The Great Mrs. Elias: A Novel Based on a True Story

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The author of the award-winning Sally Hemings presents a captivating novel about Hannah Elias, one of the wealthiest black women in early 1900s America. The story begins with a murder and a case of mistaken identity that leads the police to Hannah's opulent mansion on Central Park West, setting off a journey through her life filled with secrets and ambition. Born in late 1800s Philadelphia, Hannah has made difficult choices to survive and, seeking a fresh start, adopts a new identity in New York City. There, she amasses a fortune comparable to that of a robber baron, skillfully investing in the stock market and discreetly storing her wealth across 29 banks. Achieving her dream, she decorates her Upper West Side mansion in gold, drawing inspiration from Cleopatra. However, the unsolved murder disrupts her carefully constructed life, threatening to unravel everything she has achieved. As her true identity comes to light, protests erupt outside her home, and she faces a scandalous trial, accused of stealing her wealth from white society. Filled with glamour, suspense, and historical figures, this novel vividly portrays a remarkable woman and the era she represents.