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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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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Pulled Me In Right Away

I listened to this during a rainy weekend when I had nowhere to be and nothing to do and it honestly felt perfect. The story had just enough drama and tension to keep me curious the whole time. The voice acting really worked for me too. His tone felt smooth and steady and matched the vibe of the story in a way that made it easy to get lost in. I liked how calm it made me feel. It was one of those listens that made time fly.

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Architect of Desire

"Architect of Desire: Murder, Scandal, and the Gilded Age Elite" is a fascinating audiobook that takes listeners into the extravagant yet chaotic world of the Gilded Age. It explores the shocking murder of Stanford White, Evelyn Nesbit’s tragic story, and the courtroom drama that captured national attention. With clear narration and fresh insights, it reveals the darker side of wealth, power, and media influence. Ideal for fans of true crime and history, it is a compelling, well-researched listen!

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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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Dark Secrets Behind Golden Walls

I listened to this during a rainy weekend stuck indoors and couldn’t stop thinking about it after. The story felt like peeling back layers of a perfect-looking house only to find something really messed up underneath. It mixed fame, power, and a love triangle that turned deadly. I knew a little about old New York, but this made it feel alive and raw. The narrator was calm and steady, which helped me follow all the twists. If you like true stories with drama, this one really pulls you in.

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Intriguing love triangle that led to death

Another true crime masterpiece by Eliza Hawthorne. This book delves into the Gilded Age of New York and the life of Evelyn Nesbit. It does a great job showing the scandalous love triangle and the power and wealth of that time period. I could not put this book down and stayed up way past my bedtime listening to it straight through. If you're a fan of true crime, this is your book.

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