The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander BY Denny S. Bryce

Inspired by a real-life scandal that was shocking even for the tumultuous Roaring Twenties, this captivating novel tells the story of a pioneering Black journalist, a secret interracial marriage among the New York elite, and the sensational divorce case that ignited an explosive battle over race and class—and brought together three very different women fighting for justice, legitimacy, and the futures they risked everything to shape.

For readers of Dolen Perkins-Valdez, Marie Benedict, and Victoria Christopher Murray, this transporting work of fact-based historical fiction from Denny S. Bryce, bestselling author of Wild Women and the Blues, In the Face of the Sun, and Can't We Be Friends: A Novel of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe.

In 1924 New York, Alice Jones, born to English immigrants and longing for true love, believes she has found it with Leonard “Kip” Rhinelander, heir to a prominent white family’s real estate fortune. Though Alice is considered “white,” rumors about her ancestry have surfaced—rumors her parents dismiss. When Alice and Kip secretly marry, Kip’s family demands an annulment or threatens to cut him off financially.

Devastated but resolute, Alice faces not only legal battles but also the harsh court of public opinion. The key to her fight lies with Marvel Cunningham, a proud Black reporter devoted to chronicling social change and the Harlem Renaissance's vibrant creativity.

Initially viewing Alice’s case as a sensational tabloid scandal, Marvel soon uncovers deep connections between their lives and struggles. As Marvel investigates, the case of Rhinelander vs. Rhinelander reveals uncomfortable truths, challenging both women to confront their identities and desires in a judgmental world. In the Court of Shadows is a gripping exploration of race, love, and the quest for justice.