Devil in the White City was well-written and fascinating. The 4 star rating was my fault, not the author’s. I had a hard time with all of the set-backs and frustrations throughout the story. Yet, as hard as it was for me to read, the book gives many examples of the beauty and strength of the human spirit.

So well written, structured, and insightful. Such a fun and intriguing way to learn about history.

Come form the serial killer, stay for the drama of the world fair

So fascinating! The fact that two moments like this could be woven together so intricately really shows Larsen to be a master historian!

This book was interesting, vivid descriptions capture the world fair in every detail, you can almost feel the mud on your boots in street, see the enormity of the structures built and the painstaking precision and detail put into the landscape. All the while understanding the scope of the sinister mayhem happening all around.

The book is two stories, told in mostly alternating chapters. It is well researched and grippingly told. I had little knowledge of the Chicago Columbian Exposition. I was amazed at the great feat of its creation as well as the tremendous influence it had on everything from snack food to theme parks to architecture in the century to follow. Of course the real life murder story adds an additional dimension that will keep you glued to the pages.

I’ve never read a book that threads history together in a way that feels like a fictional thriller quite like this. This feels like a whole new genre. Couldn’t put it down.

This book had lots of good press, but is a very lame book.

Fantastic dramatic historical book! Story lines are parallel but not dependent on each other! Fascinating to think that the events are researched and true! You won’t be disappointed I promise!

Read this, if only to gain a strong sense of the background of American architectural influences, some which are present today. Oh- and there is a serial killer in this story. Endlessly fascinating!