Larson has delivered an informative look back at a magical time in the history of Chicago and the United States. Any architect would especially appreciate this story of the fair created by Daniel Burnham. Mixing the history of the Columbian Exposition with a story of true crime, both done on a grand scale, is accomplished with a sense for the long-term architectural and cultural impact of these events.

The story begins slowly and each part, the fair and the murders, get only somewhat cursory review, but enough detail comes out to draw the reader in and the book finishes with a few astounding little known facts.

To my surprise, I had eaten in the Atwood Cafe in the Burnham Hotel in Chicago, and didn't even put together the connection until 'reading' the final chapters.

Non-fiction and History readers will enjoy this one. ( )