If You Tell | Gregg Olsen

Title: If You Tell
Author: Gregg Olsen



If You Tell chronicles the true story of Shelly Knotek and her husband, Dave, how they abused and ultimately killed three (possibly four) people, and further abused their children. The abuse ranges from ridiculous to sadistic to what I would classify as sexual. What really pulled me in to this book was the fact that it was a true story. As a mother, I am truly appalled that someone like Shelly can possibly exist, that someone can be so sadistic toward her own children. I truly don't understand.

Shelly and Dave received disgustingly short sentences for their crimes. Dave is already free, and I believe Shelly is set to be released from prison in 2022. Dave is a weak little worm, but Shelly is the epitome of true evil and deserves to rot forever for her crimes. I fear for her children when she is released.

The descriptions of the events were tough for me to read at times. It honestly made me physically ill. I had to put the book down for periods of time to recover from what I had read. I also found Olsen's writing style to be extremely juvenile. It felt as if a high school student wrote this book. True crime should feel more journalistic in nature, in my opinion.

I give this book three out of five stars with the warning that it is quite graphic at parts and it is not for the weak-stomached.

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QUOTES:

 "No one can help a troubled person who doesn't think they need it."

"Victims who want to get help recognize how difficult it would be to convince authorities of the sadist's behavior. They know that if they try but fail, the punishment will be severe. So, they often decide to just wait it out and hope they can eventually flee."

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READING PROGRESS:

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maureen Goo: 64%
No Tomorrow by Luke Jennings: 32%
Rose Madder by Stephen King: 2%
Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey: NOW STARTING

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