Review
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A National Indie Bestseller
A New York Times Editors' Choice
A September 2015 Indie Next Pick
One of People's "Best Books of the Fall"
One of the Washington Post's "Notable Fiction Books of 2015"
One of USA Today's "New and Noteworthy"
One of New York Post's "Must-Read" Books
One of Cosmopolitan's "24 New Books to Read this Fall"
One of Paste Magazine's "15 of the Best New Books in September 2015"
A Publishers Weekly "Best Book of 2015"
One of BookPage's "Best Books of 2015"
One of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's "Best Books of 2015"
A Publishers Marketplace Buzz Book of 2015, Fall/Winter
"Constance Kopp, the feisty heroine of Amy Stewart’s charming novel “Girl Waits With ,” sounds like the creation of
a master crime writer. At nearly 6 feet tall, Constance is a formidable character who can pack heat, deliver a zinger
and catch a criminal without missing a beat. Based on the little-known story of the real Constance Kopp, one of
America’s first female deputy sheriffs, the novel is an entertaining and enlightening story of how far one woman will go
to protect her family." —Washington Post
“Stewart has spun a fine, historically astute novel...The sisters’ personalities flower under Stewart’s pen,
contributing happy notes of comedy to a terrifying situation...And then there is Constance: Sequestered for years in the
country and cowed by life, she develops believably into a woman who comes into herself, discovering powers long
smothered under shame and resignation. I, for one, would like to see her return to wield them again in further
installments.”—New York Times Book Review
"The Kopps are the stars of Stewart's new zippy, winsome novel, Girl Waits With . Filled with historical detail
without being weighed down by it, the novel is a cinematic story of the women, the siege instigated by their powerful
enemy, and their brave efforts in the face of real violence."—Los Angeles Times
"This rollicking western about a woman who'll do anything to save her family is based on the true tale of one of the
country's first female deputy sheriffs." —People Magazine
“This historical novel by the bestselling author of The Drunken Botanist stars an unforgettable, not-to-be-messed-with
heroine – one of the nation’s first female deputy sheriffs. It all begins circa 1910 when an earnest request entangles a
family with the town thug. The rest is kickass history.”—Marie Claire
"Stewart gives us three sisters whose bond — scratchy and well-worn but stronger for it, as can happen with family ties
— is unspoken but effortless. Girl Waits With might sometimes be a story in which truth is stranger than fiction,
but it also makes for pretty charming fiction."—NPR
"Fans of strong female characters will find their new favorite heroine in Constance Kopp, who takes a bold stand
against a gang that is threatening her family. Debut novelist Amy Stewart's Girl Waits With is a historical thrill
ride, racing through funny, tragic, and terrifying scenes. Even better, it's based on the true story of one of the
United States' first female deputy sheriffs and her brave, amazing sisters."—Cosmopolitan, "24 New Books to Read this
Fall"
"Amy Stewart uses her skills as a researcher to lovingly excavate the wonderful, entirely forgotten story of the Kopp
sisters, who briefly dominated East Coast newspaper headlines a century ago...Constance, Norma, and Fleurette live on a
New Jersey farm, scraping by without too much difficulty until a road accident entangles them with a crooked silk
manufacturer, who begins to harass them – possibly with the help of the Black Hand gang. It’s Constance’s doughty
response that gives the book its title, and also its delightful verve...[Stewart's] created several memorable characters
here, in particular Constance, who, enterprising and independent but with a closely guarded sorrow in her past, seems
like an American answer to Maisie Dobbs."—USA Today
"Well-written with sharply drawn characters and the occasional plot twist, Girl Waits With is an absorbing
throwback to a bygone era."—Associated Press
"[A] confident, charming, sure-footed debut — a fresh, winning and delightful mystery with a warm heart, impish humor
and a heroine who quietly shatters convention."—Dallas Morning News
"If fictional accounts of real women are your thing, then settle in with Girl Waits With and you won't be let down.
Amy Stewart recreates one of the world's first female deputy sheriffs, set in the early 1900s, and you will be cheering
Constance Kopp on through every page. The race to catch a murderer is thrilling in itself, but the powerful woman
driving the book is what will really keep readers turning pages!"—Bustle, "11 Smart Books to Read if You Love Thrillers"
“Thrilling… iveting and great fun… The blend of historical fiction with this true-life story is ingenious and makes
Stewart’s book a pleasure to read. The Kopp sisters are not shy and shrinking violets and the author’s style is just as
bold.”—Cowgirl Magazine
"Girl Waits with [successfully] mines the life of Constance Kopp and the fascinating, riveting, and almost-lost
sliver of history that bears her stamp."—Paste Magazine
"[A] marvellous romp."—The Guardian
"Through painstaking attention to detail, Stewart has created an elegant, moving narrative of an unusual real-life
woman who dared defy the odds to ensure the safety of her family." —BookPage
"It's set in 1914, but its heroine, Constance Kopp, feels about 100 years more modern as she boldly takes on a gang
hellbent on destroying her family."—Glamour
"The author of The Drunken Botanist turns to fiction with this lighthearted novel about America's first deputy sheriff,
the real-life Constance Kopp, who with her sisters Norma and Fleurette pursued criminals in Paterson, New Jersey, in the
early 20th century. Stewart stumbled on the Kopps' story in a 1914 newspaper clipping and says she knew she had to write
about them."—Newsday, "What's New"
"Constance Kopp is no Nancy Drew. One of the country’s first female detectives and the subject of bestselling author
Amy Stewart’s new novel, Girl Waits with , Kopp is a -toting gal plagued by a family secret. Expect a highly
willful protagonist penned with the utmost historical accuracy."—San Francisco Magazine
"Laugh out loud [funny]."—Good Housekeeping
“A wry, exciting period novel starring a kick-ass heroine.”—Refinery 29
"[Stewart] weaves together fact and fancy skillfully in her novel, evoking the tense atmosphere of the time and place
with lively writing and a good ear for dialogue. The result is a breezy suspense tale that provides considerable in
into what might be called pre-feminist America...Stewart makes vivid the difficulties women, particularly single women,
faced 100 years ago without ever letting the moral of the story overwhelm the story itself. Stewart’s breezy style and
surefooted sense of the course of a good tale leave the reader wanting to read more adventures of Constance Kopp, girl
with a ."—St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "The Best Books of 2015"
"Amy Stewart tells a tale as captivating as it is genuinely funny in its portrayal of three bewildered sisters who find
themselves in a war with one of the most powerful men in their hometown...The book is awesome, period. Hollywood could
learn a thing or two...Girl Waits with left me wanting a sequel badly — but, like its heroine, it stands quite
sturdily on its own two feet."—The Michigan Daily
"This book is a delight! Author Amy Stewart has written a totally engaging story starting with a traffic incident
between horse and buggy and the new-fangled automobile that spins the three Kopp sisters into a world they never wanted
to inhabit...Constance is a very appealing heroine. She stands up for what’s right, acknowledges her shortcomings, and
defends her loved ones to the nth degree. Youngest sister Fleurette provides comic in the story with her fanciful
imagination and commentary...Stewart’s historical research is detailed and her descriptions of 1914 New Jersey made me
feel as if I were there. This was a book I was sad to see end."—The Missourian
“In her stunning new historical novel, bestselling author Amy Stewart brings to life the fascinating true story of
three sisters who lived their lives with a courageous flair uncommon for women in the early 1900s. Her lively account of
their adventures makes for an amusing, addictive tale…Stewart’s meticulous attention to detail and spot-on portrayal of
New Jersey and New York in 1915 brings this intriguing time period into view. Her absorbing novel shows that feminism
was alive and well before it had a name.”—Woodbury Magazine
“The Kopp sisters are witty, smart and fearless. They are eccentrics, capable and full of charm. I hope Stewart
continues with these women. This is a series I’d follow on the page or PBS. It’s always fun to see the bully finally get
what’s coming to him especially when it’s by the most vulnerable and unlikely of characters.”—Coachella Valley Weekly
"Stewart’s delightful narrative is filled with memorable characters, terrific period detail gleaned in part from actual
newspaper accounts of the Kopp sisters’ exploits, and a memorable heroine who is tougher than boiled owl and smart as a
whip. Give yourself a treat and spend some time with the Kopp sisters of Paterson, N.J., 1914."—Daily Herald(Utah)
"If you love a kick-ass heroine…Read Amy Stewart’s Girl Waits with . This historical novel is set in 1914 and
follows the raucous adventures of one of the country’s first female sheriffs as she sets out to convict a gang of
criminals."—PureWow, "6 New Books to Read this Fall""Well-written with sharply drawn characters and the occasional plot
twist, Girl Waits With is an absorbing throwback to a bygone era. It’s a solid book, and Stewart’s helpful notes
allow readers to appreciate just how much of the tale is true."—Associated Press
Amy Stewart’s Girl Waits with is among the most appealing crime novels recently published. - See more at:
http://thelifesentence.net/book/the-redoubtable-constance-kopp/#sthash.ZLv00RGf.dpuf"A feel-good-movie appeal…Girl Waits
with is smart, funny, and suspenseful. Beyond entertaining us with a rollicking plot and colorful characters,
Stewart allows us to witness the personal transformation of an extraordinary woman forgotten by history. It’s a
privilege to meet Constance Kopp in the pages of Stewart’s book.”—The Life Sentence
"A sheer delight to read and based on actual events, this debut historical mystery packs the unexpected, the
unconventional, and a serendipitous humor into every chapter. Details from the historical record are accurately
portrayed by villains and good guys alike, and readers will cross their fingers for the further adventures of Constance
and Sheriff Heath. For fans of the Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood, and the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
mysteries by Laurie R. King."—Booklist, starred
"Hardened criminals are no match for pistol-packing spinster Constance Kopp and her redoubtable sisters in this
hilarious and exciting period drama by bestseller Stewart (The Drunken Botanist). This is an elegant tale of suspense,
mystery, and wry humor...A surprising Kopp family secret, a kipped baby, and other twists consistently ratchet up the
stakes throughout, resulting in an exhilarating yarn."—Publishers Weekly, starred
"Stewart crafts a solid, absorbing novel based on real-life events—though they're unusual enough to seem invented.
Stewart deftly tangles and then unwinds a complicated plot with nice period detail...More adventures involving gutsy
Constance, quietly determined Sheriff Heath, and a lively cast of supporting characters would be most welcome."—Kirkus,
starred
"In her engaging first novel, Stewart (The Drunken Botanist) draws from the true story of the Kopp sisters (Constance
became one of the country’s first female deputy sheriffs) and creates a welcome addition to the genre of the
unconventional female sleuth. Colorful, well-drawn characters come to life on the page, and historical details are woven
tightly into the narrative. The satisfying conclusion sets up an opening for future Constance Kopp novels. VERDICT:
Historical fiction fans and followers of Rhys Bowen’s 'Molly Murphy' mysteries and Victoria Thompson’s 'light
Mystery' series will delight in the eccentric and feisty Kopp women."—Library Journal, starred
"This is my favorite find for September. Based on a real trial in 1915, it’s the story of three sisters who run afoul
of a thuggish factory owner and then are terrorized in their farmstead.Author Amy Stewart es out the brief facts
available with charming characters and lavish period detail."—The News & Observer
"A remarkably fresh novel, the first in what is expected to be a series featuring proto-badass Constance, who in real
life went on to become one of the first female deputy sheriffs in America...[A] witty, often wickedly funny
mystery...Stewart not only captures America at the dawn of modernity, but at a transformational moment for American
women...In Stewart's hands, Constance Kopp embodies that transformation."—NJ.com
"Stewart describes each scene in vibrant detail. Each sister feels fully developed and I feel as if I know them all.
Their fierce independence and quirky hobbies, which include training carrier pigeons, endeared them to me. The
stunningly crafted plot unfolds as Stewart slowly tells their story. This is one of those books I escaped into; well,
escape might be the wrong word. It’s more like I get to step into another life. Truly great fiction like Girl Waits with
feels just as authentic as my own life. It’s like such stories are self-contained worlds waiting to be discovered.
This book is witty, funny, intriguing and suspenseful. In short, there’s something for just about everyone in it. I hope
you get a chance to explore this world for yourself."—YamikaHerald.com
"Girl Waits with is undoubtedly the most scintillating historical novel ever written about a trio of sisters in
pre-World War I New Jersey...Stewart shows a real feeling for the social constraints and physical discomforts of life in
1914...Stewart deftly reconstructs an era when newfangled technologies such as cars, telephones, and moving pictures
existed side by side with horse-drawn carriages and oil lamps, when suffragettes were marching for the right to vote but
mostly still subservient to their husbands, or in the case of single women, their brothers or other
relatives."—OregonLive.com
"A story that begins with one simple goal — the Kopp sisters want to be reimbursed $50 to repair Kaufman’s damage to
their buggy — and spins out into an epic yarn dealing with women’s rights, class conflict and the appointment of one of
the country’s first deputy sheriffs."—Ashbury Park Press
"A period thriller that rivals any other historical-based suspense novel. Stewart weaves an amazingly delightful tale,
one I was hard pressed to put down. This novel should be listed for debut novel awards."—Suspense Magazine
“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
"How could you not fall in love with a book about one of the first female deputy sheriffs and her sisters--especially
when it’s written by the enthralling Amy Stewart? Full of long-held secrets, kicked-up dust, simmering danger, and oh
yes, that —this gritty romp illuminates one of history’s strongest women with a hold-your-breath panache."—Caroline
Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of Is This Tomorrow and Pictures of You
“Girl Waits With makes excellent use of history to put a fresh spin on classic cop-and-crook types. Amy Stewart's
true-life protagonist is a ‘rough and tumble’ version of the early 20th century's New Woman. She is witty,
sharply-drawn, and suffers no fools!”—Suzanne Rindell, author of The Other Typist
“Yowza! Amy Stewart’s debut boasts pomaded gangsters, pistol-packin’ dames, kippings, s in the dark, and
everything from Girls Gone Wrong to carrier pigeons finding their way home. You might want to stay up all night reading,
you might want to lie down on your fainting couch with a cool cloth on your forehead. Either way, you’ll have the time
of your life.” —Robert Goolrick, New York Times bestselling author of A Reliable Wife
"Girl Waits with is fresh, funny and utterly compelling-- and Constance Kopp and her sisters are not just great
investigators, but completely original women. It was a blast from start to finish and I can’t wait to see what Deputy
Kopp gets up to next."— Lisa Lutz, author of The Spellman Files, How to Start a Fire, and others
“Amy Stewart has crafted the best kind of historical novel; she uncovers an intriguing, all-but-forgotten historical
nugget and spins it into a wildly entertaining tale with an engaging, tough-minded heroine. Girl Waits With hits
the bulls-eye.”—Daniel Stashower, author of The Hour of Peril: The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War
“Amy Stewart’s debut novel Girl Waits With is an irresistible and thoroughly enjoyable book, a suspenseful
historical mystery spiced with marvelous characters, wit, and humor. Is it too soon to beg for a sequel?” —Jennifer
Chiaverini, author of Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule
“Engaging, lively, and substantive, Girl Waits with is a perfect mystery, and the Kopp sisters are my new best
friends. Amy Stewart writes about crime as well as she writes about s and poisons. I loved this book, and will be
first in line for the next installment.”—Sara Gran, author of Claire DeWitt and the Bohemian Highway
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From the Inside Flap
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"Girl Waits with makes excellent use of history to put a fresh spin on classic cop-and-crook types. Amy Stewart's
true-life protagonist is a rough and tumble version of the early twentieth century's New Woman. She is witty, sharply
drawn, and suffers no fools!" - Suzanne Rindell, author of The Other Typist
From the New York Times best-selling author of The Drunken Botanist comes the first in an enthralling series l based on
the forgotten true story of one of the nation's first female crime fighters.
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 from city to country fifteen years
ago. When a powerful, ruthless factory owner runs down their buggy, a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks,
bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their farm. The sheriff enlists her help, and it turns out Constance
has knack for outwitting (and disarming) the criminal element that might just take her back out into the world and onto
a new path in life. Quick-witted and full of madcap escapades, Girl Waits with is a story about one woman rallying
the courage to stand up for and grow into herself - with a little help from sisters and sheriffs along the way.
Through Amy Stewart's exuberant storytelling, Constance Kopp catapults from forgotten historical anecdote to
unforgettable historical fiction heroine - an outsized woman not only ahead of her time but sometimes, even, ahead of
ours.
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