Gregg Olsen writes excellent books! I’ve read a lot by this author, and, just like the others, this book is an excellent read. If you enjoy his other works, you should definitely give this book a try.

Out of the Woods is one of the darkest true crime books I have read and I have read a lot of them. What I really appreciated about this book was how much time Gregg Olsen spent on the aftermath of the crimes for Shasta Groene and her father. Once Shasta was home, the nightmare she had lived through was very much not over and this is not something that many true crime books tackle beyond what happens in the courts. I wish that we had learned more about the other victims, especially the ones outside of the Groene family.

I struggled with the pacing - I didn't understand why we were spending so much time on the treatments that Shasta was undergoing at the facility in Utah until later. In the end, I appreciated that Olsen didn't hit readers with all of the horrific details of the crimes at once but the struggle of dipping in and out of multiple timelines made for a bit of a muddy reading experience. When did her dad break up with the stepmom who meant so much? How old was Shasta when she had her first child? How many years had passed when she was at the Saint Anthony's program?

This will not be an easy book to recommend because of the subject matter. But those who have read Olsen's work in the past (I have) will surely pick up his newest and be gratified by the care with which he has tackled Shasta's story. I would recommend that readers who are interested in this title check the content warnings because this book is not for every reader. In attempting to focus so much on the one victim in this story, Out of the Woods weirdly lacked cohesion because the aftermath for Shasta was straight chaos.

Gregg Olsen’s “Out of the Woods” is a heart-wrenching true story of a horrific crime against Shasta Groene during and after her abduction. Not for the faint of heart. This graphic and descriptive true crime story may make you uncomfortable, but the message of hope with the right treatment ultimately redeems it.

There should be a all too graphic warning on the front cover. The book itself is well written considering the content with the exception of some repetition in a few places. I had never heard of this case and don't remember seeing national news about it like there was other abductions. Was it because the parents were low income,not living in a ritzy neighborhood? I had to skim in places as what this child was put through is unimaginable, and I just could not read more. Hopefully telling her story to someone who listened will be cathartic for this young lady. Read only if you can handle outright descriptions of murder, torture and manipulation. It will leave you sad for innocence lost. I was provided an advanced reader copy of the book at my request simply because i had read this authors works in the past however, somehow I missed the part about it being a true story. There are no words. Appalling? Gut wrenching? It is my sincere wish that this young lady is finally able to let the past fade as if a bad dream and that she can simply live a peaceful life and enjoy her children. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book.

A gripping true crime account that pulls you right into the case. Olsen lays out the twists and turns with vivid detail, making it both haunting and fascinating. Some sections felt a bit drawn out, but the storytelling kept me hooked until the end. A chilling yet compelling read. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to preview this book,

Another great thriller from Olsen! I always enjoy reading his stories and this is no exception. Intense and page turning, fans of the genre will be impressed.

Out of the Woods by Gregg Olsen

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out of the Woods is a haunting, deeply human true-crime account that follows the devastating case of Shasta Groene with Gregg Olsen’s signature blend of compassion and unflinching honesty. Olsen doesn’t just recount the facts—he peels back the layers of trauma, survival, and the lifelong impact of violence, crafting a narrative that’s as emotionally heavy as it is important.

What struck me most was how Olsen gives Shasta her voice, allowing readers to see the young girl behind the headlines and the complex woman she became. The epilogue is both heartbreaking and hopeful—showing her moments of triumph, like graduating high school and advocating for victims’ rights, alongside the painful reality of relapse, destructive relationships, and the never-ending battle with trauma.

This isn’t a story with a neat, happy ending—and that’s what makes it so powerful. Olsen doesn’t shy away from the truth that healing is not linear and that survival is often a lifelong fight. The way he handles sensitive material with empathy while maintaining a gripping narrative pace kept me turning pages late into the night.

If you appreciate true crime that focuses not just on the crime but on the human aftermath—and if you can handle raw honesty—Out of the Woods is essential reading. It’s a reminder that behind every headline is a person whose story doesn’t end when the news cycle does.

Trigger warnings: child abduction, sexual abuse, murder, addiction, trauma

I love a good thriller.
This story follows a trauma recovery and definitely wouldn’t be for everyone.
I did enjoy it but keep in the subject matter as it may not be for you

It's written very well it draws you in and keeps you hooked to the very last page. It is a tough subject to read about though. It's a deep, dark, and disturbing story. You better have tissues on hand . This book will make you cry!

Review: Out of the Woods by Gregg Olsen

This book offers a raw and emotionally charged look at one of the most disturbing child abduction cases in recent memory. The author doesn’t shy away from the horror and the lasting aftermath, especially through the eyes of someone who lived it. It’s not just a recounting of what happened — it’s a portrait of survival, pain, and the long road to healing.

While the subject matter is undeniably powerful, the structure made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged. The constant shifts in time, though perhaps intended to reflect the fragmented nature of trauma, felt disjointed and often repetitive. Certain events, particularly the abuse, are described in graphic detail more than once, which may be overwhelming for some readers and, at times, felt unnecessarily revisited.

That said, the resilience shown throughout the book is admirable. It’s clear that this isn’t just the story of a tragic event, but of everything that follows — and how the past continues to echo into the present. Readers who appreciate deeply personal true crime narratives may find value in this book, especially those interested in the psychological aftermath of survival.

It’s a difficult read — emotionally and structurally — but it gives voice to a story that, for many reasons, should not be forgotten.

En español:

Reseña: Out of the Woods de Gregg Olsen

Este libro ofrece una mirada cruda y profundamente emotiva a uno de los casos de secuestro infantil más perturbadores de los últimos tiempos. El autor no evita mostrar el horror ni las secuelas duraderas, especialmente a través de los ojos de alguien que lo vivió. No se trata solo de contar lo que pasó, sino de retratar la supervivencia, el dolor y el largo camino hacia la sanación.

Aunque el tema es incuestionablemente poderoso, la estructura del libro hizo que me costara mantenerme completamente conectada. Los constantes saltos temporales —quizás con la intención de reflejar lo fragmentado del trauma— me parecieron desordenados y, a menudo, repetitivos. Algunos eventos, en particular los abusos, se describen con mucho detalle más de una vez, lo cual puede resultar abrumador para ciertos lectores y, en ocasiones, innecesariamente reiterativo.

Dicho esto, la resiliencia que se muestra a lo largo del libro es admirable. Está claro que no es solo la historia de un hecho trágico, sino de todo lo que vino después, y de cómo el pasado sigue resonando en el presente. Los lectores que valoran los relatos de crimen real profundamente personales pueden encontrar valor en este libro, especialmente aquellos interesados en las secuelas psicológicas de la supervivencia.

Es una lectura difícil —emocional y estructuralmente— pero da voz a una historia que, por muchas razones, no debería ser olvidada..
ARC recibido a través de NetGalley. Opinión personal.

I honestly don't know how to review this book. It was both horrendously difficult to read and yet I couldn't put it down. I would read a chapter and then need a break.

As a warning, this book details very explicitly child sexual abuse, sodomy, pedophilia, murder, and drug use. This is not a book that I would recommend to someone who has past trauma that deal with any of these subjects. I don't, thankfully, and the book was agonizing for me. I can only imagine that it would be ten times more difficult for someone who has experienced these things.

On May 16, 2005, Joseph "Jet" Duncan entered the home of Brenda Groene, murdered Brenda, her fiance Mark, and her 13 year old son. The two younger children, Dylan (age 9) and Shasta (age 8) were kidnapped and held for 47 days in a remote forest of Montana. The things that these kids suffered are unspeakable. The book details those days in the woods, the things that Dylan and Shasta endured with the hope of being released, the eventual rescue of Shasta, and the arrest and conviction of Jet. The book also discusses Shasta's fall into life changing destructive behaviors while trying to process the trauma and grief perpetrated by Jet.

The book does a really good job of telling Shasta's story without sugar coating the emotions and feelings of Dylan and Shasta. It's told in very factual, almost removed, detail. While, of course, the reader should feel sympathy for the children, the book also details the myriad of bad decisions made by Shasta after her rescue. It does not attempt to justify the drug use, the incarceration, the broken relationships. It tells the story, messy though it may be. And I appreciated that the ending was not perfect.

My one complaint about this book, and it's a pretty big one, was how disjointed the timeline and the perspectives were. In one chapter, we may have a section of Jet's thoughts while in the forest, Shasta's time in a treatment program, and then back to details about Shasta's childhood before the murders. At times it was very hard to follow. And this format leant itself to confusion. For example, in chapter 19, we first see the names of Carmen, Sammyjo, and Anthony. But it's not until several chapters later that we learn who they are. When reading that passage, I had to scroll back to see if I'd missed something, but then had an "AHA" moment later in the book when the confusion was cleared.

Running throughout this book are themes of guilt and forgiveness, of oneself and of those who have wronged us. It is a powerful story of survival, hope, and the unbreakable spirit.

I struggled with how to rate this book. It's not your typical non-fiction true crime book, nor a typical biography, nor a typical expository narrative. I've settled on 4 ​⭐s. It was definitely a book I'll never forget and will think about for a long, long time.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this book.

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Even knowing what this book was about. I was not emotionally prepared for how heart-wrenching this was. I find it difficult to “rate” this book because, while the writing is exceptional and the author does a superb job of emphasizing that a victim isn’t magically “better” after being rescued, it is still a hard book to read (and, therefore, “enjoy.”). That said, I think these stories are important. I think it is human nature to shove everything that brings us discomfort away. Unfortunately, that’s not realistic or right. These stories need to be told. These perpetrators need to be punished. These “therapists” that are doing more harm than good need to be called out.

5/5 for capturing the above, but with the caveat that this book is extremely painful to read.

Gregg Olsen’s Out of the Woods is one of those true crime reads that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. This is the second book I’ve read by Olsen, and it did not disappoint. It starts with the 2005 Groene family murders in Idaho, a case that shook the country, then zeroes in on Shasta, an eight year old girl kidnapped along with her brother by serial killer Joseph Edward Duncan. After 48 terrifying days in the Montana wilderness, Shasta was rescued, but the real battle was just beginning. Olsen doesn’t shy away from the darkness, Shasta’s struggle with trauma, self-destruction, and the long, painful climb toward hope, but he also shows her fierce determination to reclaim her life. It’s raw, haunting, and impossible to forget. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this gripping and heartbreaking book.

Gregg Olsen is an auto buy author for me. I especially love how he writes true crime. I enjoyed reading this book . I highly recommend anything this author writes. I can’t wait to see what’s up next.

Olsen’s writing style is both accessible and informative, making complex legal and forensic details understandable without sacrificing depth. The pacing is well-executed, with the tension building.
Overall, Out of the Woods is a compelling and chilling read that will appeal to true-crime enthusiasts and anyone interested in the darker aspects of human psychology.
Gregg Olsen has once again proven his prowess in the true-crime genre, delivering a story that is as informative as it is unsettling.
A riveting and disturbing read.

This was an exceptionally hard read. Gregg Olsen does jump around a lot as many of the other reviews state, but not to the point where I found that I couldn’t follow. Shasta has led a very hard life and basically everyone around her has failed her. All she wanted was to be treated normally, not as “that girl” and unfortunately, that never really happened. I felt like Olsen did a great job of telling her absolutely harrowing story.

In his compelling book, "Out of the Woods," Gregg Olsen offers readers an intimate glimpse into the traumatic experiences faced by Shasta. Through her perspective, we gain a profound understanding of the challenges she endured during her harrowing ordeal. The narrative beautifully captures both her heart-wrenching tragedy and her remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. As Shasta navigates the difficult path toward recovery, the story poignantly illustrates the lasting effects that such unimaginable events can have on a child's life, shaping their future and influencing their emotional well-being in profound and complex ways.

this book was heart breaking and heart wrenching. i couldn't believe what this poor girl had to go through. and sadly with trauma she will be still going through it. how she healed or heals depends so much on the help, support and love shes given and i felt she was fails so often which made me angry.
this book was such a well balanced book. you get the story but you also feel like Gregg is giving a supportive hug and shout out for our survivor to.
i cant tell you how many time tears came to my eyes, and sometimes no tears would even come because my heart was so tense and tugging.
a truly remarkable young girl we have in this book. i wish more than anything we could be a book of fiction so we could add some resolve. but this is such a stark reminder of how sometimes and so often for people this will never be the case. that being home, or 'safe' never actually makes them ok. they arent rescued as they are forever being hurt from the after effects and the illness those monsters force onto the victim creating a suffering people cant hardly fathom. there needs to be so much more done for people with these conditions. so much more done for victims and my god so much more needs to be done about monsters doing this sh***
i appreciate Gregg telling it in this way. too often people like to look away, its easier right? because they dont want to see the actual pain in people behaviours. the survivors journey can so often be devastating and world shattering all of its own. the spiral and destruction can be awful.
the journey is only at the start when that victim comes home, rescued, past the said incident and Greg wonderfully doesn't shy away from showing the actual reality of that.
i dont know how one person could continue to make her lungs move to breath after she had been through this. especially when they very people who would swarm around her to heal, her parents and sibling. well, they were robbed from her that night. this brings then a whole other level to her heartbreak and pain.
ugh. this book had me shaken, crying and in awe of it too.
brilliant.
fantastic.
i feel bad for thinking that of this young girls life. but maybe just somewhere with enough of us reading this, knowing it and wishing her so much well thoughts... it might offer some well wishes her way. if that could ever be any help than im all for it.

A Haunting Story of Survival Beyond the Headlines .

Gregg Olsen’s Out of the Woods is an unflinching, deeply human account of Shasta Groene’s unimaginable ordeal and the long, difficult years that followed. Kidnapped at just eight years old by a sadistic killer who murdered her family, Shasta’s story is one of both unspeakable tragedy and remarkable strength. Olsen tells it with compassion, honesty, and respect capturing not only the horror of her captivity but also the invisible battles she fought long after the headlines faded.
This is more than a true-crime narrative; it’s a powerful exploration of trauma, recovery, and the resilience of the human spirit.
A devastating true story told with raw honesty Shasta’s survival will break your heart and inspire your soul. It is Harrowing, heartbreaking, and ultimately this book will stay with me for a very long time. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’m horrified after reading this. I cannot believe the evil in that man . I like how the author was able to tell this story that not only included facts, but included Shasta’s voice throughout the novel. At some points in the book, it felt like it was a cross between an interview and narrative, if that makes sense . I think the story was clear and told Shasta’s story exactly how she wanted it told.