Book Recommendation

Lovers of historical AND crime writing should read THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY, by Eric Larson. In the 1880s, a plan was conceived to host an exposition in the United States to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage to America. The exposition was meant to rival the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris, for which the Eiffel Tower was constructed. Chicago competed with St. Louis, New York, and Washington, D.C. to host the fair. In 1890, the honor was given to Chicago.

Larson’s book not only follows the World’s Columbian Exposition through the planning stages of the project, including insight into the commissioned architects and a study of the historical significance of the event, but also chronicles the crimes of Henry H. Holmes, who designed an edifice of his own – a “Murder Castle” blocks from the fairgrounds where he housed, and ultimately murdered, dozens of women, disposing of many bodies in a crematory in the basement of his horror hotel.

Larson, whose ISAAC’S STORM continues to be a favorite, is exceptional at enhancing the true crime story of Holmes with the historical context of the crime, at juxtaposing two different stories centered around a singular event.

After reading THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY, the reader may want to check out http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA96/WCE/history.html for more information about the World’s Columbian Exposition, and http://www.prairieghosts.com/holmes3.html for more details, including floor plans, of Holmes’ “Murder Castle.”