The Devil's Gentleman: Privilege, Poison, and the Trial That Ushered in the Twentieth Century

Written by Harold Schechter

Narrated by Sean Runnette

The wayward son of a revered Civil War general, Roland Molineux enjoyed good looks, status, and fortune-hardly the qualities of a prime suspect in a series of shocking, merciless cyanide killings. Molineux's subsequent indictment for murder led to two explosive trials and a sex-infused scandal that shocked the nation. Bringing to life Manhattan's Gilded Age, Schechter captures all the colors of the tumultuous legal proceedings, gathering his own evidence and tackling subjects no one dared address at the time-all in hopes of answering a tantalizing question: What powerfully dark motives could drive the wealthy scion of an eminent New York family to murder?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Feb 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781515987864

Harold Schechter

Harold Schechter is a professor of American literature and culture. Renowned for his true-crime writing, he is the author of the nonfiction books Fatal, Fiend, Bestial, Deviant, Deranged, Depraved, and The Serial Killer Files. He lives in New York State. For more information, visit www.haroldschechter.com.

Reviews for The Devil's Gentleman

[Steve Ford · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting! The crime the haralded in the 20th Century! I was pleasantly surprised towards at the outcome of this. It wasn't what I expected and was a little shocked. There are some questions I still have about the case but that's to be expected. Good read!

[switchknitter · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is an enjoyable read. Will I remember it in a month? Probably not. But it was still good enough that I tore through it in less than 24 hours. It held my interest and had me unsure as to what would come next -- excellent traits in a crime tale.

[aliceap-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a definite page turner but the ending was a bit of a letdown.

[kanata_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An okay telling of a historic crime. More a focus on how media acted then.

[meggyweg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Meh. Much as I enjoyed finally seeing a Schechter book that was properly footnoted, this one just dragged on. And on. And on. Of course, Roland Molineaux's trial also dragged on. And on. And on. But that's no excuse. I kept slogging through the chapters hoping for something better, but the only time I felt any suspense was almost at the very end, when [SPOILER ALERT] Roland's conviction was overturned and he had the second trial and everything.The author deserves kudos for painting an excellent picture of the times, the Gilded Age and everything, and of all the characters in the story, particularly Roland's father General Edward Leslie Molineaux. But he should have cut this book in half, at minimum.

[began_25 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A true crime story set in New York at the turn of the Nineteenth Century, The Devil's Gentleman is the story of Roland Molineux son of famed General Moineux a Civil War hero. Accused of murder by poison and locked in a loveless marriage Roland goes on trial, one covered by seemingly,insatiable yellow journalism. Convicted and sent to the infamous Sing Sing prison, Roland, with the unwavering support of his father, never gives up hope. Blanch, his wife, is far less supportive and finds herself a virtual prisoner in her in-law's home.Set in the Gilded Age of Manhattan the story brings that time to life and is inset with the characters (William Hearst, Pulitzer, etc.)of the era. A very interesting and captivating story with, for me, an unexpected ending.

[rebeccareader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An enjoyable telling of a true story. Did the accused commit a crime of passion, or was he a budding serial killer? Schecter also describes the development of New York City's criminal investigation procedures during the late 19th and early 20th century.

[verbafacio · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Schecter is a vivid, if occasionally cheesy, story teller. His tail of the trial of the 19th century is an engrossing read. In describing the Molineux poisoning case, Schechter tackles major issues of class, gender norms, and legal precedent. This is a pleasant, though perhaps a little long, read.