In this episode of 'Elena Meets The Author,' Elena Bowes sits down with Lauren Willig, the New York Times bestselling author of over 25 works of historical fiction. They dive into Willig's latest book, 'The Girl from Greenwich Street,' an enthralling courtroom drama set during America's first recorded murder trial in 1799. Willig shares her intricate journey from law to writing, her fascinating research process, and the historical nuances that make this story so compelling. The conversation also explores the socio-cultural dynamics of 1800s New York and how Willig breathes life into her characters through rich historical details.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:00 Meet the Author: Lauren Willig

00:31 The Historical Context of 'The Girl from Greenwich Street'

02:16 Lauren Willig's Journey from Law to Literature

04:28 The Unique Aspects of the Levi Weeks Trial

05:51 Discovering the Story Through Research

12:19 Life in 1800s New York City

15:54 Reading from the Prologue

19:46 Challenges in Uncovering Elma's Story

23:00 The Defense Team: Burr and Hamilton

26:02 The Manhattan Well and Its Historical Significance

30:07 The Role of Women in the Case

33:02 The Quaker Curse and Its Impact

37:38 Upcoming Projects and Future Works

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