Bestselling author Amy Stewart is known for her nonfiction books, The Drunken Botanist and Wicked Plants. In her latest book and first novel, Girl Waits With Gun, she fictionalizes a fascinating true story about Constance Kopp, one of America's first female deputy sheriffs. Constance and her sisters find themselves in danger after their horse-drawn buggy is mowed over by a car driven by wealthy factory owner Henry Kaufman. When Constance demands payment to fix the buggy, Kaufman refuses and sends threats instead. Enlisted by the sheriff to help convict Kaufman, Contance is soon wielding a gun and doing whatever it takes to protect her family and farm while also hunting down a missing child and facing the secrets of her past.

This is historical fiction at its best, made even more interesting by the true story behind it. If you're curious about some of the real articles written about Constance Kopp, try searching the library's New York Times database (log in from any NYPL location).  A few highlights include articles such as "Kopp Sisters Tell of Death Threats," "Girl Deputy Saves a Life," and "Girl Sheriff's Gold Badge." Search by the article title and "Kopp" to find these or simply search for "Constance Kopp."

You never know what else a search through the archives could turn up. What other long forgotten stories are just waiting to be told?