Book Briefs

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

A horrifying, true story, If You Tell is the story of the sadistic killer Shelly Knotek living in Raymond, Wash., and the sisters who ultimately stopped her. In 2003, Knotek and her husband, Dave, were arrested and sent to prison for the murder of Kathy Loreno, Ronald Woodworth, and Shane Watson.

People Magazine called this book a "stunner about sibling love, courage, and resilience," and they hit the nail right on the head! Olsen manages to capture the horrors in the Knotek household from the mid-90s to the early 2000s when Knotek's older daughters, Nikki and Sami, were able to get the police involved. The author channeled his inner James Patterson and created a story that reads like a thriller. I went into this story blind and desperately wanted to forget that this book was based on actual events.

If You Tell is available to read on Amazon Kindle, as well as paperback purchase. It is highly recommended for crime enthusiasts, but a fair warning: It's a tough read and not for the squeamish.

Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng

Any book that becomes a TV show with leads like Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington is worth checking out! Little Fires Everywhere was a major hit on Hulu, and the book is even fierier than the show.

Artist and single mother Mia Warren (Kerry Washington) arrives in Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, and crosses paths with picture-of-perfection Elena Richardson (Reese Witherspoon). Mia and her daughter, Pearl, move into Richardson's rental unit. While things are clearly uncomfortable from the start, chaos erupts after a Richardson family friend is embroiled in a custody fight while attempting to adopt a Chinese-American baby. Lines are crossed, obsession takes hold, and long-kept secrets are unearthed with devastating consequences.

Little Fires Everywhere explores identity, the nature of art, and the impossible burden of secrets. I had to slow down and soak in the emotion of this book; it may disappoint readers looking for a fast-paced read. It's emotional, thought-provoking, and it is complex.

This book is available on Amazon for paperback purchase, as well as Kindle and Audible Audiobook. Give yourself time to process the story!