Ruth Benziger

It took me a long time to read this because it was emotionally challenging to handle. If you are someone who struggles with trauma, I’d caution against reading this if you are not ready. Shasta’s story was one of deep sadness, loss, and pure bravery. As is true, trauma is never-ending, and seeing her struggle made my heart hurt for her. No one can imagine what was done to her and her family. No one is in her shoes. So, understandably, she dealt with it as best she could. Then, she had other people outside of the situation trying to project their ideas of healing onto her. My heart hurts for her, and I wish I could give her a big hug. A hard book to read, but worth it to learn about her story and to give credence to what she endured. The word I think of is miracle. It’s a miracle that she survived, lived, and is still here to tell the tale. Remarkable. Olsen did a good job and handled telling her story with grace, decency, and respect. With all that, he didn’t hold back when naming exactly what was done and who was responsible. This book will stay with me for some time.

Throughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.

The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.

In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.

The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.

Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).