Girl Waits With Gun

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 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 show more 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 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 show more 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 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, show more 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

Part of me wishes I had picked up this book after I had written my doctoral dissertation. The book intrigued me because of its background. The protagonist, Constance Kopp, is based on a real individual. Kopp existed and was one of the first female deputy sheriffs in the U.S. Stewart's historical fiction brings the oversized, smart, unconventional Kopp to life. Unfortunately, because I was distracted, I feel I missed the enjoyment of the book. I did not have the attention span to enjoy the wit of dialogue and the hilarity of the pigeons. The book was a distraction for me...although it was a welcomed and much needed distraction. I do not think my reading did the book justice.

However, another part of me is thankful I picked up this book at show more such a personally overwhelming time. I doubt I could have slept at night without taking a cherished half hour losing myself in a few pages of the Kopp sisters' adventures and with their independence and moxie. Without a little fiction, my mind would race with data, literature, and methodology. While my enjoyment may have been tempered, the book's enjoyable prose certainly was not lost on me. I relished the distraction the book brought me. The writing is smart and fast-paced. The story left me wanting to know more about Kopp and her family. I cannot wait for the next book. I wonder if it will be out in time for our family vacation to Hawaii? How glorious to sit on the beach, dissertation completed, reveling in the adventures of a woman ahead of her time. show less

Highly entertaining! I admit that the title and the cover initially grabbed my attention and led me to check out reviews of this book. The reviews convinced me that I had to read it. And I'm so glad I did. I’ve just finished, having read it far too quickly (It's a page-turner!) and find I just hate to put the book aside or leave the world of the story. Browsing through it this morning, I feel that I could easily read the book again — something I almost never do and certainly not without years between readings — and appreciate it just as much for a host of reasons beyond the plot — the characters, the history, the day-to-day lives of women and workers, but mostly the quirky character and voice of Constance Kopp.

I much show more appreciated the author’s note at the end. The plot and many of the details are historically accurate. Others are invented to fill in the gaps and to make a good story. I think Stewart did a great job of it! I can’t wait to read more. I have no doubt that we’ve not heard the last from Constance Kopp. Oooh, I just read this at amystewart.com: Stay tuned for the sequel, coming in September 2016! show less

This is a great story -- excellent, no nonsense, strong women with eccentric interests fall into a detective story during a really interesting time in US history. It is not, however, hilarious (as some other reviews have said) except in that the sisters zing with personality and don't seem to be willing to let the outside world change them overmuch. I found it fascinating, frightening -- truly the escalation of violence and threats because the main characters are women is extreme and chilling, and all too like the headlines today. At the end of the book we discover that this is based on a true story -- most of the headlines are quotes from newspapers at the time, many of the letters are from the trial. What an astonishing thing -- I did show more not see that coming at all. It makes me even more intrigued about what's next for Constance Kopp. show less

The fact that this was based on actual events along with her excellent writing made Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart a fun and absorbing read. Constance Kopp and her sisters, Norma and Fleurette are driving in their horse drawn buggy on a summer day in 1914 when an automobile hits them. All three girls are slightly injured and the buggy is completely destroyed. The driver of the car is, Henry Kaufman, the drunken owner of a local silk manufacturing company who believes his position entitles him to ignore Constance’s requests that he pay for the damage.

Not only does he disregard her invoices, he and his gang of ruffians start a campaign of terror against the Kopp sisters. They drive by the isolated farm where the Kopp sisters reside, show more shouting insults, throwing bricks through windows with threatening notes. Constance files a complaint with the local sheriff, Robert Heath, and even with lawmen guarding the farm, the incidents continue and escalate into gunplay.

The story unfolds with plenty of twists that keeps the reader rooting for the sisters. The back story about the sisters is complex and interesting, as is their current situation. All three women are smart and independent but the narrator of the story, Constance, won my admiration for her cool composure, righteous anger and sly humor. The author has gone on and written two more books based on Constance’s life and I am looking forward to reading more about the fabulous Kopp sisters. show less