Famous Last Words

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of pregnancy loss and death.

Cam is the primary protagonist in the novel and the point-of-view character for much of the book. As a literary agent who signs up-and-coming authors, she spends much of her time reading new novels and book proposals. At the start of the novel, she’s returning to work for the first day since Polly’s birth, filling her with a mix of excitement and dread that is exacerbated by Luke’s unusual absence.

Cam’s internal conflict over the disappearance of her husband is central to the novel. Although she is told that Luke took three hostages and murdered two, she spends the next seven years insistent that there is more to the story. She attempts to move on at several points—by having him declared legally dead and cleaning out his things—yet each time realizes that she still loves him and is not prepared to move on. Despite this, Cam is rarely portrayed as sad or heartbroken; rather, she is motivated and dedicated to uncovering the truth about Luke. Even though she has undergone extreme trauma, she finds a way to move on and continue to raise Polly, emphasizing her emotional strength and courage.