Dear Miss Kopp is the sixth book in the Kopp Sisters series by Amy Stewart, and I was thrilled to receive an advanced review copy from NetGalley. This is one of my favorite historical series, and if you haven’t read it, I strongly recommend picking up the first book, Girl Waits With Gun.

What makes this series so good? I love historical fiction that’s well researched and draws upon real life events. Even better, this series is about an actual family and other real-life personalities of the time. Not everything in this series is true, of course, but Stewart does an excellent job explaining which events actually happened and which have been adapted for the story. For example, sometimes she’ll alter true-to-life events so that her main characters experience them, or so characters come in contact with each other who might not have known each other in real life. Much of her writing incorporates actual letters and newspaper articles.

I love the characters of the three sisters, Constance, Norma, and Fleurette. As the series goes on, you feel like they’re your own family. Constance is the most developed of the three, particularly in the first four books, but Fleurette plays an increasing role as she grows into adulthood. Norma is perhaps more of a side character, but we all know someone like her: stubborn, brilliant (in her own way), caring, but difficult to get along with.

Most importantly, Stewart draws a compelling picture of the lives of women in the 1910s through World War I (and there is more to come). I love the way she introduces real laws and practices of the time, bringing awareness to terrible practices like women being thrown into prisons and institutions just for running away or being seen with a man. What the “morality police” do to women in these times is truly appalling (though we haven’t made nearly as much progress today as I wish we had). Stewart also highlights truly courageous women of the time, and the ways that women made inroads into different professions, like law enforcement, and often brought something to those professions that men couldn’t.

If you haven’t read the series, I recommend you stop reading this review and pick up the first book.

Book Six, Dear Miss Kopp, is a departure from the previous books; it’s entirely written in the form of letters between the sisters, their friends, and their military/government colleagues. It’s 1918 and the U.S. has gone to war, and each of the sisters is playing a part. Norma is in France to carry out her carrier pigeon system. She’s living in a small village, doing her best to make sure her pigeons are used to support the war effort, in the face of much disbelief and condescension from the military commanders. Constance works as a lady investigator for what will become the FBI, searching for spies and saboteurs on U.S. soil. Fleurette is traveling with a performance troupe, visiting U.S. army camps of soldiers waiting to be sent to the front.

I’m always interested in books that show different sides of war, both at home and abroad, and this book does exactly that. Stewart writes about things like food shortages, medical treatment, and the kinds of keepsakes that the soldiers treasure going into war. This book examines how World War I impacted law enforcement at home, focusing on a league of private citizens who took it on themselves to investigate potential spies and who threw women in prison with no due process simply for “distracting” soldier recruits.

The only downside to this particular book is that it focuses less on developing the characters of the sisters. It’s much more plot-driven than the previous books. Also, there isn’t one main storyline, it’s more a series of incidents. So this one won’t be my favorite in the series (plus I miss Sheriff Heath), but it’s still very good, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I expect the next book will focus more on the influenza epidemic and maybe suffrage. I also wonder if Stewart is going to explore Constance’s relationship with Fleurette more than she has in the last few books.

As with her other books, I love Stewart’s blend of wit, humor, and compassion. There’s no word when the next book will be out, but I’ll be looking forward to it.

Note: I received a complimentary advanced review copy from NetGalley and publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books. This book was released January 12, 2021.

Although this series started with a novel based on the experiences of the real Constance Kopp, the first woman appointed a US Deputy Sherriff in 1914, it has now gone on beyond the end of her duty with the Sherriff’s Office to continue imagining her life and those of her sisters. In this sixth book of the series, it is now 1918, the USA is at war and the sisters are all playing a crucial role, each in her own inimitable way.

From Constance’s obituary, the author discovered that she was involved in intelligence work for the government during WWI and so has created a fictional role for her in the Bureau of Investigation, looking out for saboteurs and spies in actual Bureau cases. Her sister Norma, who raised and trained messenger pigeons, has been sent to the US messenger pigeon school in the small French village of Langres and younger sister Fleurette is touring the USA with May Ward’s cabaret act, entertaining troops who are about to embark for France.

The novel is written in the form of lively letters between the sisters, as well as from Norma’s room-mate, nurse Agnes Bell, who fills in the many gaps left by the taciturn Norma, describing the local village and bringing the realities of war home through her experiences in treating injured servicemen. When Agnes is accused of stealing supplies from the hospital, Norma steps up to show that Constance is not the only detective in the family, by carrying out her own investigation to find the real thief and uncover an enemy plot.

The letters between the sisters and Agnes are warm and intelligent, often infused with quirky humour as they describe the various situations in which they find themselves. The letters are enriched by excellent historical research into many aspects of life for both men and women, not only serving overseas during the war but also at home. Fleurette runs into trouble with the zealous committee charged with policing women’s moral behaviour in America while Constance is concerned by the overly enthusiastic volunteers of the American Protective League who seek out spies and men shirking registering for duty in the armed forces. Norma has her own battles with misogyny and disparaging treatment by men in charge in the army.

This is an excellent addition to this well written and researched historical series and is highly recommended. Although the novel reads well on its own, reading the earlier episodes is recommended to really get to know these delightful characters.

The sixth book in the Kopp Sisters series finds Constance, Norma, and Fleurette in the midst of World War I, each serving their country in their own way. Norma is managing her carrier pigeons in France, Constance establishing herself as an agent for the Bureau of Investigation in New Jersey, and Fleurette is on tour with May Ward entertaining the troops at US bases. The epistolary format highlights Constance’s frustration at being apart, not knowing when the next letters would arrive, wondering what’s not being shared.

Each sister has her own set of adventures, met with the fierce determination we've seen from them before. We are introduced to two new characters: Norma’s roommate Aggie Bell, and Constance’s new recruit Anne Bradshaw. They’re as spirited as the Kopps, and if they made their way into future books I would not be disappointed.

As always, the historical notes are worth reading to get a fuller picture of both the fictional and non-fictional aspects of the book.

"The indomitable Kopp sisters are tested at home and abroad in this warm and witty tale of wartime courage and camaraderie.

The U.S. has finally entered World War I is and Constance is chasing down suspected German saboteurs and spies for the Bureau of Investigation while Fleurette is traveling across the country entertaining troops with song and dance. Meanwhile, at an undisclosed location in France, Norma is overseeing her thwarted pigeon project for the Army Signal Corps. When Aggie, a nurse at the American field hospital, is accused of stealing essential medical supplies, the intrepid Norma is on the case to find the true culprit.

The far-flung sisters - separated for the first time in their lives - correspond with news of their days. The world has irrevocably changed - will the sisters be content to return to the New Jersey farm when the war is over?"

Epistolary Kopps!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! This review is based on my honest opinion.

This is the sixth book of the Kopp sisters book series. I haven't read the first five books so as a result, I was a bit confused about the characters but that was completely my fault. The story takes place when U.S. enters into First World War in 1918, just before the war ended. The story is based on real life events of Kopp sisters and is through the letters and telegrams exchanged between the sisters, friends and colleagues. Constance is set to find the spies and is working for Bureau of Investigations, Norma is sent to Langres, France during WWI and her roommate, Angie is a nurse working in the America hospital and there's Fleurette and Bessie. Overall, I liked the style of the story telling which was actually unique way of telling a story and really enjoyed the bond between the sisters and friends.

This book worth five stars in my opinion and I am willing to read the previous books too!

The Kopp sisters are back in another entertaining adventure, this one set in the midst of the first World War. For the first time in their lives, the Kopp sisters are separated, each using their unique talents to contribute to the war effort. Constance has been hired on by the Bureau of Investigation (later becomes the FBI) to investigate the movements and hopefully locate individuals suspected to be German spies. Norma is stationed far away in a small town in France and has joined the army signal corps and is attempting to implement her carrier pigeon program. Fleurette, now old enough to be on her own, has joined May Ward's song and dance troupe that travels in an effort to entertain stateside troops. The girls each face their own unique challenges centered around the constraints placed upon women during this time period. However even distance can't keep the Kopp sisters from assisting and supporting one another during this interesting transitional period. Will Constance be able to solve her first case? Will Norma be able to keep her carrier pigeon program running with her superiors dead set on dismantling it? Will Fleurette successfully avoid the stigma attached to women in the entertainment business?

Dear Miss Kopp is the sixth in a series featuring the Kopp sisters, Constance, Norma and Fleurette. As World War I plays a pivotal role in the storyline leaving the sisters spread out far and wide, the author cleverly engages an epistolary style throughout, featuring letters, telegrams and other forms of communication between the sisters and even presidents and other notable historical figures. The style works very well and gives readers a peak into the past and how people and women in particular lived their lives during this time. The story itself, while on the shorter side, is fast paced and packed full of action and hilarious antics. Norma is featured more prominently in this new addition in comparison to past stories in the series and fans of the series will enjoy getting to know more about the cantankerous middle sibling. Melding fact and fiction seamlessly once again, Stewart draws inspiration from true historical events featuring the Kopp sisters to craft an engaging story fans new and old to the series will be sure to enjoy.

The United States has entered the Great War, and the three Kopp sisters are serving their country in different ways. Constance has taken a job with the Bureau of Investigation and is working undercover to locate German spies. Fleurette is part of a song and dance group that is traveling the country and performing for the soldiers at different training bases. Returning home to recuperate from an illness, Fleurette joins Constance in an undercover investigation, Meanwhile, middle sister Norma, is stationed in the French countryside and is desperately trying to prove the necessity of her carrier pigeons to the Army Signal Corps. When Norma’s roommate, Aggie, is accused of stealing medical supplies from the nearby American field hospital, Norma assigns herself the case.

DEAR MISS KOPP is told entirely through letters exchanged between the three sisters and some of their cohorts—including Norma’s roommate, Fleurette’s friend, and Constance’s and Norma’s bosses. The story being told through letters was a bit off-putting at first. I am a huge fan of the Kopp Sisters series, so the different way that this was one was written threw me for a loop. After a few of the letters, I settled in to the flow and found it to be a very enjoyable read. The letters weave the separate storylines together. The is a great follow up novel to KOPP SISTERS ON THE MARCH which followed the sisters received training at a military-style came designed for women.

While the Kopp sisters are based on real people, this book is more fiction than fact. Amy Stewart does bring in plenty of real-life facts and stories about the Kopps—including Fleurette’s pet parrot—but there is no record of what the Kopp sisters were up to during World War 1. Stewart sticks to the nature of the characters and places each of them in plausible situations. As usual, Stewart has done her research and brings the time period to life.

I must admit up from to being a huge fan of this series which follows the lives of the Kopp family, especially Constance, Norma, and Fleurette. Don't worry, though, if you haven't read the earlier books- I think you will be fine with this epistolary novel which travels the sisters during WWI and adds a delightful new character in Aggie. Constance is in the US, working for the Bureau of Investigation (later FBI) looking for German spies. Norma is in France trying her very best to start a pigeon program. Fleurette is traveling the US with a sort of USO troupe entertaining service men. Aggie, a nurse, befriends Norma in France. Each of the sisters runs into some sort of problem but they always sort it out- and they help others as well (notably Norma assists Aggie when the latter is accused of theft). They are smart, kind, and love animals (birds loom large in this series, which also adds Laura the parrot). The letters work well to advance the story- letting the reader see each sister's perspective and situation in a way that might not be so easy in a straight narrative. These are well rounded, funny characters and Stewart has also turned a sharp pen to their adversaries. Don't miss the afterword. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this and am eagerly awaiting the promised next installment.

The Kopp Sisters lives took different directions after their training at the camp. Constance works for as the only female agent in the Bureau of Investigation. Norma took her pigeons to France where a new commander does not see their value. Fleurette's dreams of show business took off by joining May Ward's tour which takes them to different army training camps. She does not get along well with the show's star. The entire novel unfolds through letters from the sisters to each other and to and from other acquaintances and associates to the sisters. While I feared the epistolary nature might lessen my enjoyment, I found I loved this one more than the preceding installment. Each sister's separate identity emerged as they pursued things within their own range of interests and talents. I received an advance reader's copy through NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review.

The Kopp sister series by Amy Stewart keeps getting better with each entry. Dear Miss Kopp is told in a letters written between the sisters (with cranky Nora’s news told by her bunkmate in wartime France). The three sisters have all developed into strong opinionated individuals who play important roles in the Great War. Stewart’s research into these true-life characters is enhanced by her strong story-telling skills. This delightful series is best read from start to finish. I think much of the fun is in the character development over the course of the novels.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Norma shines in this story, but both Constance and Fleurette have their stories as well. In the past, Constance has been the star, but now World War I has changed that. Norma joins the military and is sent to France when she does not take NO for an answer. She powers her way through and is responsible for capturing a German spy. Norma is an agent for the Bureau of Investigation where she, too, meets with success in foiling German spy plans. Fleurette is traveling with a singing group going from Army camp to Army camp. After being given a parrot, she finds a new life in entertaining and in spying. Very feminist this book, lots of historical details make the author’s endnotes an important part of the book. I am looking forward to the next book, as each sister makes her way independently. Although the book can be read as a standalone, I’d recommend reading at least the first book in the series to introduce yourself to the Kopp family.

While I still love the Kopp sisters this book just didn't do it for me. World War I has started and Norma is in France developing a pigeon messaging detail. Fleurette is with May Ward's Eight Dresden Dolls traveling and performing at Army bases around the country. Constance is now working for what will become the FBI. The book is written in the form of letters going back and forth between the sisters, add in Norma's roommate, Aggie, and also letters from Norma to her supervisor, Bielaski. Each sister was having their own adventures and even though each adventure was interesting I felt with all the jumping around in letters I lost the thread. It just wasn't compelling for me. I look forward to the next outing of the Kopp sisters, hopefully not in epistolary form.

Thank you to Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing me with a copy of this book.

Amy Stewart has definitely done her homework when preparing to write this book which is set in America and France in the throes of WW1.

Dear Miss Kopp includes a vast amount of very interesting fact throughout the whole story on how people, and women in particular, went about their lives during a world war. The author also uses a smart technique to hold the book together - since the three Kopps are separated, a book written entirely in letter form works exceedingly well.

I love the way each of the three women use their personal skills to survive and prosper. By the end of the book they are forging ahead independently into the new world post war. It will be fascinating to see where the author takes them in book 7 and how she manages to combine their three separate lives into one story.

This is a terrific series and one where I look forward to each book as it comes out.

I have enjoyed each of the 5 books in this series, but perhaps this one even more since it was so different. Due to the sisters different locations in the war, they wrote letters to stay in touch. And so this novel is an epistolary one which is a lovely change of pace but I imagine quite a challenge to write. Through their experiences during the war, each of the sisters experiences growth and change and I expect the next installment to find their lives much different.

What a clever, interesting book about the entertaining Kopp sisters during WWI. These resourceful women never cease to amaze me with their endeavors and adventures. I am especially fond of Norma and her pigeon raising and absolute assurance in how right she is. I pity the Army officers in France who try to squelch her. They are no match for her.

Norma is stationed in France to implement her messenger pigeon program. Her superior officers are not impressed and try to shut the program down. Norma is having none of that and finds ways to work around their orders. It's often hilarious and always clever. She bears up when a serviceman actually eats one of these valuable trained birds. They end up saving American lives and proving the worth of what Norma is trying to accomplish.

Norma also gains a room-mate, a wonderful nurse named Aggie, who becomes friends with the entire family. Aggie survives a scandal with Norma's help and in the process a German spy is caught smuggling medical supplies to the enemy. Norma is once again a hero that we all knew her to be.

Meanwhile Constance is the lone female agent in the FBI investigating German spies and saboteurs in the U.S. She gets involved in a case that requires her sister, Fleurette's, help. It's amazing at how clever the two girls are in solving the case. Fleurette also becomes the proud own of a parrot who is quite entertaining.

What's even more clever is the entire book is written in the form of letters. There are letters from each other and from others to them. I thought I would find the format irritating but it was actually quite interesting. It reminded me of the weekly letters my mother used to write me. How I miss those. I think we are all poorer for the lack of letter writing we now have.

This was a wonderful book and I can't recommend the story of the Kopp sisters more. I feel so much better for reading this book. It made me happy. Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review. Thank you, Amy Stewart, for sharing the Kopp sisters with me.

Another enjoyable installment in this series presented in an intriguing new format. It takes a while for the story to get in the groove of being presented through letters between various parties associated with the Kopps, but once it does, it's the rewarding and fun reading experience that I've come to expect. The three sisters are mostly separated this time around, given equal spotlights and interesting storylines to follow. Although the story this time is mostly fictional, I am excited by the tease Stewart has provided in the historical notes about the next book largely drawing on history.

It took a hot minute to get into this book since the format is so different from the rest of the series. This book is a compilation of letters to and from the sisters and a few other characters sprinkled to fill in the gaps of the stories that were playing out in the various corners of the world. While it worked and did end up enjoying learning about what the Kopp sisters were up to during the end of World War 1, I don't think I'll be able to read a whole series of of books formatted like this. At times you could forget what was happening in one of the subplots because another took center stage for several pages. There were a lot of story lines. This book might have been better as 3 short stories from each sister's perspective.

Excellent!! I loved the epistolary format- what a successful way to shake this series up. Each of the Kopp sisters remains true to themselves, and their letters make it possible for their adventures to move beyond their little town.

While based on the lives of the real Kopp Sisters, Ms. Stewart had to take many liberties in this installment as there isn't a lot of information about what Constance, Norma, and Fleurette were doing during The Great War. Told through letters between the sisters and a few others, the story was infused with a bit of both suspense and humor while still providing Ms. Stewart's trademark history lesson. I loved the antics of the three sisters and those around them as they proceeded, each in their own way, to support the cause. I have to admit, Norma has become my favorite character. She just has no filter or patience with the fools around her. I am so glad her character has grown throughout the stories and look forward to her and her sisters' next adventures!

Don't be scared.........Be a Braveycat! (Randee, Age 4)

And that's exactly where we come to find our beloved Kopp Sisters in this sixth book in the series. Amy Stewart has outdone herself in Dear Miss Kopp. Stewart reaches in deeply and creates her storyline with a completely different format. As we all know, letter writinghas become a lost art. But nothing gives one a straight-up view into the past than personal accounts and historical perspectives as handwritten letters conveying one's thoughts and reactions.......especially during times of war and individual setbacks. From Presidents to plain ol' plain people, these communications are beyond valuable. And these letters strike a match to some fiery episodes here.

The Kopp Sisters take their places among the Braveycats of this world. (They were actual sisters in real life.) From the first book onward, they never passed up a challenge or a new adventure. We now find them in the midst of World War I leaving the family farm in New Jersey to parts unknown. Norma has joined the Army Signal Corps with her trained carrier pigeons and is stationed in a small town in France. Constance, a former prison matron and female Sheriff assistant, has been assigned to work with the Bureau of Investigation (Later to become FBI) while surveying the movements of German spies and saboteurs in the United States. Fleurette, all of twenty, has joined an entertainment group traveling to military camps while sharing her singing and dancing talents.

Amy Stewart has done remarkable research into life during the Great War. She gives us a front-row seat and we sit in the midst of historical surround sound through those lively back-and-forth letters. What a ride! Stewart guides the Kopp Sisters through episodes of exasperation in regard to women's roles in the War Department. Most times women were relegated to the secretarial pools until Constance stuck her foot in the door to shade activities in the Bureau previously held by only men.

Dear Miss Kopp is fast-paced and delightful as Amy Stewart allows each sister to shine throughout this action-packed storyline. Her quick-witted dialogue showcases the quirky humor throughout. Dear Miss Kopp can read as a standalone, but I'd advise picking up the first book to get a true sense of them and their antics. Quite honestly, this one may be my favorite of all. Good, good stuff.

I received a copy of Dear Miss Kopp through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourtand the talented Amy Stewartfor the opportunity.