Beginning in 1933, Eleanor Jarman was sensationalized by the press as the "blonde tigress" and "the most dangerous woman alive." But Silvia Pattem looked closer and discovered that Eleanor was an ordinary woman who was caught in a Chicago crime spree. Eleanor also challenged the male-dominated culture as a regular citizen and as an outlaw. As a convicted accomplice to murder, she was sent to prison where she escaped in 1940 and lived an anonymous life as one of America's longest-running female fugitives.
This book shares a little bit about Eleanor's early life. Then, it details her trial, conviction and sentencing. After telling some information about her seven-year prison term and eventual escape, the author conjectures how Eleanor may have lived and the possible identity she took until her death.
I appreciate that the author uses dozens of primary source materials, including police records, court transcripts and prison files. The photographs are also helpful in adding a visual image of Eleanor and other key players in her life.
There is a fair amount of speculation. While some of the author's conclusions could be true, others may be fake. Yet both offer insights into the historical, cultural and local facts of the times, which I found fascinating.
I had never heard of Eleanor Jarman before reading this book. I found most of the book to be fairly boring and forgettable. But it is curious to consider why ordinary folks get involved in crime and how our peers, income and other factors can influence our behaviors. I'm taking away a greater appreciation for my lot in life.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The book grabbed my attention as it is based in Chicago, where I lived for many years. With all the lore of Chicago gangsters, I had never heard of Eleanor Jarman. Eleanor was born in Sioux City, Iowa, the youngest of 8 children. Her mother died when Eleanor was 10, and her father died when she was 18. Eleanor married Michael Roy Jarman, and the couple had 2 sons. The marriage didn’t last long, however, they never officially divorced. Eleanor and her sons moved to Chicago, where Eleanor found work as a waitress. She soon had a gentleman friend, who perhaps had some businesses outside the law. In any event, Eleanor soon joined two other male companions (George Dale and Leo Minneci) in a robbery spree, targeting small businesses. On August 4, 1933, it all went horribly wrong when the robbery ended in the shopkeeper, Gustav Hoeh, being shot to death.

During their trial, newspapers sensationalized Eleanor, dubbing her the blonde tigress as well as the most dangerous woman alive. A closer look shows that Eleanor was actually quite ordinary however. While she did participate in the robberies, her actions were exaggerated by the press. Nevertheless, Eleanor and Minneci received a sentence of 199 years in prison, and Dale received the sentence of death by electric chair.

Eleanor spent 7 years at the Oakdale Reformatory for Women before she escaped, and was never heard from again. The author thoroughly researched the crime, the trial, the sentencing, the requests for clemency and Eleanor’s life up until her escape. It was quite interesting to read the speculation, based on research, of Eleanor’s whereabouts after her escape.

While interesting in parts, the story does get quite bogged down in others. There are a lot of unnecessary details and repetitiveness. The author also relies too heavily on telling a tale of what may have taken place. That’s fine when giving a general overview, but the use of “maybe” or “perhaps” in making up details to embellish the overview was excessive.

Very interesting!

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Synopsis: (from Netgalley, the provider of the book for me to review)
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Beginning in 1933, Eleanor Jarman was sensationalized by the press as the "blonde tigress" and "the most dangerous woman alive." Using recently unearthed records, Pettem reveals how Jarman got caught up in a Chicago crime spree, was convicted as an accomplice to murder, and in 1940 escaped prison to become America's longest-running female fugitive.

This was a fascinating book (I love true crime) and although I had never herd of Eleanor before, I soon fell down a google rabbit hole and spent most of the evening looking up more information on her. Well written and surprisingly easy and breezy to read despite all the information provided.

Highly recommended.

Silvia Pettem’s “In Search of the Blonde Tigress” is a true crime gem detailing a little known story. Eleanor Jarman was sentenced to 199 years in prison in 1933 for the murder of a shopkeeper during a robbery. What’s fascinating is she wasn’t even the person to commit the murder and yet she was sentenced to spend her life in prison…until she escaped. She’s believed to have been on the lam longer than any other female convict.

The book is fast paced, fact driven and supported by photos. The author does an excellent job painting the scene of the times and provides explanations for actions that are no longer done today such as the “show up platform”. She explains the “crime war” at that time in Chicago which caused cases to be sped up in court and state attorney’s insisting on the death penalty for all murder trials. These explanations help to illustrate to the reader the bias from the newspapers and in the courtroom toward Eleanor while branding her the blonde tigress. It was striking to read the convictions of the other 4 women who traveled to the jail with Eleanor. These woman murdered or conspired to murder their husbands and one acted as a lure for a robbery; yet they all had sentences lighter than Eleanor’s.

The author also does well to add “perhaps” situations to the book when pieces in the story are lacking due to information being unavailable. I’m typically not a fan of this style, but she uses it as a way to assist with describing what the times were like and it helps to lead to a satisfying conclusion to Eleanor’s story.

Thank you to Lyons Press for this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free copy of, In Search of the Blonde Tigress, by Silvia Pettem, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I never heard of the Blonde Tigress before this book, even though I live in Illinois. In 1933 the press named Eleanor Jarman, the Blonde Tigress, she was sentenced for a crime, sent to prison, where she escaped, and was never found. What an interesting story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about some history of Illinois, I never knew about. The book even has pictures, a well written book.

Extremely well researched on an almost impossible task. The author writes with fairness and looks at all sides without prejudice. There is no doubt that Eleanor got a raw deal at her trial and you have to appreciate that she lived the remainder of her life without consequence or involving her family. Yes there are some educated guesses, but the author never casts anything in stone unless relatively sure. Book includes many great pictures. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I found this to be an interesting look at an old case about a woman who got caught up in a robbery/murder back in the 1930s. I noticed that she was born on my birthday in 1901. A unique story I felt was an engaging read. Back then justice could be beyond swift. From the murder on August 4th, to arrest on the 9th. The arraignment was on August 17th and the trial began just 11 days later on August 28th. They were convicted and sentenced on September 1st, 1933. But that is not the end for Eleanor the Blonde Tigress, more twists ensue. Lots of great pictures from the era.

I really hadn't hear of Eleanor Jarman before and this was what I was hoping for. It worked well as a introduction to this notorious lady. It had a great concept for a true crime book and I could tell that Silvia Pettem could write a good book. They did the research and it really showed in the writing, I can't wait to read more in from Silvia Pettem.