FAMOUS LAST WORDS BY: GILLIAN MCALLISTER I have been reading all of GILLIAN MCALLISTER'S mystery/thriller novels since she was first published and she always delivers a compelling family drama situation that never disappoints and always delivers, and this one was no different. You think you know your husband after you've been married for the amount of time they have been. Think again here with this one as young mother Camilla is getting up to take her baby named Polly to daycare and she reads an oddly worded note from her sweet husband Luke. She thinks it's odd but it's her first day back to work at her job as a Literary Agent on the longest day of the year June 21, the Summer Solstice. She's back to work on her first day leaving their baby named Polly at day care after a maternity leave so she doesn't dwell on her cheerful husband Luke's note even though it is puzzling. While Cameron is at work two police officers show up at her job and she takes them inside the conference room only to be escorted home with her sister picking up her daughter for her at day care. Her sweet husband Luke is involved in a hostage situation and Camilla can't believe it when she hears that thoughtful Luke has taken three people hostage. The other main character is Niall who is the hostage negotiator who this case will haunt him. He tries to be good at his job by showing an act of goodwill that by no fault of his own backfires. The police are questioning Camilla about whether she knew that Luke kept a gun in their home to which she was completely clueless. They haven't really been married to the seven year mark and it turns out that she had her husband all wrong by how this turns out. I kept thinking about how loyal she was trying to be to Luke, when being questioned weighing her answers carefully not wanting to make things worse for Luke, and carefully considering how much she told them, while she nor I would have ever guessed he would be capable of doing what he did, but suddenly that note made sense. You never want to believe the worst about someone you love and I could feel her shock and understood why she felt that she didn't want to make things worse for him when this trip escorted home by the police still gave her an idea of things as she considered her loyalty towards her husband hoping but at the same time knowing Luke was in the middle of blowing up they're domestically happy existence. This was laden full of shock and suspense for me as a reader as things progressed to the point that both for her and their baby daughter and Niall things would never go back to how they were as things played out. I think that most people will find this one a thriller that has suspense, and be surprised in the direction it takes. I think the title is perfect for this as most will reflect about the title and Luke's note, and think about how grateful they are to have the stability that comes with really knowing their husband, and crave the peace and tranquility that comes from predictable long term marriages. Publication Date: February 25, 2025! AVAILABLE NOW FOR PURCHASE! THIS AUTHOR NEVER DISAPPOINTS!

On the longest day of the year, new mother Camilla's life takes a sudden and unexpected turn when she discovers her husband Luke is involved in a hostage situation in London, but not as a hostage - he is the gunman. I am absolutely obsessed with Gillian McAllister's books - I am never disappointed! The premise of this story was so intriguing and had me hooked from the very beginning. While it did have a fast start, at times it felt a bit too detailed and drawn out. However, the storyline was fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat, trying to piece everything together. The main character, Camilla, was introduced gradually, and we learned more about her husband as the story progressed. It's a clever narrative that really makes you empathize with the characters and imagine yourself in their shoes. You can't help but think that these kinds of situations only happen in movies, but in reality, it could easily be someone's life. If you're a fan of thrilling, unpredictable, and thought-provoking reads, then this book is a must-read for you! I can't wait to listen to the audiobook, as I know it will enhance the overall experience even more. Happy reading! Thank you, William Morrow, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A stunning mix of fast-paced thriller and deeply poignant suspense along with a bit of drama thrown in, Famous Last Words unsurprisingly blew me away. After all, Gillian McAllister has always been one of my all-time favorite authors. Known for her complex timelines, mind-blowing twists, and well-developed characters, I was thrilled to find all of the above in her newest novel. This time around, though, it not only started off with an almighty bang, but it had my fingers flying through the pages faster and faster as I was given whiplash like never before. From the moment that we were introduced to the dual POVs as well as a third anonymous source, my attention was undeniably piqued. Interwoven into an intricate plot that kept me guessing despite some very rigorous armchair sleuthing, the first explosive 100 pages bled into a somewhat slower paced last two-thirds which led me to fall for both distinctly voiced narrators in turn. Both sincere and vividly drawn, they made the book come to life as we learned how that one pivotal day impacted their lives in all of its sharp, realistic, and heartbreaking glory. As with all of this author’s novels, however, the magic was in the thought-provoking yet shocking reveals. Shifting the entire narrative after a series of earth-shattering twists, there was no way of beating this writing maestro at her own game. Via immersive storytelling that had me ignoring everything around me including my family, I breathlessly inhaled word after word as multiple secrets blew up on the page. An addictive page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat, this novel yet again proved that Ms. McAllister is the best of the best. All in all, thanks to a well-plotted storyline, clever hidden motivations, and a metafiction vibe, this book easily stacks up as one of my favorites. You see, from the highly charged hostage situation to the revolving door of introspections, there was no end to the layers of this finely written novel. And let me tell you, there is so much more that I can’t even mention lest I let slip a spoiler. So grab a copy today if you even remotely love thrillers. Clever, bingeable, and packed full of palpable tension, there simply wasn’t a thing not to love. Rating of 5 stars.

I love Gillian's books and this one was a gripping read. Loads of twists and impossible whodunnits. Brilliant.

I enjoyed reading this book. McAllister manages to keep the reader invested and to evoke sympathy for Cam. Also, as in every of McAllisters books so far, the great love the characters experience for their family stands out and makes this not only a gripping thriller, but also an ode to love.

A real page turner and nothing more than I would expect from Gillian McAllister.

Having read, and enjoyed, some of this authors previous work I was immediately drawn to this - her latest - ‘Famous Last Words! Was I disappointed? No! Will you be? I doubt it… Gillian McAllister is somewhat unique in her approach to writing and psychological plots. In this novel we meet Cam - Camilla - and Luke Deschamps and their new-born daughter Polly; together with secondary characters such as Niall Thompson - the hostage negotiator - who features throughout - in addition to Libby, Adam, Charlie et al, all of whom have a part to play. The Deschamps are book people; he is a ghost writer and she is his agent and a book worm. Their perfect life is shattered when a hostage situation arises in which Luke is the principle player; but he is not the hostage - he is the hostage taker! In four hundred pages the story unfolds over a fifteen year period of edge of your seat suspense and intrigue. Try as I did - I failed to anticipate where the many twists and turns were taking me: complex, clever, compelling and comprehensive (Forgive the alliteration) in detailing those ’twist and turns’; this is a psychological thriller par excellence. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in two sittings. Highly recommended. Bill Brady

When I read the first book by this author I was blown away. I’ve continued to read all she’s published and enjoyed them but this along with the first are by far the best. It kept me enthralled right to the end. I can’t wait to read the next one published next year, taster given at the end of this one. It looks like it too will be brilliant.