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

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars | 162,462 ratings

Price: 21.88

Last update: 01-11-2025


About this item

2021 Audie Award Nominee for Best Nonfiction Audiobook

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.


Top reviews from the United States

LatinaPhD.Abroad
5.0 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Haunting and Powerful True Crime Story
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024
Gregg Olsen’s “If You Tell” is a chilling, true crime narrative that delves into the disturbing and heartbreaking story of survival against unimaginable abuse. It’s an unsettling but gripping account that sheds light on the strength of the human spirit even in the darkest circumstances.

Olsen does an excellent job presenting the facts of the Knotek family’s horrifying experiences while maintaining empathy for the survivors. The narrative is well-paced, allowing readers to process the shocking events while slowly unraveling the full extent of the abuse endured by Shelly Knotek’s daughters and others who fell victim to her cruelty. The fact that this is a true story makes it even more compelling and difficult to put down.

What stood out to me was how Olsen captured the resilience of the Knotek sisters. Despite the trauma they endured, their courage and determination to survive and ultimately seek justice is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The book also raises important questions about family, trust, and how abuse can hide behind closed doors.

While the subject matter is undoubtedly heavy, Olsen’s writing is clear and direct, making the story accessible without sensationalizing the tragedy. For fans of true crime, “If You Tell” is a must-read—both deeply disturbing and a testament to the strength of survivors.
Noelia
4.0 out of 5 stars Enrage and sadness all at once - MUST READ
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024
Emotional Impact:

If You Tell is a harrowing true story that evokes deep feelings of rage and sadness. The narrative is both heartbreaking and frustrating, making it a challenging read. It's one of the most disturbing stories I've encountered, and it left a profound emotional impact.

Story vs. Writing:

The book's strength lies in its true story, which is one of unimaginable cruelty and resilience. While some readers have criticized the writing for being repetitive and leaving questions unanswered, it's important to recognize the limitations the author faced. The lack of complete answers reflects the reality that even the survivors—the sisters—may not fully understand the events or motivations behind them.

Criticisms and Perspectives:

Many reviews focus on the desire to understand the "why" behind Shelly's actions and the lack of earlier intervention by authorities. However, the book is not intended to provide all the answers. Instead, it serves to shed light on the sisters' survival and the horrific experiences they endured.

Conclusion:

While some readers may find the storytelling frustrating due to unanswered questions, If You Tell effectively conveys the unimaginable horror faced by the sisters. It isn't about solving a mystery but rather about bearing witness to their story of survival and resilience.
Cindy Stavropoulos
5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Evil
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2024
I have read one other book that was about child abuse and viciously evil. This one ranks right along with it. I’m sure this book was so hard to write. Thank goodness there is a good ending for the sisters. It is hard to read but worth the read. So many people dropped the ball and ignored what was really going on. Shelly should have been committed long ago—-as a child. The signs were there at a very young age and look how many people she viciously hurt and killed.
BrlChickenwhisperer
3.0 out of 5 stars Intense
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2024
I usually prefer books that don't have a lot of cursing or violence, but it was totally understandable In this 1. Oh my gosh!!!! How intense! I kept thinking this couldn't be a real storyI kept thinking this couldn't be a real story Who have had to overcome overcome all of it in their own lives. I agree for them and I rejoice over the overcoming.
Allison Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Tough
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2024
Some parts are really hard to read and digest, but it definitely gives you insight into a different type of life and makes you thankful for your own. The resiliency and determination of the daughters is admirable and I’m so happy they made it out.
Lamb
4.0 out of 5 stars Sad but repetitive story of chronic, insidious abuse, torture, murder
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2024
Other reviewers will no doubt cover the content of this true story more thoroughly than will I, so I’ll skip the narrative and jump to the review. Very thorough investigation via self reports of all of the survivors but the recounting of the abuse and torture seemed unnecessarily repetitive without additive value. I found myself bored with the story despite the degree of horror experienced by each of the children who survived their mother’s monstrous abuse. I found myself saying “all right, I get it” and wanted to jump to the ending. Perhaps I’m a bit habituated to stories of trauma as someone who treats trauma survivors in psychotherapy and it isn’t the fault of the author’s, but nonetheless I was not intrigued and could have skipped reading much of this book.

I hope other readers extract more from their reading than did I.
Hhart
5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2024
“If I Tell You” is a compelling read that captivated me from start to finish. The narrative is engaging, with well-developed characters and a gripping plot that keeps you hooked. The writing is smooth and evocative, making it hard to put the book down. It’s a powerful story with emotional depth and surprising twists. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and satisfying read.
Melynda Garza
5.0 out of 5 stars mind blowing!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
Crazy that people exist in our world that have such a mental hold on others. So sad these girls felt like no one was there to listen or believe them.

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