More than a century ago, a quiet Adirondack lake became the setting for one of the most infamous true crime stories in American history.

In this episode of ADK Talks, we dive into the tragic case of Chester Gillette and Grace Brown—a story of ambition, deception, love, and murder that unfolded at Big Moose Lake in the early 1900s. What began as a secret romance in a Cortland skirt factory ended in a chilling act that captivated the nation and still lingers in Adirondack lore today.

Joined by the Adirondack Park Paranormal Society (APPS), we explore not just the crime itself, but the people behind it, the cultural ripple effects, and why this case continues to fascinate more than 100 years later.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Next week, we step inside the historic Herkimer County Jail, where APPS investigates what may still remain.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• A secret romance leads to an unexpected pregnancy and rising tension.
• A trip to Big Moose Lake promises a new beginning but ends in tragedy.
• A rowboat, a remote bay, and a story that doesn’t quite add up.
• A sensational trial unfolds with love letters and national headlines.
• The case inspires a landmark novel and a classic Hollywood film.
• A closer look at the mindset of Chester Gillette.

Resources:

• Adirondack Park Paranormal Society (APPS)
• APT Alchemy Podcast (APPS Podcast)
• An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
• Murder in the Adirondacks: An American Tragedy Revisited by Craig Brandon
• The Prison Diary and Letters of Chester Gillette (edited by Jack Sherman & Craig Brandon
• Film: A Place in the Sun (starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift)

Produced by NOVA