Golden Boy by John Glatt: New Excerpt

In Golden Boy, New York Times bestselling author John Glatt tells the true story of Thomas Gilbert Jr., the handsome and charming New York socialite accused of murdering his father, a Manhattan millionaire and hedge fund founder. Read an excerpt and learn how you can enter to win 1 of 3 copies!

PROLOGUE

It was a routine Sunday afternoon for Thomas Gilbert Sr., the founder of a multimillion-dollar hedge fund and a longtime fixture on Wall Street. After playing two strenuous rounds of tennis at the River Club, he was relaxing in his bedroom watching a football game. Three days earlier, on New Year’s Day 2015, the tall, athletic financier had quietly celebrated his seventieth birthday and showed no signs of slowing down.

Next door in the living room, his petite wife, Shelley, was chatting with friends on her laptop when the doorbell rang around 3:15 p.m. It was a surprise, as they weren’t expecting anyone, and their doorman usually called to announce visitors.

Shelley opened the front door to find her son, Tommy, outside, wearing a hoodie and carrying a duffel bag. It was the first time she had seen him in five months; they had a difficult relationship, and he usually kept his distance. Shelley was delighted to see him, hoping it might be an encouraging sign of a better relationship between him and his father.

“He said it was real important,” Shelley recalled. “He wanted to talk to Dad about business. I was thrilled.”

As Tommy strolled into the apartment, he asked if his younger sister, Bess, was there. Shelley told him she was at church.

Then he said he was hungry and asked his mother to go to the store and buy him a sandwich and a Coke. He told her to come back in an hour, so he would have enough time with his father. Unsure whether they should be left alone together, Shelley offered to make him a sandwich, but Tommy insisted she go.

As his sixty-five-year-old mother laced up her sneakers to leave, she looked up at Tommy and thought, I don’t like hoodies. They’re a little creepy.

Thomas Strong Gilbert Jr. was born into a world of wealth and privilege. He had an impeccable social pedigree, growing up in a mansion in Tuxedo Park, New York, before moving to a Manhattan apartment on Park Avenue and a town house on the Upper East Side.

He had the finest education money could buy, going to the Buckley School and then Deerfield Academy, where he shone at varsity football, basketball, and baseball. A straight A student, Tommy had an IQ of 140, was fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and excelled at higher mathematics.

“He is an excellent role model for our younger students,” his Deerfield Academy college adviser wrote. “He will only get better as he continues to mature.”

Known to everyone as Tommy, his movie star looks turned women’s heads. Blond, blue-eyed, and six feet three inches tall, designer clothes framed his muscular body, carefully sculpted from daily workouts in the gym. He followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps to attend Princeton University, where he majored in economics and graduated with honors.

Like a modern-day Jay Gatsby, he moved in the rarest of social circles, the epitome of the rich, successful man-about-town. He was frequently seen in the society pages, squiring a beautiful socialite to a Manhattan black-tie event or attending a charity event in the Hamptons.

“He has the pedigree of this incredibly sophisticated person,” explained a friend. “But the mind and the skin are two different things.”

Underneath the carefully groomed façade was a socially anxious man with a long history of drug abuse and psychiatric illness.

After leaving Princeton, his much-anticipated career in high finance had failed to ignite. He told friends he was starting a hedge fund with his own secret algorithm, even registering the name Mameluke Capital with the Securities and Exchange Commission. But after twice failing the Chartered Financial Analyst Level II exam, essential for entrée to Wall Street, he had been reduced to a series of short-lived bartending jobs and giving surfing lessons to kids.

At the age of thirty, Tommy was still being supported by his father, who paid the rent for his Manhattan apartment as well as a generous $800 weekly allowance. He also paid for his sporty Jeep, expensive club memberships, and all other expenses.

At the end of 2014, Thomas Gilbert Sr., whose Wainscott Capital Partners hedge fund was itself struggling, had started cutting his son’s weekly allowance, hoping to force him to get a real job.

On the morning of Tommy’s visit that fateful Sunday, he had slashed it down to just $300 a week and knew his son would not be pleased.

 

After leaving her tony Beekman Place apartment building, Shelley Gilbert walked around the block. She felt uneasy, knowing her husband and son would be discussing the latest cut in Tommy’s allowance. She wondered if it had been a bad idea to leave Tommy alone with his father, in case they argued.

So turning on her heel, she headed straight back to her apartment building, taking the elevator up to the eighth floor. Nervous about disturbing them, she first listened at the door, but could not hear anything. She paced up and down the hallway, trying to make up her mind what to do.

Finally, Shelley unlocked the door with her key and walked in. There was no sign of Tommy, although she’d only been gone a few minutes.

Then she went into the bedroom to find her husband lying dead on the floor. There was blood pooling from his head and a .40-caliber Glock clasped in his left hand over his chest.

“My first thought,” she later recalled, “was ‘Oh, Tommy, you are far sicker than we even knew.’”

Copyright © 2021 by John Glatt. All rights reserved.

Read our review of Golden Boy here.


Enter the Sweepstakes!

Sign in and comment on this post for a chance to win 1 of 3 copies of Golden Boy by John Glatt!

To enter, make sure you’re a registered member of the site and simply leave a comment below.

Golden Boy Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A purchase does not improve your chances of winning.  Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry.  To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/golden-boy-by-john-glatt-new-excerpt/ beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) July 21, 2021. Sweepstakes ends at 2:59 p.m. ET August 4, 2021. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

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Comments

  1. Tiffany

    This looks great!

    • Douglas Deane

      This is just my type of book. Looks great.

  2. elvinoray

    Would love a copy

  3. Lisa A Melillo

    Sounds so good!

  4. Julia H

    This is going to be such a thrilling read!!

  5. Anne

    Captivating and mysterious.

  6. Lida Bushloper

    I love everything Glatt writes.

  7. Vicki Bonagofski

    Looks interesting, would like to win a copy

  8. Laini

    Sounds riveting.

  9. Dione Amore

    I NEED this book, so I can finish past the excerpt!!!

  10. Desmond Warzel

    Thanks very much!

  11. Jo Ann Riggs

    Sounds like a great book!

  12. Susan Lawson

    Look forward to reading the rest.

  13. Chrissie69

    This sounds fantastic! Thank you for the chance. 🙂

  14. Valerie Maryman

    am familiar with this story and would really like to read the book. It sounds like an example of the tail wagging the dog.

  15. C. Colburn

    Tantalizing except — looks like a good one.

  16. Linda Kish

    I don’t know this story but, would love to read the rest. It sounds truly interesting.

  17. Lisa Stokoe

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  20. Alicia

    I so enjoy a good true crime book. I want to read more.

  21. Berwynsam

    Sounds like an interesting read

  22. Robin Ball

    This is a “ripped from the headlines” crime story; it is just what I need to get my daily fix of real crime drama. This is definitely on my TBR list.

  23. Sheila Korman

    Thanks for the chance to read this fascinating book!

  24. katie usher

    piqued my curiousity, why did Tommy think he didn’t need a job?

  25. Barbara Lima

    Sounds like the killer is Tommy, but the twist says it must not be.

  26. Virginia Campbell

    Chilling–The fin occasionally broke the water before the monster moved in for the kill.

  27. Kimsteve58

    Looks like this will be a really great read. Heading to the coast soon….maybe a beach book? Would love to win a copy!

  28. Jeana

    I am interested in reading this book.

  29. Rebecca

    I am fascinated by true crime!

  30. Michael Carter

    This sounds great.
    Yes, please enter me in this sweepstakes.
    Thanks!

  31. Dianne Casey

    Sounds like a fascinating book. Looking forward to reading.

  32. Dawn

    Looks like a great read. Thanks for a chance to win.

  33. Smc

    Getting back into true crime/theillera would love to read this book

  34. cindy

    Fascinating what goes on in the minds of people.

  35. Carrie Walton

    I love a book that can keep me guessing what’s next! Can’t wait to read this!

  36. Renee Mirsky

    A mystery lies therein awaiting resolution!

  37. Paul Gada

    Creepy!

  38. Nancy Mcintyre

    The son didn’t do it! The scenario leads you there, but it’s just too ‘pat’! Not the son, I tell you!!!

  39. Georgianne

    Now you got me wanting to know more.

  40. Daniel M

    sounds interesting

  41. Sherri

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  42. paul Klumbach

    Tommy did not do it. It was suicide.

  43. Lori P

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  44. Susan Coster

    This reminds me of my former best friend who when asked would say “OH, EVERYTHING IS GOLDEN.” What a liar!

  45. jaderianne

    Cant wait to read this book as the excerpt already peaked my interest as a good want to read book.

  46. Jean MacDonnell

    Can’t wait to read it.

  47. carloshmarlo

    OMG, it’s amazing what the wealthy think they can get away with. Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks.

  48. Lela Middour

    Sounds like a good read

  49. Joel Timmons

    Awesomeness. Must. Read

  50. Kimberly V

    Wow, this really goes to show you just never know with people. I definitely would like to read more.

  51. Tia Battle

    Still being supported by his father and his mother going out to get his food, seems like he had a pretty good life but I will need to read the whole story to find out if he had it as good as it seems.

  52. Cindy Weeks

    Another spoiled rich kid! God forbid he had to live on $300 a month with all other expenses paid.

  53. vickie dailey

    I am not familiar with this story. It would be interesting to read the book and learn more

  54. MaryBeth48

    Sounds like my kind of reading

  55. Ruthie Bloszinsky

    Oooohhhh! Gives me chills!

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    I can’t wait to read more!

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    Wish to know what happened

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  62. Barbara Henry

    who done it??????

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    Love true crime books.

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    Love rich people gone berserk! Can’t wait to read it.

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  79. Reilly

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  80. Christine

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  81. Charlie Hauser

    Sounds spicy. Looking forward to it.

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    I would love to win a copy of this book. This sounds like a great story; I’m unfamiliar with this crime.

  83. Mizula

    Crimes like this need to stay in the public eye — thank you for this window into books that need to be read.

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  90. Cindi Hoppes

    Hi, I really like the cover of the book! The excerpt was interesting to read, and it seems like although there is money there, dysfunctional family members are obvious… Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your book.
    Cindi

  91. ViolinGeek

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    Now I have to read the rest!

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    Boy this sounds like the kind of book I like to read. Would love to read this one.

  101. Lynn Brown

    This sounds like a good book. It has wealth, privilege, and mental illness. thanks for the chance.

  102. Karen Lynn Hackney

    This book sounds good

  103. LINDA COSBY

    I would like to read this book

  104. Cynthianna Hamby

    Very interesting, always looking for new stories to share with our book and Author to share with my book club.

  105. Shirley Evans

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  106. susan beamon

    It’s hard to tell if this truly nonfiction because the plot has shown up in many mysteries and thrillers. Nonetheless, I’d like to win a copy of this book.

  107. Beth Talmage

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    Sounds like a great read

  110. Tara L Wells

    I love true crime. Very interested in reading this book.

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    i would love to read this book

  112. Shawn A

    This really sounds like a good book.

  113. Becky Deal

    Looks like another fascinating true crime. Guess many of us never tire if reading about lives we hope we never have to live!!

  114. cee76

    I’ve never heard of this case before. sounds interesting!

  115. Darcia Helle

    Sounds fascinating!

  116. Natalie Koontz

    Very interested to see what happens with Tommy and his mom too. Love true crime.

  117. Martha

    This looks great!

  118. Teresa Warner

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  119. Sherri Stephens

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  120. Renee Morgan

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  122. Deborah Stelzle

    From the prologue it begins the suspense. The hook: Did the son do it? Why did mom leave? this has peeked my interested. Well written, look forward to reading it.

  123. Tina Matthews

    love to read it, this book is going to be good!

  124. Marisa Young

    Wow! After reading the excerpt, I want to read this book.

  125. vanilla

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  127. Anne Hardy

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  128. JULES M.

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  129. MARY j PRIMORAC

    On my TBR list

  130. Anne Mcintosh

    Wow I love True Crime. My library of podcasts are 95% true crime. I would love to read this book

  131. Craig Clarkson

    I am a big fan of this type of read

  132. Joyce Benzing

    Another one to put on my TBR pile, thanks!

  133. Sally

    True stories are the best. It seems like he had many advantages but couldn’t cope with his life.

  134. Tawney Mazek

    I remember the news when this happened – it was interesting then, but to get much more detail/background would be great.

  135. Brie

    Wow

  136. nickieandremus

    This sounds great. I would love to win a copy!

  137. Debra Fisher

    Going on my TBR list

  138. takingmytime

    I would enjoy reading this book. Thanks for the contest.

  139. Lisa Ahlstedt

    Looks very interesting!

  140. Rhonda Stefani

    Sounds fascinating, I’d love to read it. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a really good true crime story.

  141. find a word

    “He wanted to talk to Dad about business and I was thrilled.”

  142. Laurent Latulippe

    Sounds like a great book!

  143. Susan Smith

    I remember reading about this case. It sounds interesting.

  144. moviemama

    The excerpt has me intrigued, can’t wait to read this one!

  145. Sue Hooley

    I’m very interested in reading this book!

  146. Jackie Plese

    Sounds like a winner.

  147. Tracey Henderson

    True stories can be just as good as fiction. This one really looks like a good one to read.

  148. patricia sopel

    Sounds like a good book!Thanks:)

  149. Cherie Bradley

    would love to read

  150. Helen Martin

    Read the excerpt. Sounds like a great read. Nothing like family relations to creep you out.

  151. Helen Martin

    Read the excerpt. Love those family dynamics.

  152. Desiree Kessler

    Can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance!

  153. Lena Moback

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  154. Sherman H.

    Looks like a really good read and I am a member but can’t seems to login.

  155. Patricia Nicklas

    Adding to my reading list. Looks great!

  156. I know the more articles you write the more what you write It’s definitely going to be even more wonderful. i will wait to read it

Comments are closed.