New York Times best-seller and National Book Award finalist, “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI,” will be the topic of the Adult Book Discussion on Tuesday, September 18, 7:00 p.m., at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, 201 N. Mulberry Street, Mount Vernon.
Journalist David Grann, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of “The Lost City of Z,” uses research, interviews, and photographs to shed light on a twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history. After oil was discovered on their land in the 1920’s, the Osage Nation of Oklahoma suddenly became the richest people per capita. They built mansions, hired chauffeurs and traveled the world.
Then, one by one, the Osage were killed. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target. One of her relatives was shot. Another was poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more and more Osage were dying under mysterious circumstances, and many of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered.
As the death toll rose, the newly created FBI took up the case, and 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 a Native American agent who infiltrated the region, and together with the Osage began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.
A short film about the history of the Osage tribe will be shown at the beginning of the program. Copies of the book are available for checkout at the main library or can be reserved online or in person for pickup at any branch library location. Participants are encouraged to read the book selected each month, but it is not required to attend the discussion.
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call the main library at 740-392-2665, visit www.knox.net or email communityrelations@knox.net.