Lacey L. (laceylosh) reviewed on 5/5/2010 + 53 more book reviews

The Devil in the White City follows two men living in Chicago in the era of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. Daniel Burnham, the chief architect of the fair, and Dr. H. H. Holmes, a cunning, charming murderer masquerading as a physician, pharmacist and businessman. This non-fiction books combination of ambitious individuals seems unlikely, but the book does an excellent job of intertwining the stories.

The fair came together despite seemingly unbeatable odds, and I was rooting for Burnham through the entire book. While Holmes actions were despicable, its morbidly interesting when a writer tries to get into the mind-set of a psychopathic serial killer. The author, Erik Larson, certainly did his research and his result is something both history buffs and thrill seekers will enjoy.

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