Part I: Chapters 1-5 Summary

The Gold Coast is a novel centered on the life of John Sutter and those around him. John Sutter has settled into his life, but does not appear to be happy with it. The result of Sutter's midlife crisis proves damaging to all around him.

In Chapter 1, John Sutter, wealthy resident of the North shore of Long Island, visits Hick's Nursery to purchase some plants for outside the gatehouse and guesthouse at Stanhope Hall, his wife Susan's family home. As John is leaving a man approaches and introduces himself as Frank Bellarosa, John's new neighbor. John is able to hide his emotions, but barely. Frank Bellarosa, a well-known mafia don, has purchased Alhambra, the estate next door to Stanhope Hall.

In Chapter 2, John returns to Stanhope hall, wondering if Frank Bellarosa knows that the old money families...