The Great Mrs. Elias A Novel By Chase-Riboud, Barbara

In "The Great Mrs. Elias," author Barbara Chase-Riboud paints a mesmerizing portrait of Hannah Elias, one of the richest black women in America during the early 1900s. The novel unfolds with a murder and a case of mistaken identity at Hannah's opulent mansion on Central Park West, setting off an odyssey that delves into the dangerous secrets of her past.

Born in Philadelphia and determined to rise above her circumstances, Hannah transforms herself and builds a vast fortune in New York City, quietly investing in the stock market and stashing her millions across multiple banks. With her dream of wealth realized, she indulges in a lavish lifestyle inspired by her idol, Cleopatra.

However, when the unsolved murder threatens to unravel her carefully constructed world, Hannah finds herself at the center of a scandal that rocks society. As the truth of her identity is revealed, she faces protests, salacious media attention, and a scandalous trial, accused of stealing her fortune from white individuals.

Against a backdrop of glamour, suspense, and drama, "The Great Mrs. Elias" immerses readers in the vibrant world of early 20th-century New York City, populated by real-life luminaries of the era. With atmospheric prose and rich historical detail, Chase-Riboud brings Hannah Elias and the age she embodied to vivid, tragic life.