The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
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At the dawn of the twentieth century, two men shaped America’s story in very different ways. Daniel H. Burnham, visionary architect of Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair, turned a swamp into the dazzling “White City,” a showcase of innovation and ambition. Just beyond its glowing lights, Dr. H.H. Holmes—charming, brilliant, and utterly monstrous—built a hotel designed not for guests, but for victims.
As Burnham battled impossible odds to bring his dream to life, Holmes lured young women into his labyrinth of terror, complete with secret chambers, gas pipes, and a furnace built for disposal. While fairgoers marveled at the wonders of the new century, a killer stalked in their shadow.
Blending meticulous research with page-turning suspense, The Devil in the White City reveals a chilling true crime that unfolded at the very heart of America’s Gilded Age.