Reviews

Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart

wyvernfriend's review against another edition

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4.0

Fact meets fiction There were moments that didn't flow as well as they might but this blend of fiction and fact was quite an interesting read.
Constance and her sisters are involved in an accident involving themselves and a local businessman and they discover that the local businessman doesn't believe that the law applies to him but Constance can't afford to let him away with it, and she's irritated by him so she pursues the point and for her pains she starts to be harassed (thus proving that there's nothing new in the world, just the medium by which it's done).I found it very interesting and wanted to read more.

tennilles's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful informative inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

jedore's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

“If I could give something to Fleurette⁠—if I could give her one silent gift from a mother she didn't know she had⁠—it would be this: the realization that we have to be a part of the world in which we live. We don't scurry away when we're in trouble, or when someone else is. We don't run and hide.”

This is the first book in a delightful historical fiction series set in the early 1900s. The story revolves around Constance Kopp and her sisters, who find themselves in the middle of a serious crime after their buggy is hit by a reckless silk factory owner. As the women (mostly Constance) stand up to him, the situation escalates into a series of threats and intimidation. Based on true events, the book follows Constance as she navigates her way through this ordeal with determination, eventually becoming one of the first female deputy sheriffs in the U.S.

Constance Kopp and her sisters actually existed, and Stewart stumbled upon their story while researching another project. This added authenticity to the book, knowing that the plot was inspired by true events.

The story is both informative historical fiction and tense crime fiction. Even though it's centered around a serious situation, Stewart brings a lighthearted tone to the narrative. It’s not a heavy or dark crime novel—instead, it feels more playful and fun, with plenty of humor and wit. The sisters, especially Constance, are likable, relatable, and have a small-town charm about them.

One sensitive aspect of the story was some subtle anti-Semitism. Stewart doesn’t shy away from addressing these societal issues, but she does so in a way that feels authentic to the setting without overpowering the main narrative. It's a reminder that, despite the humor and lighthearted tone, the Kopp sisters are living in a harsh time. 

While there aren’t any jaw-dropping twists or turns, the story is engaging enough to hold your attention until the end. I’m usually not one for series, but I’m genuinely looking forward to reading more about the Kopp sisters.
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msliz's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

avelinemay's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

bibliocamera's review against another edition

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3.0

Bookclub pick. Absolutely fine, but nothing special. Love the title, the cover art work and the fact it based on a real person. Constance Kopp Americas’s first female sheriff is great idea for a historical fiction book. The Kopp sisters have some witty banter but the execution of this book left a lot of room for improvement in my opinion. Where is the plot? It is very slow and the only plot twist (if you can call it that) was painfully obvious to me. The book had a pacing problem with too much filler. And the subplot was not resolved in this book, which annoyed me.

sbn42's review against another edition

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4.0

While being set in New Jersey in 1914, it could have as easily been a good old western horse opera. The sisters are stuck in the far reaches of Bergen county on their own. They deal with the harsh realities of the times. They are most interesting characters that manage to survive in a hostile male-dominated world.

edlib's review against another edition

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3.0

Bookclub pick. Absolutely fine, but nothing special. Love the title, the cover art work and the fact it based on a real person. Constance Kopp Americas’s first female sheriff is great idea for a historical fiction book. The Kopp sisters have some witty banter but the execution of this book left a lot of room for improvement in my opinion. Where is the plot? It is very slow and the only plot twist (if you can call it that) was painfully obvious to me. The book had a pacing problem with too much filler. And the subplot was not resolved in this book, which annoyed me.

evoss14's review against another edition

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4.0

I really enjoyed this book! Based upon true news events....great characters and story. Strong and quirky female leads make this a lot of fun!

albanueva's review against another edition

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3.0

Une lecture sympa tirée d'une histoire vraie. Un peu trop longue à mon goût.