Trigger warning :violence, assault
This was a horrifying read, it is hard to believe that it is based on a true story . Truth is stranger than fiction they say. My heart broke for Sally

The title alone leaves you intrigued, add in that it is based on real events and that really sinks you in. What appears to be a normal low key life, quickly turns into something more intense. Murders, murderers on the loose and a man determined to capture them. You have a bit of romance thrown in there too, which adds to the story a bit.

McNear has not only taught me a little history in her story, she has made me want to research out more true historic crime stories! Her attention to detail is evident on each and every page, and I enjoyed putting all the pieces together as I was reading. I hope she writes more like these in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved this book. It took me a minute to get into it but once I did I couldn't put it down. Knowing that this book was based on true information made it even better. It is horrible the way people were even back then and there isn't much difference in how people are now. You could change the years and do it a little more updated and it is amazing how it relates. There is love and murder and friendship. The author could have really focused on the Harpe's but she didn't she also focused on the friendship through out this book too and it was so good. This author is amazing in their storytelling and I would 100% read more by this author. Thank you!

A couple weeks ago I posted my review for The Green Dress, which was book 6 in the True Colors series, today I am posting this review for book 5. This series does not have to be read in order as each covers a different part of US history that is usually something off the beaten track, dark, gritty and unfortunately true.

Taking place in 1797 begins with the wedding of Rachel Taylor's friend to Wiley Harpe, what follows is what the Harpe group call a 'war on all humanity'. It is a heartbreaking story of senseless violence, greed, and helplessness not just for young Rachel but those that end up in their path of destruction.

For Christian fiction , this is a very dark and gritty book, it does not hold back on the violence that takes place and the effect it has on the community. And yes, after I finished, I did Google and learn that the author did her research and stayed true to history. One can't help feel for Rachel as she shares her story along with that of Ben Langford. There journey is both personal as faith plays a big part during the horrific events that test it.

I will continue with this series, but it is one that I will take a break between each reading just to cleanse my brain.

I wrote in another review that Shannon McNear will be an automatic author for me and The Blue Cloak verified that decision. The Blue Cloak is based on true criminal events. Is it an easy book to read? No. It's not for the weak. Is it a page turner? Yes, definitely. It's about a lifelong friendship, a budding romance and the horriffic, unspeakable acts of two evil men.

When speaking of Christian Fiction I don't expect the gruesomeness like what is found in this book. However, I give it an exception. How can one write about the first known American serial killers without violence? Shannon McNear handled it well. She gave the violence it's place when historical facts were necessary then quickly moved on to the next scene. She didn't dwell on the horrible events nor did she draw it out into lengthy descriptions.

Added to the story are believable, fictional characters. They played an important part by balancing violence with faith. Many prayers were prayed, many Scriptures were quoted and even questions about faith and forgiveness were asked. All of these are relevant today and used to inspire the reader.

What I liked about The Blue Cloak is that it was well-researched, and the characters, whether good or bad, are memorable. I also like Shannon McNear's writing style. She inspires the reader. I disliked it because the violence took me out of the comfort zone. The author's Historical Notes at the end of the book explain much of the author's research. She also explains reasons for how she wrote the book.

Overall, I liked this book, but would not recommend it to everyone. It has many triggers that could effect someone's emotional health. It is an adult book. If you love Historical Fiction and can handle brief descriptions of violence then you might like The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear.

I received a free book from Barbour Publishing, via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review and the opinions expressed are my own.

This is a well written story of a horrific tale, the first documented serial killers in US history.
I couldn't stop reading this book. I loved the characters, well some of them, anyway. The villains...they were so awful, I almost couldn't stomach keeping on reading. and yet, I couldn't stop, either...
I found this a compelling tale, and I'm glad I read it, just to know a bit more of that part of our country's timeline in history.
I don't really recommend this to young readers, just because of the horror and the awfulness of some of the crimes given in this book. The author does a good job, it's not too graphic, but yet, she does not shy away from showing it for what it really was.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What I think you should know:
The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear is part of the True Colors series, however it can be read as a stand alone because each book features a different true crime. This book is set in America in the Late 1790s and features fictionalized stories about the real murderers Wiley and Micajah Harpe who terrorized the frontier.

What you might need to know:
Since this book was based closely on a true story it is very violent and graphic and disturbing to read. I had to step away from the book several times due to violence that had occurred in the story.

What I thought about this story:
I have often heard that life is stranger than fiction. Reading about some of the crimes that occurred in this story should not have been such a shock to me, however they were. McNear did a wonderful job of writing about Sally. It was hard to imagine that she thought she was going into a loving marriage and instead found herself trapped with a man who shared her with his brother and lived with two other women. The years that followed were what could only be described as torture. While Rachel and Ben’s portion of the story was a welcome break at most times it was not enough of the story for me. If you are a fan of true crime stories that don’t shy away or sugar coat the horrors then this will be a good story for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

I was excited to see that Shannon McNear had a book in the True Colors multi-author series based on real historical American crime. Fifth in the series, which can be read in any order, The Blue Cloak tells the story of the infamous Harpe brothers - brutal serial killers in the post-Revolutionary American frontier.

Told primarily from the perspectives of two fictional characters, Rachel Taylor and Ben Langford, as well as Sally Rice, the young minister's daughter who married Wiley Harpe. As a romance slowly builds between Rachel and Ben, he joins a posse and relentlessly pursues the Harpes while she struggles with feelings of guilt and trust. At the same time, Sally learns the true nature of her husband and his brother, as both victim and witness to their brutality and depravity.

Forming a Historical Romance around such evil cannot have been an easy task, and the author does an admirable job of blending the fictional with the actual history. This is not an easy read, and I had to put it aside for a time before I could continue, and then having to pause again and read about the Harpes elsewhere - definitely a book and a story that may be easier to read with the benefit of some prior knowledge - as their crimes escalate.

The Blue Cloak stands out in this collection of true American crime stories, as did her contributions to the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Whether or not this particular book is your cup of tea - and I do recommend researching first if you are concerned with the content - Shannon McNear is an author to try if you enjoy Historical Inspirational Romance.

This review refers to a temporary digital galley I voluntarily read via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. A positive review was not required and these are only my own, honest opinions.

Wow! To stun me speechless is saying something and that's exactly how I felt when I put down The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear. Shannon is a masterful storyteller, drawing you into the darkness, cloaking you vivid imagery, and evoking a myriad of emotions, from sheer horror to hope, and everything in between.

The Blue Cloak was a lot more dark and menacing than I had anticipated, but was still a riveting, albeit tough read. Talk about truth being stranger than fiction! There are moments I felt truly disgusted, other times I saw the beauty of forgiveness and grace. My emotions continued to jump all over the place as I read, spurred on by a fast paced plot and incredible writing by the immensely talented Ms. McNear. I was constantly saying to myself, "I can't believe this actually happened!" the tale that unbelievable.

Though The Blue Cloak is classified as a Christian Fiction I would proceed with caution, as this is a story with incredibly dark subject matter. The brutality is inhumane and the overall situation truly unimaginable, but the author did approach this harsh subject with the utmost tact, not being overly graphic, and letting the gruesome tale tell itself.

Sally was a character that I couldn't root hard enough for, her story sticking with me long after I put the book down, and I fell in love with Rachel, and her character. I also greatly appreciated the author's notes that gave more insight into this chilling story, and would highly recommend this novel, though with the caveat that this novel is not for everyone, and if you are sensitive to depictions of abuse I would skip this installment and go for another book in the True Colors series.

Took me a while to get into the book. A rather slow start, but glad I stick with it. The book picked up about a quarter big the way through and kept going from there. Stick with it and you will be glad you did. Not the best read, but worth reading.

A delightful fictional love story intermingled with real people and events. The subject matter of brutal serial killings may be too much for some, but lovers of true crime will certainly enjoy this book!

This was a great well researched story. If you want to read history that isn't the normal boring reads like a college paper book, this would be great for you. It's relatively dark and unnerving but is a great read.

The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear is an important historical read. It is impeccably researched and that shows clearly in the book. The author brings to life a vivid picture of the frontier and the crazy, difficult lives lived. The criminal acts and heroic efforts in tis book definitely set it apart as a great read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I loved the research effort that went into this story. Well-written, but maybe a bit too graphic in some of the details for some readers. Still, the depth of getting this actual crime correct was excellent.

This is a good read, It is very descriptive! It is an eye opener to see how much evil is in the world in every generation. But is worth the read and the author paints a vivid picture.

Part of the True Colors series. Can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. These are stories of American criminal activity played out as historical romantic suspense.

This one is based on real events beginning in 1797 — Rachel Taylor attends her friend’s wedding only to watch murders occur. How many will die before peace can return to the frontier?

I wanted to like this book but it was just so slow moving and repetitive. I enjoyed the historical notes at the end much more than the novel itself. I struggled with growing attached to the characters and with keeping up with what was going on. Interesting true story, but this one just didn't do it for me.

This series has been great! Thrilling stories that bring dark history to live leaving on the edge of the seat. Sad that these crimes actually happen but glad we can learn from them.

I love all the books in this series. They are so well done, and the fact that they are true stories is incredible.

This book is an excellent addition to the series. I hate violence and gore, but this book was a good read. I skimmed a bit, but didn't lose anything from the story by doing so. What an amazing tale with a jaw-dropping ending. I highly recommend reading it, and the author's notes after the story is completed. What an amazing tale that I had not been previously aware of. I will certainly continue reading books in this series, as well as look for more from this author.