This is a hard one for me to review. I just couldn't stay engaged, it all felt pretty far fetched. I like the premise but I love to see known characters, especially historic ones, in unexpected situations but it seemed beyond belief and I ended up skimming most of the second half. Just not the right time for this one, I think.

An interesting story. It is based on true facts. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. The mystery of Elma Sands. I found it good.

Base on true events of the Manhattan Well Murder trial, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, fight fto keep an innocent man from the gallows. This story will pull at your heart and keep you turning the pages. If you are a fan of historical fiction and love a good mystery this a perfect read for you!

The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig weaves a perfect story of historical fiction with characters I grew to love.
It was interesting following the legal and courtroom pieces of this story. They way they did things back then was so crazy.
The story follows the murder of Elma Sands. Her body was found at the bottom of a well which became known as the Manhattan Well murder.
Elma was in love and was to marry Levi Weeks. Then Levi becomes the suspect in her murder and the story relates to the last few days leading up to the murder.
I was intrigued learning Alexander Hamilton joined the defense team along with Aaron Burr. They were joined in defending Levi Weeks but personally working to undermine each other in politics. Would they succeed to uncover the truth and charge the killer or possibly just end in mystery? This book was so entertaining. The Author's Note was fascinating.
Thank you to the author for this story and to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is such a departure from what I e pe Ted from this author. Willig has set this in NYC and filled it with characters out history. The plot revolves around the disappearance of a young woman, Elma Sands. Not only is this novel about the supposed killer of Elma, but the historic rivalry between Hamilton and Burr.

For those of us who are fascinated by the rivalry of these men, this book certainly is very interesting. The author does an excellent job with the setting of the novel. I certainly congratulate the accuracy and details of her portrayal of NYC in the post-revolution world.

Thank you Netgalley for this novel about Hamilton and Burr surrounded by a murder case and 1800 NYC.

On the chilly evening of December 22, 1799, a young woman named Elma Sands, wearing her best calico dress, slipped out of her Quaker cousin’s boarding house on Greenwich Street, ostensibly to elope with her lover (as she told her cousin, Hope). Eleven days later, Elma’s body was found floating in the Manhattan Well, and Elma’s family accused Levi Weeks, a young carpenter and a fellow boarder, of killing her. The subsequent trial, which featured the powerhouse defense team of political rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, became the first sensationalized murder trial in American history; it was also the first U.S. trial for which there is a recorded transcript. Willig (The Pink Carnation series) draws on this transcript to bring the historical personalities involved brilliantly to life in all their human complexity. Especially fascinating are her depictions of Hamilton and Burr and their contrasting legal strategies. The impulsive, idealistic Hamilton wants to identify the true killer; the Machiavellian Burr is only interested in exonerating his client (even if he might be guilty). In her closely observed details, Willig also vividly recreates a growing New York City in a newly independent America. With an epilogue that reveals what happened to the principal characters after the trial and a historical note that details the author’s research, this compelling novel will appeal to true crime fans, aficionados of legal thrillers, and readers of historical mysteries. [Fun fact: The notorious Manhattan Well still exists at 129 Spring Street in lower Manhattan.]

When Elma Sands is found murdered at the bottom of a well, it is Alexander Hamilton who decides he must defend the accused, Levi Weeks. He will need to find a way to work with his rival, Aaron Burr, if he wants to help his political career and, at the same time, he hopes to outshine Burr to take him down a notch.

There was much research involved in the writing of this novel and it shows in the Puritan way of speaking and the atmospheric feel of those early times. This is based on a true story and it’s one that not many of us have heard about. It is beautifully written and very compelling. I highly recommend this to historical fiction readers. Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

e-ARC from Netgally- all opinions are my own

As a longtime fan of Lauren Willig's books, I was very excited to get an ARC from Netgalley for her latest novel- a murder mystery! A break from her typical stories, The Girl from Greenwich Street covers the first murder case of young America, with Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and Brockholst Livingston defending the man accused of murdering his girlfriend.

As I am also a huge fam of the musical Hamilton, it was so much fun to see Hamilton and Burr together on a case (years after the events of the Revolutionary War) and how different they were not only in politics, but in their approach to the legal system. Lauren Willig did a fantastic job of showing how Burr thought about Hamilton's approach, demeanor, etc- things I wouldn't have learned in school.

The books ends with an unknown, as there never was conclusive evidence against anyone for committing the murder. Lauren explains her theory as to what happened, as well as adding an endnote explaining how her story differs (only very slightly) from history. I can't imagine reading such old transcripts of a court case, diaries, and so many other primary sources in order to have enough background for this book! Bravo!

Just before Christmas in 1789, Elma Sands walked out of her cousin's boarding house in New York City, and was not seen again. Her cousins thought she was leaving to marry Levi Weeks, a carpenter who boarded there. But, Levi showed up that night, asking about Elma. It wasn't until January that Elma's body was found in the Manhattan Well. Handbills circulated and a mob called for the arrest of Levi Weeks, accusing him of killing Elma Sands. After his arrest, Levi's influential and wealthy brother, Ezra, hired Aaron Burr and another prominent New York attorney to defend Levi. But, politics and jealousy wouldn't allow Alexander Hamilton to stay out of the trial. He insisted on serving as part of the defense. In the sensational two day trial, Hamilton and Burr compete for the public's attention while attempting to save Levi Weeks' life.

Real life personalities bring this story to life in a riveting account of the first murder trial in the U.S. in which there is a recorded transcript. The author of the "Pink Carnation" series leans on that transcript for the trial testimony in a gripping story that will appeal to true crime buffs, those interested in Hamilton and Burr, and historical mystery fans.

Based on the unsolved murder of Gulielma ‘Elma’ Sands in post-Revolutionary War New York, The Girl from Greenwich Street explores the possibilities of one theory regarding whodunnit. Did Lauren Willig solve the case? Possibly. In my amateur opinion, quite likely. It seems plausible, for sure.

What held this back from being 4-5 stars for me was the ongoing political drama between famous rivals Hamilton and Burr. While I can see Willig’s need to establish context for their reluctant partnership in the defense of Levi Weeks, it kind of bored me.

However, overall the story had me avidly researching the case and history of that part of New York City during its early days, which I enjoy doing. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The year is 1800, and Levi Weeks is on trial for the murder of Elma Sands, a young woman found at the bottom of a well. She told her sister she was getting married to Levi, a local carpenter. But trials in 1800 are much different than they are today. The practice of law, as well as the lack of any forensic evidence; makes this story different than your typical mystery.

The language is quite puritan, a lot of Thee and beknownst and bethought. The narrative grows more complex as the story unfolds, and many differing opinions bring the reader to their own conclusions.

I enjoyed rhetorical story and was intrigued by the premise. We don’t get many historical fiction mysteries. The story was true to the culture of the time. I also appreciated the character development and pacing of the reveals.

A good cross-genre novel for 2025.

Thanks to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the ARC. Book to be published March 4, 2025.

#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations #TheGirlFromGreenwichStreet

The worst part about books based on a true story is the blurry in between. And to add to that, there is the wondering of what really happens once a mystery is introduced. I enjoyed it, but I also want more clarity and the nonfiction.

For fans of Hamilton, I think it will vary person to person whether or not this scratches your itch.

I was interested in the premise of this book and I’m a fan of the author, but I could not get into the writing style or the story. Others may enjoy it!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Lauren Willig is a must read. I absolutely love the mystery genre and this just moved up to the one of the top 10 of my favorite mystery books. She is a master storyteller and I will recommend this book to everyone I know who loves mysteries.

The Girl from Greenwich Street: A Novel of Hamilton, Burr, and America's First Murder Trial by Lauren Willig is a great historical fiction that kept me interested from be to end.

This is a great HF that takes real-life events and figures (Hamilton and Burr anyone?) and a real trial, and fictionalizes it into an intriguing mystery.

A lot of historical detail, gripping material, and an author’s note at the end that helps supplement the presentation and background.

Highly recommend.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG William Morrow for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/4/25.

I recently read The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig. Despite the modern day standing of the neighborhood, this novel takes us back over two hundred and twenty years, to the bustling times of a quite young United States. The research is incredible throughout, and we learn a surprising amount about the characters and the political background of the times. Still, this is a whodunit on a grand scale, with numerous potential suspects and the fate of a possibly innocent young man in the balance. We quickly acclimate to daily life in the year 1800 as lawyer Alexander Hamilton defends the accused. The author gives us just the right amount of detail to set the scene and the personalities of the characters are well done. Very enjoyable right through the final pages, written no doubt with a quill by lamplight.

The Girl from Greenwich Street
by Lauren Willig
Pub Date: March 4, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I love historical fiction and this is a good one. I loved learning about the author's research process in the back of the book, well done!
The story focuses on the trial of Levi Weeks. He’s accused of murdering a young woman, Elma Sands. New York 1800, we have Quakers, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, & so many other historical figures. I had no clue about this trial or the events but leave it to Willig to have me so interested & invested in this story. I was constantly looking up the people that this event was based on.

What a beautiful atmospheric and old feel style book. I thought this book was really good I liked that it wasnt so much a drag a long style story and just happy and fun. Well I wouldn't say fun but its just a fast paced story and the resolution was good in my opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig.

The Girl from Greenwich Street is a good historical fiction, but really not as exciting as an episode from Law & Order from the 1800s like the blurb marketed. I enjoyed the fictionalized first murder trial, and I especially think Hamilton enthusiasts will enjoy it, but it was a little slow.

Let me first say that Lauren Willig is one of MY FAVORITE AUTHORS EVER. No one will ever surpass her for me. I reread her books yearly. I loved her series so much that I almost carry it with me everywhere on kindle, like a comfort blanket as a child does. I always recommend everyone read all of her books. But this newest one is absolutely superb. When "The Girl from Greenwich Street" is published, RUN to the bookstore and stock up, because it truly is the best. What a fantastic, intelligent, exquisitely written historical novel of the first murder trial!
I truly say that I will read anything she writes, even the side of a cereal box. I am off to read it again, but it was so, so, so good.