The Devil in the White City

As I read the chapters about the World's Fair I felt great suspense: would they complete it on time? would it be spectacular enough to shut the mouths of those East Coast snobs? would the fair escape tragedy?

Reading the chapters about the serial killer H.H. Holmes was also suspenseful in a more immediate way: would he kill this person too? how would he be found out?

The alternation between the obvious and immediate suspense of the murderer and the subtle suspense of trying to overcome great odds made a nice contrast, and probably even heightened the suspense of both narratives. I had a hard time reading this book at night (due to the Holmes chapters), and found that 4pm to 7pm was the best time to read and not ruin my day or give me nightmares.

In all, a really terrific book.