In the summertime of 2019, I met with my then-editor at Kensington Books, and she or he talked about Alice Beatrice Jones and Leonard ‘Kip’ Rhinelander and their headline information story from the Nineteen Twenties. It was a passing remark that I took to coronary heart as a result of I’d by no means heard of Alice or Kip and the precise true occasions that occurred in New Rochelle, New York, and among the different boroughs within the state which can be on the coronary heart of the Rhinelander vs. Rhinelander case.
Now, I didn’t dive into the historical past instantly. I used to be contracted to jot down another books, however as I typically do, I multi-task in terms of analysis. So, whereas I used to be engaged on my different novels, together with Wild Girls And The Blues, In The Face Of The Solar, The Different Princess: A Novel Of Queen Victoria’s Goddaughter, and Can’t We Be Pals: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe (co-authored with Eliza Knight), I started organizing a file folder (on my pc utilizing a program known as AEON timeline). I loaded every thing I stumbled throughout or actively looked for about Alice and Kip (she calls him Lenny in my novel) into that app or the folder.
So, I used to be feeling mighty organized (which generally is a entice, too), when it got here time to start drafting The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander.
I had a mash-up of knowledge (and opinions) to check. There have been letters, diaries, printed essays, or, within the case of Rhinelander vs. Rhinelander, newspaper protection, courtroom transcripts, and a number of other spectacular dissertations, theses, and essays written by professors, PhD candidates, and historians analyzing the Rhinelander vs. Rhinelander courtroom battle and its significance within the tradition of its period.
In spite of everything, the story does cowl points comparable to classism, racism, household and relationships. However one among my objectives in writing these novels is to inform the human story behind the headlines.
My analysis additionally unearthed some surprises. No spoilers, however I’ll share just a few tidbits.
Alice Jones was born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1899. Her dad and mom had been immigrants from Britain. They met whereas working as chauffeurs and cooks in an enormous home in London; they fell in love, married, and, shortly after, took off for America. They arrived in New York Metropolis and made their house in New Rochelle. Alice was the center sister of the three daughters the Jones couple had.
Within the Nineteen Twenties, newspaper articles included the addresses of the individuals being written about. That’s proper. This made it straightforward for reporters, nosy residents, and extra to know precisely the place to go to hound Alice and her household. And it wasn’t an remoted incident. Alice’s handle is listed in virtually each article (however oddly, not Kip’s, aka Lenny’s) handle. Newspaper photographers had a roadmap, a printed invitation, to stake out Alice’s house and seize candid photos of relations (Think about if this occurred at this time?).
Okay, this text can’t be all about me.
So, listed below are three (of the numerous) books I’m tremendous excited to learn. So, have your TBR record prepared and preorder these titles at this time!
In a League of Her Personal by Kaia Alderson
“From the writer of Sisters in Arms comes the unimaginable, untold story of Effa Manley, a Black businesswoman within the male-dominated baseball business, and, at present, the solely lady inducted into the Baseball Corridor of Fame.” I’m tremendous enthusiastic about this e book! Set within the Thirties, that is an inspiring story about an unforgettable lady whose outstanding story is lastly being instructed. Coming August 6, 2024!!! Proper across the nook!
The story of Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie, the Black maid in FDR’s White Home who “spearheaded the Civil Rights motion of her time,” was the self-proclaimed Secretary-On-Coloured-Folks’s-Affairs. Coming February 4, 2025.
Folks of Means by Nancy Johnson
“From the acclaimed writer of The Kindest Lie, a propulsive novel a couple of mom and daughter every searching for justice and following their goals throughout moments of social reckoning — Sixties Nashville and 1992 Chicago — good for readers of Brit Bennett and Tayari Jones.” This description pulls me proper in! It’s not biographical historic fiction however a novel that explores the “goals of justice and equality” in generations previous and current whereas providing insights for tomorrow. Coming February 11, 2025.