Legal Thrillers - Historical Fiction - Based on the Infamous 1925 Rhinelander vs Rhinelander Trial

A secret marriage. A national scandal. A courtroom battle that forced one woman to defend her very identity before America.

"An extraordinary work of historical fiction."

"As gripping as it is timely."

When Leonard Rhinelander, heir to one of New York's wealthiest families, secretly married Alice Jones, a working-class young woman from New Rochelle, their union seemed a triumph of love over privilege. But when the marriage became public, it exploded into one of the most sensational scandals of the Jazz Age.

Under intense pressure from his powerful family, Leonard filed for an annulment, claiming he had been deceived. What followed captivated the nation. Newspapers competed for every detail. Crowds packed the courthouse. Reporters transformed private lives into public spectacle.

As the trial unfolded, Alice's past, appearance, marriage, and most intimate moments were scrutinized before a fascinated public. What began as a legal proceeding became a national obsession that exposed the deep divisions of race, class, gender, and power in America.

Drawing on trial transcripts, newspaper accounts, personal letters, and diary entries, Black and White and Read All Over reimagines the human story behind the headlines. Through Alice's eyes, readers experience a remarkable love story tested by forces far greater than either she or Leonard could control.

Perfect for readers of historical fiction who enjoy compelling courtroom drama, forgotten American history, and stories of resilience in the face of impossible odds.

In 1925, America could not look away. Nearly a century later, the questions raised by the Rhinelander trial remain as urgent as ever.