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.