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Killers of the Flower Moon: Adapted for Young Adults: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
A twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history
In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.
Then, one by one, they began to be killed off. One Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, watched as her family was murdered. Her older sister was shot. Her mother was then slowly poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more Osage began to die under mysterious circumstances.
In this last remnant of the Wild West—where oilmen like J. P. Getty made their fortunes and where desperadoes such as Al Spencer, “the Phantom Terror,” roamed – virtually anyone who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll surpassed more than twenty-four Osage, the newly created F.B.I. took up the case, in what became one of the organization’s first major homicide investigations. But the bureau was then notoriously corrupt and initially bungled the case. Eventually the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including one of the only Native American agents in the bureau. They infiltrated the region, struggling to adopt the latest modern techniques of detection. Together with the Osage they began to expose one of the most sinister conspiracies in American history.
In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. The book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, as each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals. But more than that, it is a searing indictment of the callousness and prejudice toward Native Americans that allowed the murderers to operate with impunity for so long. Killers of the Flower Moon is utterly riveting, but also emotionally devastating.
In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.
Then, one by one, they began to be killed off. One Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, watched as her family was murdered. Her older sister was shot. Her mother was then slowly poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more Osage began to die under mysterious circumstances.
In this last remnant of the Wild West—where oilmen like J. P. Getty made their fortunes and where desperadoes such as Al Spencer, “the Phantom Terror,” roamed – virtually anyone who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll surpassed more than twenty-four Osage, the newly created F.B.I. took up the case, in what became one of the organization’s first major homicide investigations. But the bureau was then notoriously corrupt and initially bungled the case. Eventually the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including one of the only Native American agents in the bureau. They infiltrated the region, struggling to adopt the latest modern techniques of detection. Together with the Osage they began to expose one of the most sinister conspiracies in American history.
In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. The book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, as each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals. But more than that, it is a searing indictment of the callousness and prejudice toward Native Americans that allowed the murderers to operate with impunity for so long. Killers of the Flower Moon is utterly riveting, but also emotionally devastating.
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Published October 12, 2023
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About the author
David Grann
28 books7,376 followersDavid Grann is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers
Killers of the Flower Moon
and The Lost City of Z. Killers of the Flower Moon was a finalist for The National Book Award and won an Edgar Allan Poe Award. Look for David Grann’s latest book, The Wager, coming soon!
He is also the author of The White Darkness and the collection The Devil and Sherlock Holmes . Grann's storytelling has garnered several honors, including a George Polk Award. He lives with his wife and children in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
May 31, 2023
A part of Oklahoma history and history of the Osage Tribe that you will never find in a history book in the school classroom.
The author used meticulous detective work in finding the truth behind al the Osage murders. There
24 for sure and maybe more.
The Osage people were forced from their land in Kansas and were moved by the government to a Oklahoma reservation. Oil was discovered and each tribal member "headrights" to the money from the wells. Many crooks killed the Osage to get their oil money.
Many truths were hidden.. . Even doctors helped poison and kill the Osage by medical means.
Another sad story as to what lengths, greed will take people .
The author used meticulous detective work in finding the truth behind al the Osage murders. There
24 for sure and maybe more.
The Osage people were forced from their land in Kansas and were moved by the government to a Oklahoma reservation. Oil was discovered and each tribal member "headrights" to the money from the wells. Many crooks killed the Osage to get their oil money.
Many truths were hidden.. . Even doctors helped poison and kill the Osage by medical means.
Another sad story as to what lengths, greed will take people .
January 2, 2022
I read the original version of the Killers of the Flower Moon when it was first published. I also happen to be a historian and live in Oklahoma and was somewhat familiar with this tale. One of the sad parts of Oklahoma history is the absolute greed and graft aimed at its tribes. Originally known as Indian Territory, Oklahoma settlement and statehood bore nothing but bad news and harsh times for the tribes forcibly moved here years before. For much of its history, Oklahoma has tried to cover up the more unsavory aspects of its past and treatment of Natives and people of color. (Just google Tulsa Massacre and see how the story has changed over time.) The story of the Osage and the embezzlement of their lands by dishonorable bankers, lawyers, judges, and law men is more than tragic. It piles more racial injustice on a mountain size heap of historical cruelty. Eventually the truth is exposed due to the hard detective work of honest lawmen but the damage was already done. Too many Native people were already murdered and their wealth stolen forever.
This is a complicated, interwoven story that should be told and taught in Oklahoma schools. How to do that at a level for teenagers proves problematic. This version is almost word for word identical to the adult copy. I had my kindle open and was comparing them as I read. While some changes in wordage and detail occur, it is not much and really doesn't alter the story much for a younger reader. Honestly, I'm not sure how you would simplify this tale. The minor editing does make a shorter read by the number of pages but it is only a few pages shorter than the original. Maybe just hand your teenager the original and let them discover the story in its full well written prose. Help them with the more complicated passages if they get stuck. I read adult books when I was a teen. I might have not understood everything but I comprehended enough to be intrigued by the tale. This story contains all the makings of the best crime novels except it's true. Not only that, it's being made into a movie by Scorcese with Leonardo di Caprio and Robert DeNiro. They have been here in Oklahoma filming the last few months.
This is a complicated, interwoven story that should be told and taught in Oklahoma schools. How to do that at a level for teenagers proves problematic. This version is almost word for word identical to the adult copy. I had my kindle open and was comparing them as I read. While some changes in wordage and detail occur, it is not much and really doesn't alter the story much for a younger reader. Honestly, I'm not sure how you would simplify this tale. The minor editing does make a shorter read by the number of pages but it is only a few pages shorter than the original. Maybe just hand your teenager the original and let them discover the story in its full well written prose. Help them with the more complicated passages if they get stuck. I read adult books when I was a teen. I might have not understood everything but I comprehended enough to be intrigued by the tale. This story contains all the makings of the best crime novels except it's true. Not only that, it's being made into a movie by Scorcese with Leonardo di Caprio and Robert DeNiro. They have been here in Oklahoma filming the last few months.
July 29, 2024
Reading this will make you mad. As I always say, America has an ugly history and I can only imagine how many stories of racism among other groups of minorities have never been told.
October 3, 2023
Incredible!! This is such an unimaginable story that is heartbreaking and far-reaching. Even though I understand that humans can be awful, I hate knowing that people are capable of such atrocities. It’s sickening. Even more, thinking about how frustrating, terrifying, and helpless you would feel in that situation…it would be hard not to react with rage.
August 16, 2025
Incredible. With impeccable research and lucid writing, Grann unearths more of the haunting history of the americas. (I did not read this adapted version; I just don't like to log movie poster editions)
March 19, 2024
I am glad that I familiarized myself with this story before watching the Scorsese movie, but I almost wish that I would have just read the full version of the book rather than the YA adaptation. I just kept thinking about how wooden the characters were and how plodding the plot became at some points. I suspect the full version was likely better caliber writing. That being said, it is a fascinating but terrible period of American history that few people know anything about.
December 30, 2022
I read the original text a few years back. When I found out that a youth edition was being published I knew I wanted to read it. I believe Oklahoma students will find this book riveting. Helping our children & grandchildren to understand the history of the Osage and the effect of the reign of terror will hopefully help them to become more compassionate neighbors & friends to others around them.
January 4, 2024
Not as good as the real book, but still really good! It is easier language got younger readers but it's still so heavy that I wouldn't recommend to students any younger than 8th grade. It's such an important story, I'm glad that this only slightly easier to read version is available now!
October 18, 2024
Audiobook Format
4.5 because some of the narrators were so blah and monotone. The writing style was hard to get used to, but also I didn’t listen to the “adapted for young readers” so that’s probably why. It was a lot of information being thrown all at once. Regardless, I rounded up because it’s an amazing story that deserves to be told.
What a tragic book. I wish this Native American history was taught in school. Most people have no idea this is a REAL story. I am eager to watch the movie and see how this book translates to the screen.
4.5 because some of the narrators were so blah and monotone. The writing style was hard to get used to, but also I didn’t listen to the “adapted for young readers” so that’s probably why. It was a lot of information being thrown all at once. Regardless, I rounded up because it’s an amazing story that deserves to be told.
What a tragic book. I wish this Native American history was taught in school. Most people have no idea this is a REAL story. I am eager to watch the movie and see how this book translates to the screen.
April 1, 2024
This book was so phenomenal. A really great and engaging explanation of a shafted part of history coupled with a gripping case of investigative journalism. It is really respectfully told although the subject matter is graphic. Recommend!
May 8, 2024
Very interesting and so sad. I want to see the movie, but read up on it and don’t know if I can handle the gore and violence. Why are people so greedy and evil sometimes!
May 13, 2024
brutal story and brilliant telling. but left me for the most part in awe simply of exactly how fucking thorough scorsese’s was as an adaption.
June 23, 2024
Since I grew up in Osage county, this was especially interesting to read! I remember learning a bit of this in school from my beloved 3rd grade teacher.
October 17, 2024
I'm very glad I chose the young peoples version. The audio was about 2 hrs less than the original version. Such a well done story of a terrible event. I am glad I now know this history. There are so many names to remember, a paper for note taking might be helpful.
Read
January 16, 2024Since this is nonfiction, I won’t give a rating, but this is a very important historical account that I think everyone should read
March 30, 2022
I’m very into true crime shows, podcasts and documentaries, so I was interested to learn more about this case, which I had never heard of. I’ve lived in Oklahoma for over 10 years, and several people I know who grew up here were unfamiliar with it until the book came out and/or they heard about the upcoming movie, so even though it’s local, it isn’t taught in schools.
The Osage, along with many (all?) Native American tribes had been displaced and forced on to smaller and less desirable pieces of land. But then oil was discovered on the Osage reservation and the Osage became the wealthiest group of people per capita almost overnight. It didn’t sit well with some of their white neighbors that the Osage had fancy cars and clothes, mansions and servants, so white people were made guardians over individual Osage people, controlling how and where they spent their money, often swindling what they could. These were often local businessmen or white people who had married into an Osage family.
Then the murders started. The oil rights could not be sold, only inherited, so some people conspired to kill Osage so that those oil rights would then be transferred to someone they already had a guardianship over, giving them more money to swindle.
The author tells about the various murders, the suspects and the lawmen who work to bring them to justice.
It was hard to believe a lot of what I read. I know enough about history to know that those in power can easily oppress those without, but this felt way more personal in the sense that people were killing and oppressing people they had direct contact with in their communities and even families, all while pretending to care.
The book had a lot of names to keep track of, and it turns out there was a Who’s Who at the back of the book that I hadn’t noticed as I was reading the ebook.😅 It was also a bit slow going at times, feeling a bit like reading a textbook with all the names and dates and backstory, but it is overall a very well-written and researched account of a little-known piece of history.
I’d recommend this to those who enjoy true crime, are interested in Oklahoma history, or who want to know about history that isn’t taught in schools.
The Osage, along with many (all?) Native American tribes had been displaced and forced on to smaller and less desirable pieces of land. But then oil was discovered on the Osage reservation and the Osage became the wealthiest group of people per capita almost overnight. It didn’t sit well with some of their white neighbors that the Osage had fancy cars and clothes, mansions and servants, so white people were made guardians over individual Osage people, controlling how and where they spent their money, often swindling what they could. These were often local businessmen or white people who had married into an Osage family.
Then the murders started. The oil rights could not be sold, only inherited, so some people conspired to kill Osage so that those oil rights would then be transferred to someone they already had a guardianship over, giving them more money to swindle.
The author tells about the various murders, the suspects and the lawmen who work to bring them to justice.
It was hard to believe a lot of what I read. I know enough about history to know that those in power can easily oppress those without, but this felt way more personal in the sense that people were killing and oppressing people they had direct contact with in their communities and even families, all while pretending to care.
The book had a lot of names to keep track of, and it turns out there was a Who’s Who at the back of the book that I hadn’t noticed as I was reading the ebook.😅 It was also a bit slow going at times, feeling a bit like reading a textbook with all the names and dates and backstory, but it is overall a very well-written and researched account of a little-known piece of history.
I’d recommend this to those who enjoy true crime, are interested in Oklahoma history, or who want to know about history that isn’t taught in schools.
December 28, 2022
I recently picked up a hardback of “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI (Adapted for Young Readers)” from a local Barnes and Noble. I read the original version a few years ago and found it fascinating and terrifying at the same time. Even though this edition is adapted for young readers, it does not downplay the brutality of the story or the level of corruption that allowed murders to continue virtually unchecked for years.
This adaptation does a good job of explaining some of the intricacies of the story, including headrights, the guardianship system, and mineral rights. It discusses the multi-faceted corruption at the local and state levels in 1920’s Oklahoma. It explains how law enforcement was adapting to modern techniques during the time period.
I’ve read a number of reader reviews for both editions of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Many of them ask how they had never heard of this story before? I teach history (mostly World History) and have a degree in history, but I had not heard of it either. History curriculum at the K-12 level tends to focus on sweeping political history with a smattering of social issues at a surface level.
This is a great book for students interested in U.S. History, the FBI, and/or Native American history (particularly as it relates to U.S. government policy). If I was teaching a U.S. History course, I would push to include this book for all students to read.
This adaptation does a good job of explaining some of the intricacies of the story, including headrights, the guardianship system, and mineral rights. It discusses the multi-faceted corruption at the local and state levels in 1920’s Oklahoma. It explains how law enforcement was adapting to modern techniques during the time period.
I’ve read a number of reader reviews for both editions of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Many of them ask how they had never heard of this story before? I teach history (mostly World History) and have a degree in history, but I had not heard of it either. History curriculum at the K-12 level tends to focus on sweeping political history with a smattering of social issues at a surface level.
This is a great book for students interested in U.S. History, the FBI, and/or Native American history (particularly as it relates to U.S. government policy). If I was teaching a U.S. History course, I would push to include this book for all students to read.
December 8, 2023
Audiobook read by various.
First of all, I accidentally borrowed and listened to the youth version of Killers of the Flower Moon, which (I think) means it was abridged and possibly edited for content. I wish I would have read the original version, but perhaps it is just as well.
I read someone describe Killers as a historical non-fiction whodunnit and that is exactly what it felt like. This is well-written and engaging. The depravity of man shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but the events depicted here are shocking and heartbreaking.
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…” - 1 Timothy 6:9-10
First of all, I accidentally borrowed and listened to the youth version of Killers of the Flower Moon, which (I think) means it was abridged and possibly edited for content. I wish I would have read the original version, but perhaps it is just as well.
I read someone describe Killers as a historical non-fiction whodunnit and that is exactly what it felt like. This is well-written and engaging. The depravity of man shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but the events depicted here are shocking and heartbreaking.
“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils…” - 1 Timothy 6:9-10
October 17, 2023
so I’d give this a 2.5 rounding to a 3. I sincerely appreciate the history behind this book and find it absolutely insane that this is a piece of American history we aren’t taught in school / very few people if any know about. It’s so sad to learn about the horrible events that occurred to the Osage people. However, that being said this took me so long to get through, really a force for myself. First half of the book felt so dragged on while second half picked up. I just was never inclined to pick up and keep reading this but maybe that’s just the nonfiction of it all.
September 3, 2024
Lmao did not realize I read the young readers version so upping a star to make up for that. Good premise and a story that needed to be told and repeated, but a bit slow and not super suspenseful.
October 4, 2023
3.5 stars, so important to learn about the Osage murders and understand a little more about the millions (billions?) of dollars that were stolen from the Osage Nation. As a book, it was okay!
February 25, 2024
How did I not know about Oklahoma’s troubling history? First the Tulsa Massacres. Now The Reign of Terror.
Author David Grann writes a detailed and informative account of the mysterious murders of Osage Indians that went unsolved for years, as many people of power, doctors, elected officials, and even law enforcement covered it up. In part fear kept witnesses silent, but so did prejudice.
This was a difficult book to read. The terrible treatment of Native Americans, even women and children, was made even more disturbing as it was carried out by even religious and educational institutions. “The Indian must conform to the White man’s ways, peacefully if they will, forcibly if they must.” Many in the country considered Natives to be lazy, unintelligent, and unable to live without a White man handling all their affairs. Once a guardian of an Osage member, it would be easy for the guardian to kill the Indian and inherit everything.
When the FBI began to discover the killers, the guilty parties were brought to trial. But as one Osage official said to the court: “It is a question in my mind whether this jury is considering this murder case or not. The question for them to decide is whether a white man killing an Osage is murder, or merely cruelty to animals.” Not everyone thought of the Osage as people .
This is a great book of nonfiction that reads like a good novel, only it's not an imaginary story. The structure moves easily, with excellent character development that puts faces on the victims, murderers, and others involved. The setting is also well described, as imagery and dialogue helps the reader to see the plains, ravines, homes and oil wells. Killers of the Flower Moon is an important history lesson and I hope moving forward schools offer it in social studies classes.
Author David Grann writes a detailed and informative account of the mysterious murders of Osage Indians that went unsolved for years, as many people of power, doctors, elected officials, and even law enforcement covered it up. In part fear kept witnesses silent, but so did prejudice.
This was a difficult book to read. The terrible treatment of Native Americans, even women and children, was made even more disturbing as it was carried out by even religious and educational institutions. “The Indian must conform to the White man’s ways, peacefully if they will, forcibly if they must.” Many in the country considered Natives to be lazy, unintelligent, and unable to live without a White man handling all their affairs. Once a guardian of an Osage member, it would be easy for the guardian to kill the Indian and inherit everything.
When the FBI began to discover the killers, the guilty parties were brought to trial. But as one Osage official said to the court: “It is a question in my mind whether this jury is considering this murder case or not. The question for them to decide is whether a white man killing an Osage is murder, or merely cruelty to animals.” Not everyone thought of the Osage as people .
This is a great book of nonfiction that reads like a good novel, only it's not an imaginary story. The structure moves easily, with excellent character development that puts faces on the victims, murderers, and others involved. The setting is also well described, as imagery and dialogue helps the reader to see the plains, ravines, homes and oil wells. Killers of the Flower Moon is an important history lesson and I hope moving forward schools offer it in social studies classes.
May 2, 2024
I’m glad I read the YA version as I had trouble focusing during the first half of the book. The second half was very engaging though. I was very shocked by the amount of corruption that went behind keeping the King of Osage Hills out of jail and then his sentencing seemed unfair. The lawlessness during this time was surprising to me. I had no idea that police force and investigation techniques were so new and that caused a mess of things during the murder investigations. I really empathized with Mollie and all she went through. I can’t wait to watch the movie soon.
July 2, 2024
Killers of the flower moon: the Osage murders and the birth of the FBI / David Grann. Other titles: Osage murders and the birth of the FBI Description: First edition. | New York: Crown Books for Young Readers, [2021] | “Adapted for young readers.” | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Ages 10 & up | Audience: Grades 7–9 |
Reading this intriguing story makes me want to see the movie. Perhaps they have a PG version. Watching too much violence is not good for me. I was surprised to see a reference in here to the book Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Reading this intriguing story makes me want to see the movie. Perhaps they have a PG version. Watching too much violence is not good for me. I was surprised to see a reference in here to the book Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
June 6, 2024
Interesting and horrible story. These Young Reader books are awesome! This true story is told in a mystery format to keep readers captivated! It is definitely not just for young readers. It’s told in an easy to understand form but great for an adult reader too. I like the pictures in it and the glossary at the end.
I read this one and the adult version and both of them are very similar. There were only a few more details in the adult version.
I read this one and the adult version and both of them are very similar. There were only a few more details in the adult version.
May 17, 2024
I guess I accidentally listened to the YA version of this story? I'm not sure what I missed out on, but the tale was plenty rage-inducing without all the adult content. Haven't seen the movie, but I did learn that two twenty-somethings in my tap class are active members of the Osage tribe, and that just blew my mind so here I am sharing it on Goodreads.
November 15, 2025
This book was amazing and sad. It makes me wonder how many cases of oppression vanishes with history. The story was so easy to follow and a lot of times it made me feel stressed because of the corruption.
I want to give props to the author for doing extensive research on Osage history and for exposing the truth.
I want to give props to the author for doing extensive research on Osage history and for exposing the truth.
February 14, 2024
I can understand everything the author is conveying, and it makes me realize and think about things I've never thought about before. And it makes me wonder how many more things from the past in America have gotten covered up and hidden.
April 12, 2024
I was supposed to read the regular version of this for book club but accidentally found myself reading this “for young readers” version instead. It was good, but really really painful to see just how badly this Indian tribe was hurt. People really suck!
October 2, 2024
Absolutely devastating in the best way possible. Reading it filled me with such an intense rage I had to keep taking breaks and coming back, but such a well written, well thought out and must know story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews