Key Facts: Killers of the Flower Moon
Publication Details
- Author: David Grann
- Published: 2017
- Genre: Non-fiction, True Crime, Historical Investigation
- Awards: Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime, National Book Award Finalist
Historical Context
- Set in 1920s Oklahoma during the oil boom
- Takes place primarily in Osage County
- Coincides with the early days of the FBI (then BOI - Bureau of Investigation)
- Period known as the "Reign of Terror" (1921-1926)
The book's events occur during a crucial period of Native American history, when the Osage became the wealthiest people per capita in the world due to oil rights.
Narrative Structure
- Three main parts:
- "The Marked Woman" (focusing on Mollie Burkhart)
- "The Evidence Man" (following Tom White's investigation)
- "The Reporter" (Grann's modern investigation)
- Combines multiple narrative techniques:
- Historical documentation
- Personal interviews
- Investigative journalism
- First-person accounts
Pay attention to how Grann weaves together different timelines and perspectives to create a comprehensive narrative.
Key Themes
- Systematic racism and exploitation
- Greed and corruption
