If you’ve never had the pleasure of reading Amy Stewart’s nonfiction, you’re missing out. The Drunken Botanist and Wicked Plants are two of the most charming and hilarious books about plants ever written. I say this as a horticultural librarian, so the range of plant-based literature I’ve read is actually quite large (for better or for worse). Needless to say, I was very much looking forward to reading her first novel. I was not disappointed, not even a little.
Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, and women’s history is often more relevant than we’d like to admit. In this particular story, those two things combine to make one delightful mystery. Based on one of the first female sheriffs in the country, this novel follows the adventures of the Kopp family. Constance Kopp, soon to be thirty-five, is having a more adventurous year than she anticipated. The destruction of her buggy by an automobile sets off a series of increasingly alarming events. Constance and her sisters make quite the trio standing against the bullying, harassment, and threatening behavior of Henry Kaufman, the driver of the car (all true, no less).
Well researched and surprisingly true to history, Amy Stewart’s witty debut novel is full of charm. Although I imagined it as rather effective deadpan humor, Constance’s pragmatic voice is also one of a woman eschewing the expectations of 1914. What she must get done, she gets done. Even if it requires pinning a man to a wall and scaring him half to death. She’s my kind of lady. The novel is fun and fresh*, and Amy Stewart has managed to impress me once again. I highly, highly recommend it.
Fun fact about me: I hate popcorn, as in absolutely HATE it. This may (or may not) cause you to wonder what I eat when I go to the movies. This is a rarity in and of itself, but when I do, my snack of choice is a pretzel. Preferably with salt and mustard. So what does this have to do with Girl Waits with Gun? I’m getting there at my usual loquacious pace, but there is a connection. I promise (and I assure you it isn’t because Constance was eating overpriced dough from a theater). Constance and her sisters set out one dull day to go to the market, as they needed to buy mustard powder. On their way, they were hit by the automobile. So if it wasn’t for their lack of mustard powder, there would have been no adventurous year. Naturally this means the book needs to be with delicious, salty homemade pretzels and mustard (try this fantastic recipe from Love and Lemons). Enjoy.
*One of my favorites parts about the novel is that, even with three eligible women, there is no romance. In an era that seemingly insists that women be paired off, it’s refreshing to watch a character as fun as Constance take charge.
flannel and folklore 
I’m so looking forward to reading this one…especially now that I’ve heard some great things about it (Leah at BSV and now you)! It’s been sitting on my floor since BEA, but I really wanted to wait for the e-book (easier for me). Glad you enjoyed it so much!
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It light without being too simple, so it was the perfect way to end summer for me.
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Yup, this one sounds like a lot of fun! I also looked up her other books and have added a few of those to my list, as well. Thanks for pointing them out! I also love bugs – have you read the bug book?
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I’ve read bits and pieces (basically the bugs that interested me) and it was really fun!
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I just started the book and already I love the three sisters! I’ve seen Amy Stewart’s other books at the library, but thought I would read this one first. The Drunken Botanist and Wicked Plants are great titles.
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I typically enjoy fiction more, so I did love this one, but her nonfiction entertained me better than most.
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You don’t like popcorn? How can you not like popcorn? It’s the best snack ever. I’d happily eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner (every single day). But I guess pretzels is an ok snack too.
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The texture and blandness gets to me…
But pretzels…they are my favorite. Typically my true favorite are pretzels covered in honey mustard (rather than plain ones dipped), but any will do.
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Honey mustard? I will try to overlook your questionable snack choices. (I do like pretzels – preferable plain with salt or with sugar and cinnamon.)
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I was so utterly charmed by this book! And I NEED those pretzels in my life.
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Me too. I really need someone to come make them for me.
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I really enjoyed this book, too.
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I think it will be one of my favorites this year (maybe not the best, but I really enjoyed it).
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I’m totally intrigued by this book, just from the cover — not to mention your review and the pretzels… yum. (Although I DO love me some popcorn!) I already have “Wicked Plants” on my to-read list, but as I’m trying to read more mysteries this one might just slide ahead in the queue! 🙂
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