The time period of this book is based on a period when Chicago was extremely populated. Not to say that they are not today, but we also have technology and a more organized police force. But to say the least, people were flooding the streets especially during the time of the fair. And these people were coming from all over the world. The fair was an exciting time where new ideas and inventions were being brought to light. This could be considered one of the greatest things to happen to Chicago, since they won a contest over multiple large cities to host this fair. But this city was not large enough to hold this huge population. Which in turn shows how the infamous serial killer, Holmes, and the fair become so related.

The book correlates the combination of the fair and the serial killer and how dependent Holmes “big idea” is. This big idea that Holmes had included turning his building into a hotel for the fair visitors. The idea made sense from an economic standpoint, and no one ever raised a question. Once the fair began the streets of Chicago were so full that no one even realized anyone missing.

With so many people crowding into Holmes’s hunting grounds and needing a place to stay due to the overpopulated area lead to an even bigger issue than anyone could have ever imagined. And this is why Larson combined the two aspects together.