Too predictable
Stopped reading it.

Even though the story starts slow and is at times (often, let's be honest) quite derivative it was a nice surprise. An easy but entertaining mystery that's worth a read if you've got the time to spare. And as a tour guide at the Healy House and Dexter Cabin in Leadville, I can vouch for the historical accuracy in this story. As a side note, try to get your hands on a physical copy to read this book. The kindle version has a habit of cutting off sentences at the end ps of some chapters.

Good historical mystery by a local Livermore author!

Amateurish and anachronistic. I did finish it, because I was somewhat interested in the story, and sometimes in the characters, but it was frequently painful. I think a strong editor could have done a lot to improve it. I don't think they were using the phrase "in a heartbeat" as a measure of time in the late 1800's. And I'm not sure how many times one can be bashed on the head in a month's time and live through it.

totally enjoyed it. a good page turner.

This book. This author. The setting. The characters. All of it is wonderful and compelling from start to finish with twists and turns abounding. Once my husband found this series I read through all four of them and couldn’t WAIT for another. Everything about this book screams excellence and resonated with me.

I was browsing Amazon books recently and was fortunate to find Ann Parker’s first novel Silver Lies among the listings. As a reader and writer of historical novels and period mysteries, I was interested. I read the book, and Ms. Parker, or was it the protagonist Inez Stannert, who set the hook! The author takes you to another time and place, introduces you to interesting characters, and connects them together with a well-written narrative and multi-layered plot. For me, the hallmark of a good mystery is one with a twist I never quite figure out. The author does a masterful job in laying out convincing alternatives and dropping hints with each chapter without giving it away or misleading the reader with an improbable outcome. As in real life, the characters are flawed, which makes them all the more believable. She has done her historical homework; therefore, her descriptions of people and life in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado in the post-civil War era are convincing. Ann Parker is an excellent storyteller who will have you coming back for more…I’m already well into Iron Ties, the second novel in her Silver Rush mystery series. Double thumbs up! Preston Holtry, author, Death in Emily 3 soon to be published. [email protected];[email protected]

Ok but too long

There are flashes of true brilliance in this book. But on the whole it feels too long. By the end the characters don't feel real. More like marionettes with the author frantically pulling strings to make the plot somehow turn out right. There is a brilliant book buried in this one. But I wish there had been one more deep edit to pull it out. There is much promise in this author, but I'm not sure I'll keep reading to see if the promise ever pans out.

I found the setting and plot of this story to be quite good. The manner in which the historical backdrop of Leadville's silver boom plays into the story is one of the main sustaining elements in the book. Unfortunately, I found the characters incredibly flat and their language to be like a very long episode of Bonanza.

I liked the setting, the snow, and the sense of danger. But I wanted more from the characters in order to feel I knew them. I didn't mind Inez's moral "flexibility" but because I lacked sufficient back sory, she felt "slippery."

Read some years ago..Will try newer ones.. loved it

It was a bit slow in the beginning but definitely worth sticking to it. I loved reading about Leadville during the rush for silver.