PART I Summary

Chapter 1: "The Black City"

Introduces to the city of Chicago: its weather, its people, and its frequency of death.

Chapter 2: "The Trouble Is Just Begun"

There are 4 cities put in bids for the 1893 World’s Fair: Chicago, New York, Washington, and St. Louis. Also, shows two characters, Burnham and Root, life in past and present. Then, explores to Burnham and Root meeting for the first time, where they eventually build a successful firm together. Because of Burnham’s quality architect genius and Root’s skilled and talent architectural genius, these two men were perfect. Finally, it was announced that the Chicago will be a host city for 1893 World’s Fair. Then, they form the World’s Columbian Exposition Company to develop the fair.

Chapter 3: "The Necessary Supply"

Chapter is introduced to H.H. Holmes then back to his childhood as a Mudgett. After medical school, he moves around from city to city until he lands in Chicago. Holmes, then, work at E.S. Holton Drugs; after the death of Mr. Holton, Holmes offers to buy the business from Mrs. Holton. She agrees, and Holmes takes out a loan against the store to pay for this business venture. Soon after, Mrs. Holton mysteriously disappears.

Chapter 4: "Becomingness"

The exposition company offers Burnham to visit the sites; so, Burnham sends his friend. Olmstead if introduced who is well-known landscape architect; Burnham, then proudly offers Olmstead to be part of the building the fair. Also, introduces Patrick Prendergast who apparently will greatly affect the Chicago’s fair. He’s very open in political mind. Lacks on picking where to build the buildings. Lastly, Burnham is officially named chief of construction of the fair, and he officially hires Root and Olmsted.

Chapter 5: "Don't Be Afraid"

Holmes succeeds as a pharmacist and finds and marries women at Minneapolis. Myrta gets jealous of girls who contact with Holmes, she, then, gets depressed and writes letters to her parents. Holmes buys a land across the street, where he dreams to build a building; refuses to hire an architect because his secret plans would be revealed. He builds own and contracts out several workers. Holmes gets very linked to Benjamin Pietzel and Jackson Park becomes the official location for the World’s Fair.

Chapter 6: "Pilgrimage"

Root’s design is approved then himself and Burnham hires five most accomplished architects across America.

Chapter 7: "A Hotel for the Fair"

Holmes begins construction on building renovations to create a hotel for the World’s fair.

Chapter 8: "The Landscape of Regret"

Olmstead and architects goes to Chicago, Burnham show Jackson Park, where they all dislikes the location and view.

Chapter 9: "Vanishing Point"

Ned Conner, his wife Julia, and daughter Pearl move into Holmes's building so that Ned can run the jewelry counter in Holmes's pharmacy. Ned finds Holmes a bit odd, but Ned never suspects anything of Holmes. Officers cannot figure out the reason of people’s disappearance.

Chapter 10: "Alone"

The outside architects meet at Burnham and Root's office to resume discussions about the fair. Root was not at the meeting; Dora calls Burnham later in the day to tell him that Root is sick. Root's condition became worse, and he dies. Shocked by Root's death, Burnham considers quitting the fair, but he convinces himself to carry on.

By Eun Shin