Lady Cop Makes Trouble: A Kopp Sisters Novel

Written by Amy Stewart
Review by Francesca Pelaccia

Set in the early 1900s and based on actual events but with fictitious characters, Lady Cop Makes Trouble reintroduces us to Constance Kopp, one of the first female deputy sheriffs of New Jersey (who made her first appearance in Girl Waits with Gun). Since women in the police force are neither welcomed nor taken seriously, Constance needs to prove her worth and earn her badge. However, her worth is questioned when a slippery con artist in her charge, Herman Albert von Mathesius, escapes from right under her nose. Worse, if the man can’t be found, Sheriff Heath, the only person who believes in Constance’s worth, will go to jail in his place. As Constance takes matters into her own hands, against the wishes of Sheriff Heath, she uncovers the con artist’s deceptive ploys and his various victims, while managing the woman’s prison and keeping her sisters Norma and Fleurette in check.

The era and society are brought to life with succinct descriptions and particular crimes of the times. Constance is unlike most women of her era. While she is intelligent, sensible and capable of defending herself, she is also compassionate, which makes her yearn to help victims. Lady Cop Makes Trouble, the second installment of the Kopp Sisters’ novels, is a fun, fast, and enjoyable read.