“Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” is a non-fiction book written by David Grann, published in 2017
The book investigates a harrowing and largely forgotten chapter of American history, focusing on a series of brutal murders of wealthy Osage
Native Americans in Oklahoma during the 1920s. At that time, due to significant oil deposits found beneath their land
the Osage people had become extraordinarily wealthy
which attracted widespread attention and envy.
The title “Killers of the Flower Moon” refers to the tragic irony that the Osage termed May
the month in which many of the murders occurred, as the “flower-killing moon.”
The book meticulously details how the Osage were targeted by a conspiracy that involved corrupt local officials, law enforcers, and businessmen
who sought to benefit financially from the deaths of Osage people.
The investigation into these murders became one of the first major cases for the newly formed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI uncovered shocking levels of corruption and criminality, ultimately leading to a greater federal oversight in law enforcement.
The book is not only a riveting account of murder and conspiracy but also serves as a critical examination of systemic racism and
the exploitation of Native Americans.
Grann’s work has been praised for its in-depth research and compelling narrative style, shedding light on this dark chapter in American history
that had been largely neglected. Its focus on the Osage murders and the nascent FBI’s role in solving the case provides valuable context for understanding both the racial dynamics of the early 20th century and
the evolution of federal law enforcement in the United States.
*”Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI”* by David Grann. *© 2017