Review: 'Girl Waits With Gun' by Amy Stewart (2016)

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.
Amy Stewart’s novel ‘Girls Waits with Gun’ was first released in 2015, but I have to admit I hadn’t heard or read anything about it until I was contacted about the second part of this book series, ‘Lady Cop Makes Trouble’, by the publisher several months ago. I was straight away intrigued by the description of the book, and I was incredibly lucky to be sent copies of both books for review (a big thanks to the publisher!). I really like the original look of the book cover and am always up to try some historical fiction reads, so I was definitely curious to check this out (and the to me still unfamiliar author, Amy Stewart) and hoped I’d end up enjoying it as much as I hoped I would!
Set in the early 1900s, ‘Girls Waits with Gun’ tells the story of the three Kopp sisters: Constance, Norma and Fleurette, who live together on a farm in Paterson, New Jersey. One day when travelling to the city in their horse-driven wagon, the sisters are hit by a motor vehicle. Luckily they all manage to get away with just a few bruises and some damage to their buggy, but Constance is determined to at least get some money as compensation from the driver, business man Henry Kaufman. However, no matter how determined Constance might be, Mr. Kaufman is a man who you don’t want to mess with, and before the Kopp sisters know it they find themselves in the middle of a rather dangerous situation even the local Sheriff is having difficulty getting them out of…    This was actually my first Amy Stewart read, but I’m definitely going to keep an eye on this author’s name from now on because I absolutely loved ‘Girl Waits with Gun’ from start to finish. The novel was first published in 2015 and re-released in 2016 and received many positive reviews and comments, which I completely agree with. Set around 1914 and with a main focus on three female characters, the book not only provides readers with an entertaining story, but also centres around some fascinating issues such as the position of women in that particular day and age. Constance, Norma and Fleurette are sisters, but three different female characters with their own personality traits and all of them added their own something to the story as a whole. I was intrigued by Constance as the protagonist, and loved how brave and determined she is. 
The book has a touch of several genres to it, from women’s fiction to historical fiction to a detective/mystery element, and is actually based on a true story. One of the things I personally enjoyed most about the book is the author’s writing style; the story moved along at a steady pace and really managed to keep my attention throughout. With many books you just need a break from reading every now and again, but I could have finished this one in one sitting, if I had had the time. On the whole I think ‘Girl Waits with Gun’ is a simply delightful, impressively well-written and witty novel; a great combination of historical fact and fiction and I can’t wait to pick up the second part in this series, ‘Lady Cop in Trouble’!

Rating:9,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.