by Erik Larson
First published 2003
The 1893 Chicago World's Fair was a marvel of modern engineering and ambition. But as the legendary "White City" rises, an enterprising serial killer uses the fair to lure unsuspecting victims to their grisly deaths. Caught in the middle are two rival architects - one driven to secure America's place on the world stage, the other consumed by a dark obsession. As the nation celebrates its bright future, a battle of wits and wills plays out in the shadows, with devastating consequences.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, mystery, thriller, 19th-century
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, rival-characters
Setting: Illinois, Chicago
Period: 19th century
447 pages · Paperback · Vintage
Content warnings: murder, violence