The non-fiction historical narrative, published in 2003, intertwines the stories of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and a serial killer operating in the city at the same time. It presents a juxtaposition of architectural marvel and horrific crimes, offering a dual narrative structure.
The work’s significance lies in its detailed reconstruction of a pivotal moment in American history. It provides insight into the era’s rapid technological advancements, social anxieties, and nascent urban development. The book’s impact stems from its gripping portrayal of contrasting elements the hope and progress embodied by the fair against the darkness and depravity of the killer’s actions rendering a compelling and unsettling portrait of the Gilded Age.