Series: True Colors #11
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Release Date: May 1, 2021
Genre: True Crime Fiction
True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through a unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.
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 women. 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 Review 🖤
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.
About the Author
Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son, and their two daughters. All of their children have been adopted internationally and one has special needs. Her novella, Under His Wings, appeared in the New York Times bestselling collection, A Log Cabin Christmas. Her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips, released in August of 2013. Daisies Are Forever released in May 2014. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family. Please visit her blog at www.liztolsma.blogspot.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter (@LizTolsma). She is also a regular contributor to the Barn Door blog.
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*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Barbour Publishing, Inc. through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
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