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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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If You Tell summary
Gregg Olsen
A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood
22 mins
Brief summary
If You Tell by Gregg Olsen is a chilling true crime story of three sisters who survived years of abuse by their sadistic mother.
Table of Contents
If You Tell
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Shelly’s Childhood of Red Flags
When Lara Stallings married Les Watson in 1960, she was surprised to learn that her new husband already had three kids from a previous marriage. They were six-year-old Michelle, her three-year-old brother Chuck, and an infant named Paul.
Lara was taken aback by this sudden development, but she was up for the challenge. She wasn’t the uncaring type. It sounded like Les’s ex-wife was an unstable alcoholic and the kids needed help, so she welcomed the children into their home, in the town of Battle Ground, Washington.
But right away, Lara could sense something unusual about Michelle – or “Shelly” as she was called. At first, it was odd that Shelly didn’t let her brother Chuck talk for himself. Whenever Chuck was asked a question, Shelly did the answering. Then, once she felt comfortable in her new home with Lara and Les, Shelly never let a day go by without telling her new stepmother that she hated her.
When she became a teen, more troubling signs appeared. Shelly liked to put broken shards of glass in people’s shoes. Her idea of washing dishes was to throw all of the plates, utensils, and pans into the trash. Her take on babysitting was to put her siblings in a room and barricade the door with furniture. Then, in 1969, when she was about to turn 15, Shelly told a counselor at school that she’d been raped by her father.
Lara and Les were stunned. As Shelly was being held in a juvenile detention center, they looked around her room for clues as to where this behavior was coming from. Under her mattress, they found a magazine with the sensational headline: “I Was Raped By My Dad At 15!”
The medical examiner confirmed that there were no signs that Shelly had ever been touched by anyone. The doctor told them that Shelly was “completely intact” and that she’d be released to the parents on the condition that she see a psychologist. As the doctor saw it, she needed “serious counseling.”
But nothing seemed to help. Rounds of family therapy and counseling failed to make Shelly understand the severity of her behavior, or that what she was doing was even problematic. Soon, her high school informed the parents that she wasn’t welcome back. Not only that, but other schools in the area were also refusing to accept.
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What is If You Tell about?
If You Tell (2019) details the story of Michelle “Shelly” Knotek, the mother of three daughters who subjected her family to an ongoing nightmare of abuse and torture. Those who got close to Shelly had a way of succumbing to her methods of manipulation and control. For some, it meant their death.
If You Tell Review
If You Tell (2019) is a gripping true crime account that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Here's what sets it apart:
- The book delves into the horrifying experiences of three sisters, offering a unique perspective on a family's darkest secrets.
- Its meticulous research and attention to detail provide a comprehensive understanding of the events.
- The story showcases the power of resilience and the sisters' journey toward healing.
Who should read If You Tell?
- True crime fanatics
- Anyone interested in stories of incredible resilience
- People curious about the psychology of serial killers
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Book summaries like If You Tell
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If You Tell FAQs
What is the main message of If You Tell?
The main message of If You Tell is the harrowing story of survival and resilience of three sisters who endured years of abuse.
How long does it take to read If You Tell?
It takes approximately 8 hours to read If You Tell. The Blinkist summary can be read in 12 minutes.
Is If You Tell a good book? Is it worth reading?
If You Tell is a captivating and well-researched true crime story that showcases the power of resilience.
Who is the author of If You Tell?
The author of If You Tell is Gregg Olsen.
How many chapters are in If You Tell?
There are 36 chapters in If You Tell by Gregg Olsen. The chapters chronologically detail the sisters' lives, their mother's abuse, and their journey toward healing.
How many pages are in If You Tell?
There are 428 pages in If You Tell.
When was If You Tell published?
If You Tell was published in 2019.
What to read after If You Tell?
If you're wondering what to read next after If You Tell, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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