John Glatt

Tangled Vines by John Glatt is a fascinating look at just how thoroughly power corrupts, not just single individuals but entire family lines.

The Murdaugh case(s) have gotten a lot of national media attention recently, to the point where most people know at least a little about it. I have neither the time nor the inclination to follow a case such as this to the extreme of watching the entirety of the trial on television, so a book that collects the various pieces of information together, show more along with some original research, into a coherent narrative is perfect for me. For those with nothing better to do than watch every second of coverage, a lot of this will likely be redundant, but having it presented clearly and concisely still makes it a worthwhile read.

The extent to which the family had raised themselves to a position where they genuinely considered themselves not simply above the law, but the law personified makes the fall guiltily pleasurable. I say guiltily because I would prefer such people have a fall without the loss of human life.

And no, this is not a case of victim blaming, I'm not even sure how someone sees that here. Some of those killed had their personal histories tied up with the Murdaugh family, obviously since family members are included as victims. Omitting their parts of the family story would be asinine, not to mention it helps explain what happened and why.

While the review copy doesn't include the latest updates, there is space left for that to be included in the final copy. The writing is good and I like the fact we got a more detailed family history beyond just the usual "privileged and powerful family" line or two. I believe it helps to show just how deep the sense of entitlement ran in the family and among those close to the family.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less

The Golden Boy: A Murder Among the Manhattan Elite is a 2021 St. Martin’s Press publication.

This is a riveting true crime story about the Thomas Gilbert case that grabbed headlines- especially in the New York area. Thomas Gilbert Sr. a wealthy Manhattan banker was gunned down by his son, Tommy Gilbert Jr. after the Sr. Gilbert cut his son off financially. Sounds cut and dried- open and shut- right?

Well…

Not exactly.

For years, Thomas Gilbert Jr., exhibited signs of mental instability. show more Just as there is no doubt, he pulled the trigger that killed his father, there is no doubt Thomas suffered from some form of mental illness.

The question then becomes- is he competent to stand trial for murder? Should he be sent to prison, or should he get a proper diagnosis and receive treatment for his illness in an institution?

This is a complex case and although this is the first true crime book I’ve read this year, with many more on my list, I can say with certainty it will be a ‘favorite’ in the true crime category this year- simply because it was so disturbing and complicated.

I struggled with the situation, which ran through my mind constantly, for days after I finished the book.

There is a lot to absorb.

The ‘entitlement’ aspects, the system that failed the affluent in the same way it fails everyone else, the lack of a proper diagnosis, and Gilbert’s obvious decline makes a compelling argument for his defense.

However, for the record, mental illness as a defense is only successful about 25% of the time.

I think Gilbert was troubled. He did need some mental health treatment, and probably could have used a stint in rehab for drug abuse. That he has serious issues is not disputed. Still, at the end of the day- and I realize this is not a popular opinion-

If I were on that jury, I’d have come to the exact same conclusion they did. I’m sure the decision was difficult, and Gilbert's mental health should have been given a great deal of inspection, given serious weight, and I think it was. In the end, though, as hard as it is, as conflicting, and controversial, as the jury’s decision was- I think they got it right, in this case.

I felt so bad for Tommy’s mother, though. What a position she found herself in!! Naturally, as she has lost so much, in such a tragic way, I could understand her feelings.

The author’s goal was to expose a flawed system as much as it was to tell a sensational true crime story. He achieved that goal, and it is certainly something we need to be aware of and seriously consider.

There was a great deal of enabling here, ignorance, and stigma associated with mental illness. All these points are valid, and the system is absolutely flawed- I’m not disputing that- but I’m not convinced Gilbert was in a psychotic break when he killed his father.

That was the part I just could not get past. I’m still thinking, though, that some intervention might have helped Tommy achieve some of the success he struggled to obtain, might have helped him stand on his own two feet, and get the help he needed- which, of course, might have changed the course of his life… but of course, now we’ll never know for sure.

Overall, though, this is an absolutely riveting drama, very thought provoking, and damning. The author did a good job with the book. I tossed and turned a couple of nights mulling over all the various angles of the case, the people involved, and to what extent, if any, Gilbert’s illness played in his crimes. That’s the mark of a job well done.

4 stars show less

The Golden Boy : A Murder Among the Manhattan Elite is the second true crime book that I have read by John Glatt and I have been impressed by both of them. Glatt’s mix of facts and story telling keeps the book interesting and he’s able to distance himself enough from his subject matter that his opinions of the events doesn’t color his writing.

I was so mad while reading The Golden Boy and if you were actually here in my office and we were discussing it, I know my blood pressure would show more rise again! Tommy is given a wonderful life, one that has so many advantages that 99 percent of the world will never know. His parents just keep giving him money and throwing money at others to make his discretions disappear. They know he has something mentally wrong with him but they are too concerned about saving face. Or that he will stop talking to them, although he barely talks with his father anyway. Even most of his peers brush it off. If you have money, just make it someone else’s problem.

It makes me angry that mental illness is not discussed and that better support is not in place for every person, rich or poor. It makes me angry that people are not willing to cut others off sooner. It makes me angry that so many rich people do nothing but collect wealth.

Normally in my reviews, if a book makes me angry I say that it’s a good book because it makes me think about things in a different light. And while The Golden Boy is an excellent account of a life that was destroyed and another that ended in murder, and I highly recommend that you read it if you enjoy True Crime, I just can’t say it’s a “good book” in the area of subject matter that I’m not familiar with because this is not anything new to me. The decline of our society via wealth and the horrendous medical field shows itself everyday in various ways and I see no end in sight. I hope this makes you angry too and that you are taking steps, no matter how small, to improve your life and the life of others.

Okay, enough soapbox speech! Another fantastic book by Glatt and one I recommend. show less

I felt like I needed a shower after reading this book! This family was so dirty, so slimy, it was amazing how they got away with everything they did for as long as they did.
The author did a great job with the history of the family and the story of the downfall, as well as how the low country authorities participated in the corruption.
A great non-fiction story of a relatively current set of crimes and the crime family.