Madness Under the Royal Palms

Love and Death Behind the Gates of Palm Beach

By: Laurence Leamer

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

In March 1999, a Palm Beach matron and her socially ambitious husband invited the elite of the island for a dinner dance honoring Prince Edward. Among those dancing to the string orchestra that evening would be those accused of murder and spousal abuse, and others who would suffer fates both unseemly and unspeakable. Among the outer circle there would be murders, suicides, and fatal fires. There would be those who would rise from the dust of obscurity to the heights of wealth and those who would fall to oblivion and disgrace.Thus begins Madness Under the Royal Palms.

Leave it to Laurence Leamer, the best-selling author known for getting the inside story on his elusive subjects, to take us behind the walls of America's most exclusive enclave of wealth and privilege. Here Leamer tells a braided story involving a socialite determined to make it to the top of Palm Beach society, two infamous murders, and a powerful society reporter. As a backdrop, Leamer tells the story of the clash between old money and new, religion and status, and the love, lust, and fatal hatreds that determine the shape of a fiercely protected society. The cast of characters include trophy wives, trophy husbands, purported gigolos, glamorous widows, a pioneering gay couple, a wildly irreverent event planner, a sociopathic multimillionaire, and an elegant society queen. For 100 years, Palm Beach has been a fantasyland nurtured by, and maintained for, the megawealthy.

In the end, Leamer's tale of money, murder, and mad pretension reveals a darker strain. Uncovering that strain, the author writes, "turned into as fascinating, in some cases as shocking, and always as unexpected a journey as I have ever taken."

©2009 Laurence Leamer (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Madness offers buckets of heart-warmimg Schadenfreude for all." ( The Washington Post)
"The book's highly visual vignettes dominated by divorce, infidelity, excessive drinking and violence produce a depressing picture of sad, angry, insecure and frequently nasty people hiding behind empty smiles, luxury cars and socially invisible servants." - ( Publishers Weekly)

Fantastic book

Money defamation murder suicide! It had everything. A fabulous read. Five stars all the way

Bizarre

I am not someone who has spent any time in my life thinking about extraordinary wealth. But this book was free for Audible subscribers, so I thought I would try it.
The story is a cross between tragic and grotesque. I’m sure there must be many lovely people that live in Palm Beach. But this book talks virtually exclusively about the tragic souls where money is all they have. I am sure this kind of wealth and lifestyle are tempting to some people. But this book made me realize I am grateful to not be a part of it.

Master Story Telling

I quickly picked up this book after reading Mar A Lago because I love the way this writer writes, and the narration is truly fabulous. The same narrator here also. This book was much wittier and at times my ribs hurt and tears rolled down my cheeks as I laughed uncontrollably. So many very interesting tales packed into this book. The writer is able to write and permit the reader to draw their own conclusions without becoming an interruption with his own attitudes and opinions. I feel as if I am remote viewing when he tells a tale. He recreates people and situations with such clarity and with views from comfortable angles, for the most part. Some stories are more shocking than others, such as a two-year-old child drowning in a pool, written off as collateral damage with sadistic disregard, from an extramarital affair. The writer walks you through labyrinths of illusion, self-importance, and insatiable needs. The burdens of "rank" and "status" that cause people continuous compromises with integrity. And lets you rest in the distances between the Haves and Have Nots. I only wish this was volume one of a twenty volume set.

Just what I've been waiting for

For those of us who "havenot" a must read (listen) for anyone who loves the tabloid-esque scandals of the Palm Beach rich. I love that the stories are scandalously current, unlike the old recycled stories we've heard countless times. Fantastic! Keep 'em coming!! ten stars not five!!!!

Accurate portrayal of life on the island

I live near Palm Beach. In my experience this story is accurate in its depiction of the people, culture and island life. I see and interact with them regularly for over 20 years. Have friends who do as well and share their stories… The author did a great job of painting the picture as it really is… or was in 2009.