3.75⭐️

Brilliantly written thriller. First 30% I was absolutely hooked and then it kind of lost me a bit in the middle but got me hooked again at the end. It went down a different path to what I thought. Gillian paints a picture of her characters very well and they feel very real. I wasn’t blown away by the plot twists, I guessed some. There was one that did get me but overall a little predictable. I think this would make a brilliant tv show.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this advance readers copy.

Camilla is returning to work after her maternity leave; the day feels ordinary except her husband has already left for work before she gets up. However, after she drops her daughter at daycare and begins her work day the police arrive and everything she thought she knew about her husband will be severely shaken.

This book was filled from the beginning to the end with suspense and twists and turns; exactly what I love. My interest was held from the first page to the last and although. there were twists and turns in the story they weren't there unnecessarily. As the story was revealed I became more intrigued. A gripping and suspense filled thriller and an author that I want to read more from; 4 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is a gripping psychological thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. The story, centered around a woman on the verge of execution whose last words might change everything, is full of twists, tension, and moral dilemmas. McAllister brilliantly balances suspense with emotional depth, making you question what’s right and what’s true.

The writing is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the characters are complex and compelling. Just when you think you have everything figured out, a twist will leave you reeling

Famous Last Words is my second read by McAllister (I thought Wrong Place Wrong Time was okay) and my favourite so far. I liked Cam, it was well-paced, and I did not figure out what was going on at all.

Well, okay, one twist was obvious, but it actually didn't tell you anything about the mystery at the root of the story.

Cam and her husband, Luke, have a close, loving relationship, careers they enjoy, and a baby daughter who is their entire world. Everything they ever wanted. But one morning, Cam wakes to find a strange note and no Luke. Something feels off, but it isn't until she is at work later that the police turn up. Her beloved husband has taken several people hostage in London.

I won't offer up any more of the plot, but what emerges is a baffling mystery. How can this man-- who's always been so warm, laid back and loving --do such a thing?

Cam starts to question everything, especially what happened in the weeks leading up to the hostage situation. Did Luke's behaviour change? And if so, why? How could she have been so wrong about him?

A quick, engaging read.

On the day Camilla is going back to work after maternity leave, she wakes up to find her husband missing. Breaking news alerts her to a hostage situation that her husband is involved in, except he’s not one of the hostages, he’s the gunman.
This book was tense and suspenseful as we follow Camilla’s quest to find out why her husband has committed such a shocking crime. Throughout the book, entwined with the mystery and emotion is a love story that prevails as Cam refuses to believe that her husband is bad and continues to miss and love him seven years on despite the horrific crimes he has committed. It very much provokes the reader to question how they would react in this situation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a psychological thriller

This is the third book I have read by this author. I loved ‘Wrong Place Wrong Time’ and that Gillian McAllister had done something different. ‘Just Another Missing Person’ did not live up to my perhaps too high expectations. After these mixed experiences, I was still eager to read ‘Famous Last Words’ as the premise sounded really intriguing.

Famous Last Words opens with Camilla (Cam) being due to return to work after maternity leave and it is also her daughter’s first day at nursery. Cam’s husband, Luke, has already left the house when she wakes leaving only a cryptic note by way of an explanation. Cam gets on with getting ready for the day but being unable to get hold of her husband plays on her mind.

Cam is at work when she sees news of a siege in London followed by the police arriving to talk to her. Cam finds out that Luke is involved in the siege and is shocked to hear that he is the gunman.

The opening of this book was very strong and I was completely immersed in the fast-moving siege situation. I liked the point of view of the hostage negotiator, Niall and thought the atmosphere came through really well. But then the siege quickly comes to an end and the timeline of the book moves forward to 7 years after the siege to follow the fall out of this on the lives of Cam and Niall.

I read this book very quickly but I felt that the slower burn middle section did last a bit too long and feel a little repetitive in places. The book ended up cantered on the relationships and love stories of Cam and Niall with their spouses but I would have preferred is this had leant further into the mystery and the solving of it earlier on. I did guess some of the twists quite early on such as relating to the jiffy bag book but this did not have a negative impact on my enjoyment. I was still keen to read on to find out the answers!

After the slow build of the story, the ending did seem a little rushed in comparison and I did not feel wholly convinced by the motivations for Luke’s actions. Cam’s unwavering support for Luke after the siege and continuing for the further 7 years did not always seem to be realistic.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and the experience of reading it. I think Gillian McAllister comes up with intriguing concepts and explores the relationships of the characters within a thriller style story in an interesting way.

I am rating this book 3.75 stars (rounded up to 4 stars)

Thank you to the publisher, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Gillian Mcallister is an autobuy author for me but I think this book was my favourite one yet!
I was hooked on this book from the first page. The premise immediately grabs you!

Camilla is about to start her first day back at work after maternity leave with 9 month old Polly. She finds it strange when her husband Luke isn't there in the morning to wish her luck on her first day and help take their daughter to school.
It isn't long before Camillas's world is turned upside down. Shortly after arriving for her first day back at work, Camilla sees a news broadcast covering a hostage situation developing in London. Luke, her husband, is the gunman and has taken three hostages!
The book is narrated by Cam as events unravel during the day and 7 years later (and finally 7 years later again)The other narrator is Niall, the hostage negotiater who desperately wants to find out the truth.
This was such an original premise for a thriller, and I couldn't put it down. The suspense and tension throughout is brilliant, and I loved the twisty ending.
The characters are well written and easy to emphasise with. If you like fast paced, heart racing thrillers with a touch of romance, I would highly recommend this. An addictive read!

Just as intricate and twisty as McAllister's other titles, 'Famous Last Words' is the story of a married couple's life being skewed when the police discover he's taken three hostages. I really enjoyed Cam's job, the publishing world, how the final note all came together was really compelling. I read the whole thing in one sitting, because I knew things couldn't be as they seemed and I needed to know the truth!

I always look forward to a new Gillian McAllister book and Famous Last Words is another great psychological thriller from her! It features a concept I haven’t read in detail before – that of a hostage situation. Famous Last Words is Gillian’s classic blend of page-turning tender emotion mixed with high-drama.

This story is told from two POVs. The first is Camilla Deschamps, wife of the hostage-taker, Luke. Camilla is a literary agent, with a seemingly great life. Married to Luke, her kind, funny and charming husband, who works as a ghostwriter. They have a baby daughter, Polly.

At her first day back at work after maternity leave, she sees on the news that a hostage situation is happening in East London. When the police show up at her office soon after, things don’t look great. She is beyond shocked to discover that her husband Luke has taken three people hostage and is also wielding a gun.

The other POV in the book is that of Niall, the hostage negotiator who works for the police and is brought in to end the situation with Luke without any casualties. We follow them both as they try to discover the truth about why Luke seemingly acted so out of character and took these people hostage.

I thought this pairing was really interesting as the story does invert you perception of the situation a few times. Niall is the crime / analytical voice to Camilla’s emotional one and the blend of these two perspectives really give Famous Last Words depth.

I was totally hooked! It kept me guessing until the end and crucially, keeps human emotion as the focus, so when we do find out what happens (no spoilers here!), it makes sense and gives a really satisfying ending.

I struggled so much to put this book down once I got started! An absolute page turner.

Told from multiple points of view (which I LOVE) there were twists and turns all over the place. The characters are likable, and relatable. Niall was my favourite - I really enjoyed his story.

I went into this with high expectations, being a big Gillian McAllister fan and I was not disappointed. I'd recommend this to anyone that enjoys thrillers!

Camilla's first day back at work after maternity leave, she receives a phone call that her husband is in a hostage situation... But he is the gunman. Can Niall, the hostage negotiator find a solution before things get out of hand?

Did I enjoy this book?
I couldn't put this book down, totally bingeable!!! The twists were incredible and unexpected, it had me on the edge of my seat and staring at the wall at points questioning how such good plot twist could be included!!!

The plot developed SO well! There was some incredible character growth and I enjoyed having the multiple POVs of Cam Niall and the "anonymous source" 👀


Would I recommend this book?
Omg yes, it's definitely one to read if you love a twisty thriller full of suspense and plot twists!!
It's released on 30th January so not long to wait!

Thank you William Morrow Books / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy

Book tropes:
Hostage
Family trauma
Crime
Missing person
Plot twist
Police investigation
Police procedural
Revenge
Suspense
Tension
Therapy
Trauma
Whodunnit

Camilla Deschamps, a new mother to Polly, thinks she and her husband Luke have it all. Life is good, although Cam is a bit unsettled that Luke has left the house early and is out of contact on the day of her return to work after maternity leave, a day when she thought she would have his support. Cam's life is about to be turned upside down when the news breaks that a gunman is holding three people hostage. Luke is the alleged gunman.

I don't want to give away spoilers about the outcome of the siege so there isn't much that can be said about the plot of Famous Last Words. It is an original plot, and the events surrounding the siege lead on to a story full of twists and turns, which takes Cam years to fully understand.

This is a somewhat epic thriller, and one that engrossed me throughout. Cam, who works as an agent in the publishing industry, reflects on the immersive quality of a good book, which can cause you to fall into another world after reading a few pages. This novel is a prime example of such a book.

I have only one critical comment to make, and it concerns a very small plot point. Surrogacy is a controversial industry to which there is growing opposition; please see Stop Surrogacy Now UK. There is a very uncritical reference to surrogacy in this book which would go against the grain with all my feminist friends, which is why I have answered that I would not give this book as a gift.

It’s the first day back after her maternity leave and Camilla is a bundle of mixed emotions. It doesn’t help that her husband Luke has left early and isn’t answering his phone. As she tries to settle back into her job at the literary agency her calls to Luke continue to go unanswered. And then the police arrive, looking for her..There is a hostage situation and Luke is the hostage taker.

This is my third book by Gillian McAllister and I am always amazed at the originality of her plots and the depth of her plotting. This book starts with a huge shock and I don’t think the reader fully recovers until the very last pages! The author poses an unimaginably difficult scenario - what would you do if your partner suddenly committed a terrible crime. Camilla is torn between cooperating with the police to help end the hostage situation and her natural instinct to protect the man she loves. The narrative is mainly told through Camilla and Niall who is the hostage negotiator. Niall is a rather interesting character and it was particularly fascinating to look at the scene through his eyes. The author keeps Camilla and her reader guessing and the desire to unlock the puzzle as to why a gentle home loving father and husband would take three people hostage and hold them at gunpoint doesn’t diminish.

I really enjoyed this book and thought the author did a fabulous job of building and sustaining tension. There is plenty of detail for those who love police procedural and lots of book discussion via Camilla’s role as a literary agent. Personally I found the last scenes wrapped very quickly and I would have liked a little longer to absorb all the details. I look forward to more by the author.

With many thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph for my digital copy of this book.

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This gripping thriller follows Camilla who is about to return to work following her maternity leave.

When she wakes her husband has already left for work, she continues with getting ready for her first day back, not knowing her life will soon change forever.

Later that morning, she hears of a hostage situation involving her husband as a suspect, but Camilla doesn’t believe what she is hearing and soon has many questions but not many answers.

Why would her husband be involved? Where is her husband now, and is he dead or alive?

This thriller had me gripped and I didn’t want to stop reading, there was plenty of suspense and mystery throughout.

It seemed so out of character for the husband to commit this kind of crime, so you wanted to find out along with Camilla what was going on.

Another great read from this author, I will be reading more in the future.

Overall, a gripping thriller where Camilla must work out if she really knows her husband.

A must read book of 2025. It's absolutely effing PHENOMENAL. From the first page to the final jaw dropping twist, gripping, unputdownable. It's an INCREDIBLE thriller, with amazing relatable characters & the twists are just WOW!. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, BLOODY LOVED IT. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for approving me for an ARC of Famous Last Words.

I will unashamedly admit that I love Gillian McAllister. I’ve not yet come across a book written by her that I didn’t like. This was no different.

The premise is amazing. Imagine your husband taking people hostage out of nowhere and for no apparent reason! I would be as perplexed as Cam!

Although the story did slow down a bit in the middle section, it was always setting the building blocks together for the brilliant ending I didn’t see coming!

Rated 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ just due to it being slightly slow going in the middle section. But I would definitely recommend!

Gillian McAllister is one of my go to authors so I did have high expectations for this new book - which didn’t just meet them, it hit them well and truly out of the park. Famous Last Words grabs its reader right from the very start with a hostage situation that goes wrong for Camilla and her family. It has an interesting cadence where it starts high octane, settles in the middle which actually built up the tension as I was left feeling that if all that happened in the first few chapters, what the heck was to come?! I did not see what came….at all!

This was an absolute thriller of a read, full of twists and turns. I enjoyed seeing the unfolding story through the perspective of Camilla whose husband did an unthinkable thing on that day as well as Niall, the hostage negotiator who’s life also imploded on the same day.

Another solid thriller from Gillian McAllister and looking forward to the next one.

Having read several books by Gillian McAllister I knew I was in for a good read BUT this book drew me in from the first page - it was a riveting read from the first page. Cam learns a whole new side to her husband Luke - a side she finds impossible to believe but has to accept. She spends the next 7 years hoping for his return but accepts it is time to move on.
Luke's actions not only affect the life of his family but also the life of the hostage negotiator who failed to avert the death of two men.
A fascinating tale
Four and a half stars for me
Many thanks to Netgalley/Gillian McAllister/Michael Joseph Penguin for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister opens with an intriguing premise: Camilla returns to work on her first day back after maternity leave, only to find her husband, Luke, missing—his only trace an unfinished note. Soon, breaking news reveals Luke is involved in a hostage situation, but he’s not a hostage—he’s the gunman. The story quickly builds suspense as Camilla works to decipher the clues in his note.

The book starts strong, drawing you in with its tension and mystery, but my initial excitement waned as the pacing slows in the middle. There’s a lot of internal dialogue and emotional turmoil from both Camilla and the hostage negotiator Niall, which at times feels repetitive and slows down the action. The subplots, especially the one involving her relationship with her sister, also feel unnecessary and don’t add much to the central story.

While the twist and ending are satisfying, they became a bit predictable, which dampened the overall impact. Famous Last Words has a lot of potential but ultimately falls short of delivering the thrill I was hoping for after the strong opening. It’s not a bad read, but it didn’t fully live up to its initial promise.

You know how people say that a book kept them reading late into the night? Well, Famous Last Words, the brand new thriller from Gillian McAllister really did. So much so that my cat had to come and slap me on the head several times the following morning to get me up to make its breakfast. A hostage situation, murder and, believe it or not, books. What more could a girl ask for?

I really enjoyed this book, was sucked into it from the very start. Gillian McAllister tells us the story of Camilla, a new mum about to embark upon her first day back in the office as a literary agent after her maternity leave ends. She has a wonderful life, a beautiful daughter, a husband she adores and life feels good. But, as if leaving Polly at nursery wasn't hard enough, nothing can prepare her for what is about to come. For part way through the day Camilla receives a visit from the police to tell her that her husband, Luke, is caught up in the hostage situation that is currently all over the news reports. Only Luke isn't a hostage - he's the hostage taker. Talk about a rough first day back.

Now, as you might expect, nothing about this situation is straight forward, and Camilla, along with me as the reader, had to wonder just what would make the seemingly perfect husband and father snap to such an extent that he would suddenly hold a group of people - possibly strangers, at least to Camilla - at gunpoint? This is just one of many questions that gets raised and, eventually, answered in this tense and completely addictive thriller. The story is packed with mystery and suspense, and littered with clues that you really do need to pay attention to spot. Not a line in this book is wasted, and if you think that something might have relevance later on, hold onto that nugget as it may come in handy if you want to test out your Jessica Fletcher credentials.

I really liked Camilla and the author has done a great job of creating a character who really is stuck in a position of turmoil. She cannot believe the worst of her husband and her faith in him in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary is endearing, even is most would consider it naive. There is only one other person who believes there is more to Luke than his simply being a killer and that is the police Negotiator, Niall, who, along with Camilla, provides the key perspective in this third person narrated thriller. There are some sections from an additional point of view, but these lack absolute context, or identification, in the early part of the book, and it is really Camilla and Niall that we rely on to help navigate the story. There are other characters, daughter Polly of course, and Camilla's sister, Libby, who add colour and context to Camilla's world, but none draw our focus away from the lead characters' stories.

I enjoyed the structure of this book, told over three parts - the day of the siege, seven years later as Camilla is ready to move on with her life and declare Luke legally dead, and, to a much lesser extent, some years onward again, showing us what happens to the characters in the end. nGillian McAllister has created a very real world in which to draw us as readers, and allowed her characters' emotions, as well as a gently pulsing sense of threat to feed and drive the narrative. The real heart of the mystery - why Luke did what he did - really doesn't start to emerge until the second part of the book, an inciting event which on the surface seems fairly innocuous leading to what will become a very tense and threat filled finale.

I enjoyed every minute of this book, smiled at some of the bookish references that will mean much to many readers, and loved the suspenseful way the story played out. It's perhaps not the fastest paced book I've read of late, the threat not as overt for the most part, but it intrigued me, made me not just want but need to know more, and I love a book that can do that. Definitely recommended.