Miss Kopp Investigates

Amy Stewart finds another fascinating aspect of early 20th century history as the focus of her seventh Kopp Sisters book. Most of the plot revolves around youngest sister (actually oldest sister Constance's daughter) Fleurette. The first World War is over, and the Kopp sisters are struggling to figure out their next steps after their brother Francis dies suddenly, leaving behind pregnant widow Bessie and her two young children. Fleurette is recruited by a local attorney to serve as a “professional co-respondent” in divorce cases. Because no-fault divorce didn't exist in 1919, if a married couple wanted to divorce, they had to claim that one partner had committed adultery. Fleurette was the fictional mistress who showed up to be photographed in a seemingly compromising position, for which she was paid fifty dollars.

In the previous books, Fleurette was mostly selfish and flighty, so it's rewarding to see her finally taking on some responsibility to support her family - although of course she does it in her typical theatrical way, dressing up and inventing backstories for her characters. She lives in fear of older sisters Constance and Norma finding out where she's going at night and putting an end to her potentially dangerous and somewhat illicit work. But one of Fleurette's assignments goes in a surprising direction and points the way towards the Kopp sisters' next Big Thing.

There's quite a melancholy tone to this installment, as the sisters grieve the loss of their brother and the plans they had made that have to be abandoned so they can help Bessie. Constance is very much in the background, although we do get to see the unstoppable Norma bulldoze her way through obstacles, convinced as always that she is the only person who isn't an idiot. This is definitely Fleurette's story and she makes the most of it. We also see the continued limitations that women face and the very early beginnings of a new, more permissive post-war era.

Not recommended as a standalone, but definitely a strong installment for those who have followed the sisters this far. The next chapter of their lives looks promising and I look forward to seeing the Kopp sisters conquer the 1920s.