Expertise

True crime: In Search of the Blonde Tigress: The Untold Story of Eleanor Jarman

has a Colorado connection and combines biography and prison reform in the 1930s with modern-day evidence that has helped to unravel a long-standing mystery.

Someone's Daughter: In Search of Justice for Jane Doe

Also, Boulder County history, but I'd rather feature true crime at this time.

Biography



Silvia Pettem is a Colorado-based cold case researcher, writer, and author of more than 20 books.

After local research led her to the identification of a decades-old murder victim ("Someone's Daughter: In Search of Justice for Jane Doe, Updated"), Pettem switched from writing about history to the genre of true crime.

Speaking Experience



Silvia has been giving presentations ever since her first book was published in 1980.

From then through 2009, her speaking engagements and book club talks focused on books that included "Separate Lives: The Story of Mary Rippon" and various Boulder County histories.

After the 2009 identification of murder victim "Boulder Jane Doe," Silvia shifted to the genre of true crime, including books on cold case research that led her to speaking at forensic conferences around the country.

Publishing History



In Search of the Blonde Tigress: The Untold Story of Eleanor Jarman (2023)

Someone's Daughter: In Search of Justice for Jane Doe, Updated (2023)

Awards



CIPA (2000), Writers Digest (2000), and CAL (general non-fiction, (2011)

2020: Rodman Paul Award, Mining History Association

2015: “Local History and Preservation Honor Award”, Boulder Heritage Roundtable

2011: Historic Preservation Award”, City of Boulder Landmarks Board –– Columbia Cemetery

2010: Vidocq Society’s Medal of Honor, Boulder Jane Doe case

2010: Finalist in the 2010 Colorado Book Awards, Someone’s Daughter: In Search of Justice for Jane Doe

2010: Recognition by the Boulder Heritage Roundtable Association, Someone’s Daughter: In Search of Justice for Jane Doe

2010: “Historic Preservation Award”, Boulder Transportation Department's “Broadway In Motion” project

2009: Historic Boulder’s “Preservation in Action, Volunteers of the Year Award”

2008: Sheriff’s Commendation Award, for being the “driving force” behind the resurrection of the 1954 Jane Doe homicide investigation

2003: Square Nail Award, Boulder Heritage Roundtable “to people dedicated to the cause of preserving Boulder County’s cultural heritage and history."