New York City, 1906: In broad daylight atop Madison Square Garden’s rooftop theater, a brilliant architect is shot dead. Stanford White, designer of New York’s skyline, lies dying as the city watches in horror. His killer? Harry Kendall Thaw, a jealous millionaire heir enraged by White’s past seduction of Thaw’s young wife, Evelyn Nesbit. Architect of Desire retells this infamous Gilded Age scandal through courtroom drama, architectural ambition, and the era’s roaring opulence. Readers are drawn into a twisted love triangle that captivated a nation. The narrative explores Evelyn Nesbit’s life — a chorus girl forced into an affair with White as a teenager — and Harry Thaw’s descent into obsession. Drawing on trial transcripts and period journalism, the book paints a vivid portrait of New York high society and its darker undercurrents. Witness the trial dubbed “the trial of the century,” where Edwardian juries grappled with wealth, privilege, and the emerging notion of insanity in a crime of passion. Through it all, questions linger about who was truly guilty in this tangled web of passion and power.

• Historical Crime Drama: Travel back to 1906 New York, from the rooftop shooting to the sensational courtroom scenes that followed.

• Gilded Age Scandal: Examine how wealth and fame influenced justice in a case that exposed the decadent side of America’s elite.

• Love, Betrayal & Revenge: Explore the motivations of Evelyn Nesbit — whose beauty and tragedy became emblematic of an era — and Harry Thaw’s extreme act of vengeance.

• Architectural Legacy: Learn about White’s famous creations (like Washington Square Arch and Madison Square Garden) to understand why his murder resonated far beyond the headlines.

In this scholarly yet suspenseful account, Architect of Desire illuminates how a single bullet changed lives and culture. Discover the full story behind the murder that stunned an era — and decide for yourself how justice was served. Unlock the secrets of this Gilded Age mystery today.