Reviews tagging 'Torture'

If You Tell by Gregg Olsen

223 reviews

mysterygirlbox's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

elisenm's review against another edition

dark sad tense

Hard to rate a true story. This is not a book for the faint of heart. I kept wondering how it could possible get worse, and then it inevitably would. This is not a book that will give you hope in humanity, but it is a fascinating read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Torture, Murder, and Gaslighting

nikkihall's review against another edition

While well written, this was horrifying to read. This woman's actions are truly evil and I just couldn't read any more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

travelseatsreads's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

stephanie_jmc's review against another edition

dark informative sad fast-paced

4.0

Another book club read! This one a disturbing non-fiction (which obviously was chosen by my mother - IYKYK😂). I’m not usually a big fan of reading about true crime, but I’m giving this book an 8/10. 

This book tells the story of Michelle “Shelly” Knotek, who is the definition of a true psychopath (who, spoiler alert, was released from prison in 2022 🤯). This story tells the details of her lies, abuse, torture, and murder that she inflicted upon her daughters, partners, and the people who trusted her for help as their “friend”. I found the story to be told in a way that is captivating, despite being horrifying. I was appalled reading the book and questioning why anyone was tolerating this woman and her twisted ways, which I think really speaks to the ways abusers are incredibly manipulative and utilize this as a borderline superpower to control those around them. This book will frustrate and sicken you, however, I appreciate that it is a story that needed to be told for justice for her victims as well as a warning to anyone who may cross Shelly’s path now that she’s free. 

If you’re not into gruesome true crime, I do not recommend. If you are - 100% will be up your alley. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Murder, and Gaslighting

haleyclay's review against another edition

dark informative sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture

hesticht's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Excrement, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

karly_ackley's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

2.5

This is a hard one to give a star rating to as it is a horrific account of real life abuse, torture, and death. I went with just a middle rating for that reason.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Suicide and Terminal illness

dshelbz93's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Torture

cherrivodka's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, and Violence