This was a very well researched and well written true crime about three amazing strong sisters and the horrifying upbringing they had to overcome. Shelly Knotek was an evil sadistic woman. The pain and torment she inflicted on people is just unbelievable. I understand going along with somethings when you are a young child and being manipulated but I am shocked to read about how she was able to manipulate adults including her own husband. Just a shocking story.

I couldn't put this book down. It has been awhile since I have read a true crime book and this one was perfect for getting me back into this genre. I felt like the author did his research and did an amazing job of writing the story about the horrible events and situations that these three sister went through by their mother and stepfather. I felt for the sister on all accounts and have recommended this book to other friends who also love true crime novels.

A haunting true story of child abuse and survival, this reads like a novel as all of the best true crime novels do. It's amazing what kids can - and do - survive.

A riveting true crime story. Research well done and very well written. Not every child seeming to appear as normal is not safe. This is a rough read , but true and a reminder to look deeper into a child's life if all does not seem quite right. There is a lesson to be learned here for everyone.

Michelle "Shelly" Knotek is a beautiful woman with three children. She looks like a normal mom, with husband who works hard and the children who helps her around. Except she's not nearly normal. The truth is she abused her children and those who live with her. Abused them so hard until the murder happened. ⁣
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I do love crime documentary. I spent hours of watching crime documentary on youtube. But I never heard about Shelly before I read this true crime book. About true crime book, this is also my first experience I guess. And I can feel the way it affects me, it's a huge experience, mind blowing even to read such a crime, to devouring page after page the horrible situation when the crime happened. ⁣
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Reading this truly made my heart aches, I wanted to cry out loud, even wanted to scream when I read about what Shelly did to her kids and her "friends". This is almost became a nightmare for me. I just kept wanting the book ends just so Shelly stops. Seriously, I never thought I could hate a character so much because a book. ⁣
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I liked how the writer kept changing point of views of the three daughters. They all have different characters so they reacted different ways to their mom, but they're all strong. But seriously, I didn't focus at the daughters as much as I focused on their mother behaviour.⁣
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Again, this book is great, I just couldn't bear to read it again. It feels like way too long, because I just want it ends. It's disturbing. I am so sorry for her daughters and all families who's affected because of Shelly. And of course to the victims. May all rest in peace. ⁣
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Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced reader copy. ⁣
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I gave this book 4 of 5 stars.

I received this book "If You Tell" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. Where do I begin? first this book is very hard to read. The subject matter will keep you up at night. I don't know why the girls did not go to someone sooner. They knew what was happening and after Kathy they should have run and run fast. Also I have a hard time knowing that the father is out of jail! Are you kidding? They both should have gotten life without parole. Just a difficult book to read and graphic - probably a bit too graphic - it just kept going on and on and on with the violence. This book was poorly written and just repetitious.

This was a really rough book to get through. Idk, I'd rate it up there with A Child Called It as pertaining to the abuse a mother is capable of, and it's heartbreaking in the sense that both stories are true! This is basically a true crime book turned novel, if that makes sense. The author did a great job at pulling on the heartstrings. I can tell he did his research for the book, things are really well written and the pace is good/easy to follow. All in all, I'll give it a 4.

Thanks netgalley for giving me the advanced PDF so that I can share my opinions with y'all

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview If You Tel by Gregg Olsen. Olsen is an excellent writer and I follow his novels because they are well written.
This is a departure for his novels and it is very well written and you can see Olsen has done his research. This is a difficult read, and hard to believe that there are people in the world who harm their own family.
This is engrossing but hard to read at the same time.
3.5 stars.

This book covers the harrowing experiences that three daughters, a nephew, a spouse, and friends faced at the hands of Shelly.Knotek. There was all types of abuse and even after it was reported, it still continued. It is abysmal that things like this occur, however it was interesting to read the story and find out what happened and how Shelly finally was caught. I really feel for the people that were murdered and otherwise harmed at her hands.

Thank you to Netgallery for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It's been awhile since I have read a book about a true crime. This story of an abusive mother, husband and their 3 daughters is very dark and disturbing. I had to put it down several times because I was having a hard time processing how a mother could be so cruel. Knowing that the parents have been, it will be released is a hard pill to swallow. Makes you wonder about the justice system.

Overall a good read, although a little long.

This was a disturbing book. Sometimes things that really have happened are far worse than anything one can dream up in their mind. This is a tale of abuse, manipulation, and complete and utter disregard for human suffering. Where one woman got off on the emotional and physical pain she could inflict on others - mainly her children and those closest to her. How she got away with this for so long is a mystery.

“I loved my mother because I didn’t know I had a choice. I had to love her.”

What happens when the person who is supposed to love you the most, hurts you the most? The level of depravity and cruelty in this book is unsettling and hard to read at times. Shelly was nothing short of a monster. Be warned, there are many scenes which will be difficult for some to read. There are tales of horrific abuse.

The light at the end of the tunnel, besides Shelly being brought to justice, was that the three sisters were able to move on, each in her own way. Each was able to make a life, love and be loved.

This was a well written and well-researched book. It is evident that the author put a lot of time and effort into the writing of this book.

Thank you to Gregg Olson, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Victims of abuse can still love the monster. This ambivalent loyalty might just be the predator's ultimate form of damage."

This book was recommended by a friend of mine who is a fan of Gregg Olsen's work. When I received a free copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review, that was just the icing on the cake and moved it up on my to-read list.

I had never read anything by Gregg Olsen prior to this, but I was captivated from the start. He has a way of portraying facts and details in a way that reads like fiction. Unfortunately, this story is anything but. It's an incredibly tragic and heartbreaking true story of horrific and abhorrent nature. The pain and trauma inflicted by this very dysfunctional family are truly haunting. While all of the crimes committed were deplorable, there was a specific atrocity that once confirmed, just broke my heart. There are all kinds of evils in this world, and unfortunately, there are real monsters that live amongst us. Shelly and Dave Knotek are the manifestations of such evil and embodiments of such monsters. It's mystifying how this depravity went overlooked for so long. It's miraculous that those who survived have succeeded in making a life for themselves despite all that they'd been through. It's even more miraculous that those who instigated such nefarious acts are able to maintain their innocence.

This was well researched and Gregg Olsen did a good job of presenting it. Hopefully, it's a warning to those that might have the bad luck of encountering Shelly Knotek after she's released.

Gregg Olsen has a created a suspenseful masterpiece in his latest novel, “If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood. This story is based upon the real life story of three sisters who were bound by secrets so horrendous and abuse that went beyond prison conditions all foisted upon them by the woman they called mother. Each one of the girls endured through their horrific child and managed to create a positive life for themselves once they told their stories in order to escape their past and to bring justice for the three other victims of their mother’s psychotic behavior. This gripping tale will hold the reader steadfast in its grip, making this novel one of the most intense stories you will ever read. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thanks for the ARC Net Galley

I have read the majority of the autjor's books. I was worried the true crime arena might be too much for him; no it was almost too much for me. Like it says ion Romans 1, without God man(humans) are without and here is more proof because you can't forget Nikki, Sami, and Tori ARE REAL HUMAN BEINGS

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book!

This was hard to read. Not because of the writing, which is great, and engaging, but because of the subject matter. Hearing the things that Shelly did to those around her was difficult at best. The book showcased what a cruel, malicious, masochistic person that Shelly is.

So many times I asked myself "why" as I read this book. "Why did no one speak?" "Why did no one stand up to her?" "Why didn't anyone see what was going on with the kids?" I felt like so many people let the kids down, in so many ways, starting with their stepfather.

A great true crime read, and I look forward to reading more from this author (who I know, oddly enough, from Deadly Women on ID).

This book was great! Never a boring part. Made you feel like you when in the book and it was a story instead of some non fiction books like this just list facts!

This story was a gripping, edge of your seat thriller. I couldn't believe what this mother did not could I put it down. Highly recommend it to anyone else that enjoys these type of books.

This book.... it hurt my heart.. it turned my stomach.. it made me hold my children a little bit closer..
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I don’t know why, when I read a crime novel about adults, I can say “damn, that’s fucked up” (don’t get me wrong, it still gives me a sickening feeling) and continue reading... stories about children are on a whole other level. Gregg Olsen did a great job telling a story of 3 girls who had a terrible childhood with absolutely disgusting parents. He showed the strength that children have, although i wish they didn’t have to use it, to overcome many life horrors. •
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This is another one of Gregg Olsens books that I would highly recommend. I took my time reading this book. It wasn’t the type of “I couldn’t put it down” book. I read it slow, I took it in, I hurt with them as children and triumphed with them as adults. •

I'm sure we will acquire a copy of this for our collection, but I couldn't make it through. I find abuse stories too triggering and/or depressing.

I cannot begin to explain my emotions while reading this book! I normally listen to true crime podcasts, so this was my first true crime novel. I was afraid it wouldn't be as engrossing as a podcast, but I was so wrong!

Gregg Olsen handled the story so well - keeping you entertained while still focusing on the fact that this is a very true, very serious story.

I would say I'm surprised at how long Shelly's abuse went on, but I've listen to enough podcasts to know that police in the 90s had a habit of waiting until it's too late to do their job.

I'm running to check out more by Gregg Olsen asap!

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.