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Kingdom of Devils: A Tale of Murder in the Shadow of the American Revolution
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Expected 9 Jun 26Win a free print copy of this book!
17 days and 01:33:40
20 copies available
U.S. only
The chilling account of America's first serial killers, whose brutal string of murders on the post-Revolutionary frontier reveal the violence at the heart of the young United States
No one knew Wiley Harp’s name in 1797 as he stood in line at the Knoxville Courthouse to register the deed for his new farm, and no one could have imagined how horrifyingly his life would unravel from there. Less than two years from that orderly day, Wiley and his brother, Micajah, having spiraled into debt, would commit a series of murders, their grisly scenes scattered over hundreds of miles of Tennessee and Kentucky countryside. Bodies turned up along roadsides, stuffed into brush. They floated to the surface of muddy brooks. For nine terrifying months, from late 1798 to August 1799, as the Harps rained hell on society and confounded sheriffs, hillsides and rivers kept coughing up the dead.
The Harps killed dozens that year, but why they did it has eluded folklorists and historians for generations. Almost every story imagines that they were motivated by pure bloodlust, but to historian Katherine Grandjean, that's too simple an answer. In Kingdom of Devils, Grandjean uses the story of the Harp murders to scrutinize the triumphant spirit of the early United States and reveal that independence did not make every man a winner. There were dark sides to the country's recent victory. The Revolution was deeply destabilizing, politically and socially, shaking people free from their families and villages. Even as it built up hope for every man’s success, it stacked the deck against them with the combination of volatile markets and the absence of any safety net for those who fell on hard times, fueling anger and resentment. Unspooling the mystery of what sent the Harps reeling exposes the hidden, violent legacies of the American Revolution.
For decades, the Harps lived on in folk songs and stories--until the Civil War exploded American society once again, and their names faded to history. But, in Kingdom of Devils, the Harps are revived as a cautionary tale about the darkness at the heart of the American dream.
No one knew Wiley Harp’s name in 1797 as he stood in line at the Knoxville Courthouse to register the deed for his new farm, and no one could have imagined how horrifyingly his life would unravel from there. Less than two years from that orderly day, Wiley and his brother, Micajah, having spiraled into debt, would commit a series of murders, their grisly scenes scattered over hundreds of miles of Tennessee and Kentucky countryside. Bodies turned up along roadsides, stuffed into brush. They floated to the surface of muddy brooks. For nine terrifying months, from late 1798 to August 1799, as the Harps rained hell on society and confounded sheriffs, hillsides and rivers kept coughing up the dead.
The Harps killed dozens that year, but why they did it has eluded folklorists and historians for generations. Almost every story imagines that they were motivated by pure bloodlust, but to historian Katherine Grandjean, that's too simple an answer. In Kingdom of Devils, Grandjean uses the story of the Harp murders to scrutinize the triumphant spirit of the early United States and reveal that independence did not make every man a winner. There were dark sides to the country's recent victory. The Revolution was deeply destabilizing, politically and socially, shaking people free from their families and villages. Even as it built up hope for every man’s success, it stacked the deck against them with the combination of volatile markets and the absence of any safety net for those who fell on hard times, fueling anger and resentment. Unspooling the mystery of what sent the Harps reeling exposes the hidden, violent legacies of the American Revolution.
For decades, the Harps lived on in folk songs and stories--until the Civil War exploded American society once again, and their names faded to history. But, in Kingdom of Devils, the Harps are revived as a cautionary tale about the darkness at the heart of the American dream.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an advance copy of this history that looks at America just after the American Revolution, a time where a country was still finding itself, a country whose growing pains would soon lead to dissent, disillusionment and even America's first serial killers.
When I learned about the history of the United States things also seemed rosy, and fine. Americans seemed to agree on so much. We learned about Shay's Rebellion, but not the reasons why, nor the resolution. Nothing about bloody Kansas. And of course suddenly we had a civil war, but everything after that was fine. Turns out there were a lot of problems right from the beginning. When George Washington the Father of our Country, went home after his second term, he left a country that was broken in quite a few ways. To his replacement Adams, only force seemed to way to solve this problems. From people talking bad about the government, spreading sedition, to those who had placed homes deep in territory owned by indigenous people. Force seemed the law of the land. Two brothers, suddenly lost in this new world, force seemed to be the only solution, and a bloody track soon followed across two states. Kingdom of Devils: A Tale of Murder in the Shadow of the American Revolution by Katherine Grandjean is a history of life after war, set in the years after the American Revolution, a time of uncertainty for many, and a time where two men, decided the only solution they had was violence, and America's first serial killers were created.
The 1790's in America was a difficult time. The bloom had faded from the rose that was Revolution, and reality was settling in. The country was broke, was still coming off a contested election for a president and there was a feeling that maybe government was a little too powerful. Land was the currency of the times, but even that couldn't be trusted as schemes with powerful backers sold almost double the size of the states the land was based in. Expansion into lands controlled by indigenous people were causing problems, so much so that American troops were burning homes found there. This crushed the dreams of many, including the Brothers Harp. Wiley and Micajah Harp shared a farm, given by Wiley's father-in-law, who had hit hard times. Bad investments, bad bets and bad drinking caused the Harps to lose all that they had, and flee their Tennessee home. And to lose their inhibitions. Soon bodies were being found on lonely roads, mutilated and stripped of wealth, left at the bottom of streams, or deep in the woods. People began to fear strangers, and for nine months their crimes filled the early newspapers of the day. Until they made their final mistake.
A fascinating history that also has some true crime elements. Just for the history alone I would recommend it, as I knew little about the time in the South between the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Grandjean is a very good writer, with a really good style that makes the pages fly by. Also Grandjean is a really good researcher digging through old court records, finding out things that have been lost to history, until now. A great mix of crime, history and also cultural studies. One can see the rage, the feeling that I am owed, so I am gonna kill things to make things right. Something very familiar to most Americans now.
I really can't recommend this book enough. The writing, the history even the crime writing, something I am not a fan of, was fascinating and I leaned so much from. A book really for so many readers. True crime fans for the serial killer aspect, history readers for a really in-depth view of life in Early America, something that most classes in history gloss over. Also for readers who love books that make one think, teaches a reader new things, and are really well done. I look forward to more books by Katherine Grandjean.
When I learned about the history of the United States things also seemed rosy, and fine. Americans seemed to agree on so much. We learned about Shay's Rebellion, but not the reasons why, nor the resolution. Nothing about bloody Kansas. And of course suddenly we had a civil war, but everything after that was fine. Turns out there were a lot of problems right from the beginning. When George Washington the Father of our Country, went home after his second term, he left a country that was broken in quite a few ways. To his replacement Adams, only force seemed to way to solve this problems. From people talking bad about the government, spreading sedition, to those who had placed homes deep in territory owned by indigenous people. Force seemed the law of the land. Two brothers, suddenly lost in this new world, force seemed to be the only solution, and a bloody track soon followed across two states. Kingdom of Devils: A Tale of Murder in the Shadow of the American Revolution by Katherine Grandjean is a history of life after war, set in the years after the American Revolution, a time of uncertainty for many, and a time where two men, decided the only solution they had was violence, and America's first serial killers were created.
The 1790's in America was a difficult time. The bloom had faded from the rose that was Revolution, and reality was settling in. The country was broke, was still coming off a contested election for a president and there was a feeling that maybe government was a little too powerful. Land was the currency of the times, but even that couldn't be trusted as schemes with powerful backers sold almost double the size of the states the land was based in. Expansion into lands controlled by indigenous people were causing problems, so much so that American troops were burning homes found there. This crushed the dreams of many, including the Brothers Harp. Wiley and Micajah Harp shared a farm, given by Wiley's father-in-law, who had hit hard times. Bad investments, bad bets and bad drinking caused the Harps to lose all that they had, and flee their Tennessee home. And to lose their inhibitions. Soon bodies were being found on lonely roads, mutilated and stripped of wealth, left at the bottom of streams, or deep in the woods. People began to fear strangers, and for nine months their crimes filled the early newspapers of the day. Until they made their final mistake.
A fascinating history that also has some true crime elements. Just for the history alone I would recommend it, as I knew little about the time in the South between the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Grandjean is a very good writer, with a really good style that makes the pages fly by. Also Grandjean is a really good researcher digging through old court records, finding out things that have been lost to history, until now. A great mix of crime, history and also cultural studies. One can see the rage, the feeling that I am owed, so I am gonna kill things to make things right. Something very familiar to most Americans now.
I really can't recommend this book enough. The writing, the history even the crime writing, something I am not a fan of, was fascinating and I leaned so much from. A book really for so many readers. True crime fans for the serial killer aspect, history readers for a really in-depth view of life in Early America, something that most classes in history gloss over. Also for readers who love books that make one think, teaches a reader new things, and are really well done. I look forward to more books by Katherine Grandjean.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 ⭐️ I started this intending to skim the prologue & go to bed, I blinked I found myself 100 pgs in! This book is structured more like history than true crime but it’s an incredibly easy to read. There hasn’t been any exhaustive research done on these murders in over a century which is truly surprising given the brutality and large number of victims. The author uses previously undiscovered information from census data, county petitions etc to shed new light on the Harps. These men were nightmarish legends of the south but as the Civil War consumed the nation’s attention the Harp brothers faded from discourse and they were forgotten. It’s wild that multiple books & articles were written about them for 80 years after they died but it took another 150 years after the Civil War for them to receive scholarly attention.
The Harp brothers are typically viewed as Americas first serial killers but this research shows they fall more into the category of spree killers or mass murderers. There’s a ton of conflicting information online about everything from their age, to their crimes but the author is careful to cite all sources & tells you when she’s making an educated guess based on the information available.
While she traces the brothers through history, the author also highlights Americas early history. She shows that larger national pressures helped create an environment ripe to trigger these men towards violence. In particular, that during the revolutionary war, gangs of boys & men would destroy homes, loot property and rape/ slaughter families ostensibly in the name of either the king or early revolutionaries. Post war families who supported the British (like the Harps) again were victims of violent retribution. As adults they were living on the literal boarder of Tennessee & Cherokee territory. This area was lawless with raiding parties from both sides slaughtering civilians and stealing property. Is it any wonder that it was easy for them to slide into criminal activity and then further into mass murder?
The Harp brothers are typically viewed as Americas first serial killers but this research shows they fall more into the category of spree killers or mass murderers. There’s a ton of conflicting information online about everything from their age, to their crimes but the author is careful to cite all sources & tells you when she’s making an educated guess based on the information available.
While she traces the brothers through history, the author also highlights Americas early history. She shows that larger national pressures helped create an environment ripe to trigger these men towards violence. In particular, that during the revolutionary war, gangs of boys & men would destroy homes, loot property and rape/ slaughter families ostensibly in the name of either the king or early revolutionaries. Post war families who supported the British (like the Harps) again were victims of violent retribution. As adults they were living on the literal boarder of Tennessee & Cherokee territory. This area was lawless with raiding parties from both sides slaughtering civilians and stealing property. Is it any wonder that it was easy for them to slide into criminal activity and then further into mass murder?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quick, what do you think of when I say what happened after the American Revolution, and before the Civil War? The Louisiana Purchase? Yes! Ratifying the Constitution? Perfect! America's first spree killers? Oh, didn't see that coming did you? Well, don't feel bad. Katherine Grandjean surprised me too with her excellent Kingdom of Devils.
The main characters are the Harp brothers. They are a couple of down-on-their-luck young men looking to make their way in the new America. They were also horse thieves, failed gamblers, and probably a bunch of other less-than-honorable things. What they certainly became was killers. They cut a wide swath through what would become Tennessee and Kentucky. They would murder at random in vicious and seemingly uncontrolled ways. Their spree would echo uncomfortably close to many more contemporary incidents we deal with today. And just like the most engrossing true crime stories, this one comes with more than one big twist.
Grandjean does an excellent job piecing together the Harps' lives and their crimes. This is historical true crime, so the reader is warned that it does not follow the same formula of contemporary crime stories. Much of the book is taken up with explaining the setting and major events around the Harps in order to give the reader an idea of the "why" of their story. That said, the author tells a heck of a story. Make no mistake, Grandjean has to work damn hard to make this narrative hold together. She succeeds more than I thought was possible considering how spotty the records were for this time and place. A must-read for anyone who loves historical true crime, and highly recommended for everyone else.
(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and Random House.)
The main characters are the Harp brothers. They are a couple of down-on-their-luck young men looking to make their way in the new America. They were also horse thieves, failed gamblers, and probably a bunch of other less-than-honorable things. What they certainly became was killers. They cut a wide swath through what would become Tennessee and Kentucky. They would murder at random in vicious and seemingly uncontrolled ways. Their spree would echo uncomfortably close to many more contemporary incidents we deal with today. And just like the most engrossing true crime stories, this one comes with more than one big twist.
Grandjean does an excellent job piecing together the Harps' lives and their crimes. This is historical true crime, so the reader is warned that it does not follow the same formula of contemporary crime stories. Much of the book is taken up with explaining the setting and major events around the Harps in order to give the reader an idea of the "why" of their story. That said, the author tells a heck of a story. Make no mistake, Grandjean has to work damn hard to make this narrative hold together. She succeeds more than I thought was possible considering how spotty the records were for this time and place. A must-read for anyone who loves historical true crime, and highly recommended for everyone else.
(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by NetGalley and Random House.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read this book in Keith Morrison’s voice. Anyway.
This was a fascinating look at what were arguably the first mass murderers in the United States. A thoroughly thrilling look into the lives of the Harp brothers, who over the course of two years murdered dozens of people, this was both a true crime narrative and a look into the United States immediately post-Revolution.
I really enjoyed the author’s explanation of the limitations of primary source documents from that period, as well as how she made certain educated assumptions based on limited primary sources as well as secondary ones.
This book’s most interesting point came when it looked at the overarching “so what?” question. Grandjean delves into the idea of American exceptionalism and individualism that proliferated after the Revolution (and what modern America still holds above all else), and how that translated into the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality that is still the basis of American social and political thought today. This book was a look at what happens to those who, despite the ostensible opportunity and fortune available to all those who work for it, don’t achieve success. The “losers,” per se. Specifically, Grandjean uses the Harps to argue that those who don’t succeed in this system are perfectly primed to snap and exert revenge on society to suffer as they have suffered. Hence, the mass murder.
Fascinating.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
This was a fascinating look at what were arguably the first mass murderers in the United States. A thoroughly thrilling look into the lives of the Harp brothers, who over the course of two years murdered dozens of people, this was both a true crime narrative and a look into the United States immediately post-Revolution.
I really enjoyed the author’s explanation of the limitations of primary source documents from that period, as well as how she made certain educated assumptions based on limited primary sources as well as secondary ones.
This book’s most interesting point came when it looked at the overarching “so what?” question. Grandjean delves into the idea of American exceptionalism and individualism that proliferated after the Revolution (and what modern America still holds above all else), and how that translated into the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality that is still the basis of American social and political thought today. This book was a look at what happens to those who, despite the ostensible opportunity and fortune available to all those who work for it, don’t achieve success. The “losers,” per se. Specifically, Grandjean uses the Harps to argue that those who don’t succeed in this system are perfectly primed to snap and exert revenge on society to suffer as they have suffered. Hence, the mass murder.
Fascinating.
Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Since I love history and true crime genres, I was so hoping to be approved to receive this ARC. I dropped everything except for building a fresh pot of coffee and feeding my dog, cat and chickens.
This is a nonfiction account offering a chilling perspective on early American history, concentrating on the dark, tragic true crime case of the first known serial killers. In 1798 a series of horrific murders unfolds.
Over nine dreadful months, these killings extend to a distance of hundreds of miles across Kentucky and Tennessee. Two brothers, Micajah “Big” Harpe and Wiley “Little” Harpe, with mysterious backgrounds, commit these heinous acts. They didn’t pursue wealth or act in moments of passion. They killed men, women, children, and any unfortunate individual who crossed their path, seemingly for the thrill or a deeper, festering rage. It’s estimated that they confirmed approximately 39 victims, with potentially 50 or more in total.
A book that took years to create, this compelling true crime narrative is backed by extensive background information and in-depth research with a multitude of footnotes.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#KingdomOfDevils
This is a nonfiction account offering a chilling perspective on early American history, concentrating on the dark, tragic true crime case of the first known serial killers. In 1798 a series of horrific murders unfolds.
Over nine dreadful months, these killings extend to a distance of hundreds of miles across Kentucky and Tennessee. Two brothers, Micajah “Big” Harpe and Wiley “Little” Harpe, with mysterious backgrounds, commit these heinous acts. They didn’t pursue wealth or act in moments of passion. They killed men, women, children, and any unfortunate individual who crossed their path, seemingly for the thrill or a deeper, festering rage. It’s estimated that they confirmed approximately 39 victims, with potentially 50 or more in total.
A book that took years to create, this compelling true crime narrative is backed by extensive background information and in-depth research with a multitude of footnotes.
**I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read this gifted ebook in exchange for an honest review. #ARC #NetGalley
#KingdomOfDevils
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fascinating historical true crime book about murders and violence at the beginning of America’s democratic experiment.
Between 1797-1798 two brothers, Wiley and Macjah Harp, murdered over two dozen people in a crime spree that covered Kentucky and Tennessee. In an age of no social media this event, however, did not go unnoticed. The brothers were eventually found - you will have to read the book to find out all the details (you won’t be disappointed) - but the real story is the “why” of all these crimes.
The author did a spectacular job of researching these two brothers concerning how poorly documentation was during this time. What she uncovers is a period of post Revolutionary War letdown. The country was just coming aware of financial needs for expansion of the country but with limited funds for same. Plus what you sense is that this area of the country was lawless to begin with. That a sense of individualism was stronger than a sense of common good.
This is a great book for expanding understanding of our country and exposing realities that should be known. History nerds and true crime aficionados will love this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me access to this ARC.
Between 1797-1798 two brothers, Wiley and Macjah Harp, murdered over two dozen people in a crime spree that covered Kentucky and Tennessee. In an age of no social media this event, however, did not go unnoticed. The brothers were eventually found - you will have to read the book to find out all the details (you won’t be disappointed) - but the real story is the “why” of all these crimes.
The author did a spectacular job of researching these two brothers concerning how poorly documentation was during this time. What she uncovers is a period of post Revolutionary War letdown. The country was just coming aware of financial needs for expansion of the country but with limited funds for same. Plus what you sense is that this area of the country was lawless to begin with. That a sense of individualism was stronger than a sense of common good.
This is a great book for expanding understanding of our country and exposing realities that should be known. History nerds and true crime aficionados will love this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Long before H.H. Holmes terrorized the World's Fair, there were Wiley and Micajah Harpe whose 18th century killing spree makes them America's first documented serial killers. Little biographical information is known about the brothers beyond their terrible crimes. They left no written journals, no manifesto. The few witness accounts that exist were written postumously and are possibly (likely) unreliable.
Despite those hurdles, Katherine Grandjean has managed to write a riveting nonfiction book. This is more than a recounting of crimes. It is a look at the 18th century socio-and economic conditions that may have helped push two brothers from being smalltime thugs to violent psychopathic killers. So much of the post Revolutionary history she discusses was new to me - it's rare that I come away from a true crime novel having learned a substantial amount.
Grandjean also managed to uncover details that, if not for her meticulous research, might have become lost to the past. From old IOUs to trial transcripts, she brings a three-hundred year old crime to life.
Despite those hurdles, Katherine Grandjean has managed to write a riveting nonfiction book. This is more than a recounting of crimes. It is a look at the 18th century socio-and economic conditions that may have helped push two brothers from being smalltime thugs to violent psychopathic killers. So much of the post Revolutionary history she discusses was new to me - it's rare that I come away from a true crime novel having learned a substantial amount.
Grandjean also managed to uncover details that, if not for her meticulous research, might have become lost to the past. From old IOUs to trial transcripts, she brings a three-hundred year old crime to life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kingdom of Devils
By Katherine Gandjean
This is the true story of two brothers – Wiley and Micajah Harp(e) – who may have been the first serial killers in our American history. But behind their atrocities and random deprivations is a question which has remained unanswered to this day. Why did they do it?
The author has done much research into the life and times of these men. The country had still not resolved many issues which were created at the end of the Revolutionary War and the following years. Banditry and murder were prevalent. And a feeling of personal failure being caused by others (thus making these others targets) seems to have permeated the minds of many of the less successful revolutionaries.
The story of the Harps, while interesting, is only a part of the story the author presents. It provides a much darker picture of life following our revolution.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
By Katherine Gandjean
This is the true story of two brothers – Wiley and Micajah Harp(e) – who may have been the first serial killers in our American history. But behind their atrocities and random deprivations is a question which has remained unanswered to this day. Why did they do it?
The author has done much research into the life and times of these men. The country had still not resolved many issues which were created at the end of the Revolutionary War and the following years. Banditry and murder were prevalent. And a feeling of personal failure being caused by others (thus making these others targets) seems to have permeated the minds of many of the less successful revolutionaries.
The story of the Harps, while interesting, is only a part of the story the author presents. It provides a much darker picture of life following our revolution.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC on NetGalley!
This was a really interesting read about an otherwise obscure case. I was initially drawn to the title because of its comparison to 'In Cold Blood'. While Grandjean certainly uses narrative elements to fill in some gaps in the story, it was not as true a comparison as I might have hoped.
I also think its particularly timely that the Harp brother's story be told around the time of America's Bicentennial. Seldom do we hear about the dark side of revolution on our home turf. France had their bloody Reign of Terror, but America also had a sinister post-revolution period that Grandjean aptly describes through the Harp's eyes.
Overall, if you're interested in early American history and true crime, definitely give this a try (although it leans more heavily on historical context than "crime"). I commend the author for her research!
This was a really interesting read about an otherwise obscure case. I was initially drawn to the title because of its comparison to 'In Cold Blood'. While Grandjean certainly uses narrative elements to fill in some gaps in the story, it was not as true a comparison as I might have hoped.
I also think its particularly timely that the Harp brother's story be told around the time of America's Bicentennial. Seldom do we hear about the dark side of revolution on our home turf. France had their bloody Reign of Terror, but America also had a sinister post-revolution period that Grandjean aptly describes through the Harp's eyes.
Overall, if you're interested in early American history and true crime, definitely give this a try (although it leans more heavily on historical context than "crime"). I commend the author for her research!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’d only the vaguest recollection of a pair of murderous brothers during the late 1700s before reading this book. First of all, this author has done her homework and it shows. The bibliographical notes are massive and widely varied. The author’s knowledge of the time period is vast, almost to a fault. It’s hard to remain focused on Kentucky politics when wanting to know more about the victims and killers. I wish we knew more about their motives and thoughts during the span of murders. I suppose the Harp women were never interviewed? I’ll definitely be looking into the Harps and reflecting on their case. Well done!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. Kingdom of Devils by Katherine Grandjean is a very detailed and immersive historical read that reflects the depth of research behind it. The writing brings the historical context to life, so there’s a real sense of time, place, and complexity that makes it authentic.
While I love detail it sometimes added a little lag to the narrative. Either way the book is well written and people who love historical storytelling will like the read!
While I love detail it sometimes added a little lag to the narrative. Either way the book is well written and people who love historical storytelling will like the read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book, more history than true crime, is beautifully written and easy to read. The author transports you back in time with descriptions of the land, people, culture, and events. While the Harp brothers are often touted as serial killers, this book makes a compelling argument that the Harp brothers are actually something more American - mass murderers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a super interesting chapter of history that I had never heard. It is clearly incredibly well-researched, which I really appreciate. I did find that it jumped around very abruptly and was a bit hard to follow at points, but it was a fascinating glimpse into an unknown chapter of America's early years.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a free copy of, Kingdom of Devils, by Katherine Grandjean, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Wiley Harp might be the first serial killer in the US. This is a dark read, men who kill for the thrill it seems.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The book alludes to the first serial killers in the United States, but spends a good deal of time discussing what is happening in and around the murders along with some speculation. While well written, I found it to be wanting in actual details due to the available resources for the book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews