Gillian McAllister’s Famous Last Words is a tense and emotional thriller that explores how well we can ever truly know the people we love. On the longest day of the year, new mother Camilla prepares to return to work—until her husband, Luke, disappears, leaving behind only a note. As news of a hostage crisis breaks and police arrive at her door, Camilla learns that Luke isn’t a victim—he’s the gunman. What unfolds is a gripping journey through secrets, relationships, and choices that can’t be undone.

I really enjoyed this book overall—it pulled me in from the start with its unique structure and gripping concept. The use of multiple narrators gave the story a lot of depth and helped paint a more nuanced picture of each character, especially as the mystery unraveled. I listened to the audiobook and thought it was excellent—well-cast and emotionally compelling, which made the tense moments even more powerful.

That said, the story did feel a bit long in places, and the pacing lagged in the middle. By the time we got to the twist with Luke near the end, I found it a bit outlandish and hard to buy into. I also didn’t realize I was signing up for something that echoed Romeo & Juliet—kind of, but not really, not in a romancey sort of way—and that vibe didn’t totally work for me. I was fully invested in the story and characters, but the ending just didn’t quite land for me. Still, a solid and thought-provoking read that I’m glad I picked up.

AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★

Famous Last Words is out now. Huge thank you to William Morrow and MacMillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.  If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.