Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (2018 nonfiction)

This is a thoroughly researched and captivating story of an essentially unknown chapter in Oklahoma and US history. The Osage Nation (Flower Moon) was removed from their tribal lands by the United States government and “dumped” into areas that no one else wanted, the same fate as other tribal nations. By sheer coincidence, the land given to the Osage later became recognized one of the richest oil lands in the nation.  With the development of this land, the neighboring white citizens and even some tribal members became upset with the “uppity Indians” who dared to wear good clothes, build showy houses and drive large cars. The government declared that the Osage were not capable nor experienced enough to handle the large amounts of money coming to them, so they put the money in trust with the white trustees parceling out small amounts for their immediate needs. Envy. Greed.  Lies. Arrogance. Silence. Murder. All and more are part of this cruel, deplorable and yet riveting era of history. As local investigators comb through the web of Osage murders, the newly installed J. Edgar Hoover in Washington uses their work to promote his new bureau. This award winning true crime account, which reads like a well-written novel, of the tumultuous time in the 1920s in Oklahoma is a compelling story. Highly recommended. Available in several formats in the Castro Valley Library.  

Reviewed by Carol Lyke