Amy Stewart (1)

Book on CD read by Christina Moore.

Based on the true story of one of America’s first female detectives, Stewart gives us a wonderfully atmospheric historical crime novel set in 1914-1915, and with a great cast of characters.

Of course, the Kopp sisters are front and center. Constance is the eldest, and exceedingly tall; she is pragmatic and sensible, hard working and determined to keep the family farm, though everyone else, including their older brother, wonders how “three girls can show more manage alone out there.” Norma is the prickliest of the three; she prefers to stay away from town, tending to the animals on the farm, especially her carrier pigeons. And yet, she is equally devoted to her sisters, and especially to helping Constance as they try to protect their baby sister. Fleurette is that baby – now a young lady in her teens, and eager to go out into the world and experience all it has to offer.

Their nemesis is the rich and powerful owner of the local silk factory: Henry Kaufman, who runs his automobile into the Kopp’s buggy. The sisters demand payment for the damages he caused, which sets off an escalating war of intimidation, revenge and recrimination. Eventually, Constance goes to file a formal complaint, and this introduces her to Sheriff Robert Heath.

I loved Heath. He was principled, ethical, conscientious and straightforward. He never sugarcoated the possibilities and did his best to make certain the Kopp sisters were equipped to handle things on their own. Despite the obvious corruption in the system, and the power held in the hands of the factory owners, he persisted in seeking justice and punishing the wrongdoers, regardless of their wealth.

A side plot involving a factory worker whose child has been abducted, gives Constance a additional chance to prove her abilities as a detective. It also allows Stewart to give the reader a greater sense of the history of the time and the conditions faced by factory workers.

Christina Moore does a marvelous job narrating the audiobook. I particularly liked the way she acted Fleurette; she gave her an excited, breath delivery that really made me believe this was a 16-year-old girl, long sheltered (isolated) on a family farm and eager to experiences the world.

Brava to the Kopp sisters, Ms Stewart and narrator Moore. I’ll keep reading this series. show less

For some reason, I had a couple of erroneous expectations coming into this book. I thought it was a Western and pictured Constance Kopp as a sort of hotheaded, guns-blazing, Annie Oakley figure. In fact, the book is set in New Jersey, and Constance is definitely not the aggressive cowgirl I had imagined. She is certainly a strong woman, but her strength isn't demonstrated by violence. Rather, she is strong in her sense of justice and in her determination not to be browbeaten by the factory show more owner just because he is rich and male. I really admired Constance and enjoyed her relationship with her sisters; it's obvious that they get on each others nerves occasionally, but it's equally obvious that they are very close. I also liked the book's historical setting and how it showcased (in a non-preachy way) some of the difficulties women faced in the early 20th century. The "family secret" referenced in the summary was fairly easy to guess, but I didn't mind it because it's really not the focus of the novel. The book's ending seems to leave room for a sequel, and I would definitely read one if it ever materializes! show less

Constance, Norma, and Fleurette Kopp live on a farm outside of Paterson, New Jersey, and are getting by with some assistance from their brother, Francis. One day, though, their buggy is smashed in a collision with a motorcar driven by the irresponsible Henry Kaufman. Kaufman is a wealthy, spoiled son of a factory owner and spends his time knocking around with his thuggish friends. When he refuses to pay damages for the buggy and Constance has the temerity to take him to task for it, the show more sisters find themselves the target of a vengeful brat with gangster connections. But the Kopps won’t give up without a fight.

This book is based on the true story of one of the first female deputy sheriffs in the United States (which may be a spoiler, sorry), and it is a highly entertaining one. Constance is our narrator, and the story she tells is interspersed with memories of her earlier years and their mother, whose influence runs deep. I had a great time with this book and will be continuing with the next book, Lady Cop Makes Trouble. show less

If you need to research some clever poisons for your next murder mystery, you could do worse than start your search for candidates here. It's a quick and readable introduction to the wide world of dangerous plants, with the fun and exciting (well, if you share some of my gallows humor) basics on the major ones plus the relatives of these dangerous plants.

But that's not all this book offers. It's not just clever murder methods. It's also the stuff won't kill you (probably), but will make you show more sick and very uncomfortable. It's the stuff it would never occur to you to eat, but might kill your animals.

It's the stuff you probably don't want to plant in your garden, especially if you have allergies, or care about people who do.

It's the invasive plants that are choking waterways.

It's the nasty stuff that global warming will help invade areas currently free of it.

It's those fascinating carnivorous plants.

Did I mention it's a lot of fun?

Recommended.

I bought this audiobook. show less