If You Tell

Books | Social Science / Sociology / General

3.9

(5.4K)

Gregg Olsen

A #1 Wall Street Journal, Amazon Charts, USA Today, and Washington Post bestseller.#1 New York Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen's shocking and empowering true-crime story of three sisters determined to survive their mother's house of horrors.After more than a decade, when sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek hear the word mom, it claws like an eagle's talons, triggering memories that have been their secret since childhood. Until now.For years, behind the closed doors of their farmhouse in Raymond, Washington, their sadistic mother, Shelly, subjected her girls to unimaginable abuse, degradation, torture, and psychic terrors. Through it all, Nikki, Sami, and Tori developed a defiant bond that made them far less vulnerable than Shelly imagined. Even as others were drawn into their mother's dark and perverse web, the sisters found the strength and courage to escape an escalating nightmare that culminated in multiple murders.Harrowing and heartrending, If You Tell is a survivor's story of absolute evil--and the freedom and justice that Nikki, Sami, and Tori risked their lives to fight for. Sisters forever, victims no more, they found a light in the darkness that made them the resilient women they are today--loving, loved, and moving on.

Thriller

True Crime

Memoir

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More Details:

Author

Gregg Olsen

Pages

405

Publisher

Thomas & Mercer

Published Date

2019

ISBN

154200523X 9781542005234

Community ReviewsSee all

"This true story, of 3 sisters in rural WA state, and what they endured from their mother growing up is heartbreaking. I read a lot of true survival stories but nothing has ever compared to this. It sounds weird to say, but what these 3 girls went through reminded me of what I’ve read in Mans Search for Meaning...except it was their own mother doing the torturing. Ultimately, I read this because I believe life is not about how we start but how we end up, and these 3 women are living proof that strength of the mind can beat anything. Hard to read so you may want to research a little before deciding to buy. "

Sheldon Rapoza

"This is a dark and shocking read. The depth of Shelly's depravity will stay with you. I had a hard time putting the book down, but a harder time coming to terms with this being non-fiction. Torture and extreme child abuse are detailed, proceed with caution if you are triggered by them. "

Tiffany Wysbeek

"True crime fans will be fascinated, and horrified reading this. It is simultaneously an extremely dark and brutal read, yet also a remarkably compelling one. It is not for the faint of heart, but an incredibly good book. Know what you are getting into before starting it!"

Katie Harrison

" This is a very well written story that’s absolutely devastating. Extremely frustrating to see yet another situation with so many warning signs, and no one stepped in to intervene in the situation."

Olivia Huie

"This book will really stick with you. Very well written"

Angela Thompson

"This true story is pretty tragic and graphic, covering some really awful events. I didn’t love reading about the cruelty, but it was super interesting and eye-opening to see just how badly one person can treat another. It’s a tough read, but definitely worth it for the insight it provides."

Katherine Esther

"Oh my. I keep having to take little short breaks from reading this one. This is beyond disturbing. I feel sick reading it. It's almost giving me a panic attack. I want to finish this book because I think it's important that we learn things like this happens more than we would like to admit. I will finish reading it. Just need to take lots of deep breaths."

"My fellow book club members told me that I’d be furious reading this. I was, very much. At least one death could had been prevented except the police did not take the report made by Nikki and Lara seriously. I’m angry at everyone except a small few in this situation."

Brooke Gross-Gilbert

"Oh my goodness! Well written, fast read but oh so sad. I can’t believe her girls turned out as well as they did. It just goes to show you can recover from the worst childhood ever. The mother should not be released from prison. As of now, she doesn’t have any remorse and doesn’t feel like she did much wrong. Prison is a good place for this one. Terrible. Heartbreaking story. But also resilience!"

E D

Elisha DeHaan

"I’m gutted. This is a true story, though it’s so horrific that it’s difficult to believe the events actually happened."