Niall is the hostage negotiator assigned to the siege at the start of the novel. He is a protagonist in the text and the other major point-of-view character alongside Cam. He is described by Cam as “maybe forty-five, tall, lithe—though the sort of person who looks as though he misses meals rather than keeps deliberately in shape—with a closely shaved head and chunky glasses with clear plastic frames” (74). This initial description of Niall identifies a key component of his character: he “misses meals” due to his dedication to his job, which he puts above all other aspects of his life. The primary conflict that Niall faces is the loss of his wife, Viv. Because of the hostage situation, he abandons his plans with Viv, instead going to the warehouse and missing Viv’s birthday. When Viv leaves him that night, it becomes clear that Niall has a history of putting work above his personal life.

Throughout the novel, Niall grapples with the events of the siege, emphasizing McCallister’s thematic exploration of The Impact of Past Trauma on Identity. Throughout the siege, Niall repeatedly rebuffs his superiors, insisting that he needs time to try to communicate with Luke—despite the danger he poses. He insists that his “instincts” (70) tell him that Luke isn’t dangerous, trusting his gut over the evidence in front of him. After Luke kills the two men, Niall’s life is thrown into chaos, as he loses confidence in his abilities as a negotiator and begins to question what he knows about himself. For the rest of the novel, Niall then grapples with this feeling, trying to reconcile what happened with his skill and experience as a negotiator. Ultimately, the revelation that Luke was forced to kill the men reinstates Niall’s confidence in himself, allowing him to end the novel by returning to work as a negotiator.

As a dynamic character, Niall grows from someone obsessed with work to someone who understands the importance of balance in his personal and professional life. As a result of his investigation into Luke’s disappearance and his growing relationship with Cam, he begins to understand the importance of love and human connection. Late in the novel, Niall finally “sees, burning bright on the horizon like the moon, why he does this job. Cam and Luke love each other and deserve to be together. And so Niall does it for the humanity of it: he does it for love” (302). This realization is a pivotal moment for Niall’s character, as he sees his own relationship reflected in Luke and Cam. At the novel’s end, he returns to Viv, insisting that he is going to put his relationship above his work, as he finally recognizes the importance of love.

Libby is Cam’s sister. Throughout the novel, she tries to get pregnant through IVF but repeatedly miscarries. Motherhood is extremely important to Libby and becomes a source of unspoken tension between the sisters. Cam acknowledges that it’s difficult for Libby to care for Polly as it reminds her of her struggle to have children of her own. Libby acknowledges this to herself, admitting to Cam that she has always been jealous of Cam for having everything: Luke, “the great job and the baby” (268). Libby steps in to take care of Polly during the hostage negotiations and the years that follow, becoming a surrogate parent to Polly in Luke’s absence. She supports Cam through everything—both practically and emotionally. Although they argue over Cam’s need to move on from Luke, she later admits her mistake, insisting that she will support Cam in whatever she chooses to do.

Luke is Cam’s husband. He is 38 years old and a ghostwriter, having published his first book with Cam as his literary agent. Although Luke is largely absent from the novel, his actions serve as a catalyst and the inciting incident. When he accidentally kills a teenager while trying to defend someone, he is overcome with guilt, revealing his identity to the teenager’s family. He is then ruthlessly hunted by a powerful family, culminating in his confrontation with two hitmen—which the public believes is a hostage situation that he orchestrated. He then lives on his own for seven years, ultimately leaving Cam a novel that tells his story and explains where he is hiding, hoping to finally receive absolution and clear his name.

The disconnect between Luke as a person and his actions at the warehouse introduces the novel’s thematic engagement with The Ambiguity of Right and Wrong. For much of the novel, Luke’s actions in the warehouse are perceived by the police and the public as wrong: He took three people hostage and killed two. If it weren’t for Cam and Niall’s dedication to the truth, he would have always been considered a bad person. The reality of the situation is much more complex, as he acted in self-defense. However, despite this, he still killed three people—the teenager and two hitmen—and ran from the police for years. In this way, his character emphasizes the blurred line between right and wrong, and good and evil.

Charlie is one of the primary antagonists in Famous Last Words. For much of the novel, he is believed to be Cam’s new boyfriend who attempts to help her move on after she decides to have Luke declared legally dead. Cam confides in him, finding comfort in the fact that he accepts her past and supports her. McAllister portrays him as kind and compassionate in his relationship with Cam, forgiving her for leaving him at the diner and returning to her each time she spurns him due to her obsession with Luke’s case. McAllister’s reveal that Charlie only poses as Cam’s boyfriend, working with George to track her movements, epitomizes the tension of Appearance Versus Reality. He puts up the façade that he is in love with Cam, while truly only forgiving and supporting her to gain more information.

Despite his betrayal, McAllister positions Charlie as a morally complex character, reflected through his point-of-view chapters. Each time Charlie reports back to George, he is treated rudely and dismissively by George. For example, after he learns that Cam and Niall are speaking for the first time, he excitedly reports the news to George; however, he is disappointed to learn that George is only “mildly interested.” Instead, George dismisses him, telling him to “try harder next time” (248). Although his point-of-view chapters are short, Charlie is portrayed each time as someone who desperately wants the praise and affection of his brother—but is instead repeatedly dismissed and met with disappointment. These moments throughout the text foreshadow Charlie’s final act in the novel. When he is shot by Cam, he supports her entire story to the police, confessing that he was following her and acting out of self-defense. In this way, Charlie is both a sympathetic and complex character: He acts out of loyalty to his brother, yet ultimately does what is right in the end.