No Going Back is the third, and final(?) book in the Sawyer Brooks series. I've read one of the two preceding books - while this does work as a standalone, readers would do better to read one or both of the books that came before this one, if only to understand the emergence of The Black Wigs and how their actions have change over time.

The Black Wigs is a group of female vigilantes, meting out justice to (male) sexual predators. Previously, they only worked to embarrass such men, but here, in this book, things have taken a decidedly more macabre turn, and the group is engaging in outright torture and murder. While their reasons for doing so make sense, in the context of the world they inhabit in their heads in this book, it isn't an easy task to take a life. However, at least one of the women in the group is psychopath who sticks to their plans without deviation, and it's a bit disturbing that the other women, who express some hesitance in the case of one man who did indeed turn himself around and do good things to atone for his previous behavior, do next to nothing to stop his victim from killing him. There's a lack of humanity floating in the pool at some points here, and there should probably be a trigger/content warning somewhere before the book begins.

This book identifies all of the members of the group, and we get chapters from the viewpoint of several of them - their day to day lives, their failing marriages, their thinking on the nature of the crimes they are committing, and how they're planning the next snatch and kill. There are also a few chapters from the viewpoint of the victims - but not victims of The Black Wigs. This time, there's a copycat engaging in their own level of justice, and impersonating The Black Wigs. As the story goes along, it becomes clear that one of the targets is in the crosshairs of both the copycat and the actual group.

Sawyer Brooks, last found being completely unaware that one of her sisters is in The Black Wigs, is now investigating the group, following leads wherever they can be found. She's also convinced that some of the murders are not being done by the group, but by a copycat. Her sister Aria, also somehow unaware that their sister is part of The Black Wigs, assists Sawyer when she can.

Teaming up with Sawyer on the journalistic investigation is Lexi, a stunningly beautiful (of course) hard nosed reporter who has about as much use for Sawyer and Sawyer does for her - not much. Their differing styles are drawn very well, and each has their own strengths and weaknesses. The scenes where they are together are very well done, from the simmering resentment of Sawyer and the initial dismissal of her by Lexi to their eventual is not friendliness, at least respect for each others methods.

The ending comes together as both the police and Sawyer race to get to the final victim before the copycat and/or The Black Wigs do, and various loose ends are tied down.

There are a couple of false notes rung here and there (especially in one particular item in the finale, which I won't go into for spoiler reasons) but these do not detract from the story and are not sufficient or jolting enough to take the reader out of the story.

A solid four out of five. Hopefully, this is not the last we see of Sawyer Brooks.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the review copy.

This is the third book in a series about crime reporter Sawyer Brooks, and I have to state up front that I haven’t read the other two, so I don’t have all her background. However, I don’t think I lost too much by stepping in here; it’s made clear that Sawyer and her sisters were victims of ghastly abuse by their parents, and Sawyer’s story following the Black Wigs, a group of female vigilantes targeting men who got away with awful crimes against women - or were punished too lightly in the Black Wigs’ opinion - obviously exposes where Sawyer’s sympathies lie. Now there’s a copycat killer on the scene and although the police are still convinced it’s the work of the Black Wigs, Sawyer’s sure things aren’t right. She starts following the threads of the new cases as well, in concert with another senior reporter, but is shocked when the trail leads back a lot closer to home than she could have ever imagined.

It’s revealed to the reader pretty early on who the Black Wigs are, so we’re just along for the ride as Sawyer figures things out. The copycat is a new killer with a different trajectory, however, and it’s not until late in the book when it’s revealed that one of the potential targets is on the radar of more than one vigilante… which shouldn’t be a surprise, since people who do terrible things are obviously capable of them and therefore more likely to repeat, especially if they aren’t caught and punished the first time around.

Sawyer’s choices in the crunch, while legally way over the line, were entirely understandable because of her need to protect her family, and I can honestly say I’d probably have done exactly the same thing.

Some terrible and triggering things happen to women, and children, in this book, and it’s entirely understandable that many of them would want to seek the justice they have been denied. It seems evident that something has to change, that justice has to start actually being done, lest vigilantism does indeed begin to take over, but this book doesn’t have the answers for exactly how, and it makes for uncomfortable reading.

There are definitely some moral conundrums to sit with here - I know where I fall on the topic, but it’s very much an individual thing. A few things were skimmed over a bit too lightly for my liking, but I suspect they may have been given more weight in earlier books and I’ve missed out on that backstory. I wanted more of Sawyer’s personality in particular, though, and in a series with her as the central character, it was a notable omission. Overall, a good read even if not a comfortable one, but needed a bit more character work to flesh it out. I’ll give it four stars.

This is the third book in T.R. Ragan’s Sawyer Brooks series. This series is best read from the beginning to fully understand and follow the continuing storyline. No Going Back very satisfactorily ties up the loose ends left in the previous installments. The primary focus has been the investigation of the vigilantes dubbed by the press as the Black Wigs, but there is so much more to this story. There is vengeance and retribution, the strength of family bonds, the shattering effects of abuse and how that can have differing effects on the survivors and finding a path to embracing life after the trauma of abuse, rape and bullying. This was a well written, character driven, suspenseful thriller!

No Going Back is the third book in the Sawyer Brooks series from TR Ragan.

"A group of women the media are calling the Black Wigs have gained notoriety by going after sexual predators and posting videos to YouTube of the men admitting their crimes. Sawyer is doing a story on the Black Wigs, but when bodies start piling up she wonders if it's a copycat crime. She has no idea how close to home it will get."

This is my first book from Ragan. I think it would have been helpful to read the first two in the series. There are many things referenced in this one from the first two books. Ragan writes about justice and empowerment. Her character, Sawyer, is morally ambiguous. She wants justice without legal consequences. There were several instances of "Wait - what are you going to do?" There are several clues about the copycat that make it easy to guess but it doesn't take away from the story.

This is a short book - relatively fast-paced. Ragan changes the character arc near the end. It'll be interesting to see where she takes it.

This is the third book in the Sawyer Brooks series and I think that it can be read as a standalone, but it is better to have the backstory provided in the other two books. Sawyer is a strong female protagonist but has definitely been damaged by events in her past. In this book, she is a crime reporter and her career has led her to reports about a group of female vigilantes seeking justice against sexual predators who escaped justice. Calling themselves “The Black Wigs” this group of women are striking indiscriminately, leaving a wake of their brand of justice for Sawyer to investigate. The plot becomes more intriguing when copycats spring up all over the area, women all in black wigs and all seeking justice. It was hard for Sawyer and her cohort Lexie to distinguish between the copycats and the original group. With a theme of revenge vs. justice, this book was fast-paced with plenty of action and some gory scenes, too. I enjoyed watching Sawyer unravel the mystery because she had the help of her sister Aria who did research and her own intuition that was usually spot on. Some of the scenes seemed repetitive; thus my four-star rating. Sawyer’s woeful tale seems to conclude in this book, with a lot of strings tying things all up in a nice bow. Sawyer is a heroine to some, a villain to others and a kick-butt reporter for everyone. I especially liked the characters, even Harper, Sawyer’s very secretive and totally wrecked sister. The character development unfolds slowly, but the plot clips along at a fast pace. All in all, this was an enjoyable book, making me wonder what would happen if the justice system did totally fail us.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Sawyer Brooks, journalist and sexual abuse survivor, is back in the third installment of this series, still chasing the vigilante group of scorned females known as The Black Wigs. Her younger sister, Aria, is again assisting Sawyer with detective work and her older sister, Harper is continuing to act strange and aloof while her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Nate is on the rocks. Groups of copycats idolizing the Black Wigs have cropped up overnight, making the research for her story more interesting and difficult. Can Sawyer solve these new murders before the murderer adds her to the victim list?

Of the three books, No Going Back might be my favorite. All three were excellent, but this one tied up many of the loose ends from the other two and had a very satisfying ending. Very suspenseful, full of action and twists, it was a quick read for me that I couldn’t put done. And the characters are completely endearing and likable, not cheering for them to succeed and have a happy ending is quite impossible.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book astonishing book

a vigilante group taking out perps who had raped and assaulted them...whats not to like about this book

the black wigs, that is the name given to them nobody knows their identities but so far men were turning up dead...they had previous been arrested no charges ever stuck but the victims of their crimes had their own life time to suffer and it was time for a little bit of payback

an interesting storyline that i thoroughly enjoyed with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing for a while...

cant wait to see how sawyers next adventures pan out...looking forward to that next book

NO GOING BACK wonders what would happen if the #metoo generation decided to exact their own justice. Author T.R. Ragan creates a puzzle with women taking matters into their own hands. The protagonist, Sawyer Brooks, is an intrepid newspaper reporter with no clear idea of boundaries, as she puts herself in the middle of her story, between the police and the perpetrators. This is a good, fast tale with enough mystery to propel the story forward. If the final answer seems obvious, there was no discomfort reading; the energy of the story was enough. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

First, I want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC. This is the third book in this series and I loved the previous two, so I was very excited to receive this.

This book did not disappoint. I was drawn into the characters and the story and my real disappointment was when it ended. I love stories about vigilante justice - I kind of live vicariously and maybe indulge in a little fantasy of my own (I know I am not alone in this... ) In this book, the vigilante justice leads to murder - are the Black Widows going too far, or is there a copycat?

You do not have to have read the first two books in the series before reading this one, but you should. It's a great series and it will make this book even better. I really enjoyed how we got to know more about Sawyer and her relationship it gave this more much more dimension.

Read it now and thank me later for the recommendation.

I’d like to thank Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘No Going Back’ by T R Ragan in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Sawyer Brooks, crime reporter at the Sacramento Independent, is working with colleague Lexi Holmes to get the story about a group of female vigilantes known as ‘The Black Wigs’ who target on men who’ve never been punished for their crimes on women. When a lone person wearing an identical black wig and red lipstick starts to emulate them, Sawyer believes they have a copycat killer. As Sawyer continues to investigate she seems to be upsetting people so could she be putting her own safety at risk?

‘No Going Back’ is the third in the Sawyer Brooks series and is a gripping and heart-stopping addition to what has been an excellent and unmissable series. I’ve really got to like and admire Sawyer for her fortitude in searching for the truth, her sisters Aria and Harper, and in this latest book her boyfriend Derek, and I hope they return or they’ll be sorely missed. This is an exciting and completely addictive thriller that’s been well-written with an enthralling plot, plenty of nail-biting action, drama, suspense and twists and turns. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this thriller which I can definitely recommend and I’m looking forward to the next book by this author.

A group known by the media as “The Black Wigs” is meting out justice on those men, from their past, who have abused them. They call themselves “The Crew”, consisting of Psycho, Cleo, Lily, and Malice, who only wanted to punish the men, not kill them. They seem to have unintentionally encouraged a group of copycats that may believe that killing is the only way to take their revenge. Investigative journalist and crime reporter Sawyer Brooks, has followed the case, not knowing that she may be closer than she realizes to one of the members. She has her own demons that she continues to fight every day with the help of her therapist and her love interest Derek Coleman. I had not read the previous two books and felt that I was missing a lot of the back story. I enjoyed this third book and look forward to reading the first two. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

in third installment of the Sawyer Brooks stories Sawyer is hot on the trail of the vigilantes group the Black Wigs. As she uncovers more information about the group and the victims involved she is in a desperate fight to protect herself and her sisters.

This is book is a thrilling ride from the beginning.

If you haven't read the first two books I would recommend that you do so because the back story for these characters is important.

I think you'll enjoy this to the heart=pounding end.

No Going Back is the third in a series about Sawyer Brooks, a young journalist in Sacramento, California, who has survived serious abuse in childhood, by an author who is new to me. It was recommended by a GR friend, and while I normally don’t like reading series out of order, I didn’t have time to read the other two first if I was going to get it reviewed on time, so decided to take a chance, because I liked the sound of the female vigilante plotline. As it turns out, you get all the relevant backstory so I had no problem reading this as a stand-alone, and haven’t decided yet whether to go back and read the first two, the TBR being how it is...

A group of women, dubbed The Black Wigs by the media, have been capturing male predators to teach them a lesson, and posting their exploits online, gathering a huge following and inspiring copycat followers. Initially they let their victims go, but now men are dying. Sawyer Brooks wants to pursue the story, unaware that her older sister is one of the vigilantes, and is forced to work with a difficult senior colleague. Suspecting that someone is using the Wigs to cover their own murderous agenda, Sawyer enlists the help of her other sister Aria, but what she discovers will put them all in danger.

This was a well paced engagingly written thriller, although there was rather too much use of coincidence for my liking, and the plot was a bit too predictable. I’m not a big fan of journalists as protagonists, and the way Sawyer kept visiting potential rapists and killers alone and armed only with pepper spray, did not endear her to me, and neither did her attitude towards the police and disregard for the law. It’s quite short for a thriller which meant the characters were not well fleshed out, although perhaps this happened more in the earlier books.
While cases of rape and historic abuse are referred to, they are not described, which was a relief, and most of the violence is inflicted on men who deserved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. No Going Back is published on May 4th.

I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on May 4th

No Going Back is the third book in the Sawyer Brooks series, and I think definitely with this series it helps to have read the previous books. Sawyer is a crime reporter, and has be following the "Black Wigs" a group of women vigilantes that have been dispensing their own form of justice. As copy cats join into the action, Sawyer works tirelessly to sort out whom is doing this. I found this too be a very interesting thriller series, and would certainly recommend it to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer the publisher, in exchange for my fair and honest review.

No Going Back by T.R Ragan is an interesting novel aout relationships and guilt. It was hard for me to read since I felt sorry for most of the main charaacters

The third in the series, readers will want to read the first two to fully grasp the storyline. This book will give readers some background information about the characters which is a plus. Journalist Sawyer Brooks is back following the Black Wigs, a vigilante group of women punishing their previous abusers. But are the Black Wigs back? Or a copycat? Sawyer will need help with this story. Readers will enjoy this crime mystery.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of No Going Back by T.R. Ragan that I read and reviewed.
This is the third book in the Sawyer Brooks series and it answered a lot of questions that Sawyer had been researching for her article about the Black Wigs which is a group of women that are getting even with men that abused them when they were younger.
This book was an excellent book. I am not sure if it will be the end of Sawyers story or not but if it is it was an excellent way to end it but if it is a start to a new chapter of her story it is a great way to start that as well. This book had a great end to The Black Wigs story and I really enjoyed how Ragan ended it.
I am giving No Going Back five out of five stars!

This is the third book in the Sawyer Brooks series and, although it is not stated, I have a feeling it will be the last as some of the story lines through the three books came to a conclusion. T.R. Ragan is not prone to writing very long series either, I have read most of her books. I think, too, that this was the best in the series.

Sawyer Brooks is a journalist following a story about the Black Wigs - a group of vigilante women meting out ‘justice’ to men who have abused them in the past and gotten away scot free. So far they have injured one man who is now in prison for the crimes he committed. Another man is missing, presumed dead and a third died of a heart attack, maybe brought on by his fear. The women didn’t plan on killing anybody, they just wanted their tormentors to know what it felt like to be at someone else’s mercy and afraid for their lives. Of course the thing with many plans is that things don’t alway go according to plan. And the Black Wigs have inspired other women to take their own retribution!

At the same time there is another spate of vigilante killings that seems different and it appears there is only one woman involved. Could it be a copycat? Sawyer seems torn, although what the women are doing is wrong she is also painfully cognisant that the men are all violent offenders and probably did deserve what happened to them. Her own childhood was marred by neglect and abuse so she really doesn’t want to paint the women as simply evil.

This time she is to work with an older journalist, Lexie, with whom Sawyer has not got the best relationship. But as they work together, Lexie opens up one day and Sawyer learns that Lexie’s background is also quite fractured and the two develop an understanding. Sawyer also engages the help of her sister Aria but whenever she gets a brainwave Sawyer is still prone to rushing off headlong into potential danger and at one point she comes face to face with two different killers.

Harper, Sawyer’s other sister has demons of her own to exorcise and is on a mysterious mission that she is not yet willing to share. This book flowed well with relatable characters and an intriguing story line. I will be very keen to see what the author comes up with next. She always seems to feature strong, slightly damaged, women with compelling stories. Thanks to Netgalley, Thomas & Mercer and T.R. Ragan for the free ARC. my opinions are my own.

Journalist Sawyer Brooks has been following the trail of the Black Wigs for a while but things are beginning to change and not in a good way. Some cases don't seem to be following the patterns originally set, social media is flooded with copycat videos, and even her young niece has begun to hero-worship them.

When a fellow journalist begins working alongside her more clues come to light but Sawyer realises she is more invested in solving rather than reporting what is happening. With things moving quickly Sawyer finds herself in more danger than ever and the resulting revelations could shatter the future of everyone she cares about.

This is the third book in this series and it never lets up on the heart pounding action for a minute. Seen from the points of view of all three of the Brooks sisters the almost Columbo-esque nature of this book only heightens the tension as Sawyer gets closer to the truth. There are some pivotal moments in this well written, tautly executed storyline which will necessitate change and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent fast-moving and enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, T.R. Ragan and Thomas & Mercer for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I always really enjoy Ragan's work and this one was no different. I really enjoy Sawyer and how flawed she is generally just like everyone else. I liked the premise of this one and how wild it becomes with all the copycats and regular people who appreciate what the original criminals are doing. I can understand what these people were up too and was so interested in what was going to happen to everyone else. I enjoyed how quick paced this novel was and I would definitely recommend.