9.32k reviews for:

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

Erik Larson

3.87 AVERAGE

hallem's review against another edition

4.0

dark informative mysterious medium-paced

bethann302's review against another edition

3.25

dark informative inspiring mysterious slow-paced

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Audiobook

I learned a lot from this book. However I think I may have enjoyed the actual book more than audio. SO MANY facts and details crammed in every sentence. I do love Erin Larson’s writing style. I’m not sure I would recommend this one to anyone other than a history architecture buff or someone interested in serial killers. I would have like to have seen photos. 

hallformusic's review against another edition

4.0

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fascinating history mixed with terror. a part of the past i had almost never heard about. 

chloe29's review against another edition

3.0

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12h, 16m

nilonilo's review against another edition

3.0

informative mysterious slow-paced

musesx's review against another edition

3.5

dark informative medium-paced

albatrossonhalfpointe's review against another edition

2.0

adventurous informative inspiring slow-paced

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The Chicago World's Fair did have a huge impact on a lot of things, so there is some interest to be found there. I did enjoy reading about the first ferris wheel, for example. And if you do happen to be into architectural history or large-scale event planning and management, there's plenty for you here too. But in the end, it was not really for me.

More at https://kingshearte.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-devil-in-white-city-erik-larson.html

loganhowlet1835's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

alsira98's review against another edition

4.0

dark informative tense slow-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Murder

Moderate: Death, Death of parent

rosatibiscotti's review against another edition

2.0

informative slow-paced