History · True crime
The Devil in the White City
Erik Larson alternates between two stories of Chicago in 1893: architect Daniel Burnham's effort to build the World's Fair, and Dr H. H. Holmes, a serial killer preying on visitors.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 2002
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 447
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like narrative history that sets ambition and murder side by side.
Skip this if you want a pure crime story, since half the book covers architecture and planning.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Devil in the White City
- What is The Devil in the White City about?
- Erik Larson alternates between two stories of Chicago in 1893: architect Daniel Burnham's effort to build the World's Fair, and Dr H. H. Holmes, a serial killer preying on visitors.
- Who should read The Devil in the White City?
- Read it if you like narrative history that sets ambition and murder side by side. Skip it if you want a pure crime story, since half the book covers architecture and planning.
- How long and how fast is The Devil in the White City?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 447 pages, first published in 2002.
- Does The Devil in the White City have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Gore.
- Can I borrow The Devil in the White City for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Devil in the White City; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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