R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Kopp Sisters on the March (Kopp Sisters, Bk 5) on + 1452 more book reviews
This fifth book of the Kopp Sisters series finds the three attending a women's training camp to prepare them for the coming war. Expectations for Constance, who is not longer a deputy sheriff, and her sister, Norma, do not coincide with the purposes of the camp. But they are not the only ones. Insstead, women, most from wealthy families, are being trained in first aid, knitting, bed making, making and rolling bandages, and all such womanly areas. Constance believes that women are just as important as men for the war effort and should be trained in physical defense and learn to handle and use weapons, too. The only guns the women see are those worn by the male camp guards. Women will handle wooden facsimiles and only once. Meanwhile, Norma works with her pigeons in the firm belief that they could serve as messenger carriers during the war and intends to prove it to those preparing for war.
While the author did not discover what the sisters were doing during this period she wrote a fictionalised tale of what might have been as the nation prepares for WWI. The country is trying to stay neutral but many feel involvement is inevitable as Germany blockades U.S. merchant ships. The armed forces are beginning to train men and a group of women have set up training camps for women. It is Norma who decides the sisters should attend such a camp.
As the story unfolds, Constance is drafted as camp director when the director is injured in an accident. As the training proceeds, the three find an unusual tent mate who says a wealthy New Yorker. But something doesn't add up. Her poor quality wardrobe is well worn and her accent is wrong. Relying on her instinct and experience with troubled womn, Constance knows there is much more to Roxie's life than she shares. Part of this story is Roxie's as she was involved in a famous murder case that was widely publicized throughout the country. With no money, she hopes to be sent to France where she can "disappear". Meanwhile, Fleurette. the youngest sister, whose romantic views of the theater and war, brings the theater to the camp and an encounter with the theatrical manager responsible for publicizing the murder.
The research into how women were treated, involved with the war effort, and their emotional turmoil to help the soldiers and the country prepare for war is very well done. Roxie was a real woman of the times as was the man who made well known hoping to capitalize on her notority. The author skillfully links fictional characters to real for an entertaining read.
While the author did not discover what the sisters were doing during this period she wrote a fictionalised tale of what might have been as the nation prepares for WWI. The country is trying to stay neutral but many feel involvement is inevitable as Germany blockades U.S. merchant ships. The armed forces are beginning to train men and a group of women have set up training camps for women. It is Norma who decides the sisters should attend such a camp.
As the story unfolds, Constance is drafted as camp director when the director is injured in an accident. As the training proceeds, the three find an unusual tent mate who says a wealthy New Yorker. But something doesn't add up. Her poor quality wardrobe is well worn and her accent is wrong. Relying on her instinct and experience with troubled womn, Constance knows there is much more to Roxie's life than she shares. Part of this story is Roxie's as she was involved in a famous murder case that was widely publicized throughout the country. With no money, she hopes to be sent to France where she can "disappear". Meanwhile, Fleurette. the youngest sister, whose romantic views of the theater and war, brings the theater to the camp and an encounter with the theatrical manager responsible for publicizing the murder.
The research into how women were treated, involved with the war effort, and their emotional turmoil to help the soldiers and the country prepare for war is very well done. Roxie was a real woman of the times as was the man who made well known hoping to capitalize on her notority. The author skillfully links fictional characters to real for an entertaining read.
