I was vaguely aware of this story. I think I might have googled it at some point and that was part of the reason that I requested it as an arc. This book takes this crime to another level. This is the story of a young man who is deeply disturbed, whose mental state went unchecked and was never properly treated, whose drug use was rampant, and was lost. It took murdering his father in cold blood to try to figure out why. I think privilege plays a big part in this story at least in my opinion. This young man had everything handed to him and still, he fell apart and committed a crime that did not need to happen. Thomas Gilbert, Jr., was adrift. Not interested in the finance business that his father tried to steer him toward. He continued to flounder, but his dad supported him so not much changed by way of his living situation or social life.


This is such an upsetting story, on so many levels, and while I commend the author for his thorough research, I was left questioning so much at the end. This is my type of true crime book though because I went through an entire roller coaster of emotions from start to finish.
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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. 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 ( )

I was not at all familiar with this murder story when it occurred and am interested in true crime so thought this would be a good read; it was. Not a mystery murder by any stretch this was an obvious act, the real question was whether the perp Tommy Jr. would get the insanity plea. Interesting enough he was not pushing it as it was primarily driven by his attorneys and his mother.

The story leading up to the murder I found more interesting as it was a bio of Tommy and his family. This was a well to do family that moved in the moneyed society of greater New York. The elite schools, homes, and social connections were all on display. And of course in our class conscious country these are significant factors in staying in the upper tiers. Tommy had all of this matched with brains and looks. But alas he also carried the seeming crazy genes of his family also. That led to the unraveling of the gravy train ride.

The trial which consisted of nearly half the book got a bit repetitious and grinding as we were on a nonstop circuit of Tommy's disruptive and uncooperative behavior during the proceedings. The verdict which I did not know in advance was a bit surprising. And the book closed abruptly without much analysis or aftermath. ( )

Excellent book. Sad and frustrating. Highlights the many failures in the mental health system and the judicial system. ( )

I remember the headlines when this murder took place, and it was all about a spoiled young man who committed murder because his allowance was cut. The truth is far sadder, with Thomas Gilbert Jr.'s mental health issues slowly unravelling his life. ( )