Darlene Torres came to Shasta Groene’s book signing Friday, but she didn’t come so much for a copy of “Out of the Woods.” 

Rather, she came to be with her granddaughter, and after a few minutes of conversation, Torres put her right hand on Shasta’s cheek, pulled her close and kissed her. 

“I just love her,” Torres said later. “We don’t see her often. She’s down there (Boise) and we’re up here. But she's precious to me. She’s always been precious. Very precious.” 

Hundreds of people waited in line for hours at The Well-Read Moose bookstore in Coeur d’Alene to meet Shasta Groene and author Gregg Olsen and have them sign copies of the book they collaborated on. 

Groene smiled graciously, chatted with admirers and posed for pictures. She wrote each person’s name in the book they bought, added a few words of encouragement, and gave her autograph in sharp, distinctive handwriting.

"She's a sweet girl,” Nancy Frazey said as she held a signed copy of "Out of the Woods." “What she’s gone through, I couldn’t do it.” 

Shasta Groene’s name became tragically well known in 2005, when she and her brother, Dylan, were kidnapped from their North Idaho home following the brutal murders of multiple family members. Only Shasta survived. 

In the book, for the first time, Shasta tells her full story, “from the horrifying seven weeks in captivity with a serial killer to her yearslong journey of survival, healing and resilience.” 

Those who owned a copy of “Out of the Woods: A Girl, a Killer, and a Lifelong Struggle to Find the Way Home,” said it was difficult to keep reading, but it let them understand just how much Shasta endured and overcame. 

“She inspired me to keep doing the work that I do,” said Jeana Frank of Silverton, a victim’s witness coordinator for Shoshone County. 

Kelly Cutler of Rathdrum said what Shasta went through was unimaginable. 

“I think that Shasta is hugely resilient. She’s a warrior. I have so much empathy and love for her," Cutler said.

Whitney Burney of Coeur d’Alene said she got in line at 2:30 and three hours later, had her signed copy of "Out of the Woods." 

She said it was an honor to meet Shasta. 

“I thought she was really brave,” Burney said. “She took on so much. I’m just proud of her. She’s come such a long way, overcome so much. It’s an inspiration.” 

Melissa DeMott, owner of The Well-Read Moose, said they had sold more than 500 copies of "Out of the Woods" and were down to their final 40 hardback copies. 

“They’ll be gone tonight,” she said.  

DeMott said the number of books they sold Friday, $16.99 paperback and $28.99 hardback, was a record in a such a short timeframe. The line outside, too, was the longest ever seen at the bookstore at Riverstone. 

Brandy Hoagland, Shasta’s aunt, also attended the book signing. 

“We wanted to be here to show our support,” she said. “I feel like, being Shasta’s aunt, we’re trying to recover together as a family.” 

As Hoagland spoke, she fought back tears. She said she was glad there was such a large turnout of people who wanted to meet Shasta and buy her book. 

“I feel like this is probably very therapeutic for her,” Hoagland said. “I think she’s feeling overwhelmed and surprised by the support.” 

Torres said even 20 years later, she still thinks about what happened to Shasta and her family at their Wolf Lodge home May 16, 2005. Shasta’s mom, Brenda Groene, who died in the attack, was Torres' daughter. 

“It never stops. It’s always there,” Torres said. “It’s hard, but we all manage. We stay together as a family.” 

    Shasta Groene poses with Nancy Frazey during Friday's book signing at The Well-Read Moose.
  

    Copies of "Out of the Woods" sit in a box with names of buyers outside The Well-Read Moose on Friday.
  

    A crowds wait outside The Well-Read Moose for the chance to meet Shasta Groene and have her sign their copy of "Out of the Woods" on Friday.
  

    Shasta Groene laughs during Friday's book signing at The Well-Read Moose.