Girl Waits With Gun

See my full review at The Emerald City Book Review. This is definitely a character-driven mystery, not one with an elaborate or twisty plot, and though there are lots of threats there's little on-stage violence. The pleasure is in getting to know tart-tongued Norma, flamboyant Fleurette, and especially Constance, whose search for a place and a purpose in life is tantalizingly given a direction at the very end. I've no doubt that readers will be begging for a sequel, and Stewart seems inclined to oblige us. I'll be eagerly waiting for another installment in the story of the Kopp sisters.

First book in what will be become a series by Amy Stewart. Early 1910's NJ, just as car are replacing horses. Three sisters (17-40ish) live in a rural area by themselves, eking out a life with no income save selling off portions of their land. The women are hit by a car while their horse cart is carrying them into town. Constance (35ish) attempts to get restitution from the young, factory owner who hit them and is not used to paying for his misdeeds. What ensues is how that story ends, with a whole lot of stuff in between, all enormously enjoyable to read. Stewart has a way with words so there is a lot of humor in the novel which is based on a true story. Besides being a good read, we can see the depths of the three women and the bonds they have as a family. We watch all of them grow in wisdom and courage in the course of several months.

This is a really charming book about a little known criminal case in Bergen country, NJ just after the turn of the 20th century. It was recommended on a podcast, though I've now forgotten which. The main character, Constance Kopp, was a real person and the retelling of the case is largely factual. This has the same, civilian turn deputy feel as The Alienist, and I'd recommend it if you enjoyed that. It's got a bit of cheeky humor too. 3.5 stars.