⭐⭐⭐✨⭐ 3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I’ve always loved courtroom dramas, and The Girl from Greenwich Street had me excited from page one. Lauren Willig unearths the true story of Elma Sands, a young woman found dead in the Manhattan Well in 1799, and the sensational trial that followed. The accused, Levi Weeks, becomes the center of attention not because of evidence but because his defense team includes two ambitious lawyers with something bigger in mind: political gain. When Aaron Burr takes the case, Alexander Hamilton jumps in too, mostly to make sure Burr isn’t the only one grabbing headlines.
The premise is outstanding, especially knowing it’s rooted in history, but the story doesn’t always hit as hard as it should. The pacing wanders, and parts outside the courtroom feel overly detailed without adding much emotional weight. Elma herself remains more symbol than character, which makes it difficult to fully connect with the tragedy at the heart of the case.
That said, the legal maneuvering is interesting, and the rivalry between Burr and Hamilton brings energy to the narrative. Willig’s research is impressive, and she paints early New York with vivid texture. I just wished the drama at the center felt as gripping as the history around it. Fans of true crime and historical trials will still find plenty to appreciate, but it’s not quite a page-turner.
** Thanks to Edelweiss+ and William Morrow for a comp. Opinions are my own.