Holmes' Own Story

Large Print format. A fascinating look into the mind of one of America's first serial killers! Featuring the confessions, death, and unusual concrete burial of H. H. Holmes. BONUS: Eighty-seven (87) rare historical illustrations with sources!


H. H. Holmes was a diabolical killer made famous in the popular Erik Larson book, The Devil in the White City. He built a three story Murder Castle in Chicago in the 19th century with death on his mind and lured unsuspecting victims into secret rooms, vaults and gas chambers and made use of a dissection table in his basement. Holmes preyed on travelers that came to the Chicago World's Fair (World's Columbian Exposition) in 1893. He advertised rooms for rent and offered employment opportunities in his Murder Castle, often called Holmes Castle and World's Fair Hotel.


Holmes killed his business partner and friend, Benjamin Pitezel, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But he didn't stop there. The heartless serial killer took three of Benjamin Pitezel's children on a cross-country trip. Philadelphia Detective Frank P. Geyer followed H. H. Holmes murderous trail into Canada with devastating results. No doubt about it, HH Holmes earned despicable nicknames such as Arch Fiend, Butcher, Modern Bluebeard, Swindler, Moral Degenerate, and more. Holmes was a monster in disguise as a doctor, a perfect ruse to lure victims.

In Holmes' Own, you will learn the personality and thought process of H. H. Holmes, straight from the mind of the diabolical killer himself. The three-part book includes:

H. H. Holmes memoir, Holmes' Own Story (1895), written by the serial killer while he awaited trial

Moyamensing Prison diary

H. H. Holmes confession of twenty-seven murders (1896)

Judgement day with details about Holmes' death by hanging at Moyamensing Prison

Unusual concrete burial at historic Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania

Odd story H. H. Holmes told about his planned reincarnation as a dog

An interview with Philadelphia Detective Frank P. Geyer about his belief Holmes' planned to murder his third wife, Georgiana Yoke

An interview with Mrs. Benjamin Pitezel after Holmes' execution

87 rare historical illustrations including Herman Webster Mudgett's birth and death certificates

Sources, Illustration Credits, and Bibliography

Clickable Table of Contents, List of Illustrations, and Notes

Index