WELCOME
I grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, then followed my mother’s advice to go somewhere “different” for college. In 1965, I moved to Boulder, Colorado. Now, more than five decades later, my roots are still in the East, but my heart – and my passion for researching and writing about history – is in the West. Colorado has remained my home. Here you will learn more about my books, articles, current projects – and about me. Thanks for visiting my website. (Visitors to www.boulderjanedoe.com are redirected here, as that site has now merged with this one.)
Stumped on a cold case? Need historical context for a research project? Looking for people or places in Boulder County, Colorado? Contact me for more information.
Silvia Pettem © 2023
In Search of the Blonde Tigress:
The Untold Story of Eleanor Jarman
ADVANCE REVIEWS
Silvia Pettem’s In Search of the Blonde Tigress is a true crime gem detailing a little known story. The book is fast paced, fact driven and supported by photos. Ashley S.
Extremely well researched on an almost impossible task. Christine C.
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. Sheila T.
A unique story I felt was an engaging read. Valerie S.
Well written and surprisingly easy and breezy to read despite all the information provided. Highly recommended. Poppy M.
I really hadn't heard 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 from Silvia Pettem. Kathryn M.
Colorado Sun
SunLit Book Excerpt &
SunLit Interview,
September 24, 2023
POLKA-DOTTED DRESS — Thursday August 8, 1940, started out like any other day at the Oakdale Reformatory for Women near the small town of Dwight, in rural Illinois…READ MORE… CEMETERY REENACTMENT HOOKED SILVIA PETTEM ON TRACKING MISSING PERSONS…..READ MORE….
Escaped fugitive Eleanor Jarman (under the name of her alias) is believed to have worked at Pete’s Kitchen (right), 1962 East Colfax Avenue, in Denver, in 1959 and 1960.
Critique (May 2023) from the MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW:
Rescuing from obscurity one of the most unusual stories in the annals of American Criminology, "In Search of the Blonde Tigress: The Untold Story of Eleanor Jarman" is an extraordinary, exceptionally well researched, and simply fascinating study that is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as professional, community, and academic library 20th Century American Biography collections and supplemental curriculum Criminology studies lists.
Critique (July 2023) from LIBRARY BOOKWATCH: THE CRIMINOLOGY SHELF
Fascinating, informative, compelling, and combining biography and prison reform in the 1930s with modern-day evidence that has helped to unravel a long-standing mystery, "In Search of the Blonde Tigress: The Untold Story of Eleanor Jarman" will have immense appeal to readers with an interest in criminology and true crime. While an unreservedly recommended pick for community and academic library American Biography collections, it should be noted personal reading lists that "In Search of the Blonde Tigress: The Untold Story of Eleanor Jarman" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $21.49).
Save the date….
In Search of the Blonde Tigress: an Afternoon with Author Silvia Pettem
More information
Sponsored by the Denver Public Library
Event on Saturday October 21, 2023 –– 3pm - 4 pm at the Ross-University Hills Branch Library
4310 E. Amherst Avenue
Denver, CO 80222
(720) 865-0955
NEW, UPDATED EDITION
SOMEONE’S DAUGHTER: IN SEARCH OF JUSTICE FOR JANE DOE, UPDATED EDITION was republished in February 2023, in paperback, by Lyons Press, subsidiary of Rowman & Littlefield.
This paperback edition is UPDATED with the EPILOGUE that was not included in the first/hardback edition.
SEE ALSO, “WEB OF DEATH (EPISODE #2, BOULDER JANE DOE)" STREAMING ON HULU. ("Local journalist Silvia Pettem delves into the 50-year-old mystery of Boulder Jane Doe, an unidentified woman murdered in Colorado.”)
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
BLONDE TIGRESS ZOOM PRESENTATION –– ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, FORT WAYNE INDIANA
THE BOOKWORM OF EDWARDS for hosting COLD CASES & WANTED WOMEN (photos below). Please continue to support this bookstore in Edwards, Colorado.
The BOULDER BOOKSTORE for hosting an evening with true crime writers.
BOOK CLUB MEMBERS who invite me to their discussions of my book….great questions and lots of fun!
IN RETROSPECT
In addition to writing books, I co-author the “In Retrospect” history column for the Boulder Daily Camera, in Boulder, Colorado. My latest column, “Caribou Cemetery neglected but not forgotten,” and many others, can be read at the “In Retrospect column” link, below.
CARIBOU CEMETERY PROJECT
A recent newspaper column ties in with the CARIBOU CEMETERY PROJECT — a community effort to restore respect to those buried in a small Colorado mountain cemetery, once home to silver miners from Cornwall.
Left, A small cross used to hang near the cemetery’s entrance.
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
RESEARCH SPECIALTIES:
Long-term missing persons
Unidentified remains
Cold case homicides
Boulder County, Colorado, history