Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

A compelling achievement in literary journalism, executed with the gripping intensity of a mystery, as commended by The Boston Globe. In the 1920s, the Osage Nation in Oklahoma held the title of the world's wealthiest per capita community. Following the discovery of oil beneath their territory, the Osage indulged in a life of luxury, with chauffeured cars, grand estates, and European education for their offspring.

However, a sinister turn of events unfolded as members of the Osage began to face a series of targeted killings. The family of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman, became a focal point, experiencing the shooting and poisoning of her relatives. This marked the onset of a troubling pattern, with an increasing number of Osage succumbing to mysterious deaths. Those who embarked on investigations found themselves becoming victims of violence.

With the rising death toll, the recently established FBI stepped in under the leadership of the young director, J. Edgar Hoover. Hoover enlisted the expertise of Tom White, a former Texas Ranger, to decipher the enigma. White formed an undercover team, including a Native American agent who infiltrated the region. Collaborating with the Osage, they initiated the exposure of one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.