Madness Under the Royal Palms: Love and Death Behind the Gates of Palm Beach

Written 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 bestselling 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."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Feb 16, 2009
• ISBN: 9781400180714

Laurence Leamer

Laurence Leamer is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including The Kennedy Women and The Price of Justice. He has worked in a French factory and a West Virginia coal mine, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal. His play, Rose, was produced off Broadway last year. He lives in Palm Beach, Florida, and Washington, D.C., with his wife, Vesna Obradovic Leamer.

Reviews for Madness Under the Royal Palms

[micahmom2002 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

the overall plot sounded interesting, however the author jumps from person to person and gives quite a lengthy history. Too many facts for my taste.

[writemoves · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I do not watch or have any real interest in shows that start with 'The Housewives of..."as I find most celebrities or rich people to be shallow and lead uninteresting lives. Leamer's book confirms that but also documents the many tragedies and scandals often brought on by the rich and greedy themselves. The general theme of the book revolves around money. How to get it? How to spend it? How to keep it? The extent on how rich people will protect their wealth often leads to violence and vulgar behavior.

Donald Trump figures in the book. He upset the staid manners and culture in Palm Springs with his hotels and appearance in Palm Springs. There are a number of stories, mostly sad ones. There also was an anecdote about Wayne Newton, namely about his personal appearance that was amusing.

For those pursuing the lifestyle of the rich and famous, this book is an eye opener and full of cautionary tales.

[danawl_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Detailed look at the lives of the rich and not so rich of Palm Beach. A story on how incredible gluttony and tragedy have occured in those rewarded with an abundance of wealth.