Girl Waits with Gun is a historical fiction book by Amy Stewart. It’s the first novel in the Kopp Sisters series, and it was released in 2015. The plot centers around a woman struggling to find her place in the world until the local sheriff’s department enlists her help in bringing a gang to justice. It’s based on the true story of one of the first female sheriffs in the United States. Stewart is a best-selling author known for bringing humor to the historical fiction genre. She co-owns an independent bookstore, Eureka Books, with her husband. Girl Waits with Gun follows the adventures of Constance Kopp, one of the notorious Kopp sisters. She and her two sisters, Norma and Fleurette, live in isolation after a mysterious family secret sent them into hiding fifteen years ago. Constance is a bit of a misfit. She’s taller than most men, has never wanted to get married, and doesn’t want to settle into a quiet domestic routine. She craves adventure and refuses to sacrifice her independence for anyone. The Kopp sisters live in a secluded farmhouse. In 1914, it’s unusual for women to live on their own because most consider it unsafe. The Kopp sisters, however, know how to take care of themselves. One day, as they’re driving home in their buggy, someone crashes into them. It’s Henry Kaufman, a silk factory owner with a fearsome reputation. He’s drunk and driving a fancy automobile. Being true to themselves, the Kopp sisters aren’t intimidated by him—especially not Constance. Constance demands that Henry pay them damages for the buggy repairs they’ll need to arrange. Henry, however, has no intention of paying them anything. He says the crash is their fault, and even if it was his, they wouldn’t see a dollar from him. Constance doesn’t accept this, and she promises to report him. The sisters leave the scene plotting what to do next. Henry owes the girls $50 for buggy repairs. Despite approaching Henry again, Constance and the sisters can’t get him to pay up. Henry’s rich and powerful, and he plans on terrorizing the girls into silence instead of paying restitution. While Constance tries to continue negotiations with Henry, she meets one of his employees at the silk factory, who’s distressed because their baby’s gone missing. Constance is enraged by Henry’s attitude and his complete disregard for her invoices, but she can’t stop thinking about the baby. She wonders if there’s anything she can do to help. It’s obvious that Henry isn’t interested in helping his employee, which makes Constance suspicious. However, her focus is redirected back to the damages dispute when Henry and his crew start terrorizing her and her sisters. One night someone fires shots into Constance’s bedroom window. Luckily she’s unharmed, but she’s shaken, as are her sisters. Fleurette, the youngest sister, is especially worried. Henry and his men threaten to sell her into white slavery, and she’s scared to be left alone. Constance refuses to stand for this, and she won’t let Henry get the better of her family. The intimidation doesn’t end, not even when Constance approaches the sheriff’s department and takes to the streets for justice. Henry’s crew tries to set fire to the farmhouse, and they promise to expose the Kopp family secret if the sisters don’t back down. When Constance approaches their brother for advice, he doesn’t want them taking matters any further. Terrified for her family’s safety, Constance approaches the sheriff’s department again. Sheriff Robert Heath arms the sisters with revolvers and shows the girls how to use them. The sisters feel much safer, and they’re not afraid to show Henry that they’re armed. When he comes around again, Constance scares him off. Sheriff Heath asks Constance if she’ll lure Henry and his accomplices into open spaces for a sting operation. Constance gladly agrees, but Henry never shows. She knows that he’s onto them. Sheriff Heath helps Constance petition for a court date, and she eventually secures one. Henry still refuses to pay up in advance of the court date. The whole town cares what happens in the case, now. Everyone wants to see justice done, but not everyone takes Constance’s side. Some feel it’s unnatural for a woman to be so dogmatic, and many are too afraid of Henry to side against him. True to their characters, the Kopp sisters remain unfazed. Finally, the court date comes around. The judge hears Constance’s case, and he rules in her favor. He fines Henry $1,000. Now everyone’s on Constance’s side, and the newspapers have a field day. Constance is famed for her grit and determination, and the Kopp sisters are known as women to respect. Henry pays up, but he flees town never to return. The fate of the missing baby is unclear. Sheriff Heath offers Constance a job with the sheriff’s department as his under-sheriff. No woman has ever served in this role. Constance, naturally, is thrilled, and she can’t wait to get started. The rest of the series follows her adventures.

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Amy Stewart

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