Out of the Woods

A Girl, a Killer, and a Lifelong Struggle to Find the Way Home

By: Gregg Olsen

Narrated by: Karen Peakes

From a girl’s abduction by a serial killer to the harrowing aftermath—a gripping and heart-wrenching true-crime story by Gregg Olsen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of If You Tell.

In May 2005, authorities discovered the Groene family murdered in their Idaho home. The family’s youngest members—eight-year-old Shasta and her brother, nine-year-old Dylan—were nowhere to be found.

As a community prayed for their return, Shasta and Dylan were already miles away in the woods of Montana at the hands of serial killer Joseph Edward Duncan. After a harrowing forty-eight day ordeal, Shasta was rescued. In many ways, her survival story was only beginning.

In the following years, while Shasta struggled to outrun her trauma, a pattern of self-destructive behavior shadowed her like an ever-worsening thunderstorm. She still had hope buried deep inside. Every bit as much as the little girl who had been held captive in the woods. This would be an all-new battle for Shasta. And she was determined not to lose.

Out of the Woods is the haunting and intimate true-crime story of one of the most notorious criminal cases in American history—and a young woman’s journey to reclaim her life in its wake.

©2025 by Gregg Olsen. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Olsen, a prolific and popular author of multiple true-crime books and fictional mysteries, became close to his subject over several years. His chief concern here is to tell the story of the therapeutic work Shasta did to try to find her way “out of the woods” of her trauma. He weaves that somewhat hopeful story together with the nauseatingly disturbing details of the crime, each parallel path unfolding through the book, dropping hints along the way of ever worse revelations to come.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Novelist and true crime author Olsen (The Amish Wife) paints a heartbreaking portrait of a woman haunted by her narrow escape from a serial killer…As in Olsen’s previous works of nonfiction, there’s plenty of rigorous research on display, but it’s his empathetic consideration of what happens to high-profile victims after news cameras stop rolling that sets this apart…It’s moving stuff.”—Publishers Weekly

“Prolific true-crime author Olsen offers another exemplary narrative of unimaginable trauma that packs an emotional punch.”—Booklist

The resilience of an eight year old girl.

Warning: This is a book about children sexual assault.
If you are not prepared to read about the heinous, horrendous, awful, unspeakable or shocking things done to children. Don’t read this book.

This book follows Shasta Greene from the horrific night in May of 2005 when Joseph Edward Duncan III murdered her family and abducted her and her 9 year old brother.

Olsen’s demonstrates his mastery again of True Crime story telling.

very difficult but so worth it

This is an incredible yet horrific true story of survival by a child who outsmarted a maniacalserial killer. The writing is excellent and gives great psychological insight. Shasta is an amazing human being and shows a strength beyond human understanding.

Disturbing but good

Some very raw and disturbing content, but because this is a true story, it gets 5 stars. No one should have to endure what this child went through.

SHOCKING!!!

The saddest story ever and I will pray for the little girl that had everything taken from her!

Highly recommend!

I thought I knew this story as I live near where this took place. However I found through this book I never really knew the before and after. It is heartbreaking and tragic. So well written and read. Congratulations Shasta for getting your story out there. You are a strong and amazing young lady who overcame the most horrific circumstances. Best wishes to you and your children. Kudos to the author. It takes someone special to capture this story. It is hard to hear but gives the reader raw insight to childhood trauma no one can imagine

Shasta's Voice

If you're offended by the deep truth of this book, you're missing the entire point. Shasta's voice is powerful, heart wrenching, and confronting. The courage to put her truthful words into print is remarkable. Thank you, Shasta.

Amazing!!

I was surprised by how detailed it was, but it was amazing! I would recommend this if you can handle listening to all the details of what happened to Shasta.

Empathetic storytelling

A story of horrific abuse and realistic portrayal of what it takes to survive the worst trauma one could experience.

A heartbreaking tail of incredible courage

I was hesitant to read this book due to the subject matter, however, I thought the author did an amazing job of conveying the horror of what occurred without exploiting Shasta and her brother. This book will probably leave you in tears, but Shasta’s bravery in the face of evil incarnate is awe inspiring. I will be thinking about her for some time and praying that she finds the peace and love she so richly deserves.

So devastating

This book broke my heart all over again. I remember when this tragedy happened and I was living in Twin Lakes, Idaho. I had two small children and my husband worked out of town at the time. I was terrified there was a murder on the loose. Those two precious children he kidnapped Shasta & Dylan…our whole community prayed they would be found!

So the day Shasta was spotted by that brave waitress at Denny’s our whole community felt relief….but very sad that Dylan was not with her.

Over the years she’s always crept back into my thoughts….and I always wondered how life was going for her…I could only imagine it wasn’t easy.

I am so proud of her for telling her truth…her story…even though it was absolutely horrific and heartbreaking to read! It was her words, her strength that has gotten her this far in life!

Love those 5 boys of your Shasta! You will always be in PRAYERS ❤️🙏❤️🙏