Girl Waits with Gun

Amy Stewart — 2015

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Drunken Botanist comes an enthralling novel based on the forgotten true story of one of the nation's first female deputy sheriffs. Constance Kopp doesn't quite fit the mold. She towers over most men, has no interest in marriage or domestic affairs, and has been isolated from the world since a family secret sent her and her sisters into hiding fifteen years ago. One day a belligerent and powerful silk factory owner runs down their buggy, and a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks, bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their family farm. When the sheriff enlists her help in convicting the men, Constance is forced to confront her past and defend her family -- and she does it in a way that few women of 1914 would have dared. "A smart, romping adventure, featuring some of the most memorable and powerful female characters I've seen in print for a long time. I loved every page as I followed the Kopp sisters through a too-good-to-be-true (but mostly true!) tale of violence, courage, stubbornness, and resourcefulness." -- Elizabeth Gilbert

Reviews

Laura Mauler@blueskygreenstrees

Dec 25, 2023

I didn't even know that I was craving this book until I started reading it. Bonus points for the epilogue explaining the historical aspects in the book, and listing the original publication info for all the headlines and news items.

Connor @cgbart

Oct 5, 2022

This book is a delightful romp of historical fiction. Think the vibe of Agent Carter, but without the post-WWII/spy elements and with three sisters instead.

Riah Forbes @riah

Jun 23, 2022

This book was SO great. I know basically nothing about late 19th / early 20th century East Coast USA, and it was so much fun to experience a totally unfamiliar world through the lens of this very atypical woman in it. I liked the plot line a lot, and even more so when I found out it's mostly true - I only really discovered that in the epilogue and it blew my mind. Constance Kopp was a badass, you guys. Are there more stories about her? There's so much potential for this to be a series. P.S. Thanks for the recommendation, Emily!

Elyse Anderson@elysejune

Mar 21, 2022

This book had incredible descriptive scenes with potential for a strong heroine storyline. There were parts of this book I enjoyed, but overall found it slow with a rushed ending

Melody Izard@mizard

Jan 10, 2022

I liked this book and want to read more about Constance Kopp. She is a big woman living with her sisters out on the family farm. She gets drawn into solving crime and boom she becomes the first female detective! Based on a true story so it says.

b.andherbooks@bandherbooks

Oct 9, 2021

Based on the real life story of Constance Kopp, one of the first female detectives in America, this is a fun romp rooted in the very real and difficult struggles facing women during the early 1900s. I loved the historical details, including how much society pushed back on three sisters just trying to make it on their own. I didn't especially care for the "mystery" portions of the story, but delighted in the characters, especially Constance the titular character. I was also not expecting Constance's secret! I'm looking forward to making an art project based off this book during my next Book to Art Club!

Elad Schulman@theloungingreader

Sep 3, 2021

Nothing incredible, but nothing bad, just a little underwhelming.

Renee Blankenship@somekindofalibrary

Aug 31, 2021

I was so excited to read this book because it sounded just like something you'd find in an old Thin man movie, William Powell and Myrna Loy are some of my favorites. For some reason, I had a hard time really connecting with the main character Constance Kopp. I liked her spunk and enjoyed the banter with her two sisters, but didn't LOVE her. I also felt that the pace of the book was a bit slow at times. Im interested to see where she goes in the next book, maybe now that all of the main characters have been established the second book will move a bit more quickly.