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Death Sentence: The Inside Story of the John List Murders
John Emil List. Mild-mannered accountant. Devout churchgoer. Military board games fanatic. And the cold-blooded killer who calmly shot his mother, his wife Helen,his daughter,16-year old Pat, and his sons, 15-year old John,Jr.and 13-year old Frederick, and vanished from their suburban New Jersey home.
This is not only the riveting revelation of the monstrous murders, it is also the first chronicle of what John List did in the eighteen years before he was unmasked. You will learn the terrifying truth about him and his crimes and the inside story of the trial that made headlines from coast to coast.
Death Sentence is more than a story of mass murder. It is a story of how easy it is to almost get away with it in America today.
From the back of the book.
Cdw
This is not only the riveting revelation of the monstrous murders, it is also the first chronicle of what John List did in the eighteen years before he was unmasked. You will learn the terrifying truth about him and his crimes and the inside story of the trial that made headlines from coast to coast.
Death Sentence is more than a story of mass murder. It is a story of how easy it is to almost get away with it in America today.
From the back of the book.
Cdw
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1990
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About the author
Joe Sharkey
15 books49 followersJoe Sharkey’s work appears in major national and international publications. For 19 years, until 2015, he was a columnist for the New York Times — for 16 years doing the weekly “On the Road” column on business travel, and before that the weekly “Jersey” column for three years. He is currently a columnist with Business Jet Traveler magazine, and an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Arizona.
A Vietnam veteran, he has written five books, four non-fiction and a novel. One of his nonfiction books, “Above Suspicion,” has been adapted as a major motion picture starring Emilia Clarke, Jack Huston, Thora Birch and Johnny Knoxville (and directed by Phillip Noyce), to be released soon.
In January 2017, a new, revised edition of his book “Above Suspicion” was published in print and as an e-book by Open Road Media. Penguin Random House also released an audio book version in January. Open Road also published revised editions in e-book format of his true-crime books “Death Sentence” and “Deadly Greed.” In January 2018, the revised edition of “Death Sentence” was published in print by Open Road Media.
He has written a screenplay adaptation of “Death Sentence,” which will also be published in a new print edition in January 2018 by Open Road Media.
In his newspaper career before the New York Times, he was an assistant national editor at the Wall Street Journal; the executive city editor of the Albany (N.Y.) Times-Union; and a reporter and columnist with the Philadelphia Inquirer.
On Sept. 29, 2006, while on assignment, he was one of seven people on a business jet who survived a mid-air collision with a 737 at 37,000 feet over the Amazon in Brazil. All 154 on the commercial airliner died. His reports on the crash appeared on the front page of the New York Times and later in the Sunday Times of London Magazine.
He and his wife Nancy (who is a professor of journalism at the University of Arizona) live with two parrots and a horse in Tucson — where he is also working on a new novel about the exploits of an international travel writer who hates to travel. .
A Vietnam veteran, he has written five books, four non-fiction and a novel. One of his nonfiction books, “Above Suspicion,” has been adapted as a major motion picture starring Emilia Clarke, Jack Huston, Thora Birch and Johnny Knoxville (and directed by Phillip Noyce), to be released soon.
In January 2017, a new, revised edition of his book “Above Suspicion” was published in print and as an e-book by Open Road Media. Penguin Random House also released an audio book version in January. Open Road also published revised editions in e-book format of his true-crime books “Death Sentence” and “Deadly Greed.” In January 2018, the revised edition of “Death Sentence” was published in print by Open Road Media.
He has written a screenplay adaptation of “Death Sentence,” which will also be published in a new print edition in January 2018 by Open Road Media.
In his newspaper career before the New York Times, he was an assistant national editor at the Wall Street Journal; the executive city editor of the Albany (N.Y.) Times-Union; and a reporter and columnist with the Philadelphia Inquirer.
On Sept. 29, 2006, while on assignment, he was one of seven people on a business jet who survived a mid-air collision with a 737 at 37,000 feet over the Amazon in Brazil. All 154 on the commercial airliner died. His reports on the crash appeared on the front page of the New York Times and later in the Sunday Times of London Magazine.
He and his wife Nancy (who is a professor of journalism at the University of Arizona) live with two parrots and a horse in Tucson — where he is also working on a new novel about the exploits of an international travel writer who hates to travel. .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
February 28, 2022
4.0 stars— Rating true crime books has always been a little more difficult for me than fictional books because you can’t really criticize the story or the plot twist you didn’t like. I try to instead rate how well th author researched the book, how much dramatic license the author takes and whether the author was balanced in his/her coverage of the crime. I also found once you find a true crime author you like, stick with him/her because if you like his/her style in one book you will probably enjoy it in other books written by the author. Such is the case with Joe Sharkey. I really enjoyed “Above Suspicion” the first book I read by him. It was an incredible story that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. “Death Sentence” didn’t quite measure up to that level but through no fault of Joe Sharkey. The murder case of John List just wasn’t quite as interesting as other books I’ve read. List was a true sociopath whose otherwise very boring life was marred by his decision to murder his entire family. He then goes back to the same boring, mundane existence as before the murders. Sharkey does an excellent job covering the life of List and trying to explain the unexplainable, but other than the straightforward facts there was not much to learn about this odd killer. I will definitely be back for more Sharkey as I am “hooked” on his writing style and research skills. I just hope the next crime he covers has a few more twists and turns.
January 11, 2022
John List is the Lutheran father who decided to kill his whole family because he couldn't afford to support them anymore. Also to send them to Heaven before they turned into heathens. He planned their execution perfectly and had a month head start before the bodies were found. John List aka Bob Clark spends 18 years on the run before being caught. I really enjoyed this book because it mostly dealt with the crime and List's life as a fugitive. Only two or three short chapters on the court proceedings. Highly recommend.
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March 10, 2021
3.5 Stars
A well written true account of a husband and father who murdered his family in their New Jersey Home and got away with murder for eighteen years
Stuck for an audio listen I came across this on Audible and it was a really interesting account of a horrific crime and the background of the Man John List who committed murders.
List managed to murder his entire family and conceal their deaths for weeks. He then vanished and started life over with a new identity.
I find it quite difficult to comprehend how any parent can murder their children, it just goes against nature. But it does unfortunately happen and this is a well researched account of list family murders and how this man evaded police for so long.
I dont read a lot of true crime books and while this one was incredibly tragic it is very well written and documented. The narration was excellent and I really can recommend this for readers who enjoy true crime.
A well written true account of a husband and father who murdered his family in their New Jersey Home and got away with murder for eighteen years
Stuck for an audio listen I came across this on Audible and it was a really interesting account of a horrific crime and the background of the Man John List who committed murders.
List managed to murder his entire family and conceal their deaths for weeks. He then vanished and started life over with a new identity.
I find it quite difficult to comprehend how any parent can murder their children, it just goes against nature. But it does unfortunately happen and this is a well researched account of list family murders and how this man evaded police for so long.
I dont read a lot of true crime books and while this one was incredibly tragic it is very well written and documented. The narration was excellent and I really can recommend this for readers who enjoy true crime.
August 19, 2019
This is a well-written true crime story of a religious zealot who methodically killed his entire family over the course of an otherwise normal day: His wife, three teenage children, and his mother, and then got away with it for 18 years. I’m hoping it couldn’t possibly be that easy to assume a new identity these days, and he only managed it because he committed his crimes in 1971. A large portion of the book is how he survived living under his new identity. He justifies his actions because of religion, and I think he thought he was forgiven because of all his praying. That sort of thinking makes no sense to me.
Joe Sharkey is a talented writer. This a very fast, page-turning read.
Joe Sharkey is a talented writer. This a very fast, page-turning read.
January 27, 2017
In 1971, John List arrived at the Westfield N.J. police station to pick-up his wayward teen daughter for violating curfew, in the early morning hours, wearing a formal business suit (neighbors also observed him doing yard work in his suit/tie). This would be the only outward clue that there was something seriously wrong with John Emil List (1925-2008). In “Death Sentence: The Inside Story of the John List Murders” author Joe Sharkey fully researched and interviewed scores of people affiliated with the case, providing a disturbing, shocking, and spine-chilling portrayal of one of the worst mass murderers in New Jersey’s state history.
John List could not have been a spiritual man, this would have required a heart and conscience he obviously didn’t have. Though very religious, he faithfully attended church services and read the Bible regularly. Always well dressed, neat, orderly, and polite he appeared so low key and ordinary that those who encountered him could barely remember him. However, List simmered with an internal uncontrollable rage and anger at the Vietnam protests, the rapidly changing times that led to open expression of free love--the “hippie culture” List perceived as immoral.
After List drove his daughter home from the police station he shouted at his wife and daughter that they were both “sluts”. Following this incident, List purchased a gun for “home protection”. There were several other things that caused List to unravel: his wife was mentally ill, he had lost his job, he was stealing money from his mother’s bank account, being unable to maintain the standard of living at “Breeze Knoll”--the mansion he and his wife Helen had bought in 1965, when he was vice-president of a local bank.
After List committed his methodical atrocious carnage on November 09, 1971, he wrote confessional letters and left further instructions, cleaned the crime scene and himself up, prepared his dinner and washed his dishes after eating. Before leaving, he had stopped mail and newspaper delivery, turned the heat down, and left loud classical music playing on the intercom. The horrified police arrived at the crime scene 28 days later.
By that time, List had relocated to Denver, Colorado and assumed his new life and name of Bob P. Clark, deducting several years off his age, working at first as a short order cook, pleased that his skills cooking for his family, had been beneficial to begin his new life. List remained at large for 18 years, until tips were reported to America’s Most Wanted and he was captured.
On April 12, 1990, List received 5 consecutive life terms for first degree murder, guaranteeing he would never be eligible for parole. Superior Court Judge William L. Wertheimer observed: “The name John Emil List will be eternally synonymous with concepts of selfishness, horror, and evil. John Emil List is without remorse and without honor. After 18 years, 5 months, 22 days, it is now time for the voices of Helen (1924-71), Alma, Patricia M. (1955-71), Frederick M. (1958-71), and John F. List (1956-71), to rise from the grave.” ~ Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for the purpose of review. Reissue date of January 17, 2017.
John List could not have been a spiritual man, this would have required a heart and conscience he obviously didn’t have. Though very religious, he faithfully attended church services and read the Bible regularly. Always well dressed, neat, orderly, and polite he appeared so low key and ordinary that those who encountered him could barely remember him. However, List simmered with an internal uncontrollable rage and anger at the Vietnam protests, the rapidly changing times that led to open expression of free love--the “hippie culture” List perceived as immoral.
After List drove his daughter home from the police station he shouted at his wife and daughter that they were both “sluts”. Following this incident, List purchased a gun for “home protection”. There were several other things that caused List to unravel: his wife was mentally ill, he had lost his job, he was stealing money from his mother’s bank account, being unable to maintain the standard of living at “Breeze Knoll”--the mansion he and his wife Helen had bought in 1965, when he was vice-president of a local bank.
After List committed his methodical atrocious carnage on November 09, 1971, he wrote confessional letters and left further instructions, cleaned the crime scene and himself up, prepared his dinner and washed his dishes after eating. Before leaving, he had stopped mail and newspaper delivery, turned the heat down, and left loud classical music playing on the intercom. The horrified police arrived at the crime scene 28 days later.
By that time, List had relocated to Denver, Colorado and assumed his new life and name of Bob P. Clark, deducting several years off his age, working at first as a short order cook, pleased that his skills cooking for his family, had been beneficial to begin his new life. List remained at large for 18 years, until tips were reported to America’s Most Wanted and he was captured.
On April 12, 1990, List received 5 consecutive life terms for first degree murder, guaranteeing he would never be eligible for parole. Superior Court Judge William L. Wertheimer observed: “The name John Emil List will be eternally synonymous with concepts of selfishness, horror, and evil. John Emil List is without remorse and without honor. After 18 years, 5 months, 22 days, it is now time for the voices of Helen (1924-71), Alma, Patricia M. (1955-71), Frederick M. (1958-71), and John F. List (1956-71), to rise from the grave.” ~ Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for the purpose of review. Reissue date of January 17, 2017.
January 22, 2020
4.5 Stars
April 12, 2025
As a born and raised New Jerseyan, I remember this horrifyingly well. The formatting of this ebook made it a challenge to read. That being said, what seems like a mystery to some; the why of familicide is boldly uncovered by the author's ability to stick with the facts. List was a man obsessed with control. He went to his death without remorse or redemption. In the end the God he alleged to worship surely condemned him to Hell.
July 13, 2014
Another book I bought at amazon UK. This one though I bought from a secondhand seller. Looked interesting.
Have already read 68 pages a few days ago and liked the writing so I hope this is going to be another good true crime read.
I really need something I can get lost in to take my mind of my sister and then it works best for me to go to my old favourite genre.
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My sister passed away yesterday and I have not read much but I was so glad I had this book cause it helped me to relax.
I highly recommend this book. Not just to true crime fans but to everyone really.
This is good writing and the story is so interesting you cannot out this book down.
To me John List was a control freak who when he did not get his way with his children decided to kill them
There was one question left which was not answered in the book.
Why did this idiot think that a few days before he killed them he told them he would kill them and they had to prepare for it?
To me that made it even more cruel.
If you get buy a copy secondhand, BUY IT!!!
Have already read 68 pages a few days ago and liked the writing so I hope this is going to be another good true crime read.
I really need something I can get lost in to take my mind of my sister and then it works best for me to go to my old favourite genre.
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My sister passed away yesterday and I have not read much but I was so glad I had this book cause it helped me to relax.
I highly recommend this book. Not just to true crime fans but to everyone really.
This is good writing and the story is so interesting you cannot out this book down.
To me John List was a control freak who when he did not get his way with his children decided to kill them
There was one question left which was not answered in the book.
Why did this idiot think that a few days before he killed them he told them he would kill them and they had to prepare for it?
To me that made it even more cruel.
If you get buy a copy secondhand, BUY IT!!!
September 18, 2020
I rarely give true crime more than 2 stars, 3 if it's pretty good. This stood apart from other true crime books because the writing was excellent. The author allowed the facts to speak for themselves and did a really great job of detailing the strange life of John List, When he added his insight, it wasn't to sensationalize the story or manipulate the reader. It was good solid writing that masterfully detailed a very strange crime.
December 28, 2022
I already knew the John List story from listening to various true crime podcasts over the years but it's a pretty fascinating case so thought I'd grab this quick when it came on sale. It was very interesting-he was an odd bloke-and we got to know young Patty very well in this recount of the dreadful case.......such a needless, awful waste of life altogether. I'm sure the family would've managed perfectly well without him if he had chosen to bugger off as opposed to murdering them all. He had too high an opinion of himself, it seems to me. You had to feel for his second wife as well who had no idea whatsoever of the monster she had married. I had thought he had gone on to have kids with her but he didn't. Small mercy.....
I smiled to myself at Jean and Gene as my parents were Pat and Pat !!
I did wonder at the way Helen behaved, though. She was an idle cow and did lead John a dog's life. No wonder he didn't dare tell her he'd lost his job !! That was no love-match. She just seemed to want him for security for her and her daughter.
I do think the author skated across the courtcase a little too fast. I'd have liked to hear more about that.
It held my interest all the way but there are too many mistakes that ought to have been corrected to award it 5*, I'm afraid. There were a lot of words missed out of sentences, like as/the/was, he write fierce-some, an error I've never seen before, as opposed to fearsome, then lead not led, roller coaster not rollercoaster, jailors not jailers, then he wrote list without capitalising it at one point !! So a bit bloody sloppy and all over the place, which is a bit disappointing.
For some reason we keep getting an apostrophe over the letter n in words, too. I kept thinking I had dropped ash on my Kindle screen !! However, it copies across to the phone app as well.
I have another downloaded by him as well so I'm hoping that's more professionally presented.
I smiled to myself at Jean and Gene as my parents were Pat and Pat !!
I did wonder at the way Helen behaved, though. She was an idle cow and did lead John a dog's life. No wonder he didn't dare tell her he'd lost his job !! That was no love-match. She just seemed to want him for security for her and her daughter.
I do think the author skated across the courtcase a little too fast. I'd have liked to hear more about that.
It held my interest all the way but there are too many mistakes that ought to have been corrected to award it 5*, I'm afraid. There were a lot of words missed out of sentences, like as/the/was, he write fierce-some, an error I've never seen before, as opposed to fearsome, then lead not led, roller coaster not rollercoaster, jailors not jailers, then he wrote list without capitalising it at one point !! So a bit bloody sloppy and all over the place, which is a bit disappointing.
For some reason we keep getting an apostrophe over the letter n in words, too. I kept thinking I had dropped ash on my Kindle screen !! However, it copies across to the phone app as well.
I have another downloaded by him as well so I'm hoping that's more professionally presented.
August 26, 2020
What a haunting but true story. Great book though. Well worth checking out.
August 19, 2018
Another true life murder story which I was aware of at the time because the daughter was three weeks younger than me. Thank God my parents didn't snap in our teenage years is all I have to say. And his kids were not even that bad! He was just a religious lunatic.
March 12, 2018
I've read many accounts of the John List murders, but this is by far the best. It's well-written and loaded with detail. Updated from the original 1990 publication.
July 19, 2021
I’m speechless. John List murdered his entire family and then disappeared, seemingly into thin air, never to be seen again for 18 years. During that time period he remade himself as “Robert Clark,” even marrying again. It wasn’t until an airing of America’s Most Wanted did those close to “Bob Clark” begin to put the pieces together. Incredible story and well-told.
November 8, 2020
Yes, truth is definitely stranger than fiction.
This book was a very well researched and riveting "OMG!" story about John List, a University of Michigan MBA/CPA who murdered his wife and three children and got away with this horrific crime for 17.5 years. Kudos to the television show "America's Most Wanted" and the show's tipster for helping the FBI locate and capture John List.
Author Joe Sharkey did a superb job of researching EVERYTHING we should know (but would be afraid to ask!) about the complex character of John List, his family, the murders, his escape, and how he was able to avoid detection for 17.5 years. The book was well organized and really moved. I listened to the book's audio version and the narration was superb.
I had never heard of John List's crime before and perhaps that is why I found his story to be particularly fascinating. When John List murdered his family in 1971 it took authorities one month to discover four dead bodies in John List's home. With today's technology, John List never would have had that one month lead time to escape and reinvent himself.
I highly recommend this book.
This book was a very well researched and riveting "OMG!" story about John List, a University of Michigan MBA/CPA who murdered his wife and three children and got away with this horrific crime for 17.5 years. Kudos to the television show "America's Most Wanted" and the show's tipster for helping the FBI locate and capture John List.
Author Joe Sharkey did a superb job of researching EVERYTHING we should know (but would be afraid to ask!) about the complex character of John List, his family, the murders, his escape, and how he was able to avoid detection for 17.5 years. The book was well organized and really moved. I listened to the book's audio version and the narration was superb.
I had never heard of John List's crime before and perhaps that is why I found his story to be particularly fascinating. When John List murdered his family in 1971 it took authorities one month to discover four dead bodies in John List's home. With today's technology, John List never would have had that one month lead time to escape and reinvent himself.
I highly recommend this book.
September 19, 2017
This book was well researched & very well written. The story of John List is one of a cold man's quest to rid himself from the burden of his family & start life over again, unencumbered. In November of 1971, in Westfield, NJ, he murdered his wife, elderly mother, & 3 children then simply drove away, living a life incognito until his identity was discovered I 1989 by a new tool in the field of forensics. I really looked forward to reading this book & found it hard to put down. The story was told through memories of people who knew John List & those who knew him as Bob Clark during his 18 years on the run. I recommend it to anyone interested in true crime!
June 5, 2019
Definitely an interesting read. I've gone back and forth between three and four stars and am settling on four. Really, the story of John List/Robert P. Clark is sort of fascinating. I mean, this guy is a massive piece of shit on so many levels but he's also a mild mannered, unassuming dweeb that most people who came in contact with him on a regular basis had to think about long and hard before coming up with anything of note to say about him. But he managed to avoid being apprehended for the murders of his mother, wife, and three kids for nearly 18 years.
If you're a fan of true crime books - or documentaries about murderers - you'll definitely enjoy this book.
If you're a fan of true crime books - or documentaries about murderers - you'll definitely enjoy this book.
October 2, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. It's well told, with details and background, but not in a dry way at all. It's an interesting, lively story of a man who killed his entire family (wife, mother, 3 kids), then goes off to start a new life for himself.
John List would be a scary type to have loose in Society. He blends in so well, seems so grounded, reliable, calm. He's got quirks but nothing that stands out. A safe man to live one's life with. But he's not.
I enjoyed how this story was written. Like I said, it's not dry. It's well told, well paced and always interesting.
John List would be a scary type to have loose in Society. He blends in so well, seems so grounded, reliable, calm. He's got quirks but nothing that stands out. A safe man to live one's life with. But he's not.
I enjoyed how this story was written. Like I said, it's not dry. It's well told, well paced and always interesting.
July 10, 2019
I listened to this on Hoopla and as a true crime fan, I enjoyed the story from beginning to end! Really intriguing and certainly one that makes you think long after the last cd. Extra kudos to having a great narrator.
August 9, 2019
Review to Come, I need to let this sink in for a bit.
August 13, 2020
Well researched and written.
August 24, 2024
I had watched a few short documentaries on this case most of them on YouTube. Given that it happened about ten years before I was born the first time I heard of the crime was Forensic Files where they showed the remarkable bust that was sculpted for America's Most Wanted and how that came to be. But most of all those shows detailed the crime, discovery of the bodies a month later in the ballroom/upstairs apartment, and his subsequent arrest nearly 20 years later. With the exception of one YouTube channel Morbid Midnight who's mother knew the List children the victims were faceless statistics. Here we get to know them a bit. Patricia the daughter a typical teenager, into acting and drama, rebellious and trying to get involved with her teacher in a desperate attempt to escape the father she was positive would kill them all one day. The teacher is who ultimately led to the discovery of the bodies but consider the warnings and pleas of Pat he sure took his time. Sons Freddie and John Jr weren't described quite as much as Pat but were active social boys into sports with friends and after school jobs. His wife Helen wasn't a nice person basically conning him into marriage and the effects of syphilis from her first husband were slowly destroying her. His mother Alma was equally awful especially since she raised him to be the way he was. All this culminated in the murder of the entire List family and John being allowed to roam free, remarry, make friends and build community ties for 18 years. The author doesn't hold back in his contempt for List which is well deserved. His wife might've been tough to deal with his kids might've been rebellious but that's no reason to murder them. He was a coward and evil for what he did to them. The only people I felt bad for in the end besides the victims was his second wife Delores, and Helen's sister Jean left to pick up the pieces in the wake of this horrible man. On a side note the press is just as evil as List in the way they treated Delores. Literally chasing her in a car for a picture, it gave me Princess Diana vibes. She didn't do anything she didn't even know her husband existed when he murdered his family and is probably reeling with shock as anyone would be, so back off. Overall I'm glad I read this if only to get a more well rounded version of the story, to see the lives of his victims especially the children come to life again. Who knows what they would've done with their lives had their father not taken them?
March 13, 2023
John List was born in Bay City, Michigan in 1925. He graduated high school in 1943, and subsequently enlisted in the United States Army. He served during World War II as a laboratory technician. He attended college after he was discharged from the United States Army, and obtained two degrees in accounting and business administration. He was a devout Lutheran, and served his church in the capacity of Sunday School teacher. He married Helen Morris Taylor in 1951. The couple had three children together, as well as one daughter from Helen's previous marriage. The stepdaughter moved out, leaving the other children at home. List murdered his children, wife, and mother on November 9, 1971. The bodies were not discovered for a month. List vanished. He was the subject of an FBI manhunt, and was featured on America's Most Wanted, where he was recognized by a neighbor in his new city. List was arrested on June 1, 1989.
This book is currently available on Audible Plus to listen to for free with your subscription. Additionally, this book is featured on The Last Podcast On The Left, episode 438. The hosts of the podcast usually suggest really good books to read that they have used in their episode research. I had faith that this book would be very informative about John List, and it was. I learned some things that I did not learn from the podcast or on the Forensic Files episode that I watched about this crime. I really enjoyed this book, and am planning to look for more by this author.
This book is currently available on Audible Plus to listen to for free with your subscription. Additionally, this book is featured on The Last Podcast On The Left, episode 438. The hosts of the podcast usually suggest really good books to read that they have used in their episode research. I had faith that this book would be very informative about John List, and it was. I learned some things that I did not learn from the podcast or on the Forensic Files episode that I watched about this crime. I really enjoyed this book, and am planning to look for more by this author.
April 16, 2021
This was a good comprehensive look at John List, his crimes and his life afterwards. I found it very easy to listen to and follow the story, even when distracted by other things.
This was an interesting story about a weak unremarkable man who couldn't cope with strong-willed and outspoken women, couldn't hold down a decent job due to his lack of personality, and who didn't know how to live within his means, despite how utterly boring the life he lived seemed to be. Being swallowed up by debt and worried his teenage daughter was being influenced by the sins of society, List thought it best to murder his family whilst they all remained Christian's so they'd be sent to heaven without the 'burden' of being on welfare.
This was an unusual true crime story because not only did we get insight into List's oppressive religious upbringing by his mother, but we also got to hear how he lived after the murders, as he managed to remain free for 18 years after!
It was also really cool to hear about how a friend and neighbour followed her gut instinct after seeing List's photo in the newspaper, and then his story told on Most Wanted, to phone in to a tip line and ultimately solve the mystery of List's disappearance and give his murdered family justice, finally, after almost 2 decades of being on the run. Moral of that story: act on your instincts!!
Overall a good true crime listen of a story I hadn't heard much about beforehand.
This was an interesting story about a weak unremarkable man who couldn't cope with strong-willed and outspoken women, couldn't hold down a decent job due to his lack of personality, and who didn't know how to live within his means, despite how utterly boring the life he lived seemed to be. Being swallowed up by debt and worried his teenage daughter was being influenced by the sins of society, List thought it best to murder his family whilst they all remained Christian's so they'd be sent to heaven without the 'burden' of being on welfare.
This was an unusual true crime story because not only did we get insight into List's oppressive religious upbringing by his mother, but we also got to hear how he lived after the murders, as he managed to remain free for 18 years after!
It was also really cool to hear about how a friend and neighbour followed her gut instinct after seeing List's photo in the newspaper, and then his story told on Most Wanted, to phone in to a tip line and ultimately solve the mystery of List's disappearance and give his murdered family justice, finally, after almost 2 decades of being on the run. Moral of that story: act on your instincts!!
Overall a good true crime listen of a story I hadn't heard much about beforehand.
January 30, 2025
It's pretty hard to give stars to true crime books. This one was smoothly written & easy to listen as an audiobook, but nothing remarkable.
A bit too much time devoted to John Lists' finances and the several people involved in this story low key blaming his wife Helen and daughter Patty for their own murders. (For some reason his sons didn't get the same kind of blame/treatment... Was that because there were no conflicts between them and their father or because they were younger? Or because they were boys? We can only guess.) Especially Helen's story is horrific - your first husband gives you syphilis (& then dies in a war) and your second one murders you and your children.
A bit too much time devoted to John Lists' finances and the several people involved in this story low key blaming his wife Helen and daughter Patty for their own murders. (For some reason his sons didn't get the same kind of blame/treatment... Was that because there were no conflicts between them and their father or because they were younger? Or because they were boys? We can only guess.) Especially Helen's story is horrific - your first husband gives you syphilis (& then dies in a war) and your second one murders you and your children.
July 25, 2023
It took me about 6 weeks to read 305 pages….why? This book was just not that interesting. The case has piqued my curiosity for a few years now since I first heard about it on a podcast. When I was ready to read more about it I searched out this book. Though Sharkey hits all of the marks on relaying the details of the murders, the investigation, and the trial, his presentation is completely drab. I had to force myself to read more than half of this book. My advice, check out Ann Rule.
December 4, 2025
Well done
I am familiar with this tragedy, but learned some new things. It's good he was caught. Such a cold and selfish coward. The psychology of people like this is hard to fathom.
I am familiar with this tragedy, but learned some new things. It's good he was caught. Such a cold and selfish coward. The psychology of people like this is hard to fathom.
September 1, 2022
Great wealth of information. Fuck John List.
January 8, 2023
Fascinating and tragic look at the murders of the entire List family.
August 12, 2023
Well written, very informative. Interesting story. I have several feelings about John list....
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