Devil In the White City is really two stories intertwined in one. Historically it describes the city of Chicago as it builds and prepares for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, notably introducing Daniel Burnham and his dreams. The other story, dark and detailed, relates the sinister life of serial killer H.H. Holmes during that same time, luring young girls into his lair. I learned much about Chicago by reading this book and used this knowledge to recommend a similar less dark tale, A Long Way From Chicago and Fair Weather, both by Richard Peck, to fourth graders.

This book was very informative on how the 1893 Chicago World's Fair came about and all the many conficts, events and mysteries that accompanied it. I couldn't put it down! ( )

Well, Larson did it again in this book. He takes an event from history, one that has many gruesome and tragic aspects, and weaves an amazing story. Much of the book was dedicated to the horrors committed by one H.H. Holmes. At least, Holmes was one of many names used by this murderer.

I find myself having difficulty finding descriptive words for this man. If you read the book, you will understand why, as simply confirming him as a killer, does not come close to describing what he did.

Once again, however, Larson manages to tell a good story, and to bring history to life along with the tale of tragedy. This time, it is the story of the the creation and eventually the destruction of the Chicago World's Fair, and those who dedicated an important part of their lives to building it. In this way, with the story of Holmes is embedded within another story, and the feeling of horror and the gruesome activities of this man are somehow eased. Rather than being left with only repugnance as otherwise would be the case. this man is a storyteller of extraordinary talent. ( )

Review by Lludmilla Mirrikh
Larson has used the Simon Winchester trick of starting with the very end of the story and then suddenly starting over. Okay, maybe other people use that, I just associate it with Winchester. He chooses to tell two stories, one of the creation of the Columbian Exhibition in Chicago and the serial-killer-next-door (inevitably bringing to mind The Professor and the Madman). Both narratives, I suppose, could be called stories of obsession. The building of the White City is tacitly compared with the building of the serial killer's dreamhouse-of-death, also making the comparison between Burnham and Holmes.
Both stories are engrossing and II rate this pretty highly considering how much I complain about it. Holmes's part of the story reads more like fiction. I have made, consequently, more notes on the notes themselves than for the narrative. How can we know what Holmes was thinking? And if he wrote a memoir or confession (which of course he did), how can we trust the word of a psychopath? How can we know the details of how one of his victims died and his reaction? I take issue with this. Oh, it's evocative and thrilling and all, but can it be called non-fiction?
In the notes, Larson gives his excuses, which I still find thin. He makes speculations based on other people's speculations or "improves" on other people's speculations. I would also complain about the ghoulishness of writing about this, but I can't because I read Caleb Carr ... and then scoff that characters like that don't exist in real life. Guess I can't do that anymore.
I recommend this book to peope who like Caleb Carr's thrillers/mysteries and Simon Winchester's non-fiction.

I was unexpectedly pleased when I read this book. The setting was unusual and lent the book and unique historical perspective. The 1893 World's Fair offered a great backdrop to the more involved stories of the main characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in a combination of murder mystery and historical fiction. ( )