The Devil in the White City: A Saga of Magic and Murder at the Fair that Changed America

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson — a #1 National Bestseller and National Book Award Finalist — tells the true, gripping story of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and a charming yet sinister serial killer who used its allure to prey on victims.

The book intertwines the lives of Daniel H. Burnham, the visionary architect behind the dazzling “White City,” and Henry H. Holmes, a doctor who built a “World’s Fair Hotel” designed for murder. As Burnham battled immense challenges to create a masterpiece of innovation, Holmes lured countless victims into his horrifying labyrinth.

Blending meticulous research with thrilling storytelling, Larson captures the wonder, ambition, and darkness of America’s Gilded Age—where dreams of progress met the depths of human evil.