Architect of Desire Audiobook By Eliza Hawthorne cover art

Architect of Desire

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

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Architect of Desire

By: Eliza Hawthorne
Narrated by: Bruce Cannon
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About this listen

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
19th Century Criminology Modern Murder Social Sciences True Crime Gilded Age Exciting Scary Inspiring Feel-Good New York
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What listeners say about Architect of Desire

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Captivating Story Gripping True Crime Steady Narration Dramatic Societal Scandal Engaging Pacing Matched Tone
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Intriguing Read

I was able to listen to this book over the rainy weekend and I could not put it down. From the first chapter to the very last the author’s compelling story and the way the narrator presents it keeps you engaged and motivated throughout the book. I was very intrigued to learn more about this historical event and would highly recommend this book to you if you are a mystery book fan.

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Fascinating Story

This book pulled me in right from the start with the fascinating story that transports you back in time. The narrative balances historical accuracy with engaging prose and takes one back to the murder of Stanford White, a famous architect of the late 1890s and early 1900. I didn't know before listening what the Gilded Age was but reading this story reminds me of much of what is going on in today's world- with the corruption and cover-ups by the wealthy. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical crime stories.

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I am in awe of this audiobook

This book does a fantastic job of mixing historical facts with lively storytelling, giving readers a fun look into the lives of America's rich and famous during a time full of wealth and drama. It draws a gripping picture of the complicated relationships between the important players, especially the scandalous love triangle that led to White's downfall. White, known for designing some iconic buildings, gets caught up in a wild story filled with powerful folks and secret desires, creating a narrative that's super hard to stop reading. Since I’m into the darker, yet totally fascinating parts of American history, I decided to give this a listen, and I can say it was definitely worth it!

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Totally Gripping

I got completely hooked on Architect of Desire. I wasn’t expecting it to be so intense, but the mix of scandal, murder, and high society drama pulled me in right away. The way the story of Stanford White and the love triangle was told made it feel like I was right there in the middle of it. It’s one of those audiobooks where you keep saying “just one more chapter.” If you’re into true crime with a historical twist, this one’s seriously hard to pause.

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