The Twisted Tale of Murder, Mansions, and Skylights

In 1971, John List committed a horrific crime that would shock the entire United States: He murdered his mother, wife, and three kids inside their New Jersey mansion. The List family was somewhat reclusive, however, and with no regular visitors to the mansion it wouldn’t be until a month later that their bodies were discovered. John List, in the meantime, had skipped town, and the ensuing police search would prove fruitless. List managed to disappear for 18 years, and had even remarried, but was eventually found thanks to an episode of America’s Most Wanted.

After being captured, List claimed that he murdered his family due to their crushing debt, a product of both their lavish mansion and their numerous medical expenses. According to a psychiatrist who testified in the trial, List only saw two choices: Go on welfare to support the family, or send them to heaven. List was sentenced to five consecutive life sentences without parole, and would die in prison in 2008.

There’s a twist to the story, however. As it turns out, List’s mansion was adorned with a skylight rumored to be an original from Tiffany. The skylight alone would have been enough to pay off any debt List may have incurred and then some. It was unclear if List was aware of the skylight’s origin or of its value when he committed the gruesome murders.

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Inherent Vice: A Darkly Comic Detective Film

Based on Thomas Pynchon’s 2009 novel of the same name, 2014’s Inherent Vice was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and released to mixed reviews. Some critics thought the plot to be too convoluted and often difficult to follow, but the award nominations, including two Academy Awards nominations and a Best Actor Golden Globe Award nomination, indicated that at least some thought otherwise.

The film touts no shortage of star power, with an impressive cast that includes the likes of Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston, Eric Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio del Toro, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Jeannie Berlin, Maya Rudolph, Michael K. Williams and Martin Short. Inherent Vice marks Paul Thomas Anderson’s second major collaboration with Joaquin Phoenix following 2012’s The Master, although much of the supporting casts can be seen making appearances throughout Anderson’s many films as well.

While the cast alone would be reason enough to watch the film, the plot certainly doesn’t disappoint either. It follows private investigator Larry "Doc" Sportello, a 1970’s California stoner hippie, who gets involved in the seedy Los Angeles criminal underworld following the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend and her wealthy boyfriend. While themes of drug culture and counterculture make the film just a little less than family friendly, it’s still an entertaining watch by all accounts, one that could be appreciated by mystery buffs and comedy fans alike.

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Must Watch Detective Shows You Can Stream Right Now

If you’re looking for some great TV, look no further than these three shows currently streaming on Netflix.

Jack Taylor. Starring Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen as the titular Jack Taylor, this gritty Irish detective drama thrills and compels every bit as much as it entertains. Taylor, a street tough ex-cop kicked off the force for assaulting a politician turns to the world of private investigation, taking on the cases that the cops won’t and letting nothing get in his way, not even the law, when solving them. Taylor breaks the rules to help others, all while battling his own demons.

The Fall. Compared to a game of cat-and-cat as opposed to cat-and-mouse, The Fall tells the tale of an intelligent serial killer on the loose in Belfast being pursued by a cold, calculating detective who is every bit as intelligent. The series stars Gillian Anderson (of X-Files fame) in the role of the detective, a role which she has described as her all-time favorite, and a few episodes into the show it’s easy to see why. Jamie Dornan stars opposite Anderson as the serial killer, and his performance is every bit as riveting, making this a show not to be missed.

River. British drama at its finest, River stars Stellan Skarsgard as detective inspector John River with the Metropolitan Police Service who tries to solve the mystery of his murdered partner. As River investigates her murder he digs up conspiracies and cover ups, all while solving day-to-day cases and dealing with his own personal trauma after the event. His investigations lead to compelling encounters with grieving family members, ex-cons, and fellow officers, who River suspects had a hand in the whole affair.

Looking for a deep dive into the world of mystery? Visit our online library at www.mystread.com for a wide variety of ebooks, audiobooks, music, and more. Accessible anytime, anywhere, from your favorite devices.

Long-forgotten Masters of Mystery Rediscovered

With so many new and exciting books being released all the time, it’s little wonder that previous titles can easily drift into obscurity, even if they were well-received at the time. The benefit of a good book is that it’s not difficult to revive and to once again enjoy the contents of its pages. Here’s a look at some masterpieces of mystery which we found hiding away in a dusty corner. Enjoy!

The Mysterious Mickey Finn - Elliot Paul

Originally written as nothing more than a parody of S.S Van Dine’s work, this character from Elliot Paul ended up being so loved he had a series of his own. Based in Paris, this sleuth had his own mysteries to solve which inevitably ended up in some hilarious exploits.

Thank You, Mr Moto - John P. Marquand

This novel featured an unusual subject: an agent from the Japanese Secret Service. Scooping a Pulitzer Prize for his efforts, John P. Marquand went on to write a series of books based on this character, each with a compelling mystery to solve. In this book the bad guys are attempting to steal valuable Chinese scrolls, creating anti-American propaganda during sensitive pre-WWII times.

Cat of Many Tails - Ellery Queen

Many feel that this epic adventure is one of the very first serial killer novels to be published. Arguably Ellery Queen’s finest work, it’s set in World War II in blistering heat with New York gripped by a psychotic strangler.

These older mysteries are just the start of some of the books on offer at www.mystread.com so check out the on library and see what you can find.