Famous Last Words
Paperback Published on: 03/07/2025
Price: £9.99
Bookseller Reviews
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And the Last Word is... Unmissable!
Gillian McAllister returns with another brain storming, heart wrenching thriller that beautifully pulls you in and refuses to let go until you've devoured ... READ MORE
My Most Anticipated 2025 Release!
It is a secret to absolutely no one that Famous Last Words was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. A high concept thriller in which a woman's husb... READ MORE
Totally Unexpected
Absolutely phenomenonal. What a rollercoaster ride of twists, turns and totally unexpected reveals.
Yet again my housework suffered because I needed answe... READ MORE
Gillian McAllister does not disappoint
No-one writes crime thrillers like Gillian McAllister.
Her plots are always full of intrigue and surprising twists and turns.
Her characters are com... READ MORE
A chilling and addictive thriller!
I love a Gillian McAllister novel and Famous Last Words was absolutely brilliant, I think her books just get better and better. This is a fabulous, grippin... READ MORE
A gripping thriller with a love story to tell!
I was dizzy from the amount of twists and turns in this book!
My favourite book of 2023 was Gillian McAllister’s Wrong Place, Wrong Time, so I was really ... READ MORE
Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop
I’ve been dying to read this since I read the opening chapter preview in Just Another Missing Person and it was so worth the wait. What a book!
The wa... READ MORE
Synopsis
It’s Camilla’s first day back at work, her daughter’s first day at nursery.
But husband Luke is nowhere to be seen. The only trace of him is an unfinished note. Camilla tries to put it out of her mind; there must be a rational explanation.
At work, there are welcomes back, and too many distractions.
Then it starts.
Breaking news: there's a hostage situation developing in London.
The police arrive: Luke is caught up in it.
But he isn't a hostage. Luke - doting father, successful writer, enthusiastic runner and eternal optimist - is the gunman.
What Camilla does next is crucial. Because only she knows what the note he left behind says, and the clues it might hold . . .
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9781405957243
- Number of pages: 416
- Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 25 mm
- Weight: 288g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allGreat book!
After her maternity leave ends, Camilla drops off her infant daughter off at daycare for the first time and return to her job as a literary agent. Her husb... READ MORE
Original premise
The author says that this book is: "...a love story set in a hostage situation." Which is accurate.
As always with Gillian McAllister novels, the plot i... READ MORE
Gripping and addictive
I absolutely loved this book! It was gripping and addictive, I just couldn't put it down! There were so many twists and turns and they all tied back in wel... READ MORE
Loved it!
This was my first novel by this author and won't be my last - I was absolutely intrigued by the mystery of where Camilla's husband Luke was - why would he ... READ MORE
Brilliant
Famous last words is a gripping thriller. It follows the lives of Cam and Luke, new parents whose lives are about to be turned upside down.
A brilliant... READ MORE
Four and a half stars
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 ... READ MORE
A thriller with literature at its heart
Famous Last Words tells the story of literary agent Cam waking up on the first morning after maternity to leave to find a note from her ghost writer husban... READ MORE
Absolute thriller of a read, full of twists and turns
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 o... READ MORE
Famous Last Words
The negotiator and armed police are in place, a siege underway. In a Bermondsey warehouse the gunman has three hostages and his weapon moves from one to th... READ MORE
Gripping
Cam, Polly and Luke. A perfect little nuclear family, a toddler about to start the crèche as Camilla goes back to work after nine months on maternity leave... READ MORE
Another great read from Gillian McAllister.
The book was told from a couple of point of views and was very cleverly written, i thought I had it worked out only to discover I hadn't.
Camilla always b... READ MORE
A fabulous twisty crime thriller
I am a fairly recent convert to Gillian McAllister’s books, I’ve not read all her books yet but this is definitely the best I’ve read so far.
At the st... READ MORE
Tense
Where to start? This title literally set my pulse racing. I was engaged with the central character and invested in her story. Equally, I wanted to know w... READ MORE
Fantastic read
New mother Camilla’s world is turned upside down on her first day back to work after maternity leave. She gets up to a mysterious note from her husband Luk... READ MORE
Phenomenal! Highly recommend.
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 INCREDIB... READ MORE
McAllister does it again
Each Gillian McAllister book I read brings something new to the crime thriller genre. Famous Last Words felt like the biggest side step of her most recent ... READ MORE
Unusual, intriguing crime thriller, intelligently written. Recommended.
This is my first book by Gillian McAllister, but certainly won’t be my last. An engaging, interesting, unusual crime thriller, intelligently written, I rea... READ MORE
Addictive!
I can’t praise this latest book highly enough, possibly my favourite so far! I was hooked from the first page. Full of suspense and intrigue, well plotted ... READ MORE
Highly recommended
This is a great read. I always have high hopes when Gillian McAllister has a new book out and once again she delivers. Great characters and a clever plot m... READ MORE
thriller that will make you guess
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister is a mystery thriller that will make you guess and question everything.
The book starts with massive intrigue, wi... READ MORE
Another great read
Another great thriller from Gillian McAllister, though this time quite an unusual one based around a London siege. The story is told from the perspective ... READ MORE
My head is spinning, and my heart is racing with the fast-paced thrill of this book.
My head is spinning, and my heart is racing with the fast-paced thrill of this book.
I found Famous Last Words to be such an incredible book to listen ... READ MORE
Gripping and twisty!
just gobbled up “Famous Last Words” by Gillian McAllister and cannot imagine why I have not read it earlier! It has high drama, plot twists, mystery, heart... READ MORE
A hostage situation
Within the first chapter Cam’s life is thrown upside down. Her idyllic family life is shattered by a revelation about her husband Luke. She can scarcely be... READ MORE
Loved this book!
Absolutely brilliant!! I loved this book from the first page to the last. It felt effortless to turn the pages and I didn’t want to do anything other than ... READ MORE
Amazing conclusion
I was really intrigued by the blurb for this however I don’t think it fully representative of the book. Cam’s first day back at work after maternity leave ... READ MORE
A fantastic premise and brilliant writing
There are two things I can count on with a Gillian McAllister novel. The first is that it will have at least one (often more) inspired twist, and the secon... READ MORE
Gripping and addictive
I absolutely loved this book! It was gripping and addictive, I just couldn't put it down! There were so many twists and turns and they all tied back in wel... READ MORE
Cracking Page turner
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
Published by: Michael Joseph Penguin Random House
Publication Date 30/1/25
No Spoilers
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cracking c... READ MORE
Brilliant!
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 differe... READ MORE
A twisty thriller! Recommended!
This is an incredibly clever and well plotted book which I thoroughly enjoyed and raced through in a couple of days.
Luke and Cam are happily married with... READ MORE
Next level brilliant!
Stunning! I know that Gillian McAllister will never let us down, but this one is next level brilliant!
Camilla and Luke, with their young baby, face th... READ MORE
Another unique plot which keeps you guessing right to the end!
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’... READ MORE
Another Cracking Read!
Gillian McAllister has done it again! Famous Last Words is another cracking read that I would highly recommend. Her ability to create truly original and ... READ MORE
A gripping mystery thriller told through multiple perspectives
A gripping mystery thriller told through multiple perspectives and structured in three acts, each with its own rhythm and emotional weight.
The first ac... READ MORE
A great thriller with unexpected twists
Cam is starting back to work after being on maternity leave. But where is Luke and why isn't he answering his phone or reading his messages? Dropping their... READ MORE
Great book
I absolutely loved this book!
Not so much a whodunnit as a whydidtheydunnit.
Loved the characters and the development and was sad when it ended.
A gripping read
Camilla Deschamps is flustered, she's returning to work following maternity leave. The note left by her husband Luke before he left the house is unusual bu... READ MORE
Gripping and original
Cam is happily married with a baby daughter, and is just starting back at the literary agent job she loves after completing her materniry leave. She is puz... READ MORE
Amazing
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Loved this. Thrown into the action within the first few pages, this certainly kept my attention.... READ MORE
Wow!
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 mon... READ MORE
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
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 whe... READ MORE
Gripping, compelling thriller
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... READ MORE
An Exciting Read
What an absolutely brilliant read .Full of twists and turns a real roller coaster of a ride .Cam's first day back at work after maternity leave and Luke di... READ MORE
Read this NOW
WOW WOW I know Gillian Mcallister always delivers but this one is exceptional.
The storyline is unique to anything I’ve read in along time.The tension ... READ MORE
A must read
No surprise, but I’m about to fan girl over this author once again! Her books just get better and better.
Such an amazing plot, tense throughout and I n... READ MORE
A psychological thriller with depth
Like each of Gillian McAllister's books that I have read previously, this is a satisfyingly deep psychological thriller. There are plenty of books I've rea... READ MORE
Amazing rollercoaster of a read
What an amazing rollercoaster of a read!
Cam is a literary agent, returning to work for the first time after maternity leave. When she gets up, though, he... READ MORE
Not McAllister's best
I am a big fan of Gillian McAllister’s books - her unique premises and twisty, gripping plots are always a joy to read. This is why I chose Famous Last Wor... READ MORE
I loved this book!
I loved this book so much. It quickly became one of my favourites by Gillian McAllister.
When Camilla learns of a hostage situation happening in London,... READ MORE
Utterly Addictive
I became addicted to this book after the first couple of chapters! It's flicks between different character perspectives which works perfectly with how the ... READ MORE
Famous Last Words
Camilla is excited to get back to work after her maternity leave. She's not quite as excited about having to leave her baby daughter at daycare but, it's t... READ MORE
A unique storyline creating a brilliant thriller
I love it that when you start a book by this author, you have no idea where the story will take you, just that you know it will be one hell of a ride!
... READ MORE
Creative thriller beautifully executed
Gillian McAllister ingenuity continues to shine through in her nineth remarkable novel. From the very first page, she effortlessly captivates her readers, ... READ MORE
Really great story
This is a really great and well written story as I have come to expect from this author. This story weaves a very clever tale as you are not sure what to ... READ MORE
Thrilling
The gripping novel Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister will captivate you from the first page. The world is shattered for Camilla, a new mother, when s... READ MORE
Another stunning story from this author
Another amazing thriller from Gillian McAllister who is now a must-read author for me!
Famous Last Words is so original - the story of an unlikely hostage... READ MORE
Tense thriler
It is June 21st and Camila’s first day back at work as a literary agent after giving birth to baby Polly. She drops her off at Nursery before she goes to w... READ MORE
My favourite by Gillian Mcallister so far!
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 ... READ MORE
Famous last words
Cam and Luke have a pretty good life; they are best friends, happily married with a gorgeous 9 month old daughter Polly, both working sought-after creative... READ MORE
Utterly Superb!
Another sterling read from a favourite author!
Camilla has a busy day ahead; her first day back at work and her daughter's first day at nursery but ther... READ MORE
another winner
Yet another winner from the marvellous Ms. McAllister! -I am in awe of all the different plots and characters she is able to come up with!
This was an int... READ MORE
A rollercoaster of emotions
When Cam’s husband, Luke, takes hostages on a seemingly random summers day, she’s left feeling. He’s a good man, isn’t he? So why is he doing this?
‘Fa... READ MORE
Gillian is consistent!!
A fast paced, whirlwind of a thriller. Cam wakes up on her last day of maternity leave, to take Polly to daycare and finds that her husband Luke is missing... READ MORE
A triumph
What an amazing book! I couldn't imagine how it could possibly be resolved and am in awe of the plotting skills of Gillian McAllister.
I enjoyed every w... READ MORE
Gripping
Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC.
I love McAllister. Her twists are amazing, so I had to request this as soon as I could and it didn’t disappoint.
T... READ MORE
Epic thriller
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... READ MORE
An Unputdownable Pageturner
Gillian McAllister has written another brilliant pageturner! I read 'Famous Last Words' in record time, couldn't put it down, loved it.
It is Camilla's fi... READ MORE
A great story with a multitude of mysteries to unravel
It’s Camilla’s first day back at work, her daughter’s first day at nursery. Instead of being waved off by her husband, she only sees a strange note he's le... READ MORE
Terrific romantic thriller
The first properly good thriller I've read in ages!
Famous Last Words starts on a relatively ordinary day: Camilla's going back to work after maternity ... READ MORE
Absolutely gripping, had no idea where this was going to go.
I love this author’s books so was absolutely thrilled to receive an ARC of this latest read. What a read it is, I literally have no fingernails left, I thi... READ MORE
Exciting mystery, bit hurried at end
Camilla is returning to her publisher’s job after the birth of her first baby who is starting nursery that day. Her husband Luke, a writer (ghostwriter) is... READ MORE
Another bit hit from Gillian McAllister
I'm fairly new to Gillian McAllister but I'm quickly becoming a big fan. "Famous Last Words" doesn't disappoint. Full of twists and turns that you would ex... READ MORE
Absolute belter of a thriller!
Absolute belter of a thriller!
A woman starts her first day back at work after maternity leave to find that her, seemingly normal, husband is holding th... READ MORE
Thrilling, engrossing, spectacular.
Gillian McAllister is one of my go-to authors. I always pre order her books and I am never disappointed.
She's the kind of writer who has you gripped i... READ MORE
A real page turner
‘Wrong Place Wrong Time’ was one of my favourite books that I read last year so I couldn't wait to read this book.
We start the book with Camilla who is... READ MORE
A great binge read!
This was another incredible story from Gillian McAllister. I was sucked into the narrative from the start as it was just so easy to read. The story is most... READ MORE
A must read!
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 ... READ MORE
Famous Last Words
Cam wakes up on her first day back at work, finishing her maternity leave and going back to her beloved job as a literary agent. Still nervous about leavin... READ MORE
This book won’t let you go until the final word!
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 exampl... READ MORE
An absolute belter of a novel
When this was published last year it received rave reviews from critics and other authors. In my opinion, Gillian McAllister’s last three or four books hav... READ MORE
Outstanding suspenseful psychological thriller
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 mater... READ MORE
Brilliant thriller
Brilliant! Camille ‘Cam’ Deschamps is a literary agent, her husband Luke is a Ghost-writer and they have a new baby Polly. It’s Cam’s first day back at w... READ MORE
A Thrilling Page-Turner!
I typically gravitate toward light-hearted rom-coms, but the intriguing blurb for this book completely hooked me—and I’m so glad it did!
The story beg... READ MORE
Gripping - compulsive reading!
Famous Last Words is a gripping novel that kept me guessing. It's dramatic, intriguing, and a lot of fun!
It's a big day for our protagonist Camilla: sh... READ MORE
Excellent!
It’s Camilla’s first day back at work after nine months’ maternity leave and baby Polly’s first day at nursery but her husband Luke has already left for wo... READ MORE
Another great read from Gillian McAllister.
Another great read from Gillian McAllister.
The book was told from a couple of point of views and was very cleverly written, i thought I had it worked out... READ MORE
Fantastic!
4.5 rounded up
It’s the summer solstice and the first day of literary agent Cam’s return to work after a nine month maternity leave. She drops Polly of... READ MORE
Why would a loving family man take people hostage and then disappear?
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 husba... READ MORE
Be prepared to love this book!
A superb, clever, creative and entertaining read. Loved the book from start to finish.
The book has three main characters in Cam, Luke and Niall. I am c... READ MORE
FANTASTIC
5* Famous Last Words - Gillian McAllister. AMAZING. Gillian McAllister, the queen of the intricate and compelling plot has outdone her brilliant back cata... READ MORE
Another great thriller!
A really good read. Characters are very engaging and although I worked out a couple of major things before they were revealed it didn’t detract from the st... READ MORE
ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING
Right from the off I was absolutely hooked. What a tremendous premise for a crime novel. It absolutely captivated me. Straight away I started thinking abou... READ MORE
Clever thriller
This might just claim the top spot on my personal Gillian McAllister reading list. This gripping thriller is a masterclass in suspense, constantly twisting... READ MORE
A thrill of a thriller
WoW! McAllister puts the thrill into thriller. Superb writing, a brilliant plot, believable characters and breathtaking twists. This book has to be in the ... READ MORE
A good read
Yet another very enjoyable book by McAllister. It starts off at a fast pace, then lulls in the middle only to speed up in the end. The end did seemed rush... READ MORE
Another great book with plenty of twists and turns from Gillian McAllister.
Another great book with plenty of twists and turns from Gillian McAllister.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
Another great book with plenty of twists and turns from Gillian McAllister.
Another great book with plenty of twists and turns from Gillian McAllister.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
‘Famous Last Words’ is Gillian McAllister’s best thriller yet.
‘Famous Last Words’ is Gillian McAllister’s best thriller yet. This is an engrossing read capturing the nightmarish situation that a new mother finds hers... READ MORE
Twists and turns aplenty
As Cam wakes on her first day back at work after maternity leave, she wonders where her husband Luke is.
After trying to contact him unsuccessfully, Cam t... READ MORE
Tension, fear, twists and turns!
It’s the summer solstice, and it also happens to be Camilla’s Deschamps first day back at work after maternity leave, and also daughter Polly’s first day a... READ MORE
Flawless
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 writin... READ MORE
Tense, page turning thriller. Just fabulous!
You think your life is perfect, you think you know your husband inside out until one day everything explodes around you leaving your whole world in disarra... READ MORE
Fantastic!
Yet another wonderful book!
Gillian McAllister really is one of the very few authors who actually manages to keep you guessing the whole time. I was li... READ MORE
Enthralling
A suspense story to set your nerves a jingling and make you think ‘what ifs’ . Luke goes out early and does not return. Cam’s world is turned upside down a... READ MORE
Standout read
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
I give this book 4.5 stars
Another standout read from this author, just her name is enough for me to buy the ... READ MORE
Gilliam McAllister does it again!
I’ve read quite a few of Gillian McAllister’s books and she has a fantastic ability to completely blindside you when you think you know exactly what is go... READ MORE
Enjoyable read
Gillian McAllister’s Famous Last Words is an exciting thriller that had me hooked from the very start. New mother Camilla is ready to return to her career ... READ MORE
First-Rate Thriller
This book is first class and a first rate thriller. It has twists and turns galore which is all you can ask of any great thriller. When Cam takes her daugh... READ MORE
It Gave Me A Book Hangover!
I really enjoyed this latest thriller from Gillian McAllister, one of my favourite authors.
I don’t really know how to review this, as it’s definitely one... READ MORE
A Stunning Mystery Thriller
Well, not really sure I have enough superlatives to describe how I felt about this book!
Gillian McAllister at her absolute best. The Master of the thr... READ MORE
Wow!! Just Brilliant
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 t... READ MORE
What would you do?
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, Famo... READ MORE
Four stars!
From the bestselling author of Wrong Place Wrong Time comes Famous Last Words – a jaw-dropping thriller that will keep you turning the pages late into the ... READ MORE
An enjoyable read
Camilla and Luke are happily married with a baby daughter. On the day Camilla returns to work after her maternity leave and Poppy starts at day care she is... READ MORE
Absolutely gripping, bit all my fingernails off
I love this author’s books so was absolutely thrilled to receive an ARC of this latest read. What a read it is, I literally have no fingernails left, I thi... READ MORE
A complex and compelling story. Brilliant!
Another brilliant book by Gillian McAllister. Suspenseful from the start it had me gripped. I expected something different and certainly got it. The story ... READ MORE
Brilliant Read!
Just read this on holiday and I loved it so very much!
In fact a few people may even have been recommended to buy this ASAP on Saturday on my return to wo... READ MORE
Best Book of the Year 2025
This book was fabulous. Unfortunately I'd just started reading it when my Partner died, so with lots on my mind I had to read it in stages. Usually when ... READ MORE
Famous Last Words
⭐️ 4 ⭐️
Gillian McAllister is one of my favourite authors, so I couldn’t wait to start this one. I love her easy-to-read writing style, which never disapp... READ MORE
An amazing read
Another masterpiece from Gillian McAllister. I loved how the plot twists on through the story without giving anything away. It’s a real mystery and there d... READ MORE
Simply spectacular!
Arggggg I’m feeling a bit upset after finishing this - because I’ve finished it! How dare it all wrap up and end! I simultaneously wanted to finish it in o... READ MORE
Another Wonderful Book by Gillian!
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... READ MORE
Fantastic!
Yet another wonderful book!
Gillian McAllister really is one of the very few authors who actually manages to keep you guessing the whole time. I was li... READ MORE
Thrilling story!
I enjoyed this book a lot. It had the nice twist, chapters that ended in a way that had me keep reading long past the time I was going to stop and I loved ... READ MORE