"Dear Miss Kopp" continues the adventures of the Kopp sisters. In this book, they take on different roles during World War 1. The book is written in epistolary form, alternating among the letters written by the sisters to each other and to various individuals with whom they work or are otherwise acquainted. 

The Kopp sisters definitely had different personalities, which were displayed in each sister's unique writing style and activity. While excessive detail bogged down the storyline at some points, the novel moved along well for the most part. The action created suspense and drama that helped move the story forward. The historical aspects of the story also added interest and substance to the novel.I especially liked the author notes at the end which detailed the background for the novel.

It took me awhile to get used to the constant changing between the writers of the letters. This might prove frustrating for other readers like me, who had not read the previous novels in this series. However, the interest generated by this novel might encourage readers to go back and read other stories in this series.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A fascinating yet relatable read that was definitely a page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the sisters. 
A good read.

Amy Stewart takes the Kopp sisters to World War I in Dear Miss Kopp.  In a series of letters from the French war front to undercover spying in the United States the Kopp sisters survive a series of misfortunes as they try to maintain pigeon messenger services in France and uncover German spies in New York.  Interesting view of American women in their roles in the last months of the first world war.

Dear Miss Kopp
By Amy Stewart
Mariner Books (January 12, 2021)

Book cover:

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?

Told through letters, Dear Miss Kopp weaves the stories of real life women into a rich fiction brimming with the historical detail and humor that are hallmarks of the series, proving once again that “any novel that features the Kopp Sisters is going to be a riotous, unforgettable adventure” (Bustle). 

My thoughts:

I loved, loved, loved this sixth book about the Kopp sisters and was super excited to win a digital copy from NetGalley and Mariner Books. I read the first book in the Miss Kopp series last year but haven’t got around to reading two through five, though they are definitely in my TBR stack. 

The story begins in mid-1918 and, as the title suggests, is written as a series of letters, mostly between sisters Constance, Norma, and Fleurette. Constance, a former deputy sheriff, is now working for the government, helping search for German spies. Norma is in France with her pigeons, and Fleurette is traveling the country, performing with a vaudeville show. 

While Constance, the “German-speaking lady agent,” is working to uncover a dangerous plot, Norma has a mystery of her own to solve. As for Fleurette, well, Fleurette acquires parrot. All three women are determined to do their best to improve soldier moral and help the Allies win the war.

I love when authors find previously obscure people and make their stories known. Such was the case with the Kopp sisters. The first Kopp sisters’ book, Girl Waits With Gun, took place in 1914, a time when police matrons were common but female police officers were not. Author Amy Stewart accidentally discovered the story of Constance Kopp, the first female deputy sheriff in the country, and has given Constance the notoriety she deserves.

Any Stewart has done an excellent job of adding World War I history, such as mentions of the Five-Minute Men and the Signal Corps women, adding depth and realism to the story. And I particularly enjoyed Norma’s letters about village life in France. This sixth installment of the Miss Kopp series is a must-read for mystery lovers.


Favorite lines: From Fleurette, remembering something her mother said: “If you ever meet a woman who hasn’t carved out some tiny hiding place in a desk or drawer, be very suspicious. It doesn’t mean she has no secrets: it means her secrets are too large or dangerous to be hidden in her bedroom or sitting-room. Look for a gun under the floor boards in that case, or a body buried in the garden.”

For more about the Kopp series, visit the author's website here:  https://www.amystewart.com/

Dear Miss Kopp
 Amy Stewart has taken on a difficult challenge and pulled it off with aplomb.  Writing a novel all in letters seems like a complicated way to write a plot.  In this novel the correspondence is mainly between the three Kopp sisters as each of them go off in different directions during World War One.  

This is the first time each of the three sisters are living apart and have all left their family farmhouse.   Constance is following true to form and has found work as a corrections officer for army.  She is sent on assignments mainly to route out Germans here in NJ and NY who may be working for Germany and against the United States.  Of course she does find trouble and her letters are between her and her superior officer explaining the case she is working on.  They are detailed letters that set out all the details of the exploits she encounters as she brings and an end corruption and justice prevails.

Constance also writes to Norma and Fleurette sharing information about her life and the life of their brother and his family.  Norma is off in France and trying to make her carrier pigeon program work for the War effort.  She writes short letters home, but her roommate is there to elaborate about the exciting innovations and award winning successes that Norma is having.  Between Norma and her roommate, Anna they also send letters telling of an encounter with a German spy who has been stealing medicine for the local field hospital to send to German soldiers in another area.  

Of course Fleurette is traveling around the United States, performing with a troupe of dancing girls to entertain the troops before they go off to battle in Europe.  She is using her talents to help the war effort.  She gets into some minor scrapes along the way.  She writes home with news, but the important information she has to share she does with her friend Helen.  Those letters detail the daily life of girls who really traveled around the country entertaining the troops.

Each of the Kopp sisters, though sharing letters that seem to be made up of their daily exploits are really also historic recounting of the life women were really living during the war.  They may not be exact details of the what the Kopp sisters were doing but they are actually what was happening to women during this time period.  So that adds to the interesting aspects of this novel. Again you are learning as you are reading and enjoying this complicated writing style of reading a novel written completely as letters.

I loved all the books in this series and loved this one.
It is told using letters and it's a gripping and highly entertaining read.
Excellent character and plot development, a well researched and vivid historical background.
It was a fascinating and highly entertaining read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

In the sixth installment of the Kopp Sister chronicles, Stewart shows the women at war. The last book highlighted the American homefront on the brink of entering World War I. Here we see the adventures of the Kopps at war recounted via a series of letters written to one another, rather than a straight narrative. It was, at first, slightly difficult for me to find the rhythm of the story. Once I got a sense of what each sister/writer was up to, I found it to be a really clever way to tell their tale.

As a reminder for those new to the series, the Kopp Sisters were real, though these book are largely fictional (but based on real events). Constance Kopp, in this book, is a detective for the Bureau of Investigation, tracking down potential spies and saboteurs. Fleurette has joined a proto-USO group and is criss-crossing the country entertaining the soldiers. Norma is in France, trying to convince the Allies to invest in her homing pigeon program.

Stewart manages to capture the individual personality of each sister, as well as the other writers. And while the situations are serious — trench warfare, spy catching,  codebreaking, grueling travel — the book maintains humor and levity.

Please view the link for my full review.

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
I have followed this series from the beginning, and I really like it! I like these stories because the women are strong and stand up for what they believe in. I also enjoy them because most of the characters are real people and the stories are based on history. This installment is told through letters between Constance and Norma, as well as their younger sister Fleurette. There is also letters from Aggie, a nurse and friend of Norma's. I hope author Amy Stewart continues to write these stories about the Kopp sisters!

Amazing detailed reading, one of those books you feel you are in all the characters "shoes"  A must read

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.