Amy Stewart, “Drunken Botanist,” writing novels based on female deputy sheriff

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Bestselling “The Drunken Botanist” author Amy Stewart is now writing novels.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced Thursday that Stewart will write a series of fiction books based on the real life of Constance Koop, a female deputy sheriff in early 20th century New Jersey. The first novel, “Girl Waits With a Gun,” is scheduled for 2015.

The publisher says Stewart learned of Koop while researching “The Drunken Botanist,” a history of the natural sources of alcoholic drinks that came out last year.

Stewart’s other books included “From the Ground Up,” ”Wicked Bugs” and “Flower Confidential.”