She was a beloved teacher. A trusted guardian. A monster hiding in plain sight. From 1988 to 2009, Emily Cannister—kindergarten teacher, community favorite, and secret killer—kidnapped and murdered fifteen children. To the outside world, she was kind and nurturing. But behind closed doors, she was consumed by obsession, delusion, and a twisted longing to claim the children she could never have. In 2012, during her third murder trial, Emily confessed. But her admission raised more questions than it answered. Now, in a chilling 2014 prison interview, Cole King—the relentless investigator from The Killer Across the Street—sits face-to-face with one of the most horrifying child killers in modern history.

In a disturbing and emotional exchange, Emily details how her victims died, where their bodies were hidden, and why she believed they had to be silenced. But as Emily speaks, the truth becomes harder to pin down, and Cole must decide how much of her story is confession—and how much is manipulation.

The Cannister Trials is a dark, heart-wrenching descent into the psyche of a woman who destroyed countless lives in her pursuit of a delusional dream. Gritty, emotional, and unflinching, this crime biographical thriller dares to ask: how does someone become a killer—and why do they need you to understand?