Book Review: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

In a remarkable development, the Trail of Tears led the Osage Indians to a brief life as multimillionaires. It ended tragically.

This very well-written book (by the author of one of my favorites, The Lost City of Z) documents the pattern of murders that took place among the Osage in the 1920s. The book is divided into three sections: One “on the ground” during the time of the murders, one following J. Edgar Hoover and his investigators from the nascent FBI through the “solving” of the case, and one diving deeper into everything that was overlooked.

I don’t want to say too much about this story – it’s easy to fall into spoiler territory and I really recommend this book (nine out of ten hot dogs). Suffice to say, it really illustrates just how greedy and nefarious people can be. Also provides a great history of the founding of the FBI, and some notes on things like what inquests are and why we have them, what forensics were available early last century and who used them, and even what a “sooner” really was.

Very recommended – don’t want to say too much, but read it and we’ll talk!