(Image from Barnes & Noble)

In 1914, a period when women are most valued for their femininity and domestic skills, 35-year-old Constance Kopp sticks out like a proverbial sore thumb.  Towering over most men, she's a substantial lady who isn't afraid to declare her desire never to marry or have children.  She's (mostly) content to live out her life on her family's remote New Jersey farm with her two sisters, Norma and Fleurette.  Mostly, people let the eccentric Kopps be, which is how Constance prefers things.

While in the city one day, the sisters' buggy is almost run down by a reckless driver.  When Constance confronts their assailant, she comes face-to-face with an indignant and powerful factory owner who's none too happy about being contradicted by a woman.  The conflict begins a dangerous battle between the Kopps and the owner's goons.  When Constance is recruited to help the police department take down the gang, things get even uglier for the Kopps.  Constance soon finds herself having to defend herself, her sisters, and their property all while confronting the secrets of her past and facing an unknown future.

Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart is the first in a mystery series starring Constance Kopp, a real woman who became one of the first female police officers in the U.S.  Not surprisingly, she's an interesting heroine, who's likable and easy to root for.  A supporting cast of quirky characters adds humor to this based-on-a-true-story tale.  As for the plot, it might move a little slowly for some readers.  The pacing worked just fine for me—in fact, I found the story both exciting and entertaining.  In addition to being an enjoyable read, Girl Waits With Gun is also a clean one.  It touches on some sensitive subjects, but it does so in a tasteful way that's not graphic or lurid.  I appreciated this PG-rated mystery for that as well as for all the reasons I listed above.  I'll definitely be reading more in this fun series.

(Readalikes:  Reminds me of the Maisie Dobbs mystery series by Jacqueline Winspear)

Grade: