I felt a true crime book might be fitting for cool, spooky October evenings. Killers of the Flower Moon is a bestselling book, published in 2017 and further popularized by the movie of the same name.
Grann tells the story of the Osage Murders. He begins by centering on sisters Molly and Anna, Osage Indians who are well-off due to oil drilling on their land. Anna is murdered, and none of the local Oklahoman investigators can give Molly a clear answer as to what happened to her sister. Over the next 5 years, more than 25 Osage Indians or those connected to them are murdered. No one will talk, and no one knows who's next.
At the same time, J. Edgar Hoover (Booooo!) takes over the FBI and wants to make a name for himself. He appoints an investigator, Tom White, to assemble a deep-cover team to determine why so many people were murdered, and uncover the corruption that's been shielding the perpetrators from justice. White selects an unorthodox team, made up of former outlaws and private eyes, rather than the college-educated agents Hoover favors.
Grann takes this story all the way from the early 1900s to present day. His writing is rich with detail, and kept me engaged. He did a good job of calling out prejudice and corruption throughout the story, and also being respectful in his description of native traditions. Though true crime isn't my passion, I do think this book is very well done.
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
3/5 stars - interesting historical report on the Osage Reign of Terror
I hope that you are completely booked!
Comments