Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

 Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann-377 pages

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This is a riveting page-turner that is hard to put down. It is a story of how members of the Osage Nation were systematically murdered for their head rights (oil money). Oil had been found on Osage Nation land after their Allotment and the federal government allowed them to keep the money, but many Osage were required to have a guardian who held the purse strings. The federal government didn't think the Osage could handle their own money. In many cases, the Osage were murdered by their guardians for the oil money. However, many of these cases were never investigated and/or solved. During what became known as the Osage Reign of Terror some 605 Osage died between 1907 and 1923. Hundreds of those who died were potentially murdered. William Hale and Ernest Burkhart were at the center of one of the largest plots, but it was far from the only plot. Many of these murder cases went unknown or unsolved for decades, if they were even investigated at all. Justice was never really served for these murders. William Hale was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, but was paroled after 20 years and died of old age in a nursing home. Ernest Burkhart was also paroled and eventually pardoned for his role in the murders. Very few others were ever convicted of their alleged crimes. It leaves readers sickened and infuriated (at least it did me).