Linda Sillitoe

Linda Sillitoe (1948-2010) was an American journalist, poet, and author known for her investigative reporting and literary works focused on Mormon culture and social issues in Utah. She wrote extensively for the Deseret News and Utah Holiday magazine, covering controversial topics including the Mark Hofmann forgery case and bombings. As a creative writer, Sillitoe published three novels, including "Sideways to the Sun" and "Secrets Keep," which explored themes of Mormon women's experiences and family dynamics. Her poetry collections and short stories appeared in various literary journals and anthologies throughout her career. Sillitoe's most significant non-fiction work was "Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders," co-authored with Allen Roberts, which detailed the Mark Hofmann case and became a definitive account of these events. She also wrote "Banking on the Hemingways: Three Generations of Banking in Utah and Idaho," documenting regional financial history. Her contributions to journalism and literature earned recognition within Utah's literary community, and her work continues to be referenced in discussions of Mormon culture and Western American literature. Sillitoe's writing style combined journalistic precision with literary sensitivity, particularly when addressing complex social and religious themes.

There are limited reader reviews available online for Linda Sillitoe's works. Her non-fiction book "Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders" has the most reviews, with readers noting its thorough research and clear presentation of a complex historical case. On Goodreads, it maintains a 3.9/5 rating from 519 ratings. Readers appreciated: - Detailed historical research - Clear explanations of Mormon culture and context - Balanced reporting style Common criticisms: - Dense writing in some sections - Too much background detail for casual readers - Dated writing style (particularly in fiction works) Her poetry collections and novels have very few online reviews, making it difficult to gauge broader reader reception. On Amazon, individual titles typically have fewer than 10 reviews each. Her young adult novel "Sideways to the Sun" (1987) receives occasional positive mentions on Mormon literature forums for its realistic portrayal of family dynamics. No consistent complaints or praise emerge across her broader body of work due to limited reader feedback online.

A String of Pearls (1972) - A collection of poems focusing on family relationships and everyday life in Utah.

Sideways to the Sun (1987) - A novel about a Mormon woman searching for her missing husband while confronting personal and religious identity.

Windows on the Sea and Other Stories (1989) - Short story collection examining relationships and cultural tensions in the American West.

Friendly Fire: The ACLU in Utah (1996) - A historical account of civil liberties battles in Utah from 1945 to 1995.

The Thieves of Summer (2014) - A historical novel set in 1930s Salt Lake City following a murder investigation during the Great Depression.

Banking on the Hemingways: A Family History in Literature and Banking (2016) - A biographical study connecting Sillitoe's family history with banking and literary traditions.

Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders (1988) - A non-fiction account of the Mark Hofmann forgery case and related murders in Salt Lake City.

A History of Salt Lake County (1996) - A comprehensive chronicle of Salt Lake County's development from Native American settlements to the 1990s.