historical-figures, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, society-of-friends, murder, murder-investigation, mystery, family, drama, true-crime, secrets, lies***
In focusing on the victim and the disgusting aftermath of her murder, the author has brought a whole new perspective into the personal and legal aspects of the crime. The extensive historical notes bring the cultural aspects of the local responses into focus as well. Interesting.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected advance reader's e-proof from William Morrow via NetGalley. Avail Mar 04, 2025
#TheGirlFromGreenwichStreet by @laurenwillig @williammorrowbooks #NetGalley #goodreads #bookbub #librarythingofficial #barnesandnoble #review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #hamilton #manhattanwellmurder #truecrime #historicalfiction #deepResearch

Thank you to @netgalley and @WilliamMorrow for this ARC. I requested this book for the author and no idea what the book was about but I am glad I received a copy! 1800: The first murder trial in NYC with both Burr and Hamilton residing over the defense. Elma Sands, a Quaker was found at the bottom of Manhattan Well. Levi Weeks is arrested for her murder. Burr was hired by Levi's brother in his defense. Due to his gambling debts, he took the job to pay for his upcoming NY Elections. To not be outdone, Hamilton joined the defense to compete with Burr. They both had different ideas on the case but wanted the same outcome - to prove that Levi was innocent. Can two proven, political enemies work together to free Levi? This book was really good. I struggled in parts on the old English and the Quaker way with words but really enjoyed this "faction" written by Willig and it is easy to take notice how much time and research she put into this book! #TheGirlFromGreenwichStreet #LaurenWillig #WilliamMorrow #March2025

I can’t believe I’ve never read a Lauren Willig novel. That’s not entirely true if you count All the Ways We Said Goodbye, which she co-authored with Beatriz Williams and Karen White. After all, historical fiction is kinda my thing. Well, this book remedied that and sent me to her backlist, where I will pick my next Willig novel strictly by its cover.

If you’re all about true crime, you love history—especially American history, and you can’t get enough murder and mystery, The Girl from Greenwich Street will tick all the boxes for you. The novel opens in 1799 with Elma Sands sneaking out of her proper Quaker cousin’s boarding house to meet the man she says she’s marrying. Those two words “she says” are important because you don’t quite know who or what to believe as the story unfolds.

The added star power of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr fueled my fascination with this book. According to the book’s cover, this was America’s first murder trial. Hmm. That in itself is interesting. I enjoyed Willig’s take on the Hamilton/Burr relationship and her insinuation the pair were working against each other even while they worked together. Very juicy.

But the women were my favorite part of the story. Their interiority, relationships, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses gave the book its soul. I’m always interested in Quakers, too. I don’t know why; I just am. And I adored the author’s notes at the end of the book—don’t miss them!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance reader copy.

December 1799. George Washington's death dominates the newspapers. Until Elma Sands disappears.

Elma Sands lived in her cousin's boarding house. Her cousin, Catherine, was still a practicing Quaker, very old-fashioned and proper. Elma was a modern woman and was ready to be out from under her cousin's thumb. She puts on her best calico dress, borrows a fur muff from a neighbor, and leaves to meet Levi Weeks, the man she secretly married the night before. Elma Sands never returned to the boarding house.

The Girl from Greenwich Street is the historical fiction/true crime story of America's first sensational trial. Aaron Burr has expensive taste and has his sights set on the 1800 New York election, so when Levi Weeks brother calls in a favor, Burr agrees to represent Weeks. Burr's nemesis, Alexander Hamilton, can't let his spotlight dim so he agrees to defend Weeks as well.

While Willig's book does explore the trial, she does an excellent job at the story of Elma Sands, our girlf from Greenwich Street. While the headline names - Burr, Hamilton - are a draw, the story about murder and political power is one that is still happening today.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a very tough read for me which was surprising. I love historical fiction. I enjoy legal thrillers. This dragged on and on. I finished it, but did not like it at all. Meticulous research, but not a book I enjoyed.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins Publishing for an early copy of The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig

The high-profile characters along with a riveting murder plot come together in Lauren Willig's thoroughly researched and fascinating new historical novel that engages readers from page one and does not let up. With Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr on the same side (!) of the trial of Levi Weeks in 1799-1800 New York City, there is no question that the drama will unfold step by step. The death of Elma Sands, a young woman with a Quaker background but never embracing the faith has everyone in the city speculating.

The many subplots to this story including marital unfaithfulness, politics and greed cast light on several characters with ties to the unfortunate victim. The trial itself brings out both the best and the worst in people. While a verdict is reached, questions along with hard feelings will lead the reader to contemplate what really might have happened to Elma Sands.

Author Lauren Willig includes a lengthy historical note and list of resources at the conclusion of this account that supports the many unanswered questions about tragic event in America's early trial history.

Like a lot of people I imagine, I was familiar with this trial — only loosely — mostly from Hamilton. So it was really fascinating to see it really dug into deeper here, albeit in fiction — well researched too. I thought it was interesting to get a glimpse into the true crime fascination, which we may think of as a modern happening, but clearly has been going on for a long, long time. This was a political mystery, this crime so deeply tied up in the political posturing of early America, making it a layered, interesting read. Willing did a fantastic job of creating a sense of time and place through strong writing that featured crisp dialogue balanced with immersive descriptions.

I don't read a lot of historical fiction, but I like Hamilton a lot, so I thought I'd give this one a try. Less rhyming than you would think, but still fun. It was clearly well researched, and did an excellent job of bringing the world of old New York to life, as well as the historical characters. At times it was a bit slow for me, but like I said, I don't read a lot of historical fiction, so I suspect fans of the genre will really like this one. Thanks for the ARC!!

I'm not usually a big reader of historical fiction, but I thought since this was more like a historical true crime book based heavily on true events, it would be a fun read. Writing a book like this cannot be easy, to try and decide which parts to change a little in order to make a story while staying true to the story as much as you can. I thought Lauren did a good job balancing this.

I didn't know a lot about this story before I read the book, so I was learning about everyone as I went. I did have a hard time keeping track of who everyone was; I'm not sure why. I think it's because names switched between first and last often.

I thought the story was interesting, especially since it's a true event. It sometimes took me a little extra concentration to understand the way they talked since it's a little different, but that has nothing to do with my rating as she wrote it true to the time.

I wish there had been more of the trial. It seemed like half the book was a lot of leadup and a little investigation, but the trial was the most interesting to me personally.

I thought it was very well-researched, and I especially appreciated the extra information at the end of the book explaining the history behind the story and the reason she made certain decisions.

If you are into history, espeically if you're a fan of Hamilton, and true crime, you'll probably really enjoy this.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

This exahustively researched, atmospheric novel had some interesting aspects but ultimately fell short for me. The murder mystery was interesting. But long chapters would reveal very few actual details. The writing is very dialog-heavy, which is not my preferred style. However, Willig manages to create a fabulous sense of place and time even among all the dialog. I didn't enjoy the drama between Hamilton and Burr, mainly because I didn't know much about them and felt there was very little background given to help the reader appreciate why they had a feud. I felt plopped in the middle of the conflict and never caught up. The ending was a bit frustrating. The lengthy author's note was more interesting than the novel, for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide feedback.

In New York City, in 1800, the body of Elma Sands was found in a well, leading to the accusation of a man named Levi Weeks. What makes this case infamous is that it was the first transcribed murder trial in the USA, and that Weeks was represented by none other than Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

Lauren Willig has taken this historical true crime and crafted a very well-researched fictional account. Unfortunately, it is mainly written in a dialogue-driven style, which I do not enjoy. I do think that I would have enjoyed it more if it had been an audiobook, because the many sentences of dialogue are very much like lines in a script and with the narration of a good actor, this would have been much more compelling for me. I also think the sense of place needed to be expanded, and it would have been helpful with a map, a timeline of historical events and a list of the people.

Although this novel wasn’t a fit for me due to the writing style, those who do not mind a lot of dialogue may find the case fascinating and enjoy the true story dramatized in this book.

This is definitely a good choice for “Hamilton” fans! I only knew of the trial for the murder of Elma from the musical and this went into great detail of her family and the effects it had on everyone involved. The story was well written and had good characterization of Hamilton and Burr (at least as I know them). I enjoyed the historical fiction aspect, even if it didn’t include the two men.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Marrow for allowing me to read and review this!

The Girl from Greenwich Street was the perfect blend of historical fiction, true crime, thriller, and mystery. Lauren Willig makes history come to life!
Full Review to come.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The opinions stated here are my own.
Willig brings to life an unsolved mystery from 1800 New York, where the lawyers on the defense are none other than Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. If you are obsessed with the musicial, you know which one, then you will enjoy this legal drama. Willig picks apart the case and imagines a new ending, which you know in the beginning, so you can sit back and enjoy the ride.
I thought the pacing was well done and the storyline intriguing enough for a book club or casual read. For me the chapters were a little long, as I like to read in the evening before bed and prefer short chapter bites. But that's me.
Every time they mention Hamiltons red hair I thought of Lin Manuel Miranda and chuckled at how my perceptions of Hamilton had changed with the musical, but Willig brings us back to the spirited redhead sparring with his nemesis Burr.
Enjoyable 4*

Thank you to Nethalley for the ARC.

You know that line in “Non-Stop” from Hamilton where Aaron Burr says our client Levi Weeks is not guilty and tells Hamilton to sit down? Well I think Laura Willig must have had an earworm and that line stuck with her because she has turned that trial in early 1800 into an engrossing historical mystery, bringing her engaging writing style and meticulous research to the early years of the American nation.

Elma Sands is our girl of Greenwich Street and, as the story opens in the boarding house of her Quaker cousin, Cathy, she is excited, she is planning her elopement to a man who will shower her with fine clothes and jewels. She never tells anyone who her secret suitor is, so when she is found dead in the Manhattan Well a few weeks after she disappears, the blame for her murder falls on Levi Weeks. Because of the attention that Levi, a boarder in Cathy’s house, had previously shown Elma, suspicion falls on him and he soon finds himself charged with her murder. His brother, Ezra, a wealthy builder, hires Aaron Burr and Brockhurst Livingston to defend Levi. But then Alexander Hamilton decides that he too is going to help, figuring that he should dig a little deeper, to not just get Levi Weeks acquitted but also fully cleared. He knows someone else killed Elma and he feels like he needs to find the real murder.

Willig is excellent at writing a scene that pulls the reader into the historical era of her novels. Her Pink Carnation series is one of my all time favorite historical series and I rank her books along with Caleb Carr’s The Alienist and the Cadfael series as historical mysteries that allow the reader to inhabit another time and place for a short period of time. At its heart, like The Alienist, The Girl From Greenwich Street, is the story of the people on the margins who don’t always make it into the history books and become just footnotes.

This book is coming out in early March and I predict that it will be a must-read of 2025. People are going to pick it up because of Burr and Hamilton but will leave with a real sense of the struggles for women in the early years of American history.

This very interesting and detailed story reads more like a true crime narrative than a work of historical fiction. I loved seeing the famous rivalry of Burr and Hamilton in action, and I am in awe of the author’s research.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Girl from Greenwich Street is a dramatization of the first murder trial of a young USA, back when our legal system was still developing, and our court processes were new. Levi Weeks is accused of murdering Elma Sands, a young woman who lives in the same boarding house with Levi, in NYC. His brother Ezra is a well-known as respected builder in the city and hires Aaron Burr and Henry Brockholst Livingston to defend Levi, and Alexander Hamilton, with an idea to persuade Ezra to help him build his future country home, inserts himself onto the defense team, even though he is already quite overloaded with work related to the development of the United States Army.
This book is very much a police procedural drama, as the author uses various points of view from both the defense and prosecution, as well as from Elma's cousins as bystanders in the process, as both sides work towards supporting their case before the eventual trial of Levi. I found the very process of investigation and then the trial to be intriguing, given the time period that the book is set in, with a very young USA, with a trial never taking more than a single day. I also found the perspectives of both Burr and Hamilton and how they worked together but also had conflicts to be interesting and clearly well researched. There is a lengthy author's note at the end of the book that is worthwhile to read as well. Overall, this was a fun and interesting twist on true crime, in a time period that I rarely read about.
Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

An interesting book of a true historical event. The trial to prove Levi's innocence and how the rivalry between two highly ambitious lawyers wanting to make a mark in politics, this book was a deviation from Willigs books I have read in the past. It was slightly slower paced, but still interesting especially given the historical context.

I really enjoyed reading this book and learning all about our country's first murder trial. It was so interesting to see how things started and how things are done now during a murder trial. I feel like this book sucks you into the mystery of the murder and the trial proceedings. So interesting to learn more about Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr and how both were on the defense team of this murder trial even though they were rivals. . Some parts of the middle of the book became a little slow for my liking but overall, I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction and true crime/mystery.

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for the digital arc in exchange for my honest review

Willig's latest novel, The Girl from Greenwich Street, is a fictionalized account of Levi Week's trial in early 1800 for the murder of Elma Sands. I found the beginning chapters a slow go but sticking with the book turned out to be well worth it. The real-life trial found political enemies Alexander Hamilton and Aarron Burr collaborating as Mr. Week's co-counsel. Willig skillfully weaves dialogue taken from the actual trial transcripts with inferences drawn from the historical record -- and of course, some literary license, to tell a gripping story about the lead up to the trial, the trial itself and its aftermath.
While admittedly speculative, Willig's description of how the rivalry between Burr and Hamilton affected their approach to the trial was more than plausible. Made plausible too by her skillful writing and meticulous research (be sure to read her historical notes) are the theories about other suspects in Sands's murder. I recommend the book highly.