Tried three times to read this one and finally skimmed a little, read the ending, and gave it up.

First of all, we're supposed to believe Polly is a newspaper reporter but hasn't finished school. The narrative is written very choppy, which matches an under schooled person, but also makes her come across as immature and childish. Since papers of the day were written on an 8th grade reading level, it made it very difficult to believe she could ever match the quality expected.

Second, the focus of the plot is "woman in a man's world" which was kinda funny to belabor since she's out west where women had so much more freedom. To drive this point home, the psycho attacker is given a motive of "women should be home before dark" for his crimes.

The drama of the crimes is very repetitious, same sort of shock and awe on each one, which quickly left me skimming.

Then I read the author's note. Wait, what? She convicted a man in the story who was cleared of the crime in real life? Using a real man's name and then admitting he couldn't have done it? Um....that really crosses a line for me. That's just wrong.

Other major changes were made, especially ones that were completely needless. Changing the paper's name "for simplicity" though the story takes place before the name change. Changing a warm chinook that made history into a cold storm to create a cold basement for the heroine to shiver in? Sorry--that's so dumb. Basements in Colorado in March would be cold regardless because of soil temp. You don't change history to create a scene that literally would be the same scenario if history was adhered to. Then, changing the pace of the crimes and using real names for some, but mixing up who died and who didn't. For what point? Giving the guy multiple victims in a single night instead of one every few weeks entirely changes the psychology of the crime.

Ultimately, this was frustrating. This was a real cold case and the ending was completely fabricated into something that couldn't have happened on any level. Just go write fiction. Don't try to tie it to a crime and then undo everything known by changing the most important part: how the crimes stopped, and who was responsible.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy. A favorable review was not required. Review is based on a purchased paperback copy.

3.5 stars rounded up. It's the 1900s in Denver, where someone is harming women found out alone in the evening. Polly Blythe is a young reporter trying to make a name for herself in a world that is traditionally for men. On a Friday evening, two women are hit over the head and left for dinner. They were both out alone, but just coming home from something, when they are attacked within minutes of one another. Nothing is stolen and they are not physically attacked in any other way. The police know that Denver is dangerous and don't do much about it, until a rich family is affected. They offer a reward and put pressure on the police to find the person responsible. When Polly teams up with Edwin Timmer, a policeman, the investigation picks up. But does this now put Polly in danger?

The Silver Shadow is a story taken from an actual historical series of attacks in Denver, CO between August 24, 1900 and April 19, 1901. I have enjoyed all these books, but this one seemed to be very loosely based on actual events. In reality, the culprit was never caught, the motive never verified and a trial never occurred. I also didn't find much out on the internet about this actual case, as I did the other books in this series. Having said that, I did like Polly Blythe. She is a woman who was stepping out of the expectations of women during this time. She stood up to her father and moved forward to follow her dreams. The romance between Polly and Edwin was interesting. They went from being antagonistic toward one another, to working together and then romantically involved. It is a Christian story, so there is a lot of praying, and some scripture as well. Overall, this was an interesting story, but probably the one I enjoyed the least in the series.

I’ve tried four times to get into this story, and it’s just not grabbing my interest. I’m not a fan of overtly feminist characters, and Polly definitely is. I’m also not a fan of altered history.

There are many thousands of other books waiting to be read—I’m not giving this one any more of my time.

The True Colors books are fictionalized versions of true crime stories. THE SILVER SHADOW is told through the voice of the female investigator during an era where this was not considered a job for women. She talks her way into joining efforts with the police where they will find themselves in the middle of a crime wave against women.

Out of all the books Tolsma has written for the True Colors series, The Silver Shadow was my favorite. It was suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I knew who the attacker was, Tolsma would throw me off track yet again.

The mystery itself was also intriguing. I knew nothing about Denver in the early 1900s nor any of the crimes that took place. And I did enjoy the romance between Polly and Edwin. As many of you know, romance is not my favorite genre, and I usually prefer to do without it. But I felt that the love story actually flowed with the rest of the plot and I appreciated that.

While I enjoyed the novel and it was suspenseful, it was not my favorite in the True Colors series as I was somewhat disappointed at the ending and felt that it was somewhat rushed. There were also a couple minor things that bugged me and felt that did not flow well with the story. Other than that, though, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense and romance. It will definitely keep you guessing and flipping the pages.

I had received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Blogging Team and was required to give an honest review.

I have waited a long time since obtaining a copy of this book to read it. Too many of the books in this series have kept me awake at night, and I need my sleep! Finally, though, I found the perfect opportunity to read it. Due to a health issue, I needed to spend a day resting, so I quickly read this book all in one day. Problem solved! My brain didn't have to solve the mystery while I slept. Actually, I didn't find this book quite as engrossing as some of the others. It is well-crafted, and I sure didn't figure out who the villain was. I was as misled as the detective about one person! I was astounded at the attitudes toward woman journalist and rooted for Polly all the way through her disappointments and struggles.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

Imagine living in a city where women are afraid to walk the streets. Women are being attacked and the criminal evade the police. Put together a policeman and a woman struggling to make it in the world of journalism where men dominant the profession and you have a mystery to be solved. Based on a true story, Liz Tolsma brings it to life as you meet great and not so great ones. Well developed story that makes you look behind yourself when walking in the dark. Great book, want to know what happens and how it ends? READ THE BOOK!

Blessings,

Karen Hadley

Rating: 5*

I received this book as a gift and all opinions are my own

I appreciated learning that this story was based on an actual crime. But the story just did not appeal to me. I wanted to like it, but it was too syrup filled with overly beautiful people. It was also very predictable. I like stories where romance is included, but I like for it to be more subtle than this was. I give it 3 stars because of the author's note at the end.

This book was about a lesser known crime spree around the turn of the century. I have enjoyed most of the books in this series but this one didn’t see to grab me as much as some of the others. I listened to this book on my text to speech app and ended up listened to it on a 3. I received a free copy of this book for my honest review from Netgalley.

Another great book in this series. Polly is doing ground-breaking work. In a time when women aren't working jobs like she is, she's forging forward. She teams up with Edwin. He's a police detective and together they have a killer to catch. Polly has her ups and downs, but I liked her, even when she's not being smart sometimes. Edwin was likable as well. I really liked how they worked to solve this crime. Faith elements are in place with a theme of God still guiding and being in control of things. I did find it a bit more to a familiar pattern than prior books in this series, but I still liked it.

A Shadowy Figure Is Intent on Harming Denver’s Women

Book 11 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Denver of 1900 is still a dangerous place to be following the silver crash of 1893. And of out of the dark comes a shadow intent on harming wom

en. Ambitious young Denver newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is searching for the big story that’s going to launch her career. On Friday evening, August 24, 1900, she gets her break when two women are cracked over the head within a two-minute walk of each other. But policeman Edwin Timmer thwarts Polly’s ideas of a serial criminal. . .until the shadowy figure strikes again. Will the reporter and the policeman team up to find the culprit before he strikes too close for comfort?

My Thoughts: The True color series never disappoints, and author Liz Tolma delivers a suspenseful story. This is a true historical mystery that contains some fictional characters. The main character Polly Blythe is determined to make her own way in life. She has a winning personality that everyone likes. Readers who like mysteries will certainly enjoy the twists and turns of this one, as the author keeps the reader trying to guess what will happen next.

First sentence: “What is this?” Balding Joe Ward, his light-colored hair curling over his ears, smacked his copy of the Denver Post against his desk. A whiff of newsprint filled the city editor’s office.

Premise/plot: Polly Blythe works at the Denver Post newspaper. She covers the society pages--and hates it, mostly. She wants to cover REAL news, not sensationalized society fluff pieces. The novel is set in Denver, Colorado, circa 1900/1901. The city is about to experience a series of attacks--muggings-- targeting women. As Polly becomes interested in the case and covering it--off and on--the attacker seems to focus on HER specifically. Will she live long enough to see him arrested and charged with his crimes?

As a journalist she is seeking information--inside information--and one of her sources is a handsome police officer, Edwin Timmer. These two will work closely--perhaps not by his choice, at first. Can he protect the woman he's coming to love?

My thoughts: The Silver Shadow is the eleventh book in the True Colors series. These books are usually based on true crimes from American history. This book is very loosely based on a true crime case in Denver at the turn of the century. In reality, that criminal was never caught. In the novel, we get everything tied up neatly with ribbons and bows.

If you enjoy mystery and suspense with your romance, this one might suit well. It wasn't personally my favorite and best from the series. There were a couple of things that irritated me about The Silver Shadow.

What bothered me most was the red herring. For two-hundred pages it is hinted sometimes strongly, sometimes weakly, that the criminal is...well...I won't share his name for obvious spoiler reasons. Something BIG happens. And then it's revealed like in the last two chapters that it was RANDOM person whom we've never met. Since we've spent some of almost every chapter inside his head, it seems tricksy to have it turn out to be RANDOM DUDE as opposed to red herring. Granted, about halfway through I was like this is most likely a red herring because all directions are pointing straight to him. Still I was looking for any indication that it was someone else--anyone else--and the clues never really pointed anywhere (else). It was just frustrating as a mystery to have nothing to work with but misdirection.

Another thing that bothered me was learning at the end of the novel that in reality the criminal was never caught, never arrested, never put on trial, and that essentially the whole book has been misdirection.

I have been really enjoying the True Colors series from Barbour Books.
They are all based on True Crime Cases that happened long ago and people have forgotten about.
Some of the cases I have heard of and looked up and found more information on them.
This one is elusive, I couldn't find a thing about it.
Very interesting and attention keeping series.

Pub Date 01 May 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Another colourful book by Liz Tolsma. Mysterious. Historical. Interesting storyline. Believable. Inviting. Enjoy this novel while relaxing on your front porch. Five stars.,

The Silver Shadow is another contribution by Liz Tolsma from the True Colors series. Oh, my goodness, this one may be one of my favorites of the series to date. She obviously did her research while writing this book. Based on a true crime in the beginning of the twentieth Denver. Polly and Edwin were quite the team and I was often on the edge of my seat. The suspense and mystery made me want to keep reading find out what was going to happen next between the two. I did not find it predictable at all. It is so very good.

I am giving The Silver Shadow a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical mysteries based on true events.

Polly Blythe is ahead of her time and determined to become a serious journalist, but instead the editor has assigned her to engagements and weddings. Edwin Price is a detective for the Denver Police Department. It is 1900 and a man who becomes dubbed by Polly as the Silver Shadow is brutalizing women throughout the city. All have the same MO, nothing stolen, no sexual attacks, just simply hit over the head with a metal object. When one of Polly's roommates is attacked and left with brain damage, Polly knows she has to find out who is doing this and soon becomes entwined in Edwin's investigation.

Liz Tolsma never disappoints. Her suspense is always a roller coaster ride that leaves me wondering what will happen next. Her obvious research adds depth and interest to her writing, and she brings her characters to life with vividness and intensity. Well written novel that is part of the True Crime series.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

I love this series and this installment was very good. Tolsma is a powerful writer, and her strong female character kept me intrigued throughout this story. I enjoyed reading the historical details and found it to be atmospheric.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Silver Shadow is a terrific addition to Barbour's True Colors series--a series of fictionalized accounts of true crime from American history. In The Silver Shadow, we're in Denver in the year 1900. An unknown man, given the moniker The Silver Shadow, is attacking women who are walking alone at night. He doesn't rob them or sexually assault them, he simply bashes them on the head and flees.

We follow Polly, a strong female lead who is trying to make her way as a reporter, when societal norms and family expectations have the odds stacked against her. We also follow Edwin, the police detective involved in the Silver Shadow case. Author Liz Tolsma does a fantastic job of planting red herrings. I had no fewer than 5 possible suspects, and I kept jumping back and forth between them throughout the book. I love when an author is able to accomplish that. I also love when the suspect that I finally settle on ends up not being the right one!

One of my favorite parts of the book is the author's note at the end, where Tolsma shares information about the actual events from Denver in 1900, explaining what aspects of the book were factual and in what areas she was able to fictionalize the account. It's fascinating to learn that some of the things I figured were fictional are actual events from the case.

Overall, a fast-paced, keeps you guessing mystery made even creepier by the fact that it's not completely fiction!

Thanks go to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What an intriguing book of a man banging women on the head. The author kept me guessing to the end because she made everyone suspicious, by giving them motives. Definitely a page turner!

The True Colors series is magnificent, and The Silver Shadow is another great installment! It's Chicago 1900 and there is a madman on the loose, bashing helpless women walking down the street alone in the head with a lead pipe, and running off before the victim or bystanders have a chance to get a good look at him. From what witnesses have reported as far as details of the man, he seems to look like every other man in Chicago during that time, striking fear in the community from the beginning.

Much like the true tale that this novel is based off of, the mystery and tension begin from the first chapter, and doesn't let up until the very end, making it incredibly hard to put down, though I will say that after all the build up that the ended fell a little flat for me, but this is just how the true story ended. If only we could help the outcome of history, huh?

Though we get to see behind the attackers mind a bit throughout The Silver Shadow, I still craved more. Where were the glimpses of his past that provided fuel for his reign of terror? I think with that perspective from the predator that it would've made this one of my favorites from the series. I also didn't love how the ending felt rushed and more like an afterthought, but that also could derive from my disappointment as well.

Polly and Edwin, the heroine and hero respectively, were a favorite of mine in this novel, the charming chemistry and banter the perfect balance to the darker undertones and subject matter. I loved their shared faith, mutual respect, and support for one another, the perfect balance to the darkness swirling around them.

The Silver Shadow truly was a fascinating story that was hard to put down. I do feel like the fact that there's not much information about this true crime spree hurt the narrative, but Liz Tolsma did a masterful job with what she had to work with. This was some kind of evil that possessed this man to do what he did, and even though Edwin and Polly are fictional characters, I like to believe that there were fearless individuals that were there to take this monster down, and help to keep the streets of Chicago safe.

It still blows my mind that the stories in this series actually happened, once again proving that truth is indeed stranger than fiction.