Architect of Desire

Murder, Scandal, and the Gilded Age Elite: The Love Triangle That Killed Stanford White

De: Eliza Hawthorne

Narrado por: Bruce Cannon

Architect of Desire: Murder, Scandal, and the Gilded Age Elite
The Love Triangle That Killed Stanford White

Step into the opulent yet treacherous world of Gilded Age New York, where wealth, power, and passion collided with deadly consequences. Architect of Desire reveals the shocking true story of Stanford White, whose fascination with the enchanting Evelyn Nesbit led to his tragic end at the hands of her husband, Harry K. Thaw.

This immersive true crime audiobook offers a meticulously researched narrative that brings to life one of America's most notorious scandals. Experience the drama, intrigue, and historical depth through rich storytelling and vivid audio performance.

What you’ll discover:

• The dangerous obsession that led to Stanford White’s murder.
• Evelyn Nesbit’s transformation from innocence to scandal.
• The media circus of Harry Thaw’s trial and its cultural impact.
• Architectural rivalries and New York’s transformation.
• The hidden corruption and societal pressures of the Gilded Age.

With captivating narration and an engaging blend of history and storytelling, this audiobook is perfect for fans of historical true crime and those intrigued by the secrets of America's elite.

Download now and let the past come alive through every word!

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Cordova Consulting (P)2025 Cordova Consulting

Interesting story and a learning process

I like adventure stories, and I’m aware that history can repeat itself if things don’t change. The part of Harry Thaw’s trial was fascinating to me because we all face trials in life, so different that we need to figure out how to get out of our mess. The drama and the history shape the way we think today. If we follow the story's example, we could make a few changes to improve it, who knows? It’s a great story.

Like True Crime Set in a Gatsby World

This one totally pulled me in. I didn’t know much about Stanford White going in, but the story is wild—obsession, scandal, murder—all set against the backdrop of old New York wealth. It felt like a mix of history class and tabloid drama, in the best way. The narration was solid, and the pacing kept me hooked. If you're into true crime with a historical twist, this one really delivers.

High Society, Dark Secrets, Total Obsession

I went into this thinking it was just another true crime story, but it ended up being so much more. The mix of wealth, obsession, and social power during the Gilded Age felt wild—and honestly kind of unsettling. What hooked me was how human the messiness was. Jealousy, ego, manipulation... it had it all. I found myself googling old photos just to put faces to the names. It made history feel personal, like a scandal unfolding in real-time. Definitely, a read that left me thinking about how far people will go when image and desire collide.

Educational true crime

Eliza Hawthorne has created a captivating audio title that takes listeners back in time to the early 1900s where the grizzly, jealousy-fueled acts of a wealthy millionaire led to scandal, shock, and horror in a time where architectural progression was more ambitious than ever. And if that doesn’t sound interesting enough for true crime listeners then they will also be met with incredibly narrated tales, competitive acts, and power-fueled resentment feuds that took place within the Gilded age of New York’s history. Listeners will also be educated within the elite of New York (and America’s) past and how many of the architectural phenomenons and skylines came to be.

Twisted, Glamorous, and Totally Gripping

This audiobook pulled me in fast. Part true crime, part high-society drama, and all incredibly juicy. I had no idea how wild the life of Stanford White was until I heard this. The love triangle, the scandal, the murder… it seriously feels like something out of a movie, but it’s all real.

True crime with a rich dark twist

I listened to this during a weekend of deep cleaning and found myself doing extra chores just to keep it going The story felt like stepping into a secret world full of big egos quiet jealousy and shocking turns The narrator’s voice was calm but firm and matched the serious tone ideally I liked how steady it was even when things got wild The pace never dragged and the details were just enough to stay hooked but not lost It reminded me how real life can be stranger than anything made up and I honestly loved every minute.

I pressed play and didn’t move for hours

I usually throw on audiobooks while multitasking, but this one had me fully locked in. I knew the basic story going in, but the way it unraveled here was something else. The pacing, the way the details were layered—it pulled me in fast. I caught myself looking up photos and news clippings after just one chapter. It didn’t feel like a history lesson; it felt... weirdly current. If you’re into messy true stories, this hits.

Entertaining and learned something new

I went in expecting dry historical facts and came out fully invested in a love triangle with deadly consequences. This wasn’t just another rich-people-in-trouble story—this was messy, dramatic, and wildly compelling. If high society scandals, hidden motives, and a real-life twist of true crime appeal to you, this one delivers. Also—huge shoutout to the narrator. He doesn’t just read the story, he leans into it in a way that pulls you into the era without sounding forced or theatrical. It felt immersive without ever trying too hard. Honestly, I didn’t know 19th-century architecture drama could slap, but here we are. Definitely recommend if you’re in the mood for something that’s both smart and scandalous.

I love this series!

I loved reading Architect of Desire. This book brought the Gilded Age to life with intense descriptions and scandalous affairs. I really appreciate how the author weaves together true crime, but tells the story as if watching a movie full of twists and turns. The narration was good as well. I was intrigued by the characters and the story. The fact that this is a true crime really makes it like a fun mystery, but teaches you about the time period at the same time. I have read another of the books in this series and love how the author explains how the media sways public opinion. It reads like an exciting soap opera the whole way through. I highly recommend if you love the Gilded Age, scandals, history, dramas, etc. Great read!

gripping true crime

this was a great book that grabbed my attrention immediately. The author did an excellent job researching the facts of this murder and the vivid description and detail really brought it to life. I would be very interested to see more work from Eliza