Name: Constance Dunlap by Arthur B. Reeve
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Author: Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin), 1880-1936

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Constance Dunlap by Arthur B. Reeve

(4 User reviews) 798

By Patricia Schneider Posted on Mar 30, 2026

In Category - Justice Studies

Authors: Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin), 1880-1936 Published By : Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin), 1880-1936

Book Language: English

Hey, I just read this wild book from 1913 that completely flipped my expectations. It's called 'Constance Dunlap,' and it's not your typical detective story. Instead of following a brilliant investigator, we follow a woman who becomes a criminal mastermind—and she's the hero! After her husband is ruined by Wall Street crooks, Constance decides society's rules are rigged. She starts using her intelligence and charm to outwit everyone, from corrupt financiers to the police themselves. Think of it as an early 20th-century 'Queenpin' origin story. It's a series of clever capers where the person you're rooting for is the one pulling off the heists. It feels surprisingly modern in its attitude, and Constance is a character you won't forget. If you're tired of the same old detective tales, give this one a shot. It’s a short, fast-paced ride with a protagonist who plays by her own rules.

File: Constance Dunlap by Arthur B. Reeve

Published in 1913, Arthur B. Reeve's Constance Dunlap is a collection of connected stories that turns the detective genre on its head. Forget the brilliant sleuth; here, the criminal is the star.

The Story

Constance Dunlap starts as a respectable society wife. Her world shatters when her husband is financially destroyed and driven to suicide by a ruthless Wall Street operator. Instead of collapsing, Constance gets angry. She decides the system is broken and that playing fair is for fools. Using her sharp mind, acting skills, and understanding of high society, she embarks on a new life. She becomes a 'woman adventurer,' a master manipulator who targets other criminals, corrupt businessmen, and hypocrites. Each chapter is a new scheme—a blackmail plot, a clever theft, a financial con—where Constance stays one step ahead of the law, represented by the dogged Detective Drummond. She's not a villain; she's a rebel, righting wrongs on her own terms.

Why You Should Read It

Constance is the reason to read this book. For 1913, she's a revelation. She's not a damsel in distress or a moral compass. She's resourceful, cool under pressure, and in full control of her destiny. The book is really about her rejecting the passive role society gave women and grabbing power for herself, even if it means breaking the law. It's a fascinating, almost subversive, premise. The plots are fun and fast, like watching episodes of a great TV series. You're constantly wondering how she'll set up her next target and slip away clean. It’s a pure, entertaining page-turner with a brilliant lead.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for anyone who loves a good caper or stories about clever anti-heroes. If you enjoy shows or books where the 'bad guy' is the protagonist, you'll love Constance Dunlap. It's also a great, accessible read for fans of early crime fiction who want to see something different from the usual Sherlock Holmes model. History buffs will get a kick out of the early 1900s New York setting and the very modern-feeling frustrations with finance and justice. Short, snappy, and surprisingly empowering, it's a hidden gem that deserves a new audience.