I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well-developed; the historical research is solid and worked into the plot effortlessly; and the Parker has an easy, natural writing style. The pace kept my interest, and I did not feel cheated at the end with implausible resolutions. I have a particular interest in this period and this region, so I'm happy to have found the Silver Rush series!!

Yes, all you catalogers will recognize this as an "off" ISBN, i.e., not a big press-- Poisoned Pen. A name to keep in mind...

Because, this is a damn good book. I hope she keeps writing. It is set in Leadville in 1879, just as silver has begun to pour out of the ground. The main character is 1/3 owner (along with her missing husband and a friend, who happens to be a black man) of a bar and "gaming establishment." It really is a murder mystery, but the setting is pretty major (to me) as well.

I know I've been in Leadville, I'm sure we've eaten there on the way over the mountains, but I have no strong memory of it. Unlike 'old' Central City and Black Hawk, which I refuse to go back to until they close the casinos.

Whoops. The beauty of this book is that the characters are all solid and believable people, and the historical research has obviously been done. Inez, the main character, is far from perfect, even by less stringent 21st century standards, and her choices are sometimes pretty off-kilter. Harry, the obvious "bad guy" throughout the book, isn't as bad as she thinks--although he's pretty much a low-life greedy scoundrel MCpig (man of his time, Dear Reader) with an eye toward politics. But he's not (exactly) a murderer. Someone else is. Definitely.

Then there's Inez' relationship with Abe--her remaining business partner--and the whereabouts of her missing husband (dead? or maybe not?).... What a nice change to not have everything tidily boxed up and polished off at the end.

Of course I'd like to see more of these folks, but actually if she just populated the city of Leadville (a la Jan Karon) and focused on someone beside Inez, I'd be as happy too.

Keep an eye out for more by her.

4 Stars for Silver Lies (audiobook) by Ann Parker read by Kristen Potter.

This story is set in the boom town of Leadville Co.. It’s 1879 and there’s a ton of money to made in silver. The body of the assayer of metals is found in the street dead. Many think it’s an accident but it sure seems suspicious.

Another good series to read!

Love this sassy saloon keep! Inez owns the Silver Queen, a high-class watering hole and gambling joint in Leadville Colorado circa 1877. Can you say silver-rush? Filled with colorful characters and local history, Ann Parker brings the wild days of Colorado to life. It's not your cozy mystery!

Historically accurate? Yes. Cool location? Also. Yes. Interesting story? Unfortunately not. This book was torture.

Silver Lies is the first book in the Silver Rush Mystery series that takes place in Leadville, Colorado in 1979. The silver rush is on. Inez Stannert is the main character. She co-owns the Lucky Lady Saloon along with her husband Mark and Abe Jackson. Her husband Mark has disappeared. She does not know if he is alive or dead.

Inez is feisty and strong willed. She can ride, shoot and runs a high stakes gambling game in addition to entering the game. In the prologue, a murder occurs and Inez seems to be the only one who wants to get to the bottom of the murder. She becomes a sleuth and there are more crimes to follow.

The author is very good at slowly revealing the past of the characters. There is good reason most of the characters want that past to stay buried. There are some surprises but if you think about the times, it was probably due for the need of survival. The book was over 400 pages which I thought was a little long. Bat Masterton made an appearance which I thought detracted from the story line. He didn't add to the story for me but took me out of it at times. At this time, there are 6 books in the series.

SILVER LIES (Historical-Colorado-1879) – VG+
Parker, Ann – 1st in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2003
Inez Stannert lives in Leadville, Colorado at the height of the silver boom. She shoots, plays poker, owns a salon along with her partner Abe, a free black man, and has a husband who has been missing for eight months. When local assay-agent Joe Ross is found dead in the alley next to Inez' saloon, she promises to help his pregnant widow and son settle Joe's business interests. What she finds are secrets, greed, graft, danger and an attraction to J.B Sands, a minister—or is he?
*** Parker has written a wonderful first book. Her descriptions of 1870's Leadville are vivid and integral to the story. Her characters are diverse, real, interesting and fully developed. Inez is a smart, independent woman, capable of holding her own yet will doubts and insecurities of her own. Her dialogue is appropriate to the period. The plot is interesting and compelling; it caused me to read way too late into the night in order to finish it in one read. There is a romance, but it doesn't overwhelm the story or the character and very good suspense. I highly recommend this book.

Enjoyed this easy to read historical mystery centered in the city of Leadville, Co. The heroine is an independent operator of a popular saloon. Life is on hold as she waits for the husband who disappeared from her life. Not knowing what happened to him, she hopes he will return to her and their son. She relies on her partner, Abe, who is a friend, whose many layered expertise has keep their business afloat. Living her life as she wishes, she is ostracized by many in her community. Nevertheless, life is pleasant until the death of a friend's husband. Trampled by a horse, there is much speculation that he was murdered. If so, why and who did it. As she works to untangle his affairs, counterfeit money is passed in her saloon at a high stakes poker game. Even though she cooperates with the authorities, she is accused of "shoving" the bogus bills. The story unravels with romantic episodes, betrayal, and danger. Good, quick read written by an author who knows how to make the tale flow and the reader involved!

Historical fiction - with interesting period details - in a Colorado silver town, a murder mystery full of clues and not a little violence

Historical fiction. Check. Mystery. Check. Can't put it down. Nope. The story was interesting enough to finish, especially since I was listening to the audiobook during my commute, but it never grabbed me so I couldn't wait for what was next. I just didn't care enough about the characters.

Ann Parker, FREE on Kindle **** First book of a series. 1879. Leadville, CO. When her best friend's husband, an assayer, is found trampled to death in a muddy side street, a lady saloon owner doubts it was an accident. His widow asks the saloon owner to settle his affairs and she suddenly finds herself neck deep in trouble.

Well-written, good plot, and full of great characters. Lots of local color and historical detail.