Summary
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann uncovers one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history—the shocking murders of members of the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma, following the discovery of oil beneath their land. Grann's meticulous research and masterful storytelling bring to light the sinister plot that targeted the Osage, the world's richest people per capita at the time. Published in 2017, this gripping true crime narrative not only explores the tragic events but also chronicles the birth of the FBI and its role in unraveling the mystery, showcasing the investigative prowess of a young J. Edgar Hoover and former Texas Ranger Tom White.
A #1 New York Times bestseller, Killers of the Flower Moon won the Edgar Award and was a National Book Award finalist. In 2023, the book was adapted into a major motion picture, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone.
Plot
In the 1920s, the Osage Nation in Oklahoma became incredibly wealthy after oil was discovered beneath their land. The Osage people lived luxurious lifestyles, building mansions and sending their children to study in Europe. However, this newfound prosperity soon turned into a nightmare as members of the tribe began to be mysteriously killed off, one by one.
The family of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman, became a primary target of these murders. Her relatives were shot, poisoned, and killed under suspicious circumstances. As the death toll rose, it became clear that a sinister conspiracy was unfolding, with many who attempted to investigate the killings also falling victim to murder.
The newly formed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) took on the case as the situation escalated. J. Edgar Hoover, the young director of the FBI, assigned former Texas Ranger Tom White to lead the investigation. White assembled an undercover team, including a Native American agent who infiltrated the Osage community, to unravel the mystery behind these brutal crimes.
As the investigation progressed, White and his team, working alongside the Osage people, began to uncover one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history. The plot involved a complex web of deceit, greed, and racism, targeting the Osage to gain control of their oil wealth. Killers of the Flower Moon details the painstaking process of bringing the perpetrators to justice and shedding light on a dark chapter of American history that had long been overlooked.
Themes
Exploitation of Native American wealth
Systemic racism and corruption
Greed and the dark side of capitalism
Justice and the role of law enforcement
Historical injustice and its modern implications
Power dynamics in early 20th- century America
Resilience and perseverance of the Osage people
The birth of the FBI
Setting
Set in the 1920s, Killers of the Flower Moon unfolds against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America. The Roaring Twenties brought unprecedented wealth and modernization but also exposed deep-seated tensions and inequalities. This era of prosperity and social upheaval provides the backdrop for the book’s tragic events.
The story primarily takes place in Osage County, Oklahoma, a vast expanse of rolling prairie in the northeastern part of the state. Once a reservation, this land became home to some of the wealthiest people per capita in the world after oil was discovered beneath its surface. Author David Grann vividly describes the stark contrast between the opulent lifestyles of the Osage and the surrounding rural poverty.
Within this broader setting, Grann focuses on specific locations that play crucial roles in the narrative. The town of Fairfax serves as a central hub for many of the events, while the nearby city of Pawhuska, the Osage Nation's capital, also features prominently. The author's meticulous research brings to life the dusty streets, oil derricks, and grand mansions that defined this unique time and place in American history.
Key Figures
Mollie Burkhart: A wealthy Osage woman whose family became a prime target of the murders—her sister was shot and her mother was poisoned. Despite facing immense tragedy, Mollie remained resilient and played a crucial role in bringing attention to the crimes and seeking justice for her people.
William King Hale: The mastermind behind the Osage murder conspiracy. Hale was a prominent cattleman and businessman who orchestrated a complex plot to gain control of Osage oil wealth through manipulation and murder. He used his influence and connections to evade suspicion for years before finally being brought to justice. Hale's actions epitomized the greed and racism that fueled the systematic exploitation of the Osage people.
Tom White: A former Texas Ranger appointed by J. Edgar Hoover to lead the FBI investigation into the Osage murders. White assembled an undercover team and employed innovative investigative techniques to unravel the conspiracy. His dedication and perseverance were instrumental in exposing the truth and bringing the perpetrators to trial. White's work on the case helped establish the credibility of the newly formed FBI.
J. Edgar Hoover: The young director of the newly created FBI who assigned Tom White to the Osage murder case. Hoover saw the case as an opportunity to prove the worth of the fledgling bureau and establish its reputation in law enforcement.
Ernest Burkhart: Mollie Burkhart's husband and William Hale's nephew. Ernest was involved in the murder conspiracy, manipulated by his uncle to marry Mollie for her wealth.
Anna Brown: Mollie Burkhart's sister, who was murdered as part of the conspiracy. Her death was one of the earliest in the series of Osage murders.
Lizzie Kyle: Mollie Burkhart's mother, who was poisoned as part of the murder plot. Her death highlighted the ruthlessness of the conspirators.
Quick facts
A #1 New York Times bestseller, Killers of the Flower Moon spent more than 30 weeks on the hardcover nonfiction list later followed by over 100 weeks on the nonfiction paperback list.
Killers of the Flower Moon was a finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction in 2017 and won both Edgar and Anthony Awards in 2018.
The title comes from the Osage name for the May moon, when flowers bloom.
David Grann spent more than five years researching and writing the book.
Killers of the Flower Moon uncovers evidence that the conspiracy was much larger than originally thought, likely involving hundreds of murders.
The murders took place in the 1920s when the Osage were the richest people per capita in the world due to oil rights.
The book details how the newly formed FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover, investigated the case.
Killers of the Flower Moon inspired a $200 million film adaptation, directed by Martin Scorsese.
Leonardo DiCaprio was originally set to play FBI agent Tom White in the 2023 film but switched to the role of Ernest Burkhart.
The book’s use in high school curricula was affected by Oklahoma's House Bill 1775, regulating discussions of race in classrooms.
About the Author
David Grann is an American journalist and author known for compelling works of nonfiction that explore historical mysteries and true crime. His books, including The Lost City of Z (2009), Killers of the Flower Moon (2017), and The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder (2023), have topped bestseller lists and garnered critical acclaim.
Grann's journey to literary success began with his education at Connecticut College, followed by graduate studies at Tufts University and Boston University. His career in journalism took off when he joined The Hill newspaper, eventually becoming its executive editor. In 2003, he became a staff writer for The New Yorker, where he has since produced numerous notable articles and built a reputation for his meticulous research and captivating storytelling.
Grann’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including the George Polk Award in Journalism and the Edgar and Anthony Awards for mystery writing. Killers of the Flower Moon, which exposes the shocking Osage Indian murders of the 1920s, was a finalist for the National Book Award and adapted into a major motion picture, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.
