s_st317's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5


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kenley11's review against another edition

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dark informative sad tense medium-paced

3.0


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lulugirl297's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

3.5


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ornateapple's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious sad slow-paced

3.0


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mysterymom40's review against another edition

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challenging informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced

3.5


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samarakroeger's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

My SIXTH Erik Larson book in the span of one month. Dear god.

Anyways, this is probably his most well-known book (and was the hardest to get ahold of on libby). The two narrative threads were both interesting (something that was lacking in his most similar book to this, Thunderstruck). I sometimes got lost in the sea of names (looking at you, architects), but it didn’t detract from the story.  I honestly didn’t know much about the Chicago World’s Fair (or the murders). I would have liked to have known more about how the event changed America (it’s part of the title) and whether it inspired something similar in the future. 

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kellyofcali's review against another edition

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dark informative slow-paced

3.75

This is a well written book that crosses two related subjects - one, the world's fair, and two, a serial killer. I found both interesting, which means he did a good job, though I did find it dragged on a little long towards the denouement of both storylines. It's also a little confusing what is real vs. not, though I know that bothers some people more than others.

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magosti1's review against another edition

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dark emotional slow-paced

2.0

Deeply disturbing true crime novel about a serial killer in Chicago while the worlds fair was being built. Too disturbing 

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anjadesa's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

4.0


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sopranna's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced

3.5

Impressive research, not a good hang. Incredibly dark. 

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