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  • If You Tell

  • A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood
  • Written by: Gregg Olsen
  • Narrated by: Karen Peakes
  • Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (3,081 ratings)

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If You Tell cover art

If You Tell

Written by: Gregg Olsen
Narrated by: Karen Peakes
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Publisher's Summary

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.

©2019 Gregg Olsen. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

What the critics say

"Peakes's performance sucks the listener into the scenes of abuse, torture, sadism, and, eventually, murder committed by Shelly.... Peakes's narration is compelling." --AudioFile Magazine

"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

What listeners say about If You Tell

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

This is a rough one for sure.

Oh man, when I tell you I struggled to get through this it was not an understatement, however, at the same time I couldn't stop listening.

The story is horribly jarring and I found myself growing increasingly infuriated with the mother of the family.

I don't think I have ever felt so much anger and resentment toward someone I had never met. This in itself is proof that this story is written and performed with great precision.

This book is great in a sense that it's a story of struggles and triumph, but it takes a certain kind of person to get through all the serious depictions of abuse.

I recommend it only if you have a strong stomach and heart.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping and horrific

A disturbing story of mind boggling abuse. The book (if taken at face value) seems to tell a much more accurate story of the Knotek murders than has been depicted elsewhere. It is gripping and suspenseful even though you know the outcome before listening to the book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unbelievable

This story was very interesting, but almost unbelievable. During the excellent narration, it was difficult to accept that the atrocities endured could ever be invented, far less inflicted.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

hard to hear....

although a bit slow in some places this is an overall good book. some repetitive sections could have been omitted in the back part of the book, but it wasn't bad. I was very happy with this book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

really messed up

I couldn't stop listening to this. it had me shaking with rage but I couldn't stop listening because I just needed to know there was justice for these young women. what a ride. a sick, disturbing ride.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Dreadfully Horrific

No offense to the author nor the woman who narrated the book but some things are best left unseen. I would not recommend reading this book if you suffer from any form of depression as it depicts a true form of inconceivable evil. Point delivered extremely well: Shelley Knotec should not be released as her form of sickness couldn't possibly be rehabilitated.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping

This had me on the edge of my seat. Unbelievable how one human can be so manipulative and controlling for so long.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A nightmarish true crime retelling

Extremely well placed and performed, I was instantly engrossed in the story. Olsen gives just enough of a hint of what will occur to hook you at the start and Peakes' performance keeps your attention throughout.

The book has about the right amount of detail and length for you to understand just how terrible the situation and lives of the sisters were. This is a strong recommend for any fan of true crime.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great book but difficult story to hear

This book was difficult to get through as it was so intense with the abuse that this family encountered. It is a must read if you enjoy these types of books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling story telling and narration

A train wreck that you can't look away from, narrated by a very talented actress. Haunting, and makes me question the everyday people around me.

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