Book Review: The Devil in the White City

Reviewed By: Jennifer Jordan

The Devil in the White City     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Erik Larson
Class/Genre:   Non-Fiction   Mystery   True Crime
February 2003, Crown Publishers, 304 pages/$25.95

The book is both true crime and historical in nature. Mr. Larson has chosen the setting of Chicago in the late 1800’s as his subject. The supporting cast is the famous World’s Fair (which brings us the first Ferris Wheel) and the infamous H.H.Holmes (who brings us the first American serial killer). Holmes will be remembered as the “doctor” who built a castle of torture in the windy city and almost successfully got away with multiple murder. This edition of the World Fair will be remembered as the one that almost wasn’t. Mr. Larson has done a meticulous job in researching and documenting every aspect of this book. He juxtaposes a history and true crime every other chapter, keeping the readers interest in both subjects.

Jennifer Jordan

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jennifer Jordan

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