

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date is the 30th Jan 2025. This book was a fast- paced whirlwind of a ride! I absolutely devoured it in one sitting.

The storyline had to hooked from the get go and I was fully convinced I had it all figured out I couldn’t have been more wrong!

Oh and the ending!! What an amazing ending one word WOW. I’d highly recommend this book another fantastic book by Gillian McAllister.


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟stars

As soon as this was ready to request I jumped on it! This author never lets me down. The twists and turns are both surprising AND emotional. One thing I love about the writing style is the heart she gives every book, with a huge focus on family and how the traumatic events affect a family unit or those involved.

I personally loved seeing the perspective of a professional - Niall - the hostage negotiator. His story was so interesting from the way he lived and breathed his job, to the PTSD of missing something with the current case.

I will admit the time jump took me a while to get my head around, but it worked so well!

Definitely recommend to all the thriller / family drama lovers out there.

I hate to say this as I have enjoyed Gillian McAllister's other books but this did not grip me at all. I found myself skipping pages as nothing interesting was happening after the hostage situation. Had to wait till the last few chapters for it to get interesting again.

Wrong Place, Wrong Time is my favourite Gillian McAllister book, Famous Last Words is a close second.
As ever with Gillian's work Famous Last Words grips the reader instantly and is incredibly well paced. The twist at the end was incredibly satisfying and unexpected.
4.5 stars.

Famous Last Words is a book where nothing is as it seems! I truly felt that this book pulled me in, and I could not put it down until I finished it

Gillian McAllister’s Famous Last Words is a gripping exploration of choice, consequence, and the complex tapestry of human relationships. From the very first page, McAllister's unique writing style draws you in, immersing you in a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally charged.

The story revolves around a central premise that hooks you instantly—what if you had the chance to know the last words of someone close to you? This intriguing concept serves as a springboard for deep character development and moral dilemmas that are expertly woven throughout the narrative. McAllister's ability to blend suspense with profound introspection sets this book apart, making it an unforgettable read.

I found myself unable to put the book down, captivated by the twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter leaving me eager to uncover more about the characters’ fates and the weight of their choices. McAllister’s prose is both lyrical and engaging, striking a balance that resonates with readers who appreciate a thoughtful narrative.

While I can see how the writing style may not appeal to everyone, for me, it was nothing short of incredible.

In conclusion, Famous Last Words is a remarkable work that brilliantly examines the intersections of love, regret, and the choices we make. It’s a book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling story that challenges the way we think about our own narratives.

like always, mcallister has knocked it out of the park. i was hooked from chapter one and had to take my kindle everywhere until i finished! i had no idea what to expect but i loved slotting the pieces together with the characters. another incredible read. 4.5 stars!!

"That feeling you get as a reader, 10 per cent in, when you just kind of sink into the novel and it's world"

This quote from Famous Last Words summed up Famous Last Words almost perfectly, except, it didn't take me 10 per cent. I think it took me about 5 pages. From the first few words, from those first few pages, my reading sense tingled. 

I loved Wrong Place Wrong Time. I recommend it all the time, and Famous Last Words hit in just the same way.  I was absorbed. There was a perfect balance between plot and character development. The plot was well paced, not rushed so the characters could evolve and expand into the gaps, and the tension could soak in, but not so slow that I lost interest.

I kept knitting together various elements so by the end, I'd probably worked it out mostly, but it didn't deter from the telling at all.

Very enjoyable, tense, detail rich love story set amidst a thrilling mystery.