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.

Historical fiction based heavily on reality. The author includes a wealth of information at the end of the book about the process of researching, the information found, the liberties taken, and what happened to the persons at the forefront of the story. The writing is gripping, bringing you into the heart of a trial. Did the young lady decide to end her life? Was she a wonton who found herself tied to multiple men, one of whom had cause to remove her? Did a jealous lover attack her? Perhaps a scorned wife wanted her removed from the picture? What happened to this young woman… Will Hamilton, Burr, and the rest of those involved in the trial uncover the truth and charge the killer or will this historical trial end in mystery? This book was so entertaining to read and I found myself eager to reach the outcome.

I have read every Lauren Willig novel including those written by “Team W”. I know I can always count on learning about a specific historical period because of Willie’s incredible research.

This novel was a departure from her usual historical romance. It is based on a true crime that occurred at the turn of the 18th century. Characters include Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr (anyone who enjoyed the musical, Hamilton, should enjoy this). We get the personal stories of Quakers who run a boarding house and the murder of their cousin. Early 19th century politics are at play along with the timeless sin of blaming the victim (especially women) for a crime. While one plot line remains a mystery, others are resolved with satisfying results.

I learned quite a bit about a time period and some of its famous characters. Another outstanding novel by Willig.

Another great novel written by one of my favorite authors. 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. I have my own theories based on what I read and from the note at the end. I think the culprit ultimately got was coming to him. I felt bad for Elma throughout the story. I’m also glad that trials aren’t so convoluted as they once were.

I am still trying to wrap my head around this book. Wow! It was mind boggling and the ending just wow. I loved the characters and the journey this story took you on.