Novel Kicks Book Club: Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

Welcome September. 

I don’t quite know how it happened but we are now in what I call the first of the ‘ber’ months.

For this month’s book, I wanted to pick a novel that sounds like a real rollercoaster of a story. I have only heard good things about this book and I look forward to reading it.

This month’s pick is Famous Last Words by Gillian Mcallister. 

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join the Novel Kicks Book Club whether you’ve read the novel and want to talk about it or will be reading it along with me.

I’ve posted a question in the comments below to kick off the conversation.

I am looking forward to seeing you there.

About Famous Last Words – 

It’s Camilla’s first day back at work. And her daughter’s first day at nursery. But where is her husband Luke? The only trace of him is an unfinished note.

Then she sees the breaking news: a hostage situation just streets away. Next the police arrive: Luke is caught up in it.

But he isn’t a hostage. Luke – doting father, successful writer, eternal optimist – is the gunman.

What Camilla does next will be crucial. Because only she can figure out what clue lies in the note he left behind . . .

Famous Last Words was released by Penguin in January 2025. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Waterstones, Amazon US and Barnes & Noble.

About Gillian Mcallister –

Gillian Mcallister is the author of Everything But The Truth (2017), Anything You Do Say (2018) called The Choice in America, No Further Questions (2018) called The Good Sister in America, The Evidence Against You (2019), How To Disappear (2020), That Night (2021), Wrong Place Wrong Time (2022) and Just Another Missing Person (2023). Her latest novel, Famous Last Words was released in 2025. 

When not writing (which is basically never), Gillian can be found walking her dog Wendy and parenting her small toddler. The best moments of her day always are the first sip of her coffee, the moment she steps into the bath at night, and her son telling her he loves her. And that rare thing that happens only once a year – a novel idea.

Connect with Gillian via her website and Instagram. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.