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). 

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
352 pages / 9 hrs, 4 mins

"In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.

"Then, one by one, they began to be killed off. One Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, watched as her family was murdered. Her older sister was shot. Her mother was then slowly poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more Osage began to die under mysterious circumstances...

"Eventually the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try to unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including one of the only Native American agents in the bureau. They infiltrated the region, struggling to adopt the latest modern techniques of detection. Together with the Osage they began to expose one of the most sinister conspiracies in American history."     --from the publisher

This is heavy subject matter. I am stunned by the number of people who participated in and covered up this insidious attack on innocent people. It is disturbing to me that human nature can be persuaded to participate in multiple, horrible acts of violence for money. The story is well written and definitely one that should never be forgotten, but it leaves the reader with a sense of despair.