BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The ‘girl who survived’ one of the state’s most horrific crimes has, for the first time, shared her harrowing experience in full through a new book titled Out of the Woods: A Girl, a Killer, and a Lifelong Struggle to Find the Way Home’and is on a book signing tour.
The book details the murders of Shasta Groene McClain’s whole family, her kidnapping, her weeks of torture when she was eight years old, and vulnerably recounts the 20 years of challenges, recovery and resilience since.
In a social media post promoting her new book, written with true crime author Gregg Olsen, she said,
Trauma never truly goes away. No matter how much time passes, it stays with survivors every single day. Some days are easier, some are harder. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: It’s okay to not be okay. And it’s okay to ask for help…For so long, people told me my truth was too much—too hard to hear, too painful to face. But I lived it. I survived it. And now, I’m finally telling it. OUT OF THE WOODS isn’t just my story—it’s about survival, about the flaws in our system, and about how we find the strength to overcome even the darkest moments… it’s also about every person who has ever felt broken, lost, or silenced. If my voice can help even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it.
Sorting through early reviews, some readers found the book too difficult to read, as Shasta does not hold back the gruesome details of her ordeal. In contrast, others thank Olsen for putting the reality of what continual survival requires of Shasta on paper in such an unflinching way.
The Bookish Elf addressed both these aspects in their early review: “This book will disturb readers who prefer their true crime stories to end with justice served and healing achieved. For those willing to sit with discomfort and examine the complex realities of trauma recovery, Out of the Woods offers insights that extend far beyond the true crime genre. It’s a book that will likely influence how we think about trauma, justice, and the real meaning of survival for years to come.
To which Shasta, now a mother of five, replied online, “You understood what this book is really about: that survival isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a long, messy, ongoing process. It doesn’t end with a rescue. It doesn’t come with closure. And it rarely fits the kind of narrative people expect. Thank you for holding space for the uncomfortable truths. Thank you for not looking away. And thank you for reminding me why I decided to share my story in the first place—so other survivors might feel a little less alone.”
The man responsible for these crimes was a serial killer, rapist and pedophile who died of brain cancer in 2021 while on federal death row.
Book signing schedule:
Coeur d’Alene, ID – 5-7 p.m., The Well-Read Moose Bookstore
Moscow, ID – 12 p.m., Moscow Library
Clarkston, WA – 6-7:30 p.m., Asotin County Fire District #1 through Asotin County Library