synopsis of book if you tell

If You Tell

69 pages • 2 hours read

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood

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Part 7-Epilogue

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Summary and Study Guide

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen is narrative nonfiction true crime book published in 2019. It documents the story of Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek , sisters who survived living with their mother, Shelly Knotek, who would ultimately be responsible for the infamous Raymond torture killings in Washington State. Olsen specializes in writing crime-related narratives about people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Over the course of his prolific career, he has written numerous best-selling nonfiction true crime books detailing the sensational stories of Mary Kay Letourneau, Eli Stutzman, the disappearance of Susan Powell, and others, as well as many works of fiction. He has appeared as an expert on the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, the Learning Channel, as well as other television programs.

In the tradition of nonfiction true crime “novels” like Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood , Olsen used intensive research and interviews to write If You Tell almost as if it were fiction. The book is structured around the profound relationship between the Knotek sisters, created by shared abuse and survival. It also follows the Shelly’s life from childhood to prison sentencing. The story begins primarily from the perspective of Shelly’s stepmother, Lara Watson , when she meets Shelly as a child in their small town in Washington State, detailing her propensity for shocking lies, cruelty, and anger. She has had a difficult childhood with her alcoholic mother, and her lies and instability lead Lara and Shelly’s father to send her to live with a relative on the East Coast, where she meets her soon-to-be first husband, coaxing him to move back to Washington with her.

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Lara prays that Shelly will become more stable when she gives birth to her first daughter, Nikki, but her erratic behavior and violent outbursts continue, leading to a divorce, and Shelly drops off Nikki to live with Lara for the first year of her life. Shelly regains custody of Nikki before swiftly meeting her next husband. This marriage is also rocky and ends quickly but produces Sami. Shelly’s parents try to help her support herself by getting her jobs at a nursing home facility that the family owns, but she proves an unstable and unreliable employee.

Shelly soon meets Dave Knotek , a soft-spoken and seemingly kind man who falls under her spell. They marry, and Shelly becomes pregnant with Tori. Around this time, Shelly announces that a friend, Kathy Loreno , who is going through a difficult time and needs help, will live with them. They also take in Dave’s troubled but sweet teenage nephew, Shane Watson . Tori is born, and Kathy is soon subjected to brutal abuse. Shane, too, is tortured and punished. Nikki bears the brunt of Shelly’s fury. Kathy’s health begins to decline as Shelly’s abuse worsens and she dies in their house. The girls are sent to a motel while Shelly, Dave, and Shane cremate the body and destroy all evidence that Kathy lived there. Shelly concocts a story that Kathy ran away and forces everyone never to tell what really happened.

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Soon after, Shane disappears under mysterious circumstances. Nikki fears the worst, and Shelly is convinced her daughter will rat her out. Nikki eventually escapes the house with the help of Lara and her Aunt Trish. She grows estranged from the family, and Shelly tries to poison a very young Tori against her by telling lies about her big sister. Sami uses Kathy’s death as leverage to make her mother agree to help fund her college education. Nikki and Sami secretly remain in contact. The Knoteks then take in a new friend: Ron Woodworth . Much like Kathy, he is down on his luck and in financial trouble. Sami visits home and is horrified to see the same patterns of behavior towards Ron that Shelly exhibited towards Kathy. Dave helps her to abuse Ron physically. Nikki and Lara go to the authorities, who initially do not investigate Shelly.

Ron eventually dies, and Shelly, rattled by the loss, drives Tori to stay with Sami in Seattle. She and Dave try to cover up the death. Sami re-introduces Tori to Nikki, and the sisters have a beautiful reunion. Nikki and Sami confide the truth about Kathy to Tori and their concerns about Ron. When Tori returns home, she realizes that their mother and father are trying to cover us Ron’s death. Sami and Nikki contact the authorities on her behalf, and Tori prepares evidence to help incriminate them. The next day, she is taken away by Child Protective Services, and her parents are quickly arrested not long after. Dave confesses to the murders and is sentenced to a shorter prison term than Shelly, who receives a 22-year prison sentence. Sami is granted guardianship of Tori, and all three sisters to this day share a close bond.

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If You Tell Book Summary

A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood

by Gregg Olsen

If you tell.

If You Tell is a chilling true-crime story that follows the harrowing experiences of three sisters at the hands of their sadistic and manipulative mother, Shelly Knotek. The narrative unravels years of abuse, torture, and manipulation, ultimately culminating in multiple murders. The book explores the sisters’ resilience and their desperate attempts to escape their mother’s clutches, highlighting the enduring power of sisterly love and the fight for survival.

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Gregg Olsen is a renowned true-crime author known for his meticulously researched and suspenseful narratives. He has penned numerous New York Times bestselling books, including “Starvation Heights” and “A Twisted Faith.” Olsen’s background in journalism contributes to his ability to delve into complex cases with sensitivity and a keen eye for detail. His writing style is both gripping and compassionate, allowing readers to connect with the victims and understand the gravity of their experiences.

Key Takeaways

The book details Shelly Knotek’s escalating pattern of abuse, which includes physical violence, psychological manipulation, and starvation tactics used to control her daughters and eventually her husbands.

Despite the horrific circumstances, the sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori form an unbreakable bond, relying on each other for support and ultimately finding the courage to break free from their mother’s control.

The narrative exposes Shelly’s involvement in the deaths of Kathy Loreno and Ron Woodworth, shedding light on the manipulative tactics she employed to coerce her daughters into participating in the crimes and cover-ups.

The book chronicles the sisters’ daring escape from their mother’s control and their subsequent efforts to bring Shelly to justice, leading to her eventual conviction for murder.

Olsen delves into the psychological aspects of abuse, exploring how Shelly used manipulation, gaslighting, and isolation to maintain control over her victims.

The book sheds light on the lasting impact of childhood trauma and abuse, highlighting the challenges the sisters faced in healing and rebuilding their lives after escaping their mother.

If You Tell emphasizes the importance of speaking out against abuse and seeking help, offering a powerful message of hope and resilience for survivors.

The book raises questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in addressing domestic abuse cases, particularly those involving complex family dynamics and psychological manipulation.

FAQ about If You Tell

Yes, ‘If You Tell’ is a true-crime book that recounts the real-life experiences of the Knotek sisters and their abusive mother, Shelly Knotek.

Shelly Knotek was convicted of murder and sentenced to prison.

The sisters eventually escaped with the help of their aunt and uncle, who provided them with a safe haven and support.

Gregg Olsen has written numerous other true-crime books, including ‘Starvation Heights,’ ‘A Twisted Faith,’ and ‘If I Can’t Have You.‘

”The only thing worse than a monster is a mother who is one."
"We were her prisoners, and the house was our prison."
"Love should never hurt. It should never require blood or bruises or the shattering of bones.”

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If You Tell Summary and Key Themes

“If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood” by Gregg Olsen is a nonfiction work that delves deep into a harrowing true crime story – the chilling events surrounding the Raymond torture killings in Washington State, through the lens of the Knotek sisters: Nikki, Sami, and Tori.

Full Summary

The story unfolds through various perspectives, initially from Shelly’s stepmother, Lara Watson.

It traces Shelly’s troubled childhood in a small town in Washington, marked by lies, cruelty, and an unstable home life.

Despite hopes for stability after the birth of her first daughter, Nikki, Shelly’s erratic behavior persists, leading to a series of tumultuous relationships and the birth of her other daughters, Sami and Tori.

Shelly’s life takes a darker turn upon meeting Dave Knotek. The couple, along with their children, find themselves entangled in a web of deception and cruelty.

Shelly’s friend Kathy Loreno and Dave’s nephew Shane Watson become victims of Shelly’s increasing brutality. The sisters witness unspeakable horrors, including Kathy’s decline and eventual death under Shelly’s abuse, followed by the mysterious disappearance of Shane.

The narrative reaches a climax as Nikki, with the help of Lara and her Aunt Trish, escapes the toxic household, while Shelly manipulates Tori against her.

Sami, using the leverage of Kathy’s death, manages to carve out a semblance of normalcy by attending college. However, the cycle of abuse continues with the arrival of Ron Woodworth, another victim of Shelly’s cruelty.

The sisters, bound by their traumatic experiences, secretly reunite and decide to take action.

With the authorities initially dismissive, the situation becomes dire when Ron dies under suspicious circumstances.

In a turning point, Sami and Nikki courageously approach the authorities, leading to the involvement of Child Protective Services and the eventual arrest of their parents.

Dave confesses to his role in the crimes, receiving a lesser sentence compared to Shelly, who is sentenced to 22 years in prison.

The book culminates in the powerful reconnection of the sisters, now free from their mother’s tyranny. Sami gains guardianship of Tori, and together, they rebuild their lives, their bond unbroken by the horrors they survived.

1. Resilience and Strength of Sisterhood

A central theme of the book is the extraordinary resilience and unbreakable bond shared by the Knotek sisters – Nikki, Sami, and Tori.

Despite enduring extreme abuse and psychological trauma at the hands of their mother, Shelly Knotek, the sisters manage to maintain a secret line of communication and support for each other.

Their shared experiences forge an unyielding bond that ultimately becomes their salvation.

This theme explores how the sisters’ relationship evolves under duress, how they support each other in moments of despair, and how their united front becomes crucial in overcoming their mother’s tyrannical control.

2. The Cycle of Abuse and Its Impact on Families

Olsen meticulously documents the cycle of abuse perpetuated by Shelly Knotek, not only towards her daughters but also towards others in her care.

The book delves into the psychological and emotional impact of growing up in an abusive household. It examines the dynamics of an abusive parent, the complexities of familial relationships in such environments, and how abuse can be normalized within a family.

Olsen also touches upon the broader implications of this cycle, including the failure of social systems to protect the vulnerable and the challenges faced in breaking free from such toxic environments.

Through the Knotek family’s story, the book provides a harrowing look at the long-lasting effects of abuse and the difficulties in recognizing and intervening in such situations.

3. The Facade of Normalcy in the Midst of Evil

The dichotomy between the outward appearance of a normal, functioning family and the horrific reality hidden behind closed doors is well explored in the book.

Shelly Knotek, despite her monstrous actions, is able to maintain a façade of normalcy to the outside world, manipulating those around her to conceal the truth.

This theme explores the concept of the ‘mask’ that abusers often wear in public, the societal tendency to overlook signs of domestic trouble, and the ease with which evil can be masked by a veneer of everyday life.

It raises important questions about perception versus reality in our social interactions and the often-hidden nature of domestic abuse.

Through the Knotek’s story, the book urges a deeper awareness and understanding of the complexities and deceptions that can exist within seemingly ordinary families.

Final Thoughts

“If You Tell” is a deeply moving and unsettling account of real-life horror faced by the Knotek sisters.

Gregg Olsen masterfully weaves a narrative that is both a chilling true crime tale and a poignant story of sisterhood and resilience. The book not only exposes the dark underbelly of familial abuse but also highlights the incredible strength it takes to escape such a situation and the enduring power of familial bonds in the face of adversity.

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Book Summary: If You Tell by Gregg Olsen

If You Tell is a true crime book written by Gregg Olsen. The book explores the harrowing story of Brenda Heistand, a woman who was raped and tortured by her ex-boyfriend, Jerry, for over a year. The book delves into the psychological and physical abuse that Brenda endured at the hands of her abuser, and how she finally found the courage to speak out against him.

The book is divided into three parts, with each part focusing on a different aspect of Brenda’s story. Part one introduces the reader to Brenda and the abuse she suffered at the hands of Jerry. Part two focuses on the aftermath of Brenda’s abuse, including her struggles to come to terms with what happened to her and her eventual decision to press charges against her attacker. Part three looks at the trial of Jerry and the impact that Brenda’s testimony had on the case.

Throughout the book, Olsen provides insights into the psychology of abuse and the challenges that victims face when trying to seek justice. He also highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and the impact that one person’s story can have on changing the world for the better.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Olsen introduces Brenda Heistand, a woman who was raped and tortured by her ex-boyfriend, Jerry, for over a year. Brenda finally found the courage to speak out against him, and her story is a powerful reminder of the impact that one person’s story can have on changing the world for the better.

Chapter 2: Olsen delves into the psychological and physical abuse that Brenda endured at the hands of her abuser. He provides insights into the psychology of abuse and the challenges that victims face when trying to seek justice.

Chapter 3: Brenda finally finds the courage to press charges against her attacker. Olsen highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and the impact that one person’s story can have on changing the world for the better.

Chapter 4: Olsen looks at the trial of Jerry and the impact that Brenda’s testimony had on the case. He provides insights into the legal process and the challenges that victims face when trying to seek justice.

Chapter 5: Olsen provides a conclusion to the book, highlighting the impact that Brenda’s story had on changing the world for the better. He emphasizes the importance of speaking out against abuse and the power that one person’s story can have on changing the world for the better.

If You Tell is a powerful and moving true crime book that explores the harrowing story of Brenda Heistand, a woman who was raped and tortured by her ex-boyfriend, Jerry, for over a year. Throughout the book, Olsen provides insights into the psychology of abuse and the challenges that victims face when trying to seek justice. He also highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and the impact that one person’s story can have on changing the world for the better. If You Tell is a must-read for anyone interested in true crime, psychology, or social justice.

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Book Summary If You Tell , by Gregg Olsen

Media are rife with haunting stories of true crime, but some accounts are more chilling than others—particularly those that involve torture and murder. In If You Tell , Gregg Olsen recounts the story of notorious abuser and murderer Shelly Knotek, who, along with her husband Dave, abused and tortured their daughters, nephew, and two boarders—resulting in three deaths. Olsen is a best-selling true crime author and novelist who was asked to write this story by the Knotek daughters themselves.

In our guide, we'll discuss the ways in which Shelly abused her victims along with Dave’s help. We’ll also look specifically at how she lured two friends to become boarders at her home and then killed them, and we’ll look at the events leading up to Shelly and Dave’s arrests and convictions. Additionally, we’ll add information about the psychology of abuse and psychopathy, compare it to similar stories of child abuse, and add context about the legal system and its responsibilities in cases like these.

1-Page Summary 1-Page Book Summary of If You Tell

In If You Tell , Gregg Olsen describes how notorious abuser and murderer Shelly Knotek, with the help of her husband Dave, abused their three daughters, as well as how the couple abused, tortured, and murdered two friends and their nephew. Olsen examines how the three daughters survived and how their bond ultimately led to their mother’s arrest. The story was compiled through interviews, primarily from the daughters Nikki, Sami, and Tori, Shelly’s stepmother Lara (a pseudonym), and Dave Knotek. Nikki, Sami, and Tori asked Olsen to write this book as a warning to the world about their mother —they feared she’d kill again after her...

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If You Tell Summary Shelly Knotek’s Childhood: Early Warning Signs

According to Olsen, Michelle (Shelly) Watson was born to Sharon and Les Watson in 1954. She was raised primarily by her father and her stepmother Lara after age six. Prior to that, she lived with her mother Sharon, whom Les described as an alcoholic who was unable to raise kids. Little is known about Sharon’s relationship with Shelly, but Sharon cut off contact after bringing Shelly to Les’s, and when Shelly was later informed of her mother’s death, she barely reacted.

Shelly’s grandma Anna, whom she often went to see after school, was known for being cruel and demanding. She had two employees of her nursing home staying with her, and she treated them like slaves and abused them when they didn’t work quickly enough. According to Lara, she took joy in others’ suffering. She wouldn’t allow her mild-mannered husband George to sleep in the house, forcing him to sleep in a shed outside instead. Shelly was Anna’s favorite grandchild, though once in a while Shelly became the victim of Anna’s anger. However, most of the time Shelly was by Anna’s side watching the way she treated people—and learning.

**As a child, Shelly was impossible to please. She threw tantrums, lied, and started...

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If You Tell Summary Marriages and Children

Shelly was married three times and had a daughter with each husband.

Husband Randy and Daughter Nikki

At 19, explains Olsen, Shelly married her high school sweetheart Randy Rivardo. They had Nikki in February 1975. Shelly was extremely persuasive and charismatic, and she used these traits to get what she wanted no matter what. She spent money they didn’t have, always convincing people to let her leave unpaid tabs even after Randy told them not to let her do so. After financial troubles and marital problems—including Shelly locking Randy out of the house regularly—Randy filed for divorce and left Shelly.

(Shortform note: Charisma and the ability to influence others are often present in people with ASPD and psychopaths and can help them get away with harmful behavior. Shelly’s tendency to lock her husband out of the house also echoes Anna’s tendency to do the same to her husband.)

Husband Danny and Daughter Sami

Next, Shelly married Danny Long....

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If You Tell Summary Child Abuse

As Olsen explains, Shelly began abusing her daughters at a young age . Nikki, the oldest, has a memory from when she was very young in which she woke suddenly to find a pillow pressed over her face, suffocating her. She screamed and her mother showed up instantly to comfort her. As she consoled her, Shelly insisted that Nikki’s perception of someone putting a pillow over her face had been a dream, observing Nikki’s reaction with interest. Nikki knew it wasn’t a dream but backed down in the face of her mother’s insistence. When her third and final husband, Dave, was around and not at work, he either watched passively or participated as Shelly ordered him to.

Shelly used extremely harsh punishments for even the slightest misbehaviors. She beat her children and husband with implements from around the house and took pleasure in their pain. She also locked them in closets or out of the house, forcing them to sleep outside. Frequently, the children didn’t know what they were being punished for, but she told them they were bad, ungrateful, and spoiled. However, she also showed great affection toward the children on some days. Nikki never knew what would set her mother off and bring...

If You Tell Summary Shane Watson’s Arrival: A New Target

According to Olsen, in 1988, Shelly’s nephew Shane came to live with them at age 13. His parents were unable to take care of him, and Shelly sent him loving letters saying she wanted to help him.

The girls loved Shane and viewed him as a brother. Shelly set him up with a bedroom in the basement, but not long after he arrived, she put him to work around the house and yard. She began subjecting him to abuse as well, first confiscating his things as punishment until he was forced to sleep pillowless on a mattress on the floor, then restricting his shower and bathroom access. When the family moved to a smaller house, he had no room at all and had to sleep in Nikki’s closet with nothing but a blanket.

**Many of Shelly’s punishments were...

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If You Tell Summary The Abuse, Torture, and Murder of Kathy Loreno

Shortly after Shane came to live with them, explains Olsen, Shelly’s best friend Kathy moved in with them. She’d had a string of bad luck, had a strained relationship with her family, and was broke and needed a place to stay. She was described as a pleaser and a giver, kind and empathetic to everyone. Shelly offered to let Kathy stay with them in exchange for helping out with the kids —whom Kathy adored—and around the house. She also helped care for Shelly during her cancer “treatments,” unaware that she was faking them. Kathy needed help, but the most enticing thing Shelly offered her was the chance to be needed herself.

(Shortform note: Kathy’s personality is reflective of people-pleasing tendencies and fits the “pleaser” personality archetype . Pleasers are particularly vulnerable to being taken advantage of by people with controlling or toxic personalities because of their [willingness to appease others through any means...

If You Tell Summary Escape: How Nikki and Sami Got Away

Nikki graduated from high school in 1993, and she desperately wanted to go to college and move away, Olsen explains. She enrolled in community college, but her mother began sabotaging her, taking away her school clothes and refusing to give her money for the bus so she had no transportation. One day when Shelly was abusing her, Nikki resisted and knocked her mother to the ground, to Shelly’s astonishment . Having someone fight back for the first time ever made Shelly change tactics: She’d remove Nikki from her presence.

(Shortform note: Shelly’s surprise at Nikki’s reaction—and her surprise at Kathy’s death—may be related to a reduced ability to understand the consequences of her actions. Psychopaths process reward and punishment differently than other people, which can lead them to persist in behaviors that result in punishment—like continuing to commit crimes after being released from prison. But in Shelly’s case, finding that her victim was no longer compliant seemed to prompt her to send the victim away, perhaps so she could focus on the less defiant ones.)

**Shelly told Nikki, who was 20 at that point,...

If You Tell Summary Ron Woodworth: Repeating History

According to Olsen, around 2001, another friend named Ron Woodworth moved in with the Knoteks . Like Kathy, he had run into financial problems and was broke, emotionally vulnerable, and estranged from his family. Shelly invited him to stay with them so he could get back on his feet.

Nikki no longer had contact with anyone in her family except Sami, and Tori was too young to remember what had happened with Kathy, but Ron’s arrival set off alarm bells in Sami’s head. Still, she forced herself to believe that what had happened with Kathy wouldn’t happen again and that Ron would be strong enough to withstand Shelly. She was wrong.

Again, the relationship between Ron and Shelly started out as a loving friendship, but soon Shelly began degrading him and chipping away at his self-worth . The slide into abuse happened much more rapidly than it had with Kathy, but the pattern was the same: physical abuse, restricting bathroom usage, drugging, and isolating him from family.

As punishments got worse, Shelly forced Ron to drink his own urine, to punch himself in the face as hard as he could over and over, and to repeatedly jump barefoot off their two-story house. His feet became...

If You Tell Summary Arrest and Conviction: The Lead-Up

According to Olsen, the first time anyone in the family went to the police about the Knoteks’ activities was in 2001, while Ron was still alive. Nikki, then 26, had gone to stay with her grandmother Lara, and the second day there, Nikki told her what happened to Kathy. Lara was shocked, but she knew Nikki was honest and believed her.

They reported the information to the police and faxed a detailed account of what happened to Deputy Jim Bergstrom of the Pacific County Sheriff’s Department. Nikki thought things would change, but after the police were unable to reach Sami—then 22 and still away at college—to verify Nikki’s story, they didn’t follow up on the case . When Lara followed up months later to ask about Kathy’s case, Deputy Bergstrom told her it had gone cold, that he was in the middle of a big trial and would get back to work on it when he could.

(Shortform note: In an investigation, police often interview anyone who may have information that could prove helpful in the case. While it can hamper an...

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Shortform Exercise: Expand Your Understanding of Abuse Dynamics

Society often unfairly judges victims of abuse to be at least partially responsible for their circumstances. For instance, many people question why victims didn't simply leave the abusive situation. In this exercise, you’ll have the chance to reflect on how your perception of the dynamics of abuse may have changed after reading this guide.

What have you learned in this guide about the dynamics of abuse that was new to you?

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood Summary

Publisher description.

We offer you a deeper guide, summaries, and analysis of Gregg Olsen's book " If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood ," you'll enter the terrifying world of the Knotek sisters, Nikki, Sami, and Tori, who endured unimaginable abuse at the hands of their own mother, Shelly. This isn't just a story of a monstrous parent; it's a chilling exploration of a family fractured by manipulation, violence, and a web of dark secrets. In this summary and analysis book, you will find: Background information about the author Background information about the book All chapter summaries Comprehensive analyses And a lot more. Click the Buy Now button to get your copy now.

Book Review: If You Tell by Gregg Olsen

By: Jillian Dudek
On: April 14, 2021

Hello friends and Happy Spring! The temps are warming up and the sun is shining bright, so definitely make sure to get outside and soak it all up. Spring is a favorite season of mine since it brings new beginnings, fresh hope, and a happier state of mind.

I don’t want to cloud anyone’s sunshine, so if you’re not up for a review of a book filled with shocking and horrific happenings told by survivors themselves, then you may want to hold off on reading this. If you’re a true crime junkie like me, definitely grab a copy of Gregg Olsen’s If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood, give it a read it, and then come back to check out my review and share your thoughts in the comments.

If You Tell – A True Crime Book Review

Published in 2019, author Gregg Olsen’s If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood is a true crime novel that documents the lives of sisters Nikki , Sami , and Tori Knotek who survived physical and verbal abuse by their mother, Michelle “Shelly” Knotek . While the three sisters weren’t Shelly’s only victims, they were the only victims who lived to tell what happened.

The story takes place in Raymond, Washington, and follows Shelly’s life as she descends into mental illness and commits unspeakable crimes against her family and friends. The story unfolds in chronological order, beginning with Shelly’s childhood and the odd and cruel behavior she displayed at a young age as told by stepmom Lara Watson . Readers immediately become aware that Shelly is a deeply troubled child. The book then steps into Shelly’s transition into life as a mother and wife and the grisly crimes she commits, abusing her daughters and murdering her friends. The book is sectioned off by family members, so you get to know them, and they share their stories and what they experienced and witnessed. Despite the never-ending terrifying stories that are told, justice prevails and Shelly is charged for her crimes, and her husband, David , is also charged for his assistance. Let’s take a deep dive into the book:

Young Shelly

The book starts with stepmom Lara reflecting on Shelly’s relationship with her biological mother, Sharon , an alcoholic and depressive who had abandoned Shelly and her two younger siblings early in their life. Sharon dies when Shelly is a teenager and her passing seems to not affect Shelly at all. Shelly shows little emotion when learning of her mother’s death, but this doesn’t faze me since Sharon’s addiction caused her to become an absent parent.

Readers are then introduced to Grandma Anna , Shelly’s paternal Grandmother, with whom Shelly spent a fair amount of her younger years. Grandma Anna has a dominant and vicious personality. She knows everything and is always right. She is the type of person who does whatever she wants and never considers if her actions are out of line. And no one dare questions her, either. She displays super controlling behavior, even forcing her husband to sleep in the shed, and he obliges.

Considering Shelly had an absent mother and learning that she spent a decent amount of her younger years around her evil grandmother, it’s obvious from the get-go that this is going to impact Shelly’s behavior drastically.

In 1960, six-year-old Shelly comes into Lara’s life. Not too long after meeting, Lara marries Shelly’s father, Les , who is ten years her senior. Lara immediately notices Shelly’s abnormal, controlling, and frightening behavior, which only grows violent over time. Shelly had this need to control everything, including her two younger siblings, who are scared of her. When Lara would speak to the other two siblings, Shelly would immediately chime in and answer for them. Shelly also had a hot temper and threw fits over the smallest things. She always had to be the center of attention and became envious if another sibling got attention. One of her popular forms of revenge was cutting up glass and putting it in her siblings’ shoes.

While this is certainly dark behavior for a child to display, Lara knows exactly where all of this is coming from: Grandma Anna.

Her behavior worsens over time. What I’m about to give away next is a big red flag that Shelly holds some serious problems.

At the age of 15, Shelly accuses her father of raping her and informs her school.

While the family knows this to be a complete lie and Shelly quickly admits to making it up, it’s an incredibly horrendous lie to tell. All I could think was, “How dare anyone falsely accuse an individual, let alone their father – the one parent who has been there for them – of such a horrible act?”

Then we learn more about Les. A complete pushover, Les always gave Shelly whatever she wanted and did everything to please her, even after she pulled this terrible stunt. His unwillingness to step up like a parent and discipline his daughter angered me. He’s in part to blame for Shelly’s behavior.

As a result of Shelly’s false accusation, the family enters family therapy and has private sessions with a psychologist. However, none are successful. But, I think it’s important to note that all of this occurred in the 1960s, a time when mental illness wasn’t as well understood as it is today. Medical professionals didn’t have as many answers or treatment options as we do now. If this story occurred present-day, I wonder if Shelly could have been helped?

Due to her false accusation of rape, Shelly is no longer allowed in that school and several other local schools decline her, aware of the incident. Eventually, a Catholic school does accept Shelly, but the staff immediately notices her conniving and manipulative actions and the school doesn’t allow her to return the following year.

Aware that Shelly’s actions can have a profound impact on her siblings, Lara does what she can to keep Shelly away and will gladly send her to anyone, anywhere that will take her. Shelly pulls another stunt, telling her Aunt Katie , her father’s sister, that her parents are mean and abusive. Katie falls for Shelly’s pity party and she and her husband Frank take Shelly for the summer. Shelly causes so much trouble between Katie and Frank that the couple ends up divorcing.

I give Lara so much credit for dealing with Shelly. Lara tries her hardest, in the beginning, to get to know and understand Shelly to develop a relationship with her. She tries to help the troubled child and sought professional help for the family following the false rape accusation, which I don’t think others in this same situation would have done. Many families experience serious problems but they don’t address them or don’t know how to fix them.

Marriage, Motherhood & Mayhem

Shelly marries her boyfriend Randy Rivardo at the young age of 19 and together they have a daughter, Nikki . Shelly, now unemployed as a result of termination from the nursing home her parents own due to not showing up for inexcusable reasons, shows zero interest in working at all. She carries a lazy attitude and believes that money should just be handed to her. So, she insists Randy work and brings in all the income.

Not only does Shelly demand that Randy work to support them financially, but she also wants Randy all to herself and does what she can to isolate him from his family. For example, when Randy’s family sends gifts to Nikki, Shelly secretly destroys them and she tells Randy she doesn’t know what happened to the gifts when he asks about them. When Randy’s family comes to visit, Shelly hides in her room and purposely avoids conversation. The couple fights because of Shelly’s controlling and crazy behavior, and eventually Randy leaves.

Not too long after Randy leaves, Shelly meets and marries her neighbor Danny Long. Together they have a daughter, Sami . Danny is different, in a good way, because he pushes back when Shelly demands something. Shelly is not used to or fond of this reaction. The two of them fight consistently, and Danny leaves.

Then comes David Knotek . Dave, a country boy and Navy Vietnam veteran, has little money and little self-esteem. David is shocked that Shelly shows him any interest. Much emphasis is put on Shelly’s physical beauty. She is described as having gorgeous red hair and a beautiful face that attracted many. I Googled her image and, while she’s good-looking, she isn’t what I’d consider strikingly stunning. It is Shelly’s beauty that lures David to her.

Right from the start of their relationship, Shelly demands that David work and he give her all his earnings. No matter how many hours he works, his earnings are not enough to satisfy Shelly. She repeatedly tells him that he is worthless, no good, a low life, and she shouldn’t have married him. She completely belittles him. David’s insecurities make it easy for Shelly to control and dominate him, and he does whatever she demands, including tormenting her children.

The long hours he works means he isn’t home much of the time to witness what happens at home. Shelly would lie to David and say that the kids misbehaved while he was at work and needed to be punished. David always took Shelly’s word for it. After all, why would his wife make things up? Also, kids are kids and will do bad things, right?

At this time, it’s evident that Shelly’s crazy behavior has taken a deep dive. She relishes in abusing and controlling others and carries out these desires on her children and husband.

What made me immediately hate David was his willingness to execute whatever punishment Shelly requested the kids receive. He never questioned her. One time, Shelly told David to spray Nikki outside with the hose as punishment. Nikki squatted in the yard with no clothes on as David sprayed her with the hose and her mother called her sorts of nasty names.

That’s not punishment. That’s abuse.

Like so many other times Nikki’s parents “punished” her growing up, she couldn’t understand what she had done. But, over time, the kids realize that their mother has major problems and isn’t “normal.”

While David works, Shelly stays home all day with the kids and does nothing to take care of the house. Instead, she orders the children to clean the house and tend to the yard. With a fixation on dominance and humiliation, her daughters must carry out the chores to her satisfaction or risk abuse. Never happy with the work her daughters do, Shelly beats them and tells them that they were worthless, and frequently refers to them as pigs.

The abuse the girls experienced was just as much physical as it was mental. Shelly would take away their beds and sheets so they had to sleep on the cold hardwood floor at night. But that was probably better than the nights they were forced to sleep outside. The girls could only go to the bathroom when Shelly allowed, which she didn’t allow often. Other times they went to the bathroom in a bucket in the attic, locked in there by Shelly. Shelly would limit their food and strip them of their shower privileges so they went hungry and remained dirty. Several times the girls tried to run away, but their mom was like a hawk and found them within what felt like seconds. They’re tortured as a result of trying to run away.

While the girls did attend school and do go on to graduate, Shelly makes it difficult for them by throwing away their homework or taking away their clothing so they are forced to wear the same outfit for some time. I wondered why a teacher or staff member didn’t pick up on the girls’ appearance (dirty clothes, bruises, etc) or why the girls didn’t tell someone at the school. But, the staff does take notice and addresses Sami, who doesn’t want to tell the staff the truth because she knows her mother will manipulate the situation and the school will believe it, and Sami will be beaten for telling.

As the book continues and readers learn more about the torture the girls experienced, the girls also reflect on the good times they shared with their mother. There were times when Shelly acted as a mom should. She’d cook the family a warm meal and let the kids shower and sleep on their beds. She’d even throw the kids birthday parties. But like a light switch, she’d go right back to her sadistic ways. One birthday, Shelly gave Nikki a Cabbage Patch doll that she loved. But Shelly immediately took it away from her.

David and Shelly eventually have a daughter together, Tori , born in 1987. Tori doesn’t remember as much as Nikki or Sami, most likely due to the age gap. Nikki was born in 1974 and Sami in 1978. Nikki, being the oldest, was Shelly’s main target and took the brunt of the torture.

In 1988, Shelly and David take in Shelly’s nephew, Shane Watson , who had been living on and off the streets. His father had a criminal past and his mother had problems. Shane moves in with the Knoteks, and, at first, all seems normal. He thought his aunt and uncle loved him and wanted to help him and for them to all be a family. Of course, that show didn’t last long. Shelly unleashes her controlling and tormenting behavior on Shane and treats him the same as the girls. Shane, unlike the girls, did fight back at first but would eventually give in. He and Nikki shared a close relationship, likely due to their close age and the fact that they were Shelly’s main two targets. Shane always openly said to Nikki how messed up Shelly was and together they’d discuss their dreams of leaving.

Shelly took notice of Shane and Nikki’s closeness and would make them do inappropriate things together to humiliate them like forcing them to wallow together naked. Shane tries to run on more than one occasion but Shelly finds him and punishes him. The focus on Shane fades a little when Kathy Lorengo , Shelly’s hairdresser, comes to live with the Knoteks.

Out of a job and out of money, Kathy accepts Shelly’s generous offer to live at their place until she can get back on her feet. As she did with Shane, Shelly treats Kathy like royalty but it quickly turns violent. Shelly belittles Kathy, takes away her belongings, deprives her of food, cuts her hair, strips her of her clothes, beats her, makes her sleep outside, and disconnects all communication between Kathy and any of her relatives. Kathy tries to run but is always caught. Shelly demands that others take part in torturing Kathy, in which she often instructs Shane to physically hurt Kathy. Shane doesn’t resist or question Shelly’s request.

Shelly tended to feed her victims pills, what seemed to be sleeping pills. But I assume those are likely mixed with other pills. Kathy is so brutally beaten and tormented and fed whatever Shelly gave her that she eventually dies. David and Shane burn her body and David takes the ashes to the ocean near his job to dispose of them.

Needing someone to blame for Kathy’s death, Shelly puts it on Shane. Shelly’s fearful that someone will question the family about what happened to Kathy. To convince herself and everyone else that Shane killed Kathy, Shelly repeatedly states out loud that Shane did it and it’s all his fault Kathy is gone.

Shortly after Kathy’s death, Shane disappears from the book. It’s later revealed that David shot Shane in the back of the head to prevent him from telling someone what happened to Kathy. Shelly instilled fear in everyone’s mind that Shane intended on telling the police what happened. Shelly was great at manipulating people.

A few years go by and Shelly lands a job as a caseworker, although, unsurprisingly, this job doesn’t last long. She doesn’t show up or perform her job duties as requested and is fired as a result. But this is how she meets Ronald Woodworth . A “new friend” of Shelly’s, Ron had helped an elderly woman who owned dozens of cats and was being evicted from her home. Also at this time, Nikki and Sami are grown and have moved out of the house and on with their lives. Since it’s only Shelly and Tori at home, and David occasionally when he’s not working, Tori immediately starts to pick up on her mother’s gruesome ways.

Ron is already super down about the split between him and his partner Gary of 17 years, his father’s recent passing, and losing his home. He’s even suicidal. Therefore, he’s an easy target for Shelly. He moves into the Knotek’s home and, like the children and Kathy, experiences Shelly’s physical and verbal abuse. His possessions are taken from him, he is referred to as worthless and disgusting, receives little to no food, and is made to do yard work without clothing.

Shelly goes as far as to force Ron to physically hurt himself. Shelly instructs him to punch himself in the face repeatedly and he does it. Another time, Shelly instructs David to tell Ron to jump off the roof. David does as Shelly says and Ron does as he is told, jumping off the roof and getting up and doing it again.

Seeing all of this deeply hurts Tori, who sincerely enjoys Ron’s company. He’s described as a funny, sweet, and nice guy. Shelly notices the bond between the two of them and doesn’t accept it. Shelly forces Ron to tell Tori that he doesn’t love her anymore. Although Tori was young at the time, she knew this wasn’t true and her mother forced Ron to say it.

Ron, like everyone before him, tries to make a run for it but is caught and the torture continues.

While this occurs, the truth begins to unravel. Nikki tells her Grandmother Lara in the summer of 2001 that Shelly killed Kathy. Well aware of Shelly’s grisly behavior, Lara believes Nikki and the two go to the police office to make a statement. The police attempt to get in contact with Sami to confirm Nikki’s story, in which they leave a message for her to contact them, but Sami refuses to respond, possibly scared of her mother’s reaction. Sami’s actions angered me since she was covering up her murderous mother’s actions and I felt as though she betrayed her sister. But years of abuse and torture can certainly instill fear.

Meanwhile, James “Mac” McClintock , a Pearl Harbor survivor and friend of Kathy’s mother, Kaye, then comes into the picture. Tori takes a liking to him like she did Ron. Shelly treats him like a king and refers to him as the father she never had. But it’s quickly evident why she treats him so great: he’s old and has money. Mac seems to enjoy Shelly’s company and the two form such a tight friendship that Mac assigns Shelly as power of attorney in 2001. A year later, Mac takes a “terrible fall” and doesn’t survive. Not saddened by his passing, Shelly was left $5,000, his house worth over $140,000, and his dog, Sissy.

As she’s done in the past whenever she received money, it was gone as soon as she received it. Despite how often David worked, the Knotek’s never seemed to have money. If cash wasn’t available, Shelly turned to credit cards, in which she opened credit cards in her daughters’ names and racked them up.

Although Mac’s death was said to be a result of a fall, Shelly blames Ron for his death. I think it’s pretty obvious that Shelly was involved in Mac’s death and she wanted him dead to get his money. But the book doesn’t step into the details of Mac’s death. As Shelly constantly reminds Ron that he killed Mac, Ron accepts what “he did” and apologizes over and over for it. He’s already suffered too much mental, verbal, and physical abuse by her, and cannot escape it, so he accepts whatever she says.

One day in 2003, Dave receives a call from Shelly that Ron tried to kill himself. Shelly takes Ron out of their house and puts him in Mac’s house. Shelly instructs Tori not to tell anyone about Ron, and if anyone asks about him, Tori is to say that he left and is living in Tacoma.

Around this time, Tori begins to experience similar abuse her sisters did by their mother. Nikki and Sami are under the impression that their younger sister is doing okay and not experiencing what they went through. Tori, not knowing any better and not well aware of how her mother treated her sisters, tells Sami she’s doing fine when they talk.

Even though she acknowledges her mother’s violent nature, Sami continues to have a relationship with her mother. I think she stays in contact to not only know how her younger sister Tori is doing, but also because Sami was portrayed as the favorite child. She didn’t receive the same extent of abuse as Nikki or Shane did, and, when she was abused, she often used humor and jokes in reaction.

One day, out of the blue, Shelly calls Sami to tell her that she decided to allow Tori to see her. Sami, now living in Seattle, secretly plans a dinner with Tori and their sister Nikki. After Nikki moved out, Shelly had tried to fill Tori’s head with lies about her older sister disliking her and not being a good person. But when Tori meets Nikki after so many years apart, she’s very fond of her older sister. I think the reuniting of the sisters has a big impact on them, reminding them of their bond as sisters and encouraging them to move the envelope and get their mother put away.

Tori later confides in Sami and tells her that Shelly is physically and verbally abusing her. Sami is broken hearing this as she and Nikki were hoping the abuse would’ve stopped with them. Sami tells Tori that their mother killed Kathy. Sami asks about Ron and Tori says she believes he’s dead. Sami shares this with Nikki and the two know that they need to do something to stop their wicked mother.

As Nikki and Sami discuss a way to save their little sister and get their mother in jail for all she’s done, Ron passes away. Shelly phones David to come home and tells him that she tried to save Ron by performing CPR. While waiting for David to get home, Shelly puts Ron’s body in the freezer. When David gets home, he moves the frozen body, plans a pit, and buries Ron.

On August 6, 2003, Nikki and Sami go to the local county police to tell them everything they knew to be true about their mother. The police didn’t take action when Nikki told them about Kathy a few years back, so Nikki makes it clear to the police that if Ron is dead, the police could have prevented it.

The next day, the police knock on the Knotek’s door, and caseworkers from CPS come to get Tori. Tori whispers to the deputy to get a search warrant and informs him where she purposely moved Ron’s items for police evidence. Tori goes to the station and tells her story. Although she doesn’t describe in grave detail what she experienced or witnessed, her story is enough for police.

Shelly frantically calls Sami unsure what is going on and why CPS took Tori. Sami plays it off as if she’s clueless as to what’s happening. David goes to the police station to get Tori and get answers from the police, but they provide him with no information. Police do, however, ask David about Ron and Kathy. David immediately breaks and tells the police where they are and what happened. After learning this, the police then pick up Shelly at Mac’s house.

A Light at the End of the Tunnel

In 2004, Dave and Shelly are convicted.

David was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Shane and rendering criminal assistance and unlawful disposal of human remains. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Shane. He was paroled in 2016.

Shelly was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Kathy and Ron. She entered an Alford plea, in which she did not admit responsibility but acknowledged the prosecutor’s case against her. She was convicted of second-degree murder and manslaughter for the torture and deaths of Kathy and Ron and was sentenced to 22 years in prison. She is scheduled to be released in 2022 for good behavior.

My Review and Rating

Horrifying, heartrending, and astonishing, this book is a must-read for those who love true crime. It’s a page-turner that will leave you wanting to know more and anticipating justice for the victims. Once I started reading it, I found it practically impossible to put down.

As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, the book is laid out in chronological order so you learn about Shelly’s past. Learning about the relationship with her biological mother and paternal Grandmother and what she experienced early on is important since this may have very well impacted her and caused her to act the way she did.

The ghastly actions by Shelly towards her daughters and her friends, and the fact that husband and dad David stood by and did absolutely nothing to stop the abuse and also took part in heinous crimes, left me inexplicably angry and completely disgusted. I admit I had to put the book down a few times after learning about how the children and friends suffered. But I kept going knowing that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Strength of Sisterhood

Knowing that the sisters had each other and stood by each other kept me hopeful throughout the book. They didn’t let their mother’s sickening behaviors tear them down or tear them apart. Despite the years of hell they experienced, Nikki’s, Sami’s, and Tori’s ability to persevere truly astounds me. I’m moved by their courage, strength, and resilience to overcome all that they did.

Dave Knotek: Willing Participant or Victim?

Without a shadow of a doubt, David was a willing participant. It’s appalling how he could just turn his cheek and not think anything of his wife’s actions or behaviors. Either he was well aware of what was taking place and chose to ignore it or he’s that ignorant. It’s very bothersome when, throughout the book, he backs up his wife’s actions and choices when there were blatant hints that what was going on at home was not right or normal by any means. Was he a victim of his wife? Some may say yes, he suffered too. But I disagree. He had the power to leave, to stop this. He could have saved his children and Shelly’s friends. He chose not to and, therefore, participated in the heinous acts.

Evil Mom to be Released in 2022

When I finished the book I Googled the story and learned that Shelly is set to be released in 2022. I don’t believe at all that she is any different now than she was then. Sure, she aged. It doesn’t mean that she’s no longer mentally ill and is no longer a threat to society.

I hope that this blog brings attention to not only this unfortunately true story, but also the all-too-similar stories of abuse, manipulation, and murder. You can help spread the word about Shelly Knotek, child-abuser and murderer, by sharing this blog.

I gave the book a 5 out of 5-star rating .

GoodReads rates the book a 3.96/5 Scribd rates it a 4.5/5

Have you read If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood ? If so, let me know what you thought about the book in the comments below!

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood

Gregg oslen. thomas & mercer, $24.95 (460p) isbn 978-1-5420-0522-7.

Reviewed on: 10/08/2019

Genre: Nonfiction

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If You Tell Summary

Summary of If You Tell Book by Gregg Olsen

Short summary, life with a filial monster, the not-so-innocent beginnings of shelly knotek.

An innocent-looking egg hatching into a vicious reptilia

The first husband of an uncanny beauty, shelly’s adulthood and the beginning of a criminal life, narcissistic camouflage of a social outlier, how law caught up with the elusive murderers, what is if you tell about.

"If You Tell" is a gripping true crime book that delves into the horrifying story of a family plagued by abuse, murder, and the power of secrets. Gregg Olsen masterfully unravels the tale of three sisters who endured unimaginable torment at the hands of their own mother and stepfather. This chilling account explores the unbreakable bond between siblings as they finally find the courage to confront their past and seek justice for the crimes committed against them.

Who should read If You Tell

True crime enthusiasts seeking a gripping tale of murder and family secrets.

Fans of suspenseful non-fiction books exploring the complexities of sisterhood.

Those interested in the psychological dynamics of dysfunctional families.

Topics in If You Tell

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Short Book Summary

If You Tell Book Summary – By Gregg Olsen

Updated on: December 5, 2023

3 Sentence If You Tell Summary

Gregg Olsen’s “If You Tell” is a chilling true crime tale of survival. It documents the unimaginable abuse suffered by sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori at the hands of their mother and stepfather. These brave siblings confront their past and seek justice, ultimately playing a vital role in delivering it to their abusive parents’ door.

Summary Read Time: Less than 7 minutes

Actual Book Length: 431

First Published in: 2019

Below is the detailed yet quick If You Tell summary:

If you tell summary – part 1.

In 1960, Lara Stallings embarked on a new chapter in her life by marrying Les Watson, but she quickly encountered an unexpected twist: Les had three children from a previous marriage.

Six-year-old Michelle, known as Shelly, her three-year-old brother Chuck, and baby Paul joined their household in Battle Ground, Washington. Lara, undeterred by the revelation of Les’s past and his ex-wife’s struggles, embraced the children with open arms.

However, Lara soon noticed peculiar behavior in Shelly. She dominated her brother Chuck, often speaking for him, and expressed a relentless disdain towards Lara. As Shelly entered her teenage years, her troubling actions escalated.

She engaged in disturbing behaviors like placing glass shards in shoes and improperly handling household chores. In a shocking turn, Shelly claimed to a school counselor that she had been abused by her father, Les.

The allegation led to Shelly’s temporary detention, and during this time, Lara and Les discovered a magazine under Shelly’s mattress with a story mirroring her claim, raising doubts about its veracity.

Medical examination revealed no evidence of abuse, but Shelly was mandated to undergo psychological counseling. Despite multiple therapy sessions, her behavior remained unchanged, leading to her expulsion from school and rejection by other local institutions.

Also Read: The Minister’s Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne

If You Tell summary – Part 2

Shelly, with her striking looks and charm, effortlessly captivated men. She wed Randy, her high school sweetheart, in 1973, following a stint with relatives in Pennsylvania.

Shelly, who had struggled to find a school in Washington, returned and persuaded Randy to join her, offering him a job at her father’s nursing home.

Their marriage in Washington was almost predetermined, catching Randy off guard. He found himself married and, two years later, a father to Nikki, their daughter.

However, hopes that motherhood might mellow Shelly were dashed. She neglected household duties, monopolized Randy’s earnings, and eventually locked him out, leading to his departure and their divorce.

Shelly’s next chapter began with Danny Long, her neighbor in Vancouver, Washington. They married in 1978, and soon after, their daughter Sami was born. This union, much like her first, was tumultuous and ended with Danny fleeing and divorcing Shelly.

Shelly’s third marriage to Dave Knotek brought her to Raymond, Washington. Here, in a secluded house, Shelly’s abusive tendencies intensified.

Dave, unlike her previous husbands, endured her relentless mistreatment, unable to break free from Shelly’s oppressive control. Shelly’s reign of terror, amplified by isolation, showed no signs of abating.

If You Tell summary – Part 3

Nikki, Shelly’s eldest daughter, bore the brunt of her mother’s nocturnal wrath. Shelly would violently wake Nikki at night, accusing her of undefined misdeeds.

The punishments were brutal, often involving physical assault with objects like electrical cords, and didn’t cease until Nikki was bleeding. Amidst this, Shelly hurled vile insults, demeaning Nikki relentlessly.

Shelly’s cruelty extended to a punishment she named “wallowing,” where she forced Nikki to endure humiliation and physical torment outdoors, irrespective of the weather. Nikki would be stripped, made to crawl as Dave sprayed her with a hose, while Shelly berated her.

These ordeals brought Nikki and her sister Sami closer, as they sought solace in each other’s company, dreaming of a world where their mother couldn’t harm them.

Life for Nikki was a harrowing cycle of abuse and fleeting kindness. Sami, while occasionally spared the worst, couldn’t entirely escape Shelly’s fury. Rare moments of remorse from Shelly, like caring for Nikki after a severe injury, were quickly overshadowed by the ongoing cycle of terror.

Despite the severity of their situation, neither Nikki nor Sami disclosed the extent of their suffering to their grandmother, only hinting at their mother’s peculiar behavior.

If You Tell summary – Part 4

In 1988, the Knotek household welcomed a new member, Shane Watson, Shelly’s nephew. Shane’s father, Paul, had fallen into crime and addiction, putting young Shane at risk.

To prevent him from following a similar path, the Knoteks brought him into their home. Shane, a cheerful and engaging boy despite his challenging past, quickly formed a close bond with Nikki and Sami.

Initially, Shelly treated Shane with apparent kindness, providing new clothes and a bedroom. However, this facade soon crumbled, revealing Shelly’s true intentions.

Shane became a prime target for her abusive tactics, suffering extreme and degrading treatment, including being bound with duct tape and subjected to physical and mental torment. Nikki, while empathizing with Shane, found a small sense of relief as the focus of Shelly’s abuse shifted.

The household dynamics further evolved in 1989 with the arrival of Tori, Shelly’s third daughter, and Kathy Loreno, Shelly’s best friend. Kathy, like Shane, was initially welcomed warmly but soon found herself trapped in Shelly’s cycle of abuse. Her health rapidly declined under constant physical and psychological torture.

The situation reached a horrifying climax when Dave discovered Kathy’s lifeless body, a victim of Shelly’s brutality. In a desperate cover-up, Dave and Shane disposed of Kathy’s body, burning it and scattering the remains at sea. This tragic event profoundly impacted the family, yet life under Shelly’s reign of terror continued with little change.

If You Tell summary – Part 5 (Ending)

In 1994, to conceal the truth about Kathy’s fate, Shelly fabricated a story of Kathy eloping with a trucker named Rocky, ingraining this lie into Shane and her daughters. Shane and Nikki knew the grim reality, but Sami clung to the hope that her mother’s tale was true.

Shelly’s paranoia, especially towards Shane, grew, leading her to incessantly whisper suspicions to Dave. Despite his initial resistance, Dave’s will against Shelly’s manipulative demands weakened.

Shelly’s fabrications continued when Shane suddenly disappeared, replaced by a story of him leaving for a job in Alaska. This loss hit Nikki hard, as they had once planned an escape together. Now, Nikki found herself back under Shelly’s abusive scrutiny.

However, things were changing: Nikki, no longer cowering in fear, began to resist her mother’s attacks. After a particularly violent confrontation, Nikki sought refuge with her grandmother, Lara, marking the start of her journey towards freedom.

The dominoes began to fall: Sami, after graduating high school, plotted her escape by pursuing college with Shelly’s reluctant help. Meanwhile, Shelly’s abusive cycle repeated with Ron Woodworth, a new victim in her web of control and cruelty. His life ended tragically under Shelly’s torment. The disposal of his body in the backyard signaled the beginning of the end for the Knoteks.

Nikki’s revelation to the police, bolstered by her sisters’ testimonies, eventually led to Dave’s confession of disposing of bodies and Shelly’s Alford plea, resulting in prison sentences for both . Despite concerns about Shelly’s potential danger post-release, she was freed in 2022, concluding a harrowing chapter in the family’s history.

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A book about books, for book sort of people

I f you’re a book sort of a person, you are really going to enjoy this book, which is a book about books, by a book sort of a person for book sort of people: Nicholas Royle is fast becoming the bibliophile’s bibliophile, the general readers’ Nicholas Basbanes. (Basbanes is the author of the as-yet-unsurpassed A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books, published in 1995, and a must-read for all book collectors, would-be-collectors, or indeed anyone weary with the collectors in their lives. If you think you’re bad, read Basbanes.)

In 2021 Royle published White Spines: Confessions of a Book Collector, about his quest to collect all of the handsome white-spined Picadors published between 1972 and 2000. Shadow Lines might have well subtitled More Confessions of a Book Collector. It begins: “I said to my publisher that I wanted to do a follow-up to White Spines. He said, Sure, go ahead, but make sure it doesn’t feel too much like a follow-up.” It feels exactly like a follow-up, but not in a bad way.

Royle admits that he was considering whether to just stick with his whole white spine shtick and write a book about his hunt for the white-spined King Penguins published between 1981 and 1987, and the white-spined Sceptre paperbacks published between 1986 and 1994 – because, of course, he collects them too. Instead, Shadow Lines is about books in general. It’s about reading while walking, and the Penguin Modern Stories series of anthologies, and the Thomas the Tank engine illustrator C Reginald Dalby, and the bookish work of the artist Mike Nelson, and about books in films, and unread books, and books in dreams, and overheard conversations in bookshops. It is essentially a collection of good old-fashioned, rambling, bookish reminiscences.

But it’s mostly about the “inclusions” that Royle finds in various second-hand books. The title derives from Royle’s eccentric habit of seeking out those books in second-hand bookshops distinguished by what he calls “shadow lines”, the tell-tale mark at the top edge of a book that indicates someone has left something inside – a bus ticket, a postcard, a drawing, anything. While the rest of us might toss away such dreck, Royle cherishes his finds, and indeed does his utmost to reunite them with their original owners, or at least to discover their identity. As you can imagine, this results in some charming and rather peculiar encounters.

If Royle finds a phone number in a book, for example, he promptly calls it, including the number for a “Guardroom”, found in his copy of Standard Arabic, purchased at the Oxfam Bookshop in Herne Hill, alongside a number of inclusions, comprising a map of Cairo, some pages of cryptic notes and instructions, and a list of names which included “the nom de guerre of one of Osama Bin Laden’s twelve bodyguards”. He rings the number, of course: the conversation does not last long.

Even if his sleuthing doesn’t lead him very far, Royle at least googles the names of any previous owners inscribed on a book’s flyleaf or inside cover. Thus, when he buys a second-hand copy of Italo Calvino’s Cosmicomics, and discovers that it once belonged to a Bernard Filson, he does his due diligence: “A retired stockbroker, Bernard Filson sailed his yacht around the world, before returning to this family’s holiday home in the Cumbrian village of Boot and subsequently making Boot his permanent home. Singing in a local choir, taking art classes and becoming a church warden […] In 2007, he was involved in a serious four-vehicle accident on the A595 and died at the scene, leaving a son, two daughters, a brother and a granddaughter.” Bernard is now immortalised on the pages of Shadow Lines.

“My search for inclusions,” explains Royle, “for names of former owners, for phone numbers and email addresses, is not only a fishing expedition but also a reaching-out.” That reaching-out is also sometimes a case of bumping-into. Shadow Lines contains many tales of Royle’s encounters while out reading and walking. Strolling around south Manchester one day, reading Alberto Moravia’s The Voyeur, he wanders past several members of the South Manchester Muslim Walking Group and gets into conversation about books with a woman called Amina: they now follow each other on Instagram.

Among the many detours in the book, Royle recalls having been taught English at Manchester Grammar School by Peter Anthony Scott Farquhar, the man who was murdered by his lover, Ben Field, the tragic story recently dramatised on television as The Sixth Commandment . Shadow Lines very much celebrates the world of books – but it also serves as a poignant reminder of the shadow that eventually falls upon us all.

Shadow Lines is published by Salt at £10.99. To order your copy for £9.99, call 0844 871 1514 or visit Telegraph Books

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Anne Hathaway's New Amazon Movie Is A Reminder To Watch This 25-Year-Old Rom-Com With 84% On RT

The summer i turned pretty season 3: renewal, cast, story & everything we know, 10 biggest details netflix's one day leaves out from the book.

Reading the book behind The Idea of You offers a deeper, more immersive experience in the whirlwind love stories of the romance genre.
Red, White & Royal Blue explores fame and LGBTQ+ identities, offering a refreshing take on romance tropes with globetrotting adventures and exciting locations.
The Love Hypothesis, based on Star Wars fan writing, provides a fun and tension-filled fake dating story, appealing to a wide audience with popular contemporary romance tropes.

The Idea of You has taken the world by storm, and most audience members are aware that the movie is based on a novel of the same name by Robinne Lee, and there is an abundance of books of the same genre available. Many of these books have already gotten screen adaptations because the romance genre is one of the most popular, incentivizing film and TV projects. However, going to the source and reading the books firsthand is a great way to be immersed in the narrative and experience the whirlwind love stories these books make their name on.

The protagonist, Solène (Anne Hathaway), falls head over heels for the frontman of a popular boy band, Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine).

The Idea of You movie makes big changes to the book but ultimately keeps most of the integrity of the novel, making it such a captivating tale. The protagonist, Solène (Anne Hathaway), falls head over heels for the frontman of a popular boy band, Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine). However, the pressures of fame and their age difference quickly get in the way. Though The Idea of You book ends much differently than the movie, both share core elements of the romance genre and explore the pitfalls of being a celebrity, which draws comparisons to similarly effective books.

The Idea of You is available to stream on Prime Video.

10 Red, White & Royal Blue (2019)

Written by casey mcquiston.

Red, White & Royal Blue is an obvious follow-up read after The Idea of You , and it works out that the recent film adaptation also stars Galitzine as one of the central love interests. Fame is also a key part of the story as it revolves around the affair between the President of the United States' son and the Prince of England. This differs from The Idea of You , as both parties are famous and they're exploring their LGBTQ+ identities, but much of the conflict stems from their family's expectations and unwanted comments from the press.

Additionally, since the main characters are living in separate countries in the novel, there are just as many globetrotting and clandestine meetings in exciting locations in Red, White, & Royal Blue as there are in The Idea of You .

Many of the best Red, White, & Royal Blue quotes featured in the movie are drawn from the text, and author Casey McQuiston has written several other books. Their interest in telling diverse stories within the romance genre makes them an author to watch. Additionally, since the main characters are living in separate countries in the novel, there are just as many globetrotting and clandestine meetings in exciting locations in Red, White, & Royal Blue as there are in The Idea of You . Though the movie is solid, the book should be the first stop after watching The Idea of You .

Anne Hathaway's new movie has recently found its way onto Amazon Prime, and the romantic comedy has a lot in common with a classic from 1999.

9 Part Of Your World

Written by abby jimenez.

Abby Jimenez writes the kind of books that wrap the reader up in a warm embrace and encourage them to spend as much time as possible in the brilliantly imagined settings she places her characters in. Part of YourWorld takes its protagonist, Alexis, out of her comfort zone in the city and helps her discover that the small town where she's staying might be a better fit than she thought. It turns out that the slow pace and comfort of small-town living aren't all she likes.

A younger man, Daniel Grant, continues to turn her head no matter how hard she tries to stop it. This is quite similar to how Solène feels about Hayes, and neither couple can stop their chemistry from boiling to the surface. Alexis is torn between choosing the life she knows and her family, or throwing caution to the wind and committing to Daniel. The Idea of You has a larger age gap and complicates things with Hayes' fame. Due to this, Part of Your World is an easier and more comforting read for fans looking for a happily ever after.

8 To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2014)

Written by jenny han.

Though Solène and Hayes have a more mature relationship, To All The Boys provides just as much romantic tension for a younger audience.

Romance novels that focus on teenage and high school love can easily tread familiar territory, or be disregarded by adults who feel they've grown out of this part of the genre. However, the author, Jenny Han proves that reliving the first pangs of young love transcends generations and that small twists on classic tropes can create amazing results. Many of Han's novels have been adapted for the screen, with To All The Boys I've Loved Before getting a whole slate of movies based on the book series.

Though the film is a few years old, the books remain just as fresh today. In the first book of the collection, To All The Boys I've Loved Before , Lara Jean grapples with multiple love interests when all the boys she's ever had a crush on suddenly find out. While this is her worst nightmare at first, she soon starts a fake relationship with her old crush, Peter, but real feelings develop along the way. Though Solène and Hayes have a more mature relationship, To All The Boys provides just as much romantic tension for a younger audience.

7 Meant To Be: A Novel (2022)

Written by emily giffin.

The Idea of You is loosely inspired by Harry Styles , but Hayes and Solène's love story came from the mind of the author, Lee. Drawing inspiration from real people and events is common in literary fiction, especially since so many high-profile love stories are so well-known and received by the public. For Meant To Be , Emily Giffin explored loose elements of the romance between JKF Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, c reating juicy story details at the intersection of fame and political life.

The main characters aren't meant to be direct stand-ins for the Kennedys, but knowing that they serve as the muse for the story makes it more exciting to read. Meant To Be is as much a love story as it is a look at what being American royalty means, and that it takes place in the 1990s is nostalgic for anyone who remembers that time. Cate and Joe, the main characters, face the same kind of scrutiny as Hayes and Solène, but they have more than familial ties that bind them, as Joe's family is threaded through American history.

6 The Hating Game (2016)

Written by sally thorne.

Enemies-to-lovers is one of the most well-worn tropes of the romance genres, but it's a classic for a reason. The 2021 film based on the book, The Hating Game , was released on Hulu but didn't garner the same attention that the source material did. In the novel, Lucy and Josh are workplace rivals, and it's easy for them to mistake their competitive natures and big feelings for hatred instead of attraction. There's no mistaking the attraction between Hayes and Solène, but when it's an intense connection, that can be overwhelming.

Though their careers get in the way, Lucy and Josh are the ultimate sources of their own unhappiness as the fear of getting hurt prevents them from putting themselves out there.

In The Idea of You , it's not the characters who find themselves at odds, but the external factors that come between them and make it hard for their relationship to work. Though their careers get in the way, Lucy and Josh are the ultimate sources of their own unhappiness as the fear of getting hurt prevents them from putting themselves out there. In both books, the characters take big emotional risks to be with the object of their affection, and though it may seem like Solène and Hayes have more to lose, the feelings are just as powerful.

5 The Love Hypothesis (2021)

Written by ali hazelwood.

The Idea of You was only rumored to be based on Harry Styles fan fiction. However, The Love Hypothesis genuinely started as a piece of Star Wars fan writing. There's a film adaptation in the works, but until then, reading The Love Hypothesis is fun for all audiences, even if they aren't Star Wars fans. Additionally, the added setting of academia and fake dating make the story chock-full of all the most popular contemporary romance genre tropes. It turns out that fake dating and hiding a secret relationship often leads to a similar tension within books.

Olive and Adam have a shared interest in science, as Olive is a Ph.D. candidate at Stanford, and Adam is a young professor. However, their similarities end there, and neither one believes that their fictional romance will blossom into something greater. Like The Idea of You , Olive and Adam try to keep each other at arm's length for as long as they can, but the most emotional parts of the book reveal how close they're becoming. Additionally, while their outside relationships push Olive and Adam together, it's those relationships that end up pulling Solène and Hayes apart.

4 The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)

Written by jenny han.

Though each of the books tells a fresh and intriguing story, the first one stands out the most, as the narrative is the tightest, and the love triangle is the best defined.

Though its screen adaptation came later, Han wrote The Summer I Turned Pretty books before the To All The Boys I've Loved Before series. The Summer I Turned Pretty was doubtlessly better suited to a TV show format because of how much ground is covered in the novels. Though each of the books tells a fresh and intriguing story, the first one stands out the most, as the narrative is the tightest, and the love triangle is the best defined. One of the biggest differences between the Summer books and The Idea of You is this love triangle.

Belly, the central figure, is torn between her feelings for two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, whom she's known since she was little, but their dynamic is different now that they've all grown up. Belly is a lot younger than Solène, but Belly's discovery of her romantic feelings and first steps toward expressing her sexuality is similar to Solène's rediscovering of hers later in life. Additionally, Conrad is a few years older than Belly, which strains their relationship and is used to hurt each other, as in The Idea of You .

Ever since season 2 arrived on Amazon Prime, viewers have already started looking forward to The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3.

3 Just For The Summer (2024)

Published a few years after Part of Your World , Just for the Summer shows how much Jimenez has grown as an author in a short time, and what she's discovered about love. Like The Idea of You , the book takes place during a fateful summer when both parties believe they can have a whirlwind romance and forget the whole thing by fall. However, their family responsibilities and the outside world start creeping into their perfect romance, forcing them to decide if they want it to be real.

Like Solène, the protagonists, Emma and Justin, have been unlucky in love and are looking to jolt themselves out of this by dating each other. This allows them to reclaim their love lives and put themselves out there in a way they haven't in a while. It's part of Jimenez's larger series that started with Part of Your World but can easily be read on its own as well. Like Hayes and Solène, their romance starts out innocently, and neither expects to fall in love, but they find themselves leaning on each other in times of crisis.

2 One Day (2009)

Written by david nicholls.

Plenty of romance novels need TV adaptations after One Day , the iteration of David Nicholls' novel that made waves with the film version in 2011. What makes the story so rich that producers keep mining it for more adaptations is the timeless nature of the love story and the sweeping narrative that tracks the growth of two people. Taking place over twenty years, Dexter and Emma find themselves linked after spending the night together during graduation. Though they follow different paths, their connection keeps them returning to each other time and again.

Dexter and Emma go through intense hardship and acutely feel the pain of growing up, but that only makes their story more relatable.

Like the book ending of The Idea of You , One Day has a bittersweet conclusion that separates it from pure romance, making it closer to adult fiction. Dexter and Emma go through intense hardship and acutely feel the pain of growing up, but that only makes their story more relatable. One Day also includes an element of fame as Dexter briefly achieves notoriety on television, which comes between himself and Emma. The book also fully fleshes out its characters as individuals within the relationship, something that The Idea of You strives for.

Though the One Day series is very faithful to the book overall, there are a few details that it leaves out, creating key differences between them.

1 Daisy Jones And The Six (2019)

Written by taylor jenkins reid.

The fictional band, Daisy Jones and the Six share their name with the title of the book that tells their story by Taylor Jenkins Reid. By being written through a series of interviews about the heyday of this Fleetwood Mac-esque rock group from the 1970s, Daisy Jones and the Six plays with form to show how each band member remembers things differently. Using perspective changes and unreliable narrators, the audience slowly pieces together the truth of what happened between Daisy and Billy, and why the group broke up.

Daisy and Billy are two sides of the same coin who love their music but use fame and drugs as an escape from the feelings they don't know how to handle. Though The Idea of You is less concerned with Hayes' musical career and singing ability, it's still a significant part of his identity. In this way, Daisy and Billy are even more compatible than Hayes and Solène because they share the drive to perform and create. There are also parallels between both bands in the books being on the road and exploring themselves through this.

The Idea of You (2024)

Based on the acclaimed, contemporary love story of the same name, The Idea of You centers on Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom who begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. When Solène must step in to chaperone her teenage daughter’s trip to the Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails at the last minute, she has a chance encounter with Hayes and there is an instant, undeniable spark. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn’t long before Hayes’ superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.

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If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood

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If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood Paperback – December 1, 2019

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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.

Print length 429 pages
Language English
Publication date December 1, 2019
Dimensions 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
ISBN-10 154200523X
ISBN-13 978-1542005234
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Editorial Reviews

“This riveting account will leave readers questioning every odd relative they’ve known.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Olsen presents the story chronologically and in a simple, straightforward style, which works well: it is chilling enough as is.” — Booklist

“An unsettling stunner about sibling love, courage, and resilience.” — People Magazine (book of the week)

“ If You Tell accomplishes what it sets out to do. The result is a compelling portrait of terror and a powerfully honest, yet still sensitive, look at survival.” —Bookreporter

“This disturbing book recounts the unimaginable abuse and torture three sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek endured from their own mother, Shelly…the strong bond they form to survive and defy their mother’s sadistic tendencies is inspiring.” — BuzzFeed

“A true-crime tour de force.” —Steve Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of No Stone Unturned

“Even the most devoted true-crime reader will be shocked by the maddening and mind-boggling acts of horror that Gregg Olsen chronicles in this book. Olsen has done it again, giving readers a glimpse into a murderous duo that’s so chilling, it will have your head spinning. I could not put this book down!” —Aphrodite Jones, New York Times bestselling author

“A suspenseful, horrific, and yet fascinating character study of an incredibly dysfunctional and dangerous family by Gregg Olsen, one of today’s true-crime masters.” —Caitlin Rother, New York Times bestselling author

“There’s only one writer who can tell such an intensely horrifying, psychotic tale of unspeakable abuse, grotesque torture, and horrendous serial murder with grace, sensitivity and class…A riveting, taut, real-life psychological suspense thrill ride…All at once compelling and original, Gregg Olsen’s If You Tell is an instant true-crime classic.” —M. William Phelps, New York Times bestselling author

“We all start life with immense promise, but in our first minute, we cannot know who’ll ultimately have the greatest impact on our lives, for better or worse. Here, Gregg Olsen—the heir apparent to legendary crime writers Jack Olsen and Ann Rule—explores the dark side of that question in his usual chilling, heartbreaking prose. Superb and creepy storytelling from a true-crime master.” —Ron Franscell, author of Alice & Gerald: A Homicidal Love Story

“A master of true crime returns with a vengeance. After a decade detour into novels, Gregg Olsen is back with a dark tale of nonfiction from the Pacific Northwest that will keep you awake long after the lights have gone out. The monster at the heart of If You Tell is not your typical boogeyman, not some wandering drifter or man in a van. No. In fact, they called her…mother. And yet this story is about hope and renewal in the face of evil and how three sisters can find the goodness in the world after surviving the worst it has to offer. Classic true crime in the tradition of In Cold Blood and The Stranger Beside Me .” —James Renner, author of True Crime Addict

“This nightmare walked on two legs and some of her victims called her mom. In If You Tell , Gregg Olsen documents the horrific mental and physical torture Shelly Knotek inflicted on everyone in her household. A powerful story of cruelty that will haunt you for a long time.” —Diane Fanning, author of Treason in the Secret City

“Bristling with tension, gripping from the first pages, Gregg Olsen’s masterful portrait of children caught in the web of a coldly calculating killer fascinates. A read so compelling it kept me up late into the night, If You Tell exposes incredible evil that lived quietly in small-town America. That the book is fact, not fiction, terrifies.” —Kathryn Casey, bestselling author of In Plain Sight

About the Author

#1 New York Times and Amazon Charts bestselling author Gregg Olsen has written more than thirty books, including Lying Next to Me , The Last Thing She Ever Did , and two novels in the Nicole Foster series, The Sound of Rain and The Weight of Silence . Known for his ability to create vivid and fascinating narratives, he’s appeared on multiple television and radio shows and news networks, such as Good Morning America , Dateline , Entertainment Tonight , CNN, and MSNBC. In addition, Olsen has been featured in Redbook , People , and Salon magazine, as well as in the Seattle Times , Los Angeles Times , and New York Post . Both his fiction and nonfiction works have received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including prominence on the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. Washington State officially selected his young adult novel Envy for the National Book Festival, and The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year.

A Seattle native who lives with his wife in rural Washington State, Olsen’s already at work on his next thriller. Visit him at www.greggolsen.com.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer (December 1, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 429 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 154200523X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542005234
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
#9 in Serial Killers True Accounts
#17 in Murder & Mayhem True Accounts

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About the author

Gregg olsen.

I live in rural Washington State (about a mile as the crow flies from Dr. Linda Burfield Hazzard's infamous Starvation Heights sanatarium). My thriller, THE LAST THING SHE EVER DID was an Amazon Charts bestseller. LYING NEXT TO ME was a reader favorite, charting at No. 1 in the Kindle store and the bestseller's list at the Washington Post. My true crime book, IF YOU TELL, found a home on Amazon Charts for more than 140 weeks. In fact, it was the bestselling Kindle ebook of 2020 (and the second-bestselling of 2021). I've been a guest on Dateline NBC, NPR, Good Morning America, The Early Show, FOX News, CNN, Anderson Cooper, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, 20/20, Snapped, Deadly Women, William Shatner's Aftermath, and A&E's Biography. You can find out more about me at www.NotoriousUSA.com.

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Gavin Newsom is writing a book. Is he hoping to take a page from Obama?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is shown in the spin room at a GOP presidential debate.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom is working on his third book, a memoir that will allow him to tell his life’s story to a national audience that may not know much about the Democratic governor who will leave office in 2½ years.

Boosting his national image has become a regular feature of Newsom’s second and final term as governor, as he’s traveled the country to stump for President Biden’s reelection , attack Republicans and appear on cable news shows. Newsom has said he’s not interested in running for president, but writing a memoir may be his most overt move yet that indicates otherwise.

“The governor is writing a book, and he looks forward to sharing it whenever it is completed,” said Nathan Click, a spokesperson for Newsom, when asked about the project.

Gov. Gavin Newsom talks, gesturing with his left hand, as he gives the inaugural address after taking the oath of office

Newsom launches national campaign to fight ‘authoritarian leaders’

With $10 million in campaign funds, Gov. Gavin Newsom opened a new federal political action committee dubbed the “Campaign for Democracy” to boost Democrats in the 2024 election.

March 30, 2023

Politicians seeking to introduce themselves to more voters routinely publish an autobiographical book as they explore whether to launch a campaign. A litany of presidential candidates — successful and not — have written books before they embarked on runs, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Ron Desantis and Sen. Bernie Sanders, to name a few.

The promotional tours that typically accompany a book release provide opportunities to meet voters in swing states and appear on a range of media platforms.

David Axelrod, former adviser to President Obama and CNN analyst, recalled how the 44th president released his second book “Audacity of Hope” in fall of 2006, months before he announced his run for president. The tour gave him a reason to speak to audiences who were unfamiliar with the then junior Senator from Illinois.

That book and Obama’s memoir were both successful, Axelrod said, because they were bracingly authentic and did not come off as canned stories told by a politician. When Axelrod had Newsom on his podcast last year, the governor talked about his struggles with dyslexia and the challenges of his upbringing with divorced parents.

On the podcast, Newsom described the juxtapositions he experienced growing up in San Francisco where his father, an attorney who managed the trust of the Getty family of oil heirs, exposed him to a world of wealth and privilege that included safaris to Africa, while his mother struggled financially.

“When politicians are revealing in these books, they truly give you a window into something. Not a lot of politicians do that, especially practicing ones,” Axelrod said.

“The temptation is to tell the story with some gloss on it because you think that’s the story that will be most salable. Newsom has a really interesting life. This could be a great book. What I learned from sitting down with him is he presents more like a Getty than a Newsom, but what he has is a story of real struggle and triumph over those struggles. That’s a good story.”

SAN LEANDRO, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Vice President Kamala Harris joins California Governor Gavin Newsroom at a rally against the upcoming gubernatorial recall election at the IBEW-NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Center on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 in San Leandro, CA. The recall election, which will be held on September 14, 2021, asks voters to respond two questions: whether Newsom, a Democrat, should be recalled from the Office of Governor, and who would succeed Newsom should he be recalled. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

California Politics: Obama’s strategist evaluates Newsom

Highlights from my conversation with David Axelrod

Feb. 3, 2023

Newsom has been working on the book over the last four years, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter who declined to be named in order to discuss private conversations. It’s not clear when the book will be published or which publisher is involved.

Newsom’s prior books were published by imprints of Penguin Random House. His first, “Citizenville, How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government,” was co-written with Lisa Dickey and surveyed Silicon Valley leaders about how data could be better used to make government decisions.

The book was informed by his time as San Francisco mayor and came out in 2013 after he’d been elected lieutenant governor. His second foray into publishing was a children’s book, “Ben and Emma’s Big Hit ,” which he co-wrote with Ruth Shamir and Alexandra Thompson illustrated.

The book focused on a young boy’s love of baseball and attempts to overcome his struggles with dyslexia. The story was inspired by Newsom’s own history with dyslexia , which he said he discovered he had in fifth grade. The learning issue caused him to fall behind in school and other children viewed him as the “slow kid,” he told The Times in a 2021 interview.

Newsom said he was hesitant to talk about his experience with dyslexia for decades and he later realized that the learning disorder was a gift that forced him to work harder than his competitors.

In the interview, Newsom said stories about his connection to the Gettys belied his actual upbringing. But the more he attempted to recast the narrative about his life, he said, the more people pushed back.

“I’m not the person that I see in those headlines, the Gavin-Getty articles that have been written 3000 times,” Newsom said. “I mean, at a certain point, you just give up.”

Column: You can relax, Gavin: Biden showed he’s not a doddering old man

March 11, 2024

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Sacramento on Feb. 27.

Column: Sore losers are trying to recall Newsom, again. They’re robbing voters of their voice

March 1, 2024

Schwarzenegger says L.A. Times columnist George Skelton inspired him to run for governor

Jan. 17, 2024

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Benjamin Oreskes covers state and national politics for the Los Angeles Times. Previously, he covered City Hall, homelessness and wrote the Essential California newsletter. Before coming to The Times in February 2017, he covered foreign policy at Politico in Washington, D.C.

Taryn Luna covers Gov. Gavin Newsom and California politics in Sacramento for the Los Angeles Times.

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Tell us, Tom Selleck: Who are you, really?

The 79-year-old actor opens up — kind of — in his memoir, “You Never Know.”

Unlike Ben Franklin, who arrived in Philadelphia after a long journey by foot and boat, with enough money to buy three puffy rolls, Tom Selleck entered Los Angeles in the family car, dad at the wheel, ready to settle down in Sherman Oaks, a short drive from Hollywood.

Though Franklin is not mentioned in Selleck’s memoir, “ You Never Know ,” his work ethic and didacticism are widely evident. Another great American is also present: Huck Finn. By combining Franklin’s homiletic pronouncements with Huck’s folksy immediacy of voice, Selleck, along with co-writer Ellis Henican, has created an easygoing, talky American memoir.

And why not? Sturdy as Mount Rushmore, athletic and eminently likable, Selleck exudes traditional American masculine traits; he’s the very embodiment of the strong, silent type. But silence can be a hazard when it comes to writing a memoir, which after all is a genre of self-reflection, confession and exposure.

Known for his privacy, Selleck has written a what book instead of a why book, a chronology of doing , as he writes about his life. As he says late in the book, “Feelings are hard to describe.” So readers can decide if they’re satisfied with a résumé — a running of the credits, if you will.

I like Tom Selleck, and while waiting for the book to arrive, I watched a lot of his movies and shows. Though I find the memoir disappointing, it will make a great audiobook, and I wonder if that’s what he had in mind, letting his easygoing voice tell a story that is soothing because he keeps it on the surface.

A quick list of some doings: student at USC, where a drama professor referred him to a Hollywood agent; acting classes to improve his “instrument”; joined California Army National Guard in 1967; appeared on “The Dating Game”; TV commercials; print ads; B movies, then better ones; survived the Hollywood cattle calls until he was chosen for a new TV show titled “Magnum, P.I.” By now it’s 1980, and Selleck is 35. He’s paid his dues and lived up to his principle of “Don’t know where I’m goin’, but there’s no use bein’ late.” Hi, Huck.

This Hollywood education exposes a ruthless industry that both tests and forms Selleck’s values. He sums up his success by quoting Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence,” a very Franklinesque aphorism. But, despite Selleck’s persistence, he wrestles with the “critic on my shoulder,” that voice that says you’re not good enough. Soon, though, another phrase — a mantra, really — takes its place: “Tom, you’re good enough.”

The book gives us a lot of doing and name-dropping. We may learn about the risqué incident when Carol Burnett had her legs around Selleck’s neck, and his photo shoot with a naked Barbara Parkins, but we learn nothing about his love life — according to my research outside the book, he’s been involved with more than three famous actresses — and little about his first marriage. He dilutes his inward thoughts with vague phrasing such as “I kinda knew,” “I don’t know why … well, actually, yes, I do know why,” or “I sit here, pen in hand, trying to explain my emotions … I can’t.”

Such coy deflections and elisions try our patience and may leave some of us wondering why he wrote a memoir if he can’t express feelings. Instead, we get clichés like “In the film business, work is waiting for you every day, and you owe it your commitment every day” and repetitions of the line he uses in his TV commercials for reverse mortgages: “This isn’t my first rodeo.” In his memoir, does Selleck have difficulty separating himself from the characters he depicts? He’s selling himself to his readers, and we’ll buy it because we like him and he’s a good actor, but cliché and evasion erode intimacy .

Ten chapters detail the creation and success of “Magnum, P.I.,” and we learn much about television production and its grueling deadlines, and that actors chew ice before doing a scene so their breath won’t show up on camera. We also learn how loyal and dedicated Selleck is to his crew, those folks who make our favorite shows possible. During the last season of “Magnum,” Selleck asked his network to give his hard-working team of seven years a bonus; the studio refused. So Selleck arranged to have his own bonus docked and gave $1,000 to each crew member. Commendable.

“Magnum” is firmly part of what scholar Susan Jeffords calls the “remasculinization of America,” a post-Vietnam cultural shift that, through films and popular culture, reinvigorated hypermasculine images and traditional male values. “Magnum” featured a Vietnam veteran, an ex-Navy SEAL, who relocates to Hawaii and becomes a private investigator. He became a character millions of men admire and emulate. But Selleck says little about his longest-lived iteration of American masculinity, Frank Reagan of the TV hit “Blue Bloods,” now in its 14th and final season. A lifelong Republican, Selleck, I’m sure, enjoys playing a character who has the same last name as a president he admires.

Reagan is an aging patriarch who wields his masculinity both as the NYPD police commissioner and as a father who sits at the head of the table during family Sunday dinners. Selleck does not share what it’s like playing this older man who covers up his body with an overcoat and a cowl-neck sweater. Instead, we’re told the business details of “Blue Bloods,” not its personal impact on its star.

Selleck is completely silent about the nine “Jesse Stone” TV movies he made beginning in 2005. Stone, a cop, does open up, revealing both the whats and the whys of his character, especially in the exchanges between him and his male therapist. Selleck is also at his sexiest, lounging in bed, the famous chin doubling as he reaches for his reading glasses. How does a masculine icon age? Selleck doesn’t say.

Closing on a pastoral note in the epilogue, the 79-year-old actor walks around his ranch and checks the water tanks he needs for his avocado crop while reminiscing about the stories he’s just told us and the ones he’s keeping to himself. In the book’s penultimate sentence he writes, “I am the steward of those stories, the same way I am steward of my land.” Unsurprisingly, Selleck fails to mention his allegedly improper transfer of over 1 million gallons of water onto “my land” in 2015.

It’s hard to separate the dancer from the dance, the mustache from the man, but not impossible. Memoir is supposed to puncture the facade of performance, or at least try to. Perhaps Selleck will trust his audience enough to write a more intimate sequel. He’s been speaking to us for a long while now, and I’m sure he has more to say.

Sibbie O’Sullivan, a former teacher in the Honors College at the University of Maryland, is the author of “My Private Lennon: Explorations From a Fan Who Never Screamed.”

Tom Selleck

You Never Know

By Tom Selleck with Ellis Henican

Dey Street. 352 pp. $29.99

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The Idea of You author reacts to movie's ending changes: 'That's not the story I wanted to tell'

"Hollywood's going to do what they're going to do, and they're going to throw a happy ending on everything. I don't know why," Robinne Lee says.

Sydney Bucksbaum is a writer at Entertainment Weekly covering all things pop culture – but TV is her one true love. She currently lives in Los Angeles but grew up in Chicago so please don't make fun of her accent when it slips out.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Idea of You .

The Idea of You wants to make you cry at the end.

But whether those are happy or sad tears all depends on whether you're reading Robinne Lee's 2017 novel or watching the Prime Video adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine because the movie completely changes the ending in a surprise twist.

Lee's smash hit book introduces the unconventional but intense age-gap romance between 40-year-old divorced single mom Solène and 24-year-old British boy band member Hayes Campbell. And while they both try to make their genuine relationship work for a long time, by the end, Solène is convinced it's impossible. Due to the negative impact on her young daughter, her business, and basically her entire life, she breaks up with Hayes (multiple times since it doesn't really stick on her first attempt). The book ends tragically with Solène never really getting over her love, while Hayes eventually moves on and never contacts her again.

Courtesy of Prime

But the movie completely flips the scripts to give Solène (Hathaway) and Hayes (Galitzine) the happy ending they never had in the book. A time jump of five years after their breakup reveals that Hayes (Galitzine) has successfully started his solo career outside of August Moon, and he lives up to his promise to find Solène five years later once her daughter is old enough not to be as affected by their relationship. He shows up at her gallery, and her tear-filled smile says it all. They're getting the happy ending no one ever expected — especially the book's author.

"I was not involved at all in the adaptation," Lee tells Entertainment Weekly . "I have not even spoken to [director] Michael [Showalter] yet, but I'm looking forward to meeting him, so no, I haven't spoken to him about any changes. My husband's a producer on this, and he's spoken to him, and so he has reported back to me about Michael's changes, so I know some of the reasons he did things he chose to do."

Lee doesn't feel betrayed by how different the movie is from her original book because she understands that adapting something for the screen is no easy feat. "The book is a book, and the movie is a movie," she says. "You have to step away and let the filmmakers do what they're going to do and not get too concerned with what it is you've created and when it stops because it's a completely different medium. Adaptations are always a tricky thing because books are so much more cerebral, and you're reading the character's thoughts, and it's hard to convey character's thoughts in a film, so there's going to be changes."

She was always bracing herself for how her story would change for the movie, and she still hopes that fans of her book can find something new to love in the movie. But she never intended to give Solène and Hayes a happy ending and was surprised to see them get one in the epilogue.

"It's America — Hollywood's going to do what they're going to do, and they're going to throw a happy ending on everything," Lee says. "I don't know why. You hope they'll keep to what you've written because it meant something to you, but you also have to think about the box office and viewers and what their audience is going to want to see. Even though there's obviously a huge overlap between readers and movie viewers, I think when you are gearing something towards a movie audience, it's a slightly different fanbase, and maybe American viewers are not ready for [a sad ending]."

Alisha Wetherill/Prime

While Lee understands most people want to "leave and feel happy" after seeing a movie, she feels the opposite. " Titanic was a huge success — I love crying and I cried for three days and then I went back and went back and went back," Lee explains. "It is the only movie I've seen in the theater four times because I like to cry. And you'll know I like to cry when you read my book. Crying makes me feel like I'm alive."

As for whether the book version of Solène and Hayes could also have a happy ending years later, Lee isn't too enthusiastic about the idea. "I mean, the movie ending could have happened in the book too, I suppose, years down the line," she says. "But that's not the story I wanted to tell. I wanted to make a point about how, as women, we put others' happiness before our own. She chose her daughter before Hayes, and she was also very aware that she was disappointing her best friend, Lulit, her business partner and the co-owner of her gallery, which was suffering from the Hayes relationship. She had to put those other things first. It would've been lovely if she could have balanced all three, but at that point in time, she couldn't."

Lee stresses that she wanted the entire romance and story to "feel real," especially with how it ends. "I wanted it to feel like you were reading this woman's diary," she explains. "It's something that had really happened to her, and she'd gotten caught up in this role and romance, and it almost destroyed her and everything around her, and she had to let it go."

While the book seems to definitively end Solène and Hayes's story, Lee isn't totally opposed to revisiting their relationship in a future book. "Maybe years down the line, I'll go back, and I'll give them more time together," she says. "But we'll see."

Another seemingly small change that actually has a massive impact on the story is how the movie ages Hayes up from 20 to 24. While the age gap is still an issue despite the change, the book version of Hayes can't drink legally, which causes a lot of issues in both the text and subtext.

"It does change things," Lee says. "I had to make it feel a little unsafe. I wasn't going to make him illegal, but I wanted it to raise eyebrows. I felt like 24 was playing it too safe. I mean, at my age now, 24 sounds crazy, but when I was writing the book 10 years ago, 20 sounded like just the edge of crazy. My friends would be like, 'You're losing your mind, but you're not breaking any laws. So if you're enjoying it ... '"

And it all turned out okay... at least, it does in the movie.

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly 's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

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If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood

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If You Tell Summary and Study Guide
Overview. If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen is narrative nonfiction true crime book published in 2019. It documents the story of Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek, sisters who survived living with their mother, Shelly Knotek, who would ultimately be responsible for the infamous ...
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, an…
This is the first time i've ever given a book 1 star. I usually say you shouldn't rate a book you haven't finished but after 275 pages of this book i'll give it one star. This is a true story of abuse that shelly knotek inflicted on her children and those around her. ... If You Tell by Gregg Olsen is a non-fiction/true crime book and I ...
Book Summary
This article is a summary of book 'If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood', inclue TL;DR, Authors Introduction, Writing Background, Key Insights, Chapter Summary, Conclution and Others. ... If You Tell is a chilling true-crime story that follows the harrowing experiences of three sisters at ...
If You Tell Summary and Key Themes
The book culminates in the powerful reconnection of the sisters, now free from their mother's tyranny. Sami gains guardianship of Tori, and together, they rebuild their lives, their bond unbroken by the horrors they survived. ... Summary of If You Tell by Gregg Olsen:: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of ...
Book Summary: If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
If You Tell is a true crime book written by Gregg Olsen. The book explores the harrowing story of Brenda Heistand, a woman who was raped and tortured by her ex-boyfriend, Jerry, for over a year. The book delves into the psychological and physical abuse that Brenda endured at the hands of her abuser, and how she finally found the courage to ...
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the
My true crime book, IF YOU TELL, found a home on Amazon Charts for more than 140 weeks. In fact, it was the bestselling Kindle ebook of 2020 (and the second-bestselling of 2021). I've been a guest on Dateline NBC, NPR, Good Morning America, The Early Show, FOX News, CNN, Anderson Cooper, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, Extra, Access ...
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the
A read so compelling it kept me up late into the night, If You Tell exposes incredible evil that lived quietly in small-town America. That the book is fact, not fiction, terrifies." —Kathryn Casey, bestselling author of In Plain Sight. From the Publisher. Karen Peakes narrates this true-crime story of Shelly Knotek, a woman who knew no bounds.
If You Tell Book Summary by Gregg Olsen
1-Page Summary 1-Page Book Summary of If You Tell. In If You Tell, Gregg Olsen describes how notorious abuser and murderer Shelly Knotek, with the help of her husband Dave, abused their three daughters, as well as how the couple abused, tortured, and murdered two friends and their nephew.Olsen examines how the three daughters survived and how their bond ultimately led to their mother's arrest.
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the
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 ...
IF YOU TELL
Given most readers' preference for easily explained and neatly concluded crime narratives, Godfrey's resolute refusal to impose false order on the chaos of a murder spawned by rumors and lies is commendable. A tour-de-force of true crime reportage. 5. Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2005. ISBN: -7432-1091-3.
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the
We offer you a deeper guide, summaries, and analysis of Gregg Olsen's book " If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood ," you'll enter the terrifying world of the Knotek sisters, Nikki, Sami, and Tori, who endured unimaginable abuse at the hands…
If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
If You Tell - A True Crime Book Review. Published in 2019, author Gregg Olsen's If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood is a true crime novel that documents the lives of sisters Nikki , Sami, and Tori Knotek who survived physical and verbal abuse by their mother, Michelle "Shelly ...
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood Gregg Oslen. Thomas & Mercer, $24.95 (460p) ISBN 978-1-5420-0522-7
If You Tell Summary
Short summary. This is a story of three sisters, now grown women, living entirely different lives but connected by a haunting past. Nikki, Sami, and Tori Knotek occasionally confront horrifying and youthful memories about their mother by busying themselves with individual endeavors. However, like flowing waters, the memories repeatedly seek out ...
If You Tell Book Summary
3 Sentence If You Tell Summary. Gregg Olsen's "If You Tell" is a chilling true crime tale of survival. It documents the unimaginable abuse suffered by sisters Nikki, Sami, and Tori at the hands of their mother and stepfather. These brave siblings confront their past and seek justice, ultimately playing a vital role in delivering it to ...
Summary of If You Tell by Gregg Olsen: A True Story of Murder, Family
This book provides a detailed summary of the true crime book If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bonds of Sisterhood by Gregg Olson. Gregg Olson divides his book into parts, which divide the life of Shelly Knotek by the events that happened during different times in her life.
Summary of If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family
Summary of If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen. Bobby Busick. ... Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book! Community Reviews.
If You Tell
Is it any wonder that these girls were afraid to tell what was going on.?How could they trust the adults especially when they first reported the crimes nothing was done. Answer. Readers' questions about If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood. 18 questions answered.
A book about books, for book sort of people
Royle admits that he was considering whether to just stick with his whole white spine shtick and write a book about his hunt for the white-spined King Penguins published between 1981 and 1987, and ...
10 Books To Read If You Love The Idea Of You
Many of the best Red, White, & Royal Blue quotes featured in the movie are drawn from the text, and author Casey McQuiston has written several other books. Their interest in telling diverse stories within the romance genre makes them an author to watch. Additionally, since the main characters are living in separate countries in the novel, there are just as many globetrotting and clandestine ...
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the
My true crime book, IF YOU TELL, found a home on Amazon Charts for more than 140 weeks. In fact, it was the bestselling Kindle ebook of 2020 (and the second-bestselling of 2021). I've been a guest on Dateline NBC, NPR, Good Morning America, The Early Show, FOX News, CNN, Anderson Cooper, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, Extra, Access ...
Gavin Newsom is writing a book. Is he hoping to take a page from Obama
"The temptation is to tell the story with some with gloss on it because you think that's the story that will be most salable. Newsom has a really interesting life. This could be a great book.
Review
The book gives us a lot of doing and name-dropping. We may learn about the risqué incident when Carol Burnett had her legs around Selleck's neck, and his photo shoot with a naked Barbara ...
Stormy Daniels Describes Sexual Encounter With Trump and Is Grilled by
Ms. Daniels will return to the stand on Thursday after detailing the liaison she says she had with Donald J. Trump and the hush-money payment she took from his longtime fixer. Lawyers for Mr ...
'The Idea of You' author reacts to movie's twist ending: 'Not the story
Lee's smash hit book introduces the unconventional but intense age-gap romance between 40-year-old divorced single mom Solène and 24-year-old British boy band member Hayes Campbell.
What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilien…
This book is going to change the way you see your life. ... All in all this was a great book, and the authors manage to tell about rather complex issues in an understandable way. ... Summary: this book didn't work for me but I appreciate any books written in the mental health space especially by beloved celebs. DNF.

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood

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1. Resilience and Strength of Sisterhood

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If You Tell Book Summary – By Gregg Olsen

3 Sentence If You Tell Summary

Below is the detailed yet quick If You Tell summary:

If You Tell summary – Part 2

If You Tell summary – Part 3

If You Tell summary – Part 4

If You Tell summary – Part 5 (Ending)

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A book about books, for book sort of people

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