Secrets in the Cellar

The True Story of the Austrian Incest Case That Shocked the World

By: John Glatt

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Josef Fritzl was a 73-year-old retired engineer in Austria. He seemed to be living a normal life with his wife, Rosemarie, and their family - though one daughter, Elisabeth, had decades earlier been "lost" to a religious cult. Throughout the years, three of Elisabeth's children mysteriously appeared on the Fritzls' doorstep; Josef and Rosemarie raised them as their own. But only Josef knew the truth about Elisabeth's disappearance....

For 27 years, Josef had imprisoned and molested Elisabeth in his man-made basement dungeon, complete with soundproof paneling and code-protected electric locks. There, she would eventually give birth to a total of seven of Josef's children. One died in infancy, and the other three were raised alongside Elisabeth, never to see the light of day.

Then, in 2008, one of Elisabeth's children became seriously ill and was taken to the hospital. It was the first time the 19-year-old girl had ever gone outside - and soon, the truth about her background, her family's captivity, and Josef's unspeakable crimes would come to light.

©2009 John Glatt (P)2013 Tantor

Incredible

What did you love best about Secrets in the Cellar?

Kept me on the edge of my seat

Any additional comments?

You just have to read it to understand

Wow 😯

The worst part is that this is true.
But I do wish it could have been told in more story like format.
The narration was ok, it just sounded like someone reading paperwork.
And to be honest I struggled to finish because of it, but I just had to hear how it ended.

Excellent performance

There are no words to describe this story. You just have to listen to it for yourself. A warning, it will make you sick. But I do think it’s an important read to understand this kind of horror does exist. And hopefully people can use this book to educate themselves on what to look out for.

Too terrible to listen to.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I have never commented on a story before, and I don't usually, but this story is just too terrible and horrible. I couldn't listen to it and really want my credit back. Perhaps my next book will be something really happy, cause I'm just stunned that such a horrible thing could actually happen in this world.

What could John Glatt have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

nothing

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

absolutely not!!!!!!

Any additional comments?

Do not listen to this book if you have a weak stomach for grotesque and horrible truths of depravity.

Awesome book

I'm still digesting it all. It was an unbelievable case! I highly recommend this book!

Secrets in the celler

This is a very intence book to read,but once you start it you can't put it down. A must read!

Truth is scarier than fiction

Any additional comments?

Although I've seen documentaries on this case, this book really dives into a lot of the gruesome details of what happened. The narration is great, but the content is extremely upsetting. I highly recommend researching the case and familiarizing yourself with some of the details before listening to the full, heartbreaking account. Trigger warning to anyone who is the victim of sexual assault or abuse.

very informative

I had to take breaks on this one. Content is really hard to digest, well performed.

Excellent

All the way around… well narrated and we’ll written…also moved fairly quickly… would reccomend:)

Sad for all involved

Keep my attention hoping that someone would figure out what he was doing and rescue them