No Turning Back [Hardcover]

Joanne Lees (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006

"'My intention is simple -- to take the reader on the same journey I took, and have them experience the real truth of it. The book is for me, my family, the Falconios, for Pete -- and for anyone who has been the victim of violent crime.'" Almost raped and murdered, Joanne Lees became the key witness in one of the most high-profile trials of recent times -- the murder of Peter Falconio on a quiet stretch of deserted highway in Central Australia in mid-2001. Reported in sensational detail, the media's focus was often not on the man convicted of Peter's murder but on the woman who escaped him. Joanne has a unique and moving story to tell -- of the events of that terrible night, through the gruelling process of the police investigation, and the traumatic time of the trial, where she had to re-live so much. And she tells of the continuing effects on her life, on her family's life, and the Falconio family's life. Joanne Lees wasn't killed that night -- but from the moment she and Peter stopped to help a stranger on the highway her life was changed forever. No longer content to be a silent victim, Joanne Leees reclaims her life from other storytellers. The book is her story -- of what happened that night, and in the years that followed; and how she is facing the future. "No Turning Back" is a story of immense courage and survival.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Compelling' -- The Daily Express 'Reclaims her life from all the other storytellers' -- The Times 'The absolutely authentic voice of a very ordinary young woman propelled into an extraordinary nightmarish scenario' -- The Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0340924411
• ISBN-13: 978-0340924419
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,276,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling read!, December 30, 2006

By 

Robert W. Barnes "Gabby White" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Turning Back (Hardcover)

I had followed this story through the media but reading Joanne's story in her own words, as she had experienced it for herself, shed an amazingly different light on things. I cannot believe what this poor girl went through. I read this book in one day. I couldn't put it down. I would strongly recommend it!!

1.0 out of 5 stars Self serving book., October 16, 2011

By 

Khalil Noe Pineda - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No Turning Back (Paperback)

I, for one, am not writing this review because I believe that Joanna Lees had anything to do with the murder. I believe her account- her husband was killed by the man they go in court. I am writing this book because, for all that people claim she "refused to play the victim", this is exactly what she does here and it reeks of bull.

In this book she maligns the media for the image that they have given her, but let's be real: This woman got paid for interviews about her dead husband, paid for interviews she did to "bring awareness." Did she not at once feel remorse for getting paid money to bring awareness about the dead husband she was mourning so sadly? Her affair. Of course she doesn't talk about it here, where she claims she loved her husband so much and acts as if she'll be solitary for the rest of her life (part of the image). Truth is, she was making arrangements to meet with her lover even after her husband was killed. She cherry picks facts and tries to make herself look like the poor good girl in this tale, if she wanted to set the record straight she should have focused on the things that discredited and all the discrepancies in her persona instead of fabricating this sobby little victim of a book- and, of course, cashing on it.

5.0 out of 5 stars No Turning back, November 15, 2010

By 

Patricia Puddle (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Turning Back (Paperback)

Velvet Ball and The Broken Fairy (Series Novel)


When I saw this book I couldn't wait to read it. I'd been following the case from the beginning. When I first saw Joanne Lees on the news, I immediately felt sorry for her. The stunned look on her face made me immediately believe she was innocent, no matter what the press said. I'd seen a similar look once before - on Lindy Chamberlain. She was also accused of a crime she didn't commit, and I always believed that she was innocent too.

As soon as I got this book home, I began reading. I couldn't put it down, not only did it take you into the mind of this very brave young woman, but I found it extremely well written. I loved her total honesty and her fighting spirit. She even mentions the names of uncaring, and cruel cops - that takes courage. Some of them treated her terribly, but not all ' there were quite a few endearing ones too. But in the beginning, Joanne was given absolutely no care and treated like she was guilty - and she was in a strange country with no one close by to help her, the poor girl.

Although my heart went out to her, once I'd read this wonderful book - which is terrifying in parts - I realised Joanne Lees doesn't need sympathy. She's one of the most courageous and beautiful souls I've ever read about - a genuine heroine. (She's also extremely funny and quick witted.

Some reviewers have said they didn't know why she even wrote the book ' well maybe she wanted to help other victims as well as set things straight. What if another young woman - or man, came across the same situation? The way she escaped was marvellous and brave. Instead of being accused of killing her boyfriend, she should have been praised. I was ashamed to be human after the way she was treated by some people, by some police, and by some of the media.

When I was fourteen, I caught the wrong train and ended up stranded at a deserted railway station. There were no working pay-phones nearby, and a strange man grabbed me and shoved me into his car through the driver's door. He told me it was too dangerous to be sitting at that station late at night. (I'd been there for a couple of hours, hoping for another train.) He said there weren't any more trains that night, and then he pushed me across the gear stick into the passenger seat. I was terrified. All the doors except for the driver's one were tied together with wire cable from inside the car. I panicked and tried to open the door, but it held tight. I was a prisoner and there was no way out.

The man said he'd had an accident and was getting the doors fixed. I didn't believe him. He asked for my address and said he'd drive me home. I told him the street, but I was shaking with fear. I pretended to be calm and chatted to him as if I trusted him. I was surprised when he pulled into the street next to mine, but he kept driving until he reached a deserted area with no houses. He threatened if I didn't do what he told me, he'd drag me into the scrub close by. As he reached over to kiss me, I panicked ' and without consciously thinking what I was doing, I leaped on top of him and bashed him over the head as hard as I could with my handbag.

Holding his arms over his head, he yelled at me to stop. I think his face was bleeding from the buckle of my bag. As if someone else had taken over my mind, I screamed as loud as I could, climbed over him, opened the door and jumped out. Then I ran for my life.

When I read Joanne Lee's story, the memory of that night came flooding back. I knew what I did probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, after all, he could have overpowered me, but he must have been too stunned to react or it was his first time. He certainly wasn't expecting that and neither was I. Sorry to get off track.

For Joanne Lees to be treated so badly and keep her dignity is a credit to her. After reading her story, she will remain one of my heroes, always. I loved that she can still laugh and joke even in times of stress and despair. What a wonderful spirit she is and a great role model for other young women.

I wish her well and hope she sells millions of her books ' she deserves to. I thank Joanne for sharing her story, and I highly recommend it. It makes you cry, but gives a few laughs too, and you get an idea of how an evil and cunning a murderer thinks when he's planning things. I found the ending satisfying, and although I felt dreadfully sad for Peter Falconio and his poor family, I was happy that Joanne Lee's survived the horrendous things that happened to her. She's one tough lady.