In Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City," Geyer is puzzled by Holmes's motives for kidnapping children and orchestrating a perplexing series of events across different cities. He reflects on Holmes's seemingly extraordinary power, which lies outside the normal understanding of criminal behavior. Geyer realizes that while crimes generally stem from clear motives, Holmes’s actions are driven by something more sinister and enigmatic.

Geyer concludes that Holmes derived pleasure from his manipulations, suggesting that his orchestrated crimes, including the insurance fraud, were not only financially motivated but also served as a game for him. Holmes's actions reveal a disturbing desire to exert control and test the limits of his influence over others, highlighting a dark enjoyment in the chaos he created.