Kingdom of devils : a tale of murder in the shadow of the American Revolution / Katherine Grandjean.
In Kingdom of Devils, historian Katherine Grandjean examines the terrifying crimes of the Harp brothers, often considered America's first serial killers. During the late 1790s, Wiley and Micajah Harp carried out a brutal series of murders across the frontier regions of Tennessee and Kentucky, leaving communities terrified and authorities unable to stop them. Beyond recounting the crimes themselves, Grandjean explores how the upheaval and economic hardships following the American Revolution created anger, instability, and violence in the young United States, offering a deeper look at the darker side of early American history.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780593729939
- ISBN: 0593729935
- Physical Description: 335 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : Random House, [2026]
- Copyright: ©2026
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 259-323) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Prologue: The shaving glass -- Introduction: "The backwoodsmen" -- East Tennessee. Liberty and property ; Unrest ; The quarter race -- Kentucky. No want of hells ; The wickedness of the heart ; Cane ; The pursuit -- Mississippi. The trace ; The two faces of John Setton -- Epilogue: The ashes of the grave.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Harpe, Micajah, approximately 1768-1799 > Biography.
Harpe, Wiley, approximately 1770-1804 > Biography.
Serial murderers > United States > 18th century.
Violence > Social aspects > United States > History > 18th century.
Frontier and pioneer life > Tennessee.
Frontier and pioneer life > Kentucky.
United States > History > Revolution, 1775-1783 > Influence. - Genre:
- True crime stories.
Biographies.
Available copies
- 12 of 17 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Madison County Public Library.
Holds
- 1 current hold with 17 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Main Library | 364.152 GRA (Text) | 30229101449311 | Adult New Nonfiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
Summary:
In Kingdom of Devils, historian Katherine Grandjean examines the terrifying crimes of the Harp brothers, often considered America's first serial killers. During the late 1790s, Wiley and Micajah Harp carried out a brutal series of murders across the frontier regions of Tennessee and Kentucky, leaving communities terrified and authorities unable to stop them. Beyond recounting the crimes themselves, Grandjean explores how the upheaval and economic hardships following the American Revolution created anger, instability, and violence in the young United States, offering a deeper look at the darker side of early American history.
