Book Review: Miss Kopp Just Won’t Quit by Amy Stewart

The latest installment of the Kopp Sisters series—Miss Kopp Just Won’t Quit written by Amy Stewart—debuts tomorrow, September 11, 2018. I received an advance reader copy from the author. This is the fourth book in the series.

It is the fall of 1916 in an election year and Constance Kopp’s job as New Jersey’s first female deputy sheriff could be in jeopardy. Women still haven’t gained the right to vote and not everyone is happy to see a female deputy (successfully) chasing down and arresting criminals. Despite the fact that Constance has been performing the jobs of deputy sheriff AND matron of the female section of the Hackensack Jail, her name has been in the newspapers far too often and the elected officials don’t care for the publicity.

This book is loosely based on the events that happened to the REAL Constance Kopp. From newspaper accounts, Constance Kopp was an intimidating woman, especially at this time in history. She stood nearly six-foot tall and 180 lbs, an imposing figure. She wore a badge, carried a gun and handcuffs, and was paid the SAME wage as the rest of the male deputies she worked with. And yet, I’d never heard the name Constance Kopp until I started reading Amy Stewart’s books. I think reading this book made me feel connected to Deputy Kopp as a person and a character in this story.

As with the previous books in this series, I loved the family dynamics of Constance and her sisters: Norma and Fleurette. I enjoyed reading more about Sheriff Heath—a man truly ahead of his time. Until I read this novel, I had no idea what the prison system was like for women in the early 1900’s nor how one-sided the morality laws were in the United States. This book was an enjoyable, page-turning read—but also informative, especially if you’re interested in reading about women in history.

This book would be MORE than suitable for anyone from middle-schoolers to adults. I think this series would be perfect as a gift idea for the ladies in your life. This book could be read as a stand-alone novel, but it would make more sense if you read the previous books first.

Thank you so much, Amy Stewart, for this ARC copy!!! I really enjoyed it.

xo Juli