The Blue Cloak

Shannon McNear

Mar 2020 · Barbour Publishing

About this ebook

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History
 
True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.
 
Based on real events beginning in 1797 — Rachel Taylor lives a rather mundane existence at the way station her family runs along the Wilderness Road in Tennessee. She attends her friend’s wedding only to watch it dissolve in horror has the groom, Wiley Harpe, and his cousin 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. How many will die before peace can return to the frontier?
 

Ratings and reviews

The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear is a Christian Historical True Crime story of romantic suspense. The author has a disclaimer at the beginning of the book because of all the disturbing details of this true crime. While the evil, sin, and crimes are distressing I felt that the evil characters were much the same as today. God never changes or forsakes us but the world, the flesh and devil will be present until Jesus Christ returns. The Blue Cloak is my favorite in the Christian Historical True Crime stories and may turn out to be my favorite Christian book this year. I loved the scripture, the prayers and the characters dependence on God in every circumstance. I also enjoyed the history and places since this is the part of the world I love the most. The Historical Notes included in this book are also the best because of the concise explanations and references. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Plus Stars

There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still. Corrie ten Boom This book is not for the faint of heart. Reading about horrific crimes that have really happened never is easy to digest. The author has done a wonderful job of leaving most of the gory detail for us to imagine as we would or would not like. The True Colors series brings us true stories of American crime, while all are awful none perhaps so much as America’s first serial killers. Nowadays there would be a great deal stated about the early years of the Harpe brothers and how that shaped them to do what they did. Perhaps that is the case, but I think there were dark forces at work that only the Light could penetrate and change. The story starts with the wedding of Sally to Wiley Harpe. Of the many gifts given, the gorgeous blue cloak was a true gift of love from Rachel to her best friend Sally. This blue cloak travels through many horrors before it finally returns to its place of origin. Totally unaware of what she was getting into, Sally leaves with her new husband for a life she could never have imagined. I think the hardest thing to read about was the apparent enjoyment the Harpes received by murdering innocent people. The fact that there really are no circumstances so terrible or hopeless that His love cannot reach us gives us, as it gave Sally, the courage to go on. The Light truly is greater than the dark! This incredible book was received through Barbour Publishing, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. All comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

I absolutely loved The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNear. It is an inspirational historical suspense novel based on true events and a book you definitely don't want to miss. Rachel and Ben meet under very unfortunate circumstances when his cousin his murdered by the Harpe cousins who are thought to have been the very first American serial killers. Rachel's best friend had married Wiley Harpe about an year and half before they went on their killing spree. Rachel believed that Sally was being held against her will and needed help getting away from her husband and she intended to help while Ben tried to do everything he could to see that his cousin's killers were brought to justice. I'm not only looking forward to reading more books in this series, but also by Shannon McNear. I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

About the author

Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in Charleston, South Carolina, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, grammie of two, and a member of ACFW and RWA. Her first novella, Defending Truth in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® finalist. When she’s not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies. Connect with her at www.shannonmcnear.com, or on Facebook and Goodreads.