My oldest daughter had it for summer reading before her senior year in high school. We had it kicking around so I read it too. I thought it was very informative not only on H.H. Holmes but the whole World’s Fair event. I liked it.
I enjoyed it. I particularly liked the amount of background information, and all the details that made Chicago and the World’s Fair feel solid and real. The difference between examining a photo and putting on VR glasses.
Had a hard time getting through it, but persevered for Book Club. Erik Larson did some amazing research for this book. I was totally creeped out by the stuff that happened.
I liked it. It was like reading two separate stories…. one murder mystery, one history. But then, I love history so that part was just as interesting to me as the other.
Another thing that really intrigued me was the influence the Worlds Fair had on Walt Disney and his concept for his park. He whole fair was such a massive undertaking and the trickle down for other builders/designers was big.
Found the politics of the time gave everything an extra dimension . Also why the murders could happen was insightful , even if I didn’t really love that part
I remember it being a slow start for me, but interest in the city and the World’s Fair kept me going. I I liked it, and it has sort of haunted me ever since.
Loved that book. If you’re ever in Chicago they have a few tours you can go on based on the book and the history of its time. The Architecture Boat Ride is the one I would recommend.
A good read but the connection between the Fair and the killer was a little strained. For my money, “Twilight at the World of Tomorrow” (a similar book about the 1939 Fair and the goings-on in the runup to WWII) was better.
Loved it! Fascinating to read details about the World’s Fair (I continue to tell people what I learned) and the very eerie serial killer. Unfortunately so many raves about “Dead Wake” but never able to finish it. Didn’t like any of his other books as much either.
It’s a great read! Really chilling and fascinating. It’s 2 stories in one, written side by side, because they are both important and intertwined. Both are fantastic and while reading, you’ll come to the end of the exposition part and be disappointed to leave that and then when you get to the end of the part about the serial killer you won’t want to leave that. It’s so well written it is perfect. It has all kinds of interesting facts. Parts of it will scare you. It’s a definite must.
Amazing book. Especially if you get chance to visit Chicago and see the remnants of where the World’s Fair took place. It all was a fascinating read and I normally don’t read this type of book.
Very interesting. Erik Larson is a great writer.
I couldn’t get into it. But I loved Dead Wake
Lol, I was exactly the other way around! To each his own taste.
I just started it and having a real hard time holding on
Really liked it!
My oldest daughter had it for summer reading before her senior year in high school. We had it kicking around so I read it too. I thought it was very informative not only on H.H. Holmes but the whole World’s Fair event. I liked it.
I enjoyed it. I particularly liked the amount of background information, and all the details that made Chicago and the World’s Fair feel solid and real. The difference between examining a photo and putting on VR glasses.
Had a hard time getting through it, but persevered for Book Club. Erik Larson did some amazing research for this book. I was totally creeped out by the stuff that happened.
I thought it was fascinating
I liked it. It was like reading two separate stories…. one murder mystery, one history. But then, I love history so that part was just as interesting to me as the other.
Wicked story, well written amazingly factual
Another thing that really intrigued me was the influence the Worlds Fair had on Walt Disney and his concept for his park. He whole fair was such a massive undertaking and the trickle down for other builders/designers was big.
Loved it.
Loved.
Do you have a copy or did you get from the library? Asking for a friend. LOL!
Loved it.
Found the politics of the time gave everything an extra dimension . Also why the murders could happen was insightful , even if I didn’t really love that part
One of the best I’ve ever read!!
The architecture stuff bogged me down a bit. But the true crime details kept me reading.
Love
One of my favorites.
Contains a lot of information to process….
I want to read this one!!!!
Loved.
There’s some dry spots but I really liked it
Thought it was fascinating – glad I read it and pushed through the dry spots 🙂
Loved it
Excellent
Nonfiction that reads like fiction; I love everything Erik Larson has written!
Me too, he is an amazing writer – Dark Wake?!?!!!
@Renee “Dead Wake” about the sinking of the Lusitania
@Katy oops yes!
When you finish, you’ll be glad you read it.
I remember it being a slow start for me, but interest in the city and the World’s Fair kept me going. I I liked it, and it has sort of haunted me ever since.
I agree
Also, I am a huge sucker for a book with a map.
hahaha
I liked it but thought the ending just fizzled out.
Great book.
Great book
Loved it!
Love!
Love it! I have recommended it many times, to a wide variety of folks, and it has been well-received. Enjoy! ?
Really great on audio
Loved it!!
So excellent
After careful reading and a lot of deliberation, I have concluded that I am pro-Worlds’ Fair and anti-serial killer.
Really liked it.
Great book.
Love!!
Great book.
Loved that book. If you’re ever in Chicago they have a few tours you can go on based on the book and the history of its time. The Architecture Boat Ride is the one I would recommend.
A good read but the connection between the Fair and the killer was a little strained. For my money, “Twilight at the World of Tomorrow” (a similar book about the 1939 Fair and the goings-on in the runup to WWII) was better.
Great book!
Good book
Really enjoyed it! I liked the H. H. Holmes parts more, but I liked the book as a whole.
Loved it!
Was on several best books of the year lists. On the best seller list for over a year.
I couldn’t get into it…
Me either!
Great book! Part of what hooked me on being obsessed with H. H. Holmes.
Loved it!
Love this author. History that reads like a novel. Interesting subject on H.H. Holmes
Loved it!
Fascinating and creepy! Loved it.
I think they should toss him out on his ear.
Did the audio. Pretty hard to follow. Too many evil people, too many victims.
Great book! Aside from the “creepiness” it gave a tremendous amount of insight into the World’s Fair…and so many inventions which came from it.
Absolutely loved it. The coincidences of history were amazing!
It was fascinating. I had never heard of hh Holmes prior
That was a good one…every time I fly into Chicago I think of that book.
Had a layover in Chicago a few years ago and found a concourse at the airport with a display of photo murals of the World’s Fair
Amazing. Skilled writing my Larson.
Luved it.
Loved it! Fascinating to read details about the World’s Fair (I continue to tell people what I learned) and the very eerie serial killer. Unfortunately so many raves about “Dead Wake” but never able to finish it. Didn’t like any of his other books as much either.
Excellent
love
Read many years ago, @Beth. But do recommend it highly.
Dark, scary, interesting…..great read
Not my fav.
Great, scary, story. Evil throughout! Eye opening on the evil that persists in our world.
In my opinion it’s a classic. There is nothing going on in this book that isn’t worth reading about.
I loved it. It is very interesting.
My husband really liked it
Loved it!
Yes, yes, yes!
Creepy, but awesome book. Totally recommend!!
Spellbinding. One of those classic books
Excellent book, his best!
Fascinating book.
Yes
Great to know ! I have wanted to read this book??
Wonderful book. Larson always does great research, makes all his books like living history.
Read it, and also read Paris by Edward Rutherfurd. Same time period and some overlap of venue.
I couldn’t read that book, although I tried.
I read it many years ago. It was strange, but interestingly aspects of it keep coming back to me ( history not gruesome stuff)
So gruesome & sick but an incredible book. One of those that I give a disclaimer when I recommend?
great
Wow! Anything this man writes!
Loved it
Yes
Loved it!
Read it while on a trip to Chicago. Loved it!
Really enjoyed it, especially the chapters concerning the architecture of the World’s Fair.
It’s a great read! Really chilling and fascinating. It’s 2 stories in one, written side by side, because they are both important and intertwined. Both are fantastic and while reading, you’ll come to the end of the exposition part and be disappointed to leave that and then when you get to the end of the part about the serial killer you won’t want to leave that. It’s so well written it is perfect. It has all kinds of interesting facts. Parts of it will scare you. It’s a definite must.
Reading it now. I like it.
How far are you? I would love to converse with you about it. I won’t spoil it, don’t worry.
Maria, when you get done reading it, I would love to talk to you about that book. So cool!
Loved it !!
It has been awhile since I have read it but I thought it was interesting and I enjoyed it.
Great book! Rec’d it many times!
I’m really really tired (new mom) so I read this as “Devil in the White House”
Very interesting. I like content-rich books
Fascinating
Amazing book. Especially if you get chance to visit Chicago and see the remnants of where the World’s Fair took place. It all was a fascinating read and I normally don’t read this type of book.
Fantastic.
Love! Also Deadwake of Erik Larson’s too…
So darn scary and creepy that I couldn’t finish it.
Very weird
Dead wake and in the garden of beasts too
and Isaacs storm
Thank you all for your input. I started reading it and hated it. So, I tried to listen to it instead. Much better!
Maybe it’s easier for you to relax while listening to it, instead of reading. For me, it’s the other way around with most books.
This was the first book I have ever ‘listened’ to. I prefer to read them. However, this was one of our groups challenge reads. Had to give it a try.
Totally loved it.
Love Erik Larson.