If you haven't read the True Colors series, you need to. These are true crimes I had never heard of set in a fictionalized way. I cannot get enough of these books.

The author admits that this is the most fictionalized one that she has done, but it still rings true. It feels real and that is the most important aspect of these. They feel real.

The characters are compelling and the twists are amazing. The treatment in this novel was fantastic. Like I said, I cannot get enough of these books and Lis Tolsma is a master. I get excited when I see that she has a new edition to the True Colors series.

I love the inclusion of God and faith in this series. These are faith filled people trying to make sense of something terrible. Terrible things happen, that is the way of things, but being able to see faith, even in the darkness adds to mine. These characters, effected by terrible crimes, and their ability to see hope, is inspiring.

I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read this and am happy to share this review.

Silver Shadow by Liz Tolman

The Silver Shadow is another true crime fiction book, which Liz does well. I am enjoying these books where a true crime is the starting point which is then worked into a fiction story. Well written and easy to read, I learn from these books. At the end of each book Tolman shares the actual true story and crimes. This story kept me guessing as to who was the Silver Shadow. This book has suspense, mystery, murder, romance, and inspiration. I enjoyed the book. I appreciate the inspirational aspect of the story. I would recommend this book to true crime fans, inspirational fiction readers, historical fans, law enforcement story readers, and murder mystery afficiados. The other books in this series can be found at www.TrueColorsCrime.com. This book was provided by Celebrate Lit, the publisher and author for my review. The thoughts expressed are my own opinions.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

The Silver Shadow is another installment in the True Colors series, and while it’s probably the weakest thus far, it’s still fairly engaging. This case is the most obscure, with the least information available about it, so I appreciate that Liz Tolsma gleaned what she could from the few sources that do exist to put this story together. It does make for a compelling and, sadly still very relatable, case.

I did like Polly and Edwin, even if I wasn’t entirely won over by either of them. Polly shows a lot of strength and independence, and Edwin and his own passion for getting to the bottom of what happened made him easy to relate to. Each is coming at the case from different angles, her as a reporter and him as a police officer, and it’s fun to see what their respective skills allow them to bring to the table and how they help each other, as well as slowly finding love with each other.

Even if I didn’t love this one as much as the others, I still appreciate the intent to bring to light an obscure event in the history of true crime. If this book piques your interest, I’d encourage you to give it a try.

1900-1901 Denver, Colorado

It's unsafe for women to walk around alone in the evening. Seemingly at random times, women are hit over the head and left to suffer.

Policeman Edwin Timmer is driven to find the villain. His motivation is knowing one of the victims and that his father was murdered when he was a child and the criminal was never found.

Newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is also inspired to find the villain. She wants to prove that she has talent and can succeed in her chosen profession. Her father doesn't support her choice and wants her to come home to St. Louis to marry and have children.

The steps taken to try and find the attacker kept me engaged throughout the novel.

Loved the historical details provided after the final chapter, especially in regard to hospital patronage at that time.

Being the mother of a detective, I have high expectations for crime novels, and I hate to admit that this book was a disappointment. The writing seemed more geared to the young adult market, with awkward descriptions like, "Fire rushed from Polly's belly to her face, exploding out her ears." I find it hard to take that (or Polly's high opinion of herself amidst her frequent fainting spells) very seriously. I realize law enforcement has changed a lot in the past hundred years, but even allowing for that, I felt the way the police department and court system was depicted was juvenile. And the fact that this book did NOT follow the historical facts of the case left me even more cold.

One of the things I did like about the book was Edwin's realization of God's sovereign plans. He could USE Edwin, but didn't NEED his schemes and plans to bring about justice. After all his machinations, Edwin is finally able to pray, "Thank you, Lord....You do a much better job than I do."

I received an early copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley and was not required to post a review.

3.5 stars!

The Silver Shadow is a suspense-filled historical romance that will keep you guessing.

Tolsma did a phenomenal job with the suspense in this novel. She managed to keep me guessing who the culprit was throughout the story. And as she built up that tension, she slowly built the romantic tension between Polly and Edwin.

I enjoyed watching their romance blossom as they worked together, especially since Edwin respected Polly’s tenacity. It was also a relief to see a strong heroine who didn’t hate men. Polly felt like a real person, one I could understand. Even when she made impulsive decisions. Edwin’s passion for solving crimes made him easy to root for. Add that to the fact that he was a wealthy man working as a detective, and I loved him even more. Tolsma did a great job of raising the personal stakes. I wanted so much to find out who the culprit was, I had a hard time putting the book down.

While not my favorite of the True Colors series, I definitely enjoyed The Silver Shadow. I can’t wait to see what Liz Tolsma writes next!

(Review will go live on the blog April 30 at 12 pm.)

This was another fun addition to the True Colors series. The characters were likable and the mystery kept you guessing.

This was another good book in this series. Polly and Edwin are trying to find out who is attacking women. Polly writes for the newspaper and Edwin is the detective in charge of the case. It was a fairly quick book with lots of action and mystery. It’s a good depiction of the time period. I enjoyed the story and think other fans of this series will also.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Do you enjoy crime stories? Maybe a bit of true crime but with some fiction. This book "The Silver Shadow" is book eleven in the True Colors series. What a plot this is. There seems to be a mysterious person that keeps hitting women on the head.

We mean you introduced the main two characters—some of the crime that is going on. We meet a mysterious male that wants to teach women their place in the time of the 1900s. The woman is a reporter for the Denver Post. Edwin is the other main character; He works at the Denver Police department.

The more we get into the story or plot. It is more interesting. Polly gets another dressing down from her boss. She still wants this story and to solve these crimes. The detective has to get the runaround, and these bosses seem to think it nothing to be concerned about these crimes. The story is getting more twists and turns. The man shows up once more and remains described as the Silver shadow. Will he be caught?

This book has quite a few twists and turns. Who could be the mysterious Silver Shadow? When will they stop? It is a good book for adults if they want a little history and some crime and a mystery to go along with it. I hope to be able to read more of these True Color series books. I have read a few of them and enjoy them.

Very good mystery! Those poor women going about their errands, going to church, getting medicine, leaving work all had to walk in the days before modern vehicles, all in danger of losing their lives. That is the main theme to me, that surrounded the female lead Polly who dreamed of being a highly respected reporter in 1900 at a Denver newspaper. Terrible crimes were committed.
It always held my attention, so much that I didn't want to put it down.
Rating is 4+
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Silver Fox, part of the True Colors crime series, by Liz Tolsma is a Historical Fiction book taking place in 1900. The two main characters are Polly Blythe who writes for the Denver Post as a society writer and Edwin Price, a Denver police detective. Women are being assaulted on the streets and Polly seeks to write stories for the paper, especially after her friend is attacked. Her boss is not supportive and gives the stories to another male writer. Detective Price has more than a vested interest when a close friend and his sister are attacked.

I enjoyed the book and would especially recommend it to those interested in Historical Fiction. I really liked reading the author's notes at the end of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

This is a well written book that interweaves fact with fiction . It's full of drama and suspense with just enough romance to make for a very enjoyable read. It will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next and will keep you guessing until the end. An absolutely wonderful read that you don't want to miss. Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The eleventh book in the True Colors series features the evasive figure known as the silver shadow. This fictional story is based on true events in 1900 in Denver where several women were struck on the head, some killed, and others severely injured. This book is told by the three main characters, the killer, Polly Blythe, and Edwin Timmerman, a policeman. Interesting account of this little known crime.

Eager to earn her father's praise and break out of the role 1900's women usually found themselves in, Polly Blythe embarks on a journalism career at the Denver Post. Her quest coincides with that of "the Silver Shadow," an elusive figure bent on teaching the women of Denver a lesson about staying in their place--at home and not on the streets--by attacking them.

Tolsma takes a little-known crime that actually happened and weaves a page-turning tale of mystery and romance, as well as personal and spiritual growth. Tolsma acknowledges she takes some liberties with the story, in part because little is actually known about the event. However, the narrative is rich in historical detail and the back matter provides additional information about the actual crime.

I have enjoyed the other books in this Barbour True Colors series and this one is no exception. If you love being transported to the early 1900's with characters who are easy to like and a storyline that keeps you guessing, you may find this one hard to put down!

I felt like I was watching one of my favorite mystery tv shows on PBS. I feared for Polly's safety and that no one would get hurt in their hunt for the The Silver Shadow.
I enjoyed this book as I got to know and better understand the main characters' background stories. It explained how and why they became the adults they were. I am a social worker so it was right up my alley.

Polly desparately wanted to please her father. She felt a need to prove to him she was worthy. It is literally impossible to please everyone. As a firstborn child, I was driven to make my parents proud. I think that I wanted to be the best daughter, the best student, etc. I strived hard to not disappoint them. It is not easy to keep this up as we are not made perfect. It adds pressure to your life that is not needed.

At some point, you realize that your parents love you unconditionally. It might take years for some to get to that realization. GOD loves us unconditionally. He knows we are only human. He created us. He knows we make mistakes. He gave his only son to die on the cross for our sins.

Polly and Edwin had to accept their limitations and strengths just as we do. GOD is always by our side. He lifts us up. He gives us strength.

Deuteronomy 31:6
New International Version
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Liz Tolsma has written several installments in the "True Colors" series, and this is an excellent one--just like the others. She's a very talented author!

I love books about women in journalism, so was drawn to Polly's story in particular. She certainly had quite the back story (and I would have loved to see that explored a bit more, especially with her brother Lyle!). Loved watching her and Edwin's relationship develop, and the end was just ... fantastic. Bellissimo.

Turn-of-the-century Denver was also fun to imagine; I visited there in 2008 or so and enjoyed conjuring up mental images of how it might have looked 100 years earlier.

I think the historical notes at the end of each installment in this series are my favorite. What was real and what wasn't is just so interesting to me; writing fiction is something I wish I were talented at--I do better with "just the facts, ma'am"--and I admire historical-fiction authors for both their writing skills and imaginations. Tolsma is certainly experienced in this particular genre, and her talent shines through here.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Liz Tolsma, an author that I've found to be very good at writing suspense thrillers in this series. The Silver Shadow, as with the others in this series is a nicely written standalone as part of the True Colors historical series. This story takes place in Denver during the 1900s where it appears that no women can be safe on the streets as the murderer is targeting women only.. Then we meet Polly Blythe, a young reporter and Detective Edwin Timmer who has been assigned to the case. Ultimately the two end up having their own personal reasons for catching the criminal and in the process, a relationship ensues towards the end as the drama unfolds itself.

This story is fiction based on true history that weaves mystery, suspense, twists and a bit of religion. I recommend this book for those who love true crime stories that are mixed with mystery and a bit of romance. Definitely a page-turner and quick read for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchanged for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A great stand alone novel, but a continuation of the True Colors historical series. The story begins in 1900 in Colorado. Wanting to make her mark in a mans world is Polly Blythe who works as a newspaper reporter. She finds herself in the middle of an investigation involving an unknown assailant who targets women only. Detective Price wants to find the culprit for personal reasons & so the pursuit goes on. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Silver Shadow by Liz Tolsma is Book #11 in the True Colors series which are books based on true historical crimes. The author is an excellent writer who brings the story of attacks and murders of women in Denver during 1900-1901 to life and keeps the reader interested until the very last paragraph.

The main characters are Polly Blythe, a young woman working as a reporter at the Denver Post who is assigned to society articles but whose goal is to report on more important issues; and Edwin Timmer, a policeman assigned to the case of catching the perpetrator responsible for the attacks and murders. This action- and emotion-filled story is filled with danger, twists and turns, and romance as it comes to a dramatic finish and will entice the reader right to the dramatic finish.

I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it, as I am sure other readers will enjoy it too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via Net Galley, and was under no obligation to post a review for it.

The Silver Shadow by Liz Tolsma is another title in the True Crime series. This story is based on crimes that occurred in Denver CO, beginning in 1900 and continuing into 1901. Many of the characters are real people who were involved in solving the crimes at the time. It reads like a great novel and I had to keep reminding myself at times that these were crimes that really happened to the women in Denver at that time.
I have really been enjoying this series of books by Barbour Publishing and various authors. I have read many books by Liz Tolsma and this one is outstanding with no exceptions. She keeps the momentum going throughout the telling of the story and keeps the reader fully engaged in wanting to know the outcome. The characters, though some are created, all come to life on the pages.
I give this book 5 of 5 stars and highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys a great novel about true crimes that happened in our past.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.