Out of the Woods: A Girl, a Killer, and a Lifelong Struggle to Find the Way Home

Gregg Olsen is a bestselling American author known for his work in both true crime and fiction. He has more than 30 books to his name, and has established a respected space in the true crime genre through deeply researched narratives that prioritize empathy and psychological depth. His true crime titles, such as If You Tell (2019) and The Hive (2021), explore real-life cases with a clear commitment to focusing on victims’ voices over sensationalizing and glorifying perpetrators. Olsen’s work bridges the gap between investigative journalism and memoir by using narrative nonfiction to expose hidden abuses while honoring the experience of those who lived through them.

In Out of the Woods, Olsen partnered with survivor Shasta Groene to tell her story in her own words. It was an act of justice in a genre that often dismisses survivors’ experiences or does not describe them with the clarity and detail they deserve. Rather than speaking for her, Olsen writes in Shasta’s tone and using her own words. The result is a collaborative memoir that is emotionally honest. Olsen’s role as a writer is less about interpretation and more about clarification and being the conduit of communication, giving Shasta the platform to reclaim her life on her own terms.