What do you think?
Rate this book
No Turning Back
They thought it would be easy. They were dead wrong...Alex is failing as a father. Ian keeps dangerous secrets. Jenn wants adventure. Mitch wants Jenn. Four friends just scraping by, finding comfort in each other and the hope that things will get better. But as their twenties fade in the rear-view mirror, none of them are turning out to be who - or where - they hoped.At a time when CEOs steal millions while their employees watch savings dwindle, these four are tired of the honest approach. They're going to stop waiting and start taking.They have a failsafe, victimless plan that will change their lives for ever. What could possibly go wrong...Marcus Sakey is an award-winning thriller writer. He has also contributed to a number of short story anthologies in the thriller genre. He lives in Chicago with his wife. www.marcussakey.com
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2010
3 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Sakey
32 books1,395 followersMarcus Sakey is the bestselling author of nine novels, including the Brilliance Trilogy, which has sold more than a million copies.
His novel AFTERLIFE (July 18, 2017) is soon to be a major motion picture from Imagine Entertainment and producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. His novel Good People was made into a film starring James Franco and Kate Hudson.
Marcus lives in Chicago with his wife and daughter.
His novel AFTERLIFE (July 18, 2017) is soon to be a major motion picture from Imagine Entertainment and producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. His novel Good People was made into a film starring James Franco and Kate Hudson.
Marcus lives in Chicago with his wife and daughter.
Review Quotes
"Ridiculously good...Sakey makes you grin at high-flying feats of imagination, and then grin harder because he sticks the landing. The master of the mindful page turner."
-Gillian Flynn
"Nothing short of brilliant."
-Chicago Tribune
"It's depth and intelligence and passion and emotion that set Sakey apart."
-Lee Child
"Sakey reminds me why I keep reading."
-Cleveland Plain-Dealer
"One of our best storytellers."
-Michael Connelly
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 24, 2018
I really loved the Brilliance series from this author. This story has no sci-fi element, it's a modern day crime thriller, but really focuses on character development amongst the four friends in particular, and how that plays out as they talk themselves into a fairly big mistake to try and turn their unhappy lives around.
The story wraps up a little abruptly in my opinion, but the journey as it gets there was interesting and enjoyable. The relationships fanning out from the main characters and the criminals they get involved with are pretty compelling and as a result I found myself getting quite immersed in the journey.
An interesting read but I sort of hope he keeps returning to the sci-fi genre, which is my favourite. :-)
The story wraps up a little abruptly in my opinion, but the journey as it gets there was interesting and enjoyable. The relationships fanning out from the main characters and the criminals they get involved with are pretty compelling and as a result I found myself getting quite immersed in the journey.
An interesting read but I sort of hope he keeps returning to the sci-fi genre, which is my favourite. :-)
January 14, 2018
One of the best crime/thriller books I ever read.
No super-duper action heroes (Harlan Coben, whats up buddy?) and unbelievable pilot.
Thank you Mr Sakey.
No super-duper action heroes (Harlan Coben, whats up buddy?) and unbelievable pilot.
Thank you Mr Sakey.
September 12, 2018
This is a fun story. Really, have you ever thought about four normal people, without any criminal record, deciding to go for a robbery? Not just a robbery. One that is safe. One that can’t go wrong! The story evolves in many ways and leaves you turning page after page quicker and quicker.
Read the full review at my blog.
Read the full review at my blog.
March 6, 2025
Four go on an adventure
Four friends from a variety of backgrounds who've been meeting in the same Chicago bar for drinks once a week decide - for various semi-believable reasons - to carry out an armed robbery. Will they get away with it and live happily ever after? Or will the bad guys whom they've robbed guess that they were the perpetrators, and request the return of their money and other paraphernalia? Will their friendship - or, indeed, their lives - ever be the same again? You can probably work out the answers to these questions - in fact, if you haven't done that by the time one of the characters tells another that they've "figured out the perfect way [to do the robbery]. A way that no one, *no one*, will ever guess it was us" [p89] then you haven't been paying attention to the story.
Which would be difficult: although the plot is formulaic and skates over a few implausibilities, and the characters (both goodies and baddies) are only roughly sketched-in, the writing holds the tale together very well. The author orchestrates his twists and turns in a way that skilfully ratchets up the tension as the story rattles along, and you find yourself suspending your disbelief as you're caught up in the journey. It's not the sort of book I read very often, but I found it gripping: in the odd moments when I was obliged to put it down, I found myself wondering what the characters were going to do next, which is one of the hallmarks of a good story, I think.
Originally reviewed 3 March 2014
Four friends from a variety of backgrounds who've been meeting in the same Chicago bar for drinks once a week decide - for various semi-believable reasons - to carry out an armed robbery. Will they get away with it and live happily ever after? Or will the bad guys whom they've robbed guess that they were the perpetrators, and request the return of their money and other paraphernalia? Will their friendship - or, indeed, their lives - ever be the same again? You can probably work out the answers to these questions - in fact, if you haven't done that by the time one of the characters tells another that they've "figured out the perfect way [to do the robbery]. A way that no one, *no one*, will ever guess it was us" [p89] then you haven't been paying attention to the story.
Which would be difficult: although the plot is formulaic and skates over a few implausibilities, and the characters (both goodies and baddies) are only roughly sketched-in, the writing holds the tale together very well. The author orchestrates his twists and turns in a way that skilfully ratchets up the tension as the story rattles along, and you find yourself suspending your disbelief as you're caught up in the journey. It's not the sort of book I read very often, but I found it gripping: in the odd moments when I was obliged to put it down, I found myself wondering what the characters were going to do next, which is one of the hallmarks of a good story, I think.
Originally reviewed 3 March 2014
August 27, 2022
Did one of them “blind dates” with a book and chose the thriller category, pleased with my pick as the blurb sounded great. Wasn’t fully impressed it’s the book overall, it was gripping but was disappointingly slow with no major plot developments that left you feeling shook (which is what I had hoped for).
December 30, 2018
Man I loved this! The guys a good writer - the story was a cracker - good character build - lots of suspense. 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 28, 2020
8/10 20%. Unusual plot, well told story and didn’t work out the ending. Worth Reading again and trying more by this author
Read
April 2, 2023Bad language. Violent. Didn't get far.
May 21, 2024
Okay, not brilliant.
September 24, 2010
To use the popular vernacular, “it came from left field” accurately describes “No Turning Back” by Marcus Sakey – I was completely shocked and surprised at its ingenuity, style and pace. It was a breath of fresh air that I honestly didn’t expect.
I read the premise and wasn’t convinced it was my kind of book. Four people, strangers at one time in their lives met and formed the Thursday Drinking Club; it blossomed from humble beginnings into bi weekly get-togethers that included Saturday brunches and Cubs games in the summer. Their lives going nowhere, they were in a rut, always looking for excuses to meet up.
Every Thursday night the foursome met at Rossi’s, a bar-slash-restaurant where Alex worked as a bartender. Ian is a trader, partial to the lure of the white powder and his habit appears to be intensifying. Mitch, a doorman at the Continental Hotel has had his fill of ignorant guests and Jenn, the last of the four is a travel agent who can’t afford to travel to any of the exotic places she persuades her clients to visit.
Truth be told they are all at a crossroads, no one is completely satisfied, something has to give – that much is inevitable. Alex is called into his boss’s office; he spots what appears to be an enormous amount of cash in the safe and casually suggests to his friends they steal the money. What could go wrong, the plan was fool proof, no one would get hurt and their crime untraceable. It was the perfect crime.
Complete review on my blog here http://www.milorambles.com/2010/09/14...
I read the premise and wasn’t convinced it was my kind of book. Four people, strangers at one time in their lives met and formed the Thursday Drinking Club; it blossomed from humble beginnings into bi weekly get-togethers that included Saturday brunches and Cubs games in the summer. Their lives going nowhere, they were in a rut, always looking for excuses to meet up.
Every Thursday night the foursome met at Rossi’s, a bar-slash-restaurant where Alex worked as a bartender. Ian is a trader, partial to the lure of the white powder and his habit appears to be intensifying. Mitch, a doorman at the Continental Hotel has had his fill of ignorant guests and Jenn, the last of the four is a travel agent who can’t afford to travel to any of the exotic places she persuades her clients to visit.
Truth be told they are all at a crossroads, no one is completely satisfied, something has to give – that much is inevitable. Alex is called into his boss’s office; he spots what appears to be an enormous amount of cash in the safe and casually suggests to his friends they steal the money. What could go wrong, the plan was fool proof, no one would get hurt and their crime untraceable. It was the perfect crime.
Complete review on my blog here http://www.milorambles.com/2010/09/14...
March 12, 2013
This is a crazy story about 4 friends who decide to commit robbery.
The story begins and we're introduced to four twenty/thirtysomethings who like to meet in a bar to ponder about how crap their lives have turned out. I had to make an effort to accept these characters at first but once I did I enjoyed their company for the most part.
They end up robbing one of their bosses and think they have committed the perfect crime, but it all goes down hill for them after that.
I read somewhere that it is like TV Sitcom Friends meets Quentin Tarentino, and I can see why. Read it if you want light entertainment, don't bother if you want something more serious.
The story begins and we're introduced to four twenty/thirtysomethings who like to meet in a bar to ponder about how crap their lives have turned out. I had to make an effort to accept these characters at first but once I did I enjoyed their company for the most part.
They end up robbing one of their bosses and think they have committed the perfect crime, but it all goes down hill for them after that.
I read somewhere that it is like TV Sitcom Friends meets Quentin Tarentino, and I can see why. Read it if you want light entertainment, don't bother if you want something more serious.
March 2, 2013
a.k.a. The Amateurs
Read
February 3, 2012The premise was very unconvincing.
July 30, 2012
Not Sakeys best book by a long shot but it flowed well. It lacked a character you hated and one you loved which most of his other books have.
March 1, 2013
4 friends have their reasons to commit a crime. They think they know what they are doing. And they are so terribly wrong...
June 30, 2016
This was one of those books I picked up at a book swap. A clever story, I enjoyed it. Typical American crime thriller. It didn't end well though, not sure if I believed it could happen.....
August 19, 2013
This book was originally titled "The Amateurs" and published in 2009.
March 13, 2014
I read this under the title "The Ammetuers" It was good - definite page turner.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews