SKU: 98335759926

Pistols and Petticoats-175 Years of Lady Detectives in Fact and Fiction

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Pistols and Petticoats-175 Years of Lady Detectives in Fact and FictionA lively exploration of the struggles faced by women in law enforcement and mystery fiction for the past 175 years In 1910, Alice Wells took the oath to join the all male Los Angeles Police Department. She wore no uniform, carried no weapon, and kept her badge stuffed in her pocketbook. She wasn't the first or only policewoman, but she became the movement's most visible voice. Police work from its very beginning was considered a male domain, far too

A lively exploration of the struggles faced by women in law enforcement and mystery fiction for the past 175 years

In 1910, Alice Wells took the oath to join the all-male Los Angeles Police Department. She wore no uniform, carried no weapon, and kept her badge stuffed in her pocketbook. She wasn't the first or only policewoman, but she became the movement's most visible voice.

Police work from its very beginning was considered a male domain, far too dangerous and rough for a respectable woman to even contemplate doing, much less take on as a profession. A policewoman worked outside the home, walking dangerous city streets late at night to confront burglars, drunks, scam artists, and prostitutes. To solve crimes, she observed, collected evidence, and used reason and logic--traits typically associated with men. And most controversially of all, she had a purpose separate from her husband, children, and home. Women who donned the badge faced harassment and discrimination. It would take more than seventy years for women to enter the force as full-fledged officers.

Yet within the covers of popular fiction, women not only wrote mysteries but also created female characters that handily solved crimes. Smart, independent, and courageous, these nineteenth- and early twentieth-century female sleuths (including a healthy number created by male writers) set the stage for Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, Sara Paretsky's V. I. Warshawski, Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta, and Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone, as well as TV detectives such as Prime Suspect's Jane Tennison and Law and Order's Olivia Benson. The authors were not amateurs dabbling in detection but professional writers who helped define the genre and competed with men, often to greater success.

Pistols and Petticoats tells the story of women's very early place in crime fiction and their public crusade to transform policing. Whether real or fictional, investigating women were nearly always at odds with society. Most women refused to let that stop them, paving the way to a modern professional life for women on the force and in popular culture.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Beacon Press
Published: 02/28/2017
ISBN: 9780807047880
Pages: 248
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.60w x 0.80d
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SKU: 98335759926

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Mimie Hull
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Great kids sandals
Size: 9 Toddler, Color: Taupe
These are cute and my kids say they’re comfortable! We got a few colors. Definitely would purchase again. They’ve got good quality.
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Super wide
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They are oddly very wide. Great for kids with wide chunky feet but for us it was not cute
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Kindle Customer
Pawtucket, US
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Nice but runs small
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The sandals are nice and not to hard or flimsy but they are cut very small.
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Alexandria Knox
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 4
Solid Kids Sandals, Overpriced Like Most Kids Shoes 🌞
Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Brown, Size: 11 Little Kid, Color: Brown
My son hasn’t worn these yet since it’s December in Indiana and sandals + snow obviously don’t mix. 😂 So this review is based on first impressions rather than long term wear. That said, these seem wider than a lot of typical kids’ sandals, which I REALLY appreciate since we tend to have wider feet in our family. #hobbitfeet The quality feels pretty decent overall. They’re described as lightweight, and while they’re not insanely lightweight, they do have enough weight to feel semi-sturdy and not flimsy or cheap. I like the style and color, and I think they’ll work well for my son once warmer weather hits. My main complaint is the price. At just under $24 at the time of this review, it feels a little high for kids’ sandals and for what these are. I really feel like $20 MAX would make more sense. Kids shoes are almost always priced like adult shoes, even though they clearly use less material, and that’s hard for me to understand and wrap my mind around. Overall, these seem solid for daily wear, I just wish the price was a bit more reasonable and affordable.
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Lake Worth, US
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Great basic and timeless design
Size: 12 Little Kid, Color: Brown
These sandals are a great find! They’re super easy to get on and off thanks to the Velcro straps, which is a huge win for little ones learning to be more independent. The fit is adjustable and secure, so they stay in place well during all kinds of play. The cork-style footbed is comfortable and gives good support, and the overall design feels sturdy enough to handle everyday wear. They’re lightweight but still durable, and have held up really well so far. They also have a classic, versatile look that goes with just about everything, perfect for summer outfits. Overall, a reliable, comfortable sandal that’s great for active kids. Would definitely buy again!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2026

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