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.

The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Shannon McNear’s latest historical story is one based on true events and people and will certainly keep readers engaged until the very last page.

I’m going to put a disclaimer at the beginning of this review – this book contains some very heavy content and should be read by mature readers only. That is not to say that this is not a clean book but that themes and material covered in it are not for younger readers. Personally, I found this to be the best book I’ve read so far this year. It had excellent writing, very well crafted characters and a plot line that was extremely engaging. The story begins with a young woman named Rachel Taylor who is attending the wedding of her best friend to a man Rachel is not sure is suitable. He and his mysterious cousin have no ties to the area and although they appear to be upright men, Rachel cannot help having an ominous feeling about them. But her friend Sally seems happy with her match and Rachel tries to be cheerful, even giving Sally the gift of a beautiful blue cloak to mark the special occasion. As Sally leaves, Rachel heads to her brothers nearby general store to help him and his wife with the store and new baby. Rachel doesn’t see Sally often and soon becomes concerned for her friend’s safety. Sally never imagined that the man who claimed to love her so much could have lied about his life. When she arrives home with him and his cousin, she discovers two women already there who, to her incredible horror, are the shared “wives” of the two men. Soon learning she will become the third such wife, Sally’s hopes for a wonderful home of her own are dashed in the wake of the cruelty of the men. So begins the most terrifying two years of her life. Benjamin Langford and his cousin Thomas are setting off to find their futures along the Cumberland Road. Thomas is looking to settle down and Benjamin wants to practice law in a place that is not so crowded. Thomas sets off first with the understanding that Benjamin will follow after a few weeks to give Thomas a chance to make a go on his own. Benjamin arrives at the Taylor General Store along the Road, looking for shelter and supplies before he heads out to find Thomas. While there, devastating news of his cousin’s gruesome murder is delivered, sparking Ben’s need to go after the killers. But his cousin is not the only victim and he soon learns of a posse that will set out in search of the suspected killers, the Harpe cousins. Rachel cannot believe that the man that Sally married is a co-conspirator in such terrible crimes. She suspected them of being different but is heartbroken to know that her friend is in the company of such awful men. The following months will bring a subsequent search for the two men as they make their way up and down the Cumberland Road, killing many more innocents. Rachel longs to help but cannot do anything more than pray – her most used weapon in the fight for her friend’s life. The unexpected capture of the Harpes and their women gives Rachel a chance to speak to Sally again. Unfortunately, the men escape, leaving the women to be the only ones to be tried for the crimes. Their subsequent release after being found “not guilty” will set off another more dangerous set of events that leads to more innocents killed. Rachel turns to Benjamin for help to find her friend once again and see if they can get Sally away from these cruel people. Benjamin sets off with one posse after another as they search for the crazed killers. The culmination of the search will leave several dead, many sickened by what they witnessed and a weary Benjamin bringing hope to Rachel with Sally’s rescue. I loved every chapter of this incredible story. There was so much happening at all times but it was so well written that I didn’t get lost. I felt frustration, anger, sadness, shock, love and relief right along with the characters and could not put the book down until I finished it. Ms. McNear was very realistic and honest with the crimes that the brothers committed and I was glad she was. It was a hard book to read at times but I loved the way the story was crafted. You couldn’t help but feel elation when the killers were captured and anger when they escaped. And Sally’s part of the story was so pitiable that you wanted to despair alongside her. The part about her baby was the most shocking part of the book but it gave Sally a real reason to finally leave the Harpes. The spiritual side of the book was very well done as well with prayer being central to the main characters existence. It wasn’t overly pious or righteous, rather it was real, raw and honest as one would expect in such tough circumstances. The main characters love story was nicely woven into the rest of the story and gave me something positive to remember in the midst of all the unfortunate happenings. I will certainly be recommending this book to others but with the above warning that it is for older readers. I look forward to purchasing my own copy for my shelves and would like to reread the book and discover other things I might have missed the first time.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Wow. The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear is another great addition to the True Colors series of historical stories of American Crime written by a variety of authors. The author draws the reader in immediately, as in the first few pages she describes the 1797 Tennessee wedding of a sweet young preacher's daughter to a fidgety, young man who was considerably less than proper for those concerned with proper. Instead of finding herself on the primrose path of married life, Sally finds herself on a dark path with dangerous and ruthless individuals. I loved the suspense as Sally lives out her heartbreaking and horrifying life with the Harpe brothers. Interest was kept high with the intensity of her experience, and wondering how in the world will she get out of these awful circumstances, or even will she get out alive. Would the nightmare ever end and justice prevail? The characters are realistic and either likable, relatable, or despicable. The dialogue flowed seamlessly without sounding forced. The story pulls on the reader’s emotions, shock, horror, anger, sorrow, and compassion. It is a book that kept my interest, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

This was a tough story.  It must have been difficult for McNear to write.  It is the history of some very evil activity along the Wilderness Road in eastern Tennessee in the late 1700s.  Wiley Harpe marries and takes his bride to live with him and his cousin and two other women.  They then terrorize the entire area, declaring war on all mankind in the area.  

This story is well-researched and well-written.  It told the story well without being overly graphic.  It isn't light reading, but well worth your time.

The Blue Cloak
By
Shannon McNear


Intrigue, shocking and the unknown is how I would describe "The Blue Cloak". "The Blue Cloak" is a great addition to the " True Colors - Historical Stories of American Crime.

My thoughts - The thought that this actually happened is hard to believe. I feel Shannon McNear did a well written book with a lot of research. It helped for me to understand the content in this book by the information at the beginning.The author did give a note at the beginning to let people know that this might be a trigger for some.

I would recommend a 4 out of 5 because it was very hard to read, but it is true.

I will recommend this book to family and friends.

I received this complimentary copy from Barbour and am under no obligation to write a review.

Based on The Harpe brothers, who might very well have been America's first serial killers, Blue Cloak should have been a fastpaced read. At least, those are the kind of books I prefer when I'm reading a suspense novel or even true crime (although based on really people, this book is a fictional novel). I thought the baseof the story was interrsting, butthe slow moving plot did not retain my interest. I hadn't previously heard of the Harpe Brothers though so now I am aware of an interesting (albeit horrid) piece of American history.

Wish I had gotten more drama from this book. Being that it is based on true crime I felt like it really could have used an amp up in the storytelling department. Feels like it could have been more captivating.

The Blue Cloak is part of the True Colors series which are based on true criminal activity in the United States! The late 1700s history is interesting! Three of the main characters are very well written: Sally Rice who marries a new convert in her father's church, Rachel who is concerned for the welfare of her friend, and Ben who seeks the murderers of his cousin. Sally's husband and his brother (or cousin) turn out to be brutal men who laugh about murdering many people and committing atrocious crimes. While the book was interesting and I learned history that I never knew, the Harpes were so evil and brutal that I would have a hard time recommending it to friends. I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

This tragic haunting story through the rough wilderness, supplied with suspense, historical facts, along with shocking nightmarish events, opens in the late seventeen hundreds, in Knox County, Tennessee, with Rachel Taylor at her friend Sally Rice's wedding. Rachel felt concern for Sally, because of the way Micajah glared at her, like a hungry wolf looking at its prey right before the kill. She wanted Sally to be happy. Would she find that with Wiley?

After the wedding, on their way home, while she and Wiley were talking, suddenly Sally started feeling a little frightened, and wondered why, then shrugged it off. Should she heed that fearful warning? Will Rachel and Ben, in their efforts to try and help Sally, be drawn into the evil too?

At that time, Kentucky, Tennessee, and a few surrounding states were comprised with a lot of wilderness area that had yet to be explored. In Kentucky alone, there are over three hundred caves, and high mountains thick with deep dark forests, which, had yet to be explored. there was also sparse housing and neighbors lived miles apart from each other, and some places could only be reached by walking or riding a horse. So there were a lot of places that these people could hide out from a posse.

Shannon McNear, and her excellent skills with research and details showed through each nail-biting page, and this made THE BLUE CLOAK even more thrilling as evil wondered through the frontier, seeking out victims. How long will this evil go on before the people can fill safe again and be able to lay down their heads to rest at night?

When I read what had happened to one small victim in Chapter fifteen, it actually made me gasp, I was so sad. I had to put the book down for a few minutes before I could go on reading. The details were so gruesome. There were also other parts that were shocking, but that one really grabbed at my heart. This historical crime story will stay with you long after you put the book down. A recommended five star read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Warning: I would not recommend this book to younger or sensitive readers due to the nature of the crimes mentioned in this book. Even though the author gave just enough information (no detailed description) it could still be too much for certain readers.

Even though this book was about serial killers and their crimes, the author did a great job of balancing the dark crimes with hope and faith through Racheal and Ben.

My heart broke for Sally and the situation she found herself in. There was one scene that totally broke me. Even though she experienced darkness and hopelessness, she still held on to her faith and that God will help her.

Ben and Rachel’s relationship was a sweet development and both characters had personal hurdles they had to overcome before they could truly be free to commit to each other. I also loved how their hope, faith and prayers broke light through the darkness of the crimes.

I would recommend this book to readers who like shows like criminal minds.

Where is God when you live through Hell? 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I read Shannon McNear's Riveting, Historical, Christian, Romantic Suspense Novel, "The Blue Cloak", as the Corona Virus continued to spread around the world. I came away from it, with Hope for the Future! I'll tell you why in this Review.

This Story is Fiction, but it's based on True Facts that happened in Frontier Tennessee & Kentucky in the late 1790s. The 2 Harpe Cousins/Brothers terrorized/murdered many people along the "Wilderness Road". These fugitives lived & traveled together, with their 3 wives.

Rachel & Ben meet, & fall in 💗 in the midst of these murders. Lawyer, Ben feels he needs to help bring the Harpe Brothers to Justice. Rachel & Ben seek God's help, protection, & strength, as tragedy after tragedy occurs. I Highly Recommend You Read this Engrossing Story, to find out how God Brings Justice to the Harpe Family, as Ben & Rachel make it to their Frontier Forever 💞!

I appreciated the Sensitivity SM used in this Novel! It reminded me of Psalm 23's promise: "Ya though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." Ben & Rachel kept bombarding Heaven for God's Help to see them through to Victory; they persevered! It Reminded me, that I don't have to let Fear Overwhelm me! I can look to the future with Hope! The Corona Virus Pandemic will be Conquered by God! ❤️📖

True crime + historical fiction + Christian romance = fantastic. The Blue Cloak is another installment in a series published by Barbour, all bringing actual events from American history to life, and I read a NetGalley preview e-copy of the novel. (Here’s an article about the series.) I read a NetGalley preview copy of The White City and loved it (see my review here), but I somehow missed the releases of The Pink Bonnet (historical background similar to Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate), The Gray Chamber, and The Yellow Lantern. They’re on my to-read list now, for sure, and they’d be excellent purchases for my school library where I have many true crime readers and teachers who assign historical fiction for quarterly choice reading.

What I liked:

The omniscient 3rd person narrator sets up an exciting plot. As events unfold, the reader sees through one character’s perspective, then another’s, then another’s — all building up suspense and tension.
The characters are rather flat in their development, but they’re still intriguing in their predictability. I wish I could’ve known more about the backstory behind the two women traveling with Sally, and I want to know more about what all 3 of the women did with their lives after the novel ends.
Wow, she tackled a difficult historical topic! In spite of my love of historical fiction and history in general, I had never heard of the Harpes. Now I’ll be looking for other books/resources about them.
I wouldn’t say I “liked” this aspect, necessarily, but I always want the books I read to make me FEEL, and this one does. None of the plot events were a true surprise because I was reading up on the real history ahead of where I was in the book, but it made me cry nonetheless as I watched the events through the characters’ eyes.
What I didn’t love:

Normally, I love a good romance and it will drive me to read through any book, but in this case, the romance was far less compelling for me than the hunt for the Harpes. The romance felt almost too basic and predictable.
At some points, the shifting-narrators setup leads to some gaps in the timeline. The flow between watching the Harpes commit a crime and watching the pursuit doesn’t always go smoothly or connect clearly. Of course, maybe that’s part of the intended effect; Sally’s life most certainly wasn’t connecting smoothly.
Verdict: Yes, buy it/check it out/whatever!

The Blue Cloak was pretty interesting. However, I did find it a little dark in places. Sad to realize that this book is based off of a true story.

The True Colors series are a reader's dream. Really great stories by authors who have researched the back stories and are obviously readers themselves. The Blue Cloak is written around a series of horrific murders committed by the Harpe Bros just for the fun of it. These murders took place in the late 1700's when crimes had to be graphically violent to be recorded since print materials were scarce. The author includes information on her research which make a great book even better. If you have not read the True Colors series, you are seriously under privileged.

****Review****

Warning this book has contents some will find disturbing.

I love this series and I was ecstatic when they came to me to other this book without me asking. The one thing bad I say is this book should have a contents warning, some of the writing containing young children and babies may upset some.

This is another book I will be keeping so I can re-read it at a later date. With most books with several main characters it usually hard to read because it doesn’t flow with the rest its just a mishmash but this one flows and I hope to read more from this author and publisher.

Thank you to Netgalley/Shannon McNear/ Bourbon Publishing Inc for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Received this book through Net Gallery to read and review! This was a fantastic story of mystery,drama,murder and love,what more do you need? Back in the late 1700's,the story plays out in Virginia ,Tenn. And Kentucky about two horrible men called the Harps or last name Roberts, they are on a killing spree of anyone who comes in their way or just for the fun of it! I didn't know until the end of the story that this is a really true story!They take their terror of killing through the hills of Kentucky and Tenn with three women and then three babies! Ben from Virginia, who's cousin was killed by these men, he goes after them full time.Ben tries to help Rachel who he is falling in love with help her find Sally who is married to one of these killers and get her to leave and go back home to stay but he has to find All of them first! Are they ever found and stopped ??The adventures he has tracking theses men,you go with him and hope against hope he succeeds! In the story you start to relate to All of the characters and feel their struggles of just trying to survive in the untamed hills of Kentucky and then on top of it all,you have two killers on the lose. So much research and history went into this story and you can tell it by the excellent story telling and writing. You will really enjoy this book and how it was written,the characters come to life for you and you really feel like you are right there with them on the adventures of finding and tracking down these two men and feel how these women who were forced to go with them,and the aftermath of sorrow the family had once they found out what happened to one of many of their love ones who died at the hands of these two monsters!! I don't usually do 5 stars but to me it so deserves more! The only thing that got me was I never ever thought they would find these men or did they? Read the book!