This is a good one. I couldn’t put it down. What a horrible thing these men did, really unimaginable. But Shannon did a wonderful telling the story. At many point I read and just had to stop and comprehend what just happened, or what was happening.
It’s funny because Rachel seems almost a secondary character yet she isn’t but she isn’t directly involved in the hunt for the men. But we have Ben who is and his role is very important.
The balance of the romantic element with the suspense of when these people would be found was done very well.
A great romantic suspense that I recommend yet it isn’t for you if you are sensitive to some subject matter.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.

'These men--it's like they ain't even men. Ain't got the heart God gave ordinary human beings.'

This series has been good for the most part, but this one is outstanding! Shannon McNear has taken a true crime story and turned it into a read that is both riveting and horrifying at once. Telling the tale of Micajah and Wiley Harpe, often considered the earliest documented serial killers in the United States, she is absolutely fascinating and her research is truly impeccable, with even more for the reader to learn in the afterword.

Beginning in 1797 on the American frontier, these men tore a path of brutality and destruction everywhere they went. McNear doesn't shy away from recounting their evil deeds, either. Her words are hard to read at times, but truly fascinating to this history buff, who had never heard of the Harpes. She weaves a fictionalized account of Rachel Taylor and Ben Langford into the story, as Ben rides with several posses intent on bringing these true monsters to justice.

This book was incredibly well written and totally held my interest throughout. If you're a lover of true crime stories, this one is one you definitely should read. Recommended.

*My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion in this review is entirely my own.

This book was a great read. It kept me up at night reading until the very end.

Shannon McNear relates the events that took place over The Wilderness Road in Kentucky beginning in 1798. Two men who may have been cousins, posed as brothers and traveled through Kentucky wreaking havoc in the wilderness.

Almost as horrifying as the killings, were the fact that three women were often made to witness to these acts. The make-up of the travelling party of two men and three women is based on historical fact. One woman had been completely blindsided by one who had professed to be a Christian, attended her father's church and had been recently baptised. How deeply he hid his true nature as she was entirely in the dark about his true character until the day he brought her to his home where she found two women were already in residence.

Reading this account, readers witness not only the madness of two of America's first serial killers but also the tragedy of domestic abuse and the evil power that kept the women entrapped. How could those women willingly follow these men for so many years? Because they knew if they tried to escape, they would most certainly be hunted down.

“Today it” (the wilderness ) ”held a definite air of menace.” While I’m quoting this line out of context, it could be said of the whole tone of The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear. The latest in the True Colors: Historical Stories of True Crimes series, there is an ominous feeling of dread, if you, the reader, start reading not with chapter one, but with the words, “Dear Reader.”
Nine long months of terror seize the wilderness of Tennessee and Kentucky at the turn of the nineteenth century. Two brothers, Big and Little Harpe, with their three wives, prowl the beautiful countryside and turn it into a place of gruesome murders and fear, anxiety breathing down every settler’s neck.
Some phrases seemed so applicable to what our country is going through currently. “It seemed, though, that the entire country held its breath, waiting, watching—.”
I loved that McNear’s characters put a high value on prayer. This is mentioned many times throughout the unsettling narrative. I appreciated one such time as Rachel’s brother knows the business of the day needs to start, “but I’m thinking we’ve a greater need to pray before you go any further on your journey.”
How could a marriage that started with a few misgivings on the part of witnesses turn into a component of a horrible killing spree? What if one of those in the Harpe party wishes to escape? Rachel is sure her friend Sally had no idea of the fiend Little was when Sally and he wed. But can Rachel and her new friend Ben do anything to rescue a person that resists help?
McNear is good to explain why she wrote this very intense novel, which can be hard to read at times. Much prayer and research went into this novel. I found the notes at the beginning most helpful. Is God indeed greater than man’s worst evil? Can God redeem even evil situations? (That is not to say there won’t be hurt from the terrible crimes.) So many questions brought to the forefront.
Now, about the hero. Ben is so unselfish, wishing he could take his cousin’s place. Ben is closer to Thomas than his elder brother, as Ben’s uncle and aunt raised him after his parents died. Ben stays on the hunt for the Harpes for many months, motivated by love for his cousin, his uncle, and eventually Rachel. Ben also comes to understand that the social class distinctions of the East do not truly tell the mettle of a man.
“He already knew that the amount of a man’s coin did not necessarily correlate to the amount of wisdom he possessed, not gentility equate completely with pedigree.”
I am amazed at both Ben and Rachel’s care for Sally. It took such gumption, courage, and incredible determination to even try to help her and the other wives. Yet, especially in Rachel’s mind, was the conviction that her friend was worth such loyalty.
All in all, a good book, thoroughly researched, a real page-turner, but oh, so chilling!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit through NetGalley. This in no way influenced my opinions, which are solely my own.

Wow. Just wow. This whole series has been wonderful and I knew this book would be too. I did not however quite expect it to be as dark as it was. There is abuse in this book and some graphic violence. While it's not detailed you should still be aware it's in here.

This book like the rest of the series is based on true crimes in history and it's a fast and furious type read. Within the pages, you'll find two "brothers" who have three wives between them, though they're not really wives. They also have a very bad penchant for stealing but worse than that they have a penchant for killing in a gruesome and torturous way just for the fun of it.

Will anyone survive these men? Can they make it out alive?

Ben Langford lost his own family at a young age and now does anything to keep in his uncles good graces as well as pick up the slack and cover for his cousin. His cousin needs to grow up and maybe it's time for tough love. When his cousin is charged with going off into the fronteir Ben follows to make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble. Unfortunately, Ben didn't follow close enough as his brother is killed by The Harpe Boys. Now Ben is off to avenge his cousins death and stop the killers before they kill more innocents.

Rachel watches with growing concerns as her friend marries Wiley Harpe. It seems maybe the preacher's daughter was too friendly with this man and now they're getting married. Rachel gives her friend a gorgeous blue cloak as a gift. Her friend looks in love and her groom does too but there is something about this man and his brother that puts Rachel on edge.

When Rachel and Ben meet sparks fly. Find out if they can ever have a relationship or if they can save Rachel's friend before it's too late.

Okay. This is a wonderful book and I do recommend you read it. But this is for mature audiences. No teens or young adults allowed. There is violence and abuse and while the author doesn't go into lots of detail you know it's there and it can make you a bit squeamish.

There is an infant death. I have not had an infant of mine die but this can be a trigger and guys I cried ugly tears.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit and Negalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Fantastic read!!
A real life adventures of two brothers
that are serial killers mixed with a
fictional romance between an
unlikely match.
This historical fictional read takes
place in the wilds of the Kentucky
frontier in the late 1790’s.
The storyline will grip the reader from
the beginning until the final word.
The book is extremely ably plotted
and skillfully written with characters
that will pull on the reader’s emotions.
Find out what happens with the brothers
and if the unlikely romance survives the
times.
A Very Highly Recommend Read!!!
I volunteered to read The Blue Cloak.
Thanks to Barbour Press for the opportunity.
My opinion is voluntary and my own.

5 Stars: 5/5 Star Rating
The horrors inflicted by the Harpes are unimaginable, and yet they are based on true facts, while the account is fictionalized. I was appalled even while compelled to continue reading. I simply could not fathom what drew Sally to Wiley Harpe to begin with, and yet I understood the sheer terror that held her there. And still, there is romance contained within the pages. Romance that leads the reader to hope.
Readers will likewise be drawn to this American crime fiction novel. I highly recommend it.
I received a digital ARC of this book from netgalley and Barbour Publishing. All opinions expressed are my own.

Evil Incarnate Leaves a Trail of Destruction across the Frontier


Book 5 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History



How many will die before peace can return to the frontier? Rachel Taylor lives a rather mundane existence in 1797 at the way station her family runs along the Wilderness Road in Tennessee. She attends her friend Sally Rice’s wedding only to watch the marriage dissolve into horror has the groom, Wiley Harpe, and his cousin Micajah become murderers on the run, who drag their families along. Declaring a “war on all humanity,” the Harpes won’t be stopped, and Ben Langford is on their trail to see if his own cousin was one of their latest victims.



My Thoughts: This is a story that will not be forgotten. This is book 5 in the True Color Series. It is almost hard to believe that this novel is based on a true story of two serial killers Micajah "Big" Harpe and Wiley "Little Harpe" These men wreaked havoc and fear to the people of Tennessee and Kentucky. Shannon McNear has done an excellent job bringing the novel the Blue Cloak alive to her readers. Based on events that happened in 1797 in the early days of Tennessee, we are introduced to a young woman on her wedding day, who had no idea what kind of life she was getting into. This is a novel that the reader will not want to put down. It's full of suspense, and not to forget the romance written into the story as well. There is something for everyone in this novel. For those who like historical fiction, this is for you as well.

The Blue Cloak
by Shannon McNear
Part of True Colors - Historical Stories of American Crime
Rating: 4/5

It's always interesting to me to go from reading about vampires and werewolves to historical fiction to regency and back again. I love how books open new worlds but also allow you to explore the past. The Blue Cloak is an unbelievable story that was difficult to put down. The research that went into this story is incredibly well done and the reader is transported back in time.

Rachel Taylor has lived a sheltered life on the frontier but after her recently married friend Sally leaves town suddenly, everything changes. Rachel moves to live with her brother and sister-in-law to help out since they just had a baby. It's there that she meets lawyer Benjamin Langford who was planning to meet up with his cousin. When they learn that his cousin was murdered and who the suspects are, Rachel is surprised to find that her friend Sally is among the accused. Determined to help and rescue her friend, Rachel enlists Ben's help to see justice for his cousin while still defending Sally's innocence.

Shannon McNear is a very talented author who can get you to laugh and cry and root for a hero. At the end of the book, she recounts her thoughts on what to include and what not to include. Warning: there may be some triggers in this book regarding a baby. The author struggled with including violent events but I think she did a good job of balancing it all. I can't imagine being in her shoes and having to discern what should be included. And through it all, there is a thread of faith and endurance. The characters must learn to trust God and pray for His help. Based on real events and people, the author sets her story in this uncertain, wild and untamed time on the frontier.

I highly recommend this book if you like historical fiction with some romance.

My thanks to the publisher, CelebrateLit, and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Set back in the years 1797 to 1798, this novel describes the story of the Harpes brothers, gruesome terror across Kentucky and Tennessee territory, and the three women bound to them. But as all historical novels go there is a romantic story intertwining itself between the pages. It begins in Knox County Tennessee, with Rachel Taylor admitting to herself, as she stands up for her best friend’s wedding, she is jealous. Jealous because she wants someone to be head over heels in love with her. But when she sees the groom Wiley’s best man eyeing her, something in her gut tells her something is a miss in this scenario. Their hair and clothes seem a bit grungy for this occasion. (the author writes, “Big” and “Little” Harpe, they were called, hereabouts. Micajah and Wiley were their proper names, for those concerned with proper. There seemed to be little enough of that about these two—“) but Rachel brushes it aside when she sees how happy the bride looks.
Her world doesn’t change until Benjamin Langford arrives at her uncles post, looking for supplies on his way to meet his cousin, Thomas Langford. Only to find he missed his cousin by a few days. As Rachel and him exchange pleasantries, a man walks into the post, relaying information about a young mans body being found up the road by the name of Thomas or Stephen Langford. They said the death is connected with a group of two men and three women seen in the area.
I enjoyed reading this novel as it brought back memories of eastern Tennessee, following the Battle of King's Mountain of 1780, in her book “Defending Truth.”
I received an early copy of this book through NetGalley, but my review is of my own volition.

Well when I snagged this one I did not realize it was a book five. That being said I still had a great time with this story but think it would have been better if I would have read the other four books. I loved the mystery and the romance and I can not wait to pick up the other four books to check them out. This book is not for the faint of heart!! But a total must read!

The Blue Cloak is part of Barbour's popular True Crime series. the Blue Cloak is the fictional story of the real serial killer brothers in the 1790's. The characters are well developed and the book will keep you reading. A warning, though, that this is much darker than most Christian Fiction.

I've just finished reading The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear. I really took my time with this book as it is not always an easy read. It relates a dark chapter of our nation's history, the murders committed by the Harpes in the late 1790s.

The addition of Rachel Taylor, a dear friend of Sally Rice, and her burgeoning romance with Ben Langford, cousin of one of the Harpe's victims helps to lighten the darkness as does their shared faith. Sally Rice, married off to Wiley Harpe is as much a victim as those the Harpe's murdered and terrified.

As a longtime fictional and true crime fan, I chose to read The Blue Cloak despite the needed trigger warnings. I thought I knew what I was in for, generally I did but for one incident that will stay with me forever. Truly, take the trigger warning seriously. I don't regret reading this book but because of the similarity of this incident to one I read about 14 years ago, I was doubly affected. The incident involves infanticide which is a trigger for me personally.

Mrs. McNear is a talented author and a skilled researcher. I would definitely read another of her books.

As with all the other books in this True Colors series, this one to focuses on a real life crime. It was also a bit darker then the others as well. This one is set in 1797 Tennessee where the Serial Killer duo – Harpe Brothers – go on a horrifying crime spree. There is also an author’s note at the end that talks about the original story and the crimes, which is very interesting.

There is a touch of romance woven throughout, which lighten a dark story a smidge. The setting and details really bring this story to life. While is found it an interesting read and an intriguing look into this snippet of history. The story itself was a bit difficult to read at times as it does cover some brutal topics. So, if you’re a more sensitive person, you may wish to skip this one.

Readers should take heed of the author’s warning at the beginning of The Blue Cloak. This is not an easy story to read, and I’m sure it was not an easy one for Shannon McNear to write. There are just some people in the world who are truly evil, and the Harpes were two of them.

That said, I learned a lot in this book about the horrendous acts the Harpe cousins committed against many people along the Wilderness Trail in Kentucky. McNear delves into this story in a way that, much like a traffic accident, it’s difficult to look away from. While there is no way she could have glossed over the atrocities these two men, dubbed America’s first serial killers, committed, the author does her best to describe without too much detail. Yet, there may be parts of the book that are hard to read.

My heart hurt for the situation Sally finds herself in. Rachel’s concern for her friend is evident throughout, and Ben’s search for the men who murdered his cousin keeps the story moving along.

Those looking for a romantic suspense heavy on the romance may want to look elsewhere. But if you’re looking for a gritty, well-researched (also well documented at the end of the book) read that delves into some lesser-known American history, this is the book for you.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I am really enjoying this series of books about historical true crimes. This story is a bit different in the fact that it is more along the lines of a western feel to me. The story focuses on Wiley and Micajah in 1797. I haven’t read very many books about this time period so I was very intrigued by the book. I could not believe that two men could cause such destruction in human life but they did it without remorse. They robbed, murdered, intimidated and showed no compassion for anyone. It was hard to read what these two men did to the three women they forced to stay with them.
The author portrays the characters with distinctive traits that jump off the pages. It was easy to sympathize with Sally because she is definitely a victim of abuse. I wanted to be there with her as she felt alone and unwanted. Her parents didn’t seem to care much and she felt that God had given up on her. I loved Rachel and how much compassion she had for Sally. Rachel never gave up on her and her prayers never stopped.
I did find the story at times to be a bit graphic and thought it could have been toned down some. The unnecessary descriptions of some of the murders made the story almost too much for me at times. I understand that the author wanted to present two characters that were evil but sometimes less is better.
I did like Ben and how he wanted to capture Wiley and Micajah. His faith was strong and I loved how he showed no fear. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to track these two men down knowing how dangerous they were. There is a very difficult part to read in the book about a baby. I heard myself gasp as the scene unfolded. I had to put the book down for awhile because I didn’t know if I could handle what was going to happen next. I will say the author does give details that are shocking and I wondered if I could handle much more. The ending is bittersweet but one thing is clear throughout the story; God will never leave you nor forsake you.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

McNear warns readers in the Introduction to her book that this is a darker novel than one usually sees in the Christian genre. But then, it is a novel based on the acts of America's first serial killers, the Harpes. The two men, brothers or first cousins, went on a killing rampage for several years in the late 1790s along the frontier in Tennessee. They killed men, women, children, burned homes, and more. They had with them three women. Two they had kidnapped. One, Sally, had legally married one of the Harpes, a marriage performed by her pastor father. She had no idea what she was getting into but found out all too soon.

This is a good historical novel. I am amazed how McNear wove together a fictional account around historical facts, facts she clarifies in a Historical Note at the end of the novel. She mentions how she had to separate fact from legend surrounding the Harpes. Records so old are often conflicting but I think she did a great job of creating an engaging narrative from the information she had.

Like McNear's warning at the beginning of the book, I'll warn sensitive readers. While there is nothing more gruesome than one sees on tv or in movies now, the murders and dismembering and other acts may be a surprise to readers of Christian historical fiction. Nothing is described in gruesome detail as McNear notes. She tried to portray the killings with as little detail as possible. But the evil deeds are there, nonetheless.

There is a strong Christian message permeating the plot. There are also many issues covered, such as Sally's misplaced loyalty to her husband, a loyalty firmly planted into women's heads during the time. This may not be the most pleasant novel of The True Color series I have read, but it is a good one.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

I am loving this series. I love reading about historical events in life through the eyes of a fiction book.

Please keep writing these stories - I'll definitely keep reading them!

My local book club read The Gray Chamber last month which introduced me to this series. I like the idea of historical fiction set around mysteries or injustices of the past. When I saw The Blue Cloak centered around (the first) serial killers, I knew I needed to read it, although I wasn't sure if it would deliver the same tense suspense in a book set during modern times. Evil has always existed and though the time period lacks our modern conveniences, evil still existed in cruel and unthinkable ways.
It can be hard to write historical fiction that feels as if it is a true account (or as true as can reasonably be expected with limited primary sources to pull from) and McNear has done that. She includes all the key historical players while telling the story from the viewpoint of two fictional characters. She also manages to weave faith and God's grace in multiple storylines.

I will definitely look for more books in this series as well as read more from McNear.

The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear is part of the True Colours series. It is a Christian historical novel and set in 1797.
Shannon McNear has woven her tale around true facts that are horrifying and evil. The novel concerns two serial killers who raped, tortured and murdered, spreading terror all around. They were depraved with three wives between them who were forced to stay through fear.
The atmosphere of terror has been perfectly captured by Shannon McNear as she relates a time of pure evil. This book is not for you if you are easily offended. The world is not always a nice place.
There were moments of light as characters looked to God through prayer. “Prayer is our best course under any circumstances.” Prayer is powerful, changing hearts and giving a peace that passes understanding.
No matter what we go through, God is ever present. “Lord, is it true? You really will never leave me or forsake me? Even now? Even – in this?” God will never leave us because He has promised to always be with us and He loves us.
The Blue Cloak was a fascinating yet horrifying read. Shannon McNear told a marvellous tale, making the reader very glad we were born centuries later. Pure evil reigned but God is faithful.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.