Gripping.  Clever.  Thought provoking. 

Is there any harder day in a mother’s life than sending her first born off to nursery school for the first time?  Well, if you ask Camilla, she’d tell you that having to do that on the same day as learning your husband is holding a gun over hostages is markedly worse.  

I started this audiobook on a whim—not knowing where my mood was leading—and immediately McAllister hooked me!  I devoured Famous Last Words in less than 24 hours, deeply engaged with its addictive nature and propulsive plot!

At its core, this is a suspenseful, fast paced thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.  But there’s also an underlying love story that pulled at my heartstrings the whole way through.  McAllister managed to pull both off with aplomb.  And that is what I found most satisfying about this story.  It’s a skillful look at life’s most unexpected moments and the complexities of love.  

It’s also a look at everyday people, ones that feel utterly relatable, grappling with the unbelievable—yet in a wholly believable way.  I love stories that examine the gray areas of life, and this book does so in the most compelling and thought-provoking manner.  

And unsurprisingly, I found Camilla’s love of books (and the catharsis found within them) so endearing and relevant. That felt like an extra cherry on top!

McAllister is a master at crafting a wholly original premise with complex characters, and she’s at her best in Famous Last Words.  An all-around winning read.  

🎧 Emilia Fox gives an impeccable performance as narrator.  Her lovely accent drew me in from the title page (I’m always a sucker for an accent.).  But it was the emotional resonance of her depiction that held me rapt.  She imbued the story with poignancy while maintaining the tension and suspense within the pacing.  A truly fantastic listen!

Many thanks to my friends at @librofm for the free #gifted audiobook.