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    The Blue Cloak
    The Blue Cloak
    The Blue Cloak
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Blue Cloak

    Written by Shannon McNear

    Narrated by Kate Forbes

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Evil incarnate leaves a trail of destruction across 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 as 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.

    How many will die before peace can return to the frontier?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMar 1, 2020
    ISBN9781980047223
    Author

    Shannon McNear

    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.

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    Reviews for The Blue Cloak

    4.5/5

    34 ratings12 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Experience the wilderness and brutality of the eighteenth-century frontier in Shannon McNear’s The Blue Cloak.Throughout the area, the Harpes satisfy their murderous inclinations and create havoc, uncertainty, and terror. Rachel Taylor’s friend, Sally Rice, recently became wife to Wiley Harpe, while Ben Langford’s cousin fell victim to the killing spree. With clear reasons to want justice, they grapple with the evil lurking around them, do what they can to put an end to it, and even find hope amidst the tragedy.The Blue Cloak brings to life an astounding piece of history I had never heard before, and seeing it play out kept me intrigued. The Harpes exemplify the challenge of keeping evil in check, and yet, through it all, God works and brings about good. It is a solid historical-fiction story—even if the writing felt a little distant from it, at times—and look forward to exploring more True Colors crimes.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
    • 4/5
      The old saying truth is stranger than fiction is alive and well with The Blue Cloak. This fictional account of the first serial killers in American history draws on the account of the Harpes, two brothers (or cousins) who terrorized the people of Tennessee and Kentucky in the late 1790s. Modern-day murderers had nothing on these ruthless men. Shannon McNear does a great job of balancing the evil that lived in their actions with the faith and determination of those seeking to bring them to justice. The novel is a bit dark, but the graphic details are kept at a minimum. I admit to googling while reading this book — and McNear has the facts down while creating two wonderful fictional main characters that kept the story going as well as bringing light to an otherwise dark tale. And it is that balance that makes this book very readable. True crime can be gruesome, but with McNear’s narrative the reader sees that good always triumphs. I found the story incredible and riveting — I never dreamed that such things occurred in our nation’s early history. But there is never anything new under the sun, and evil exists at all times. It is good to read a story where justice prevailed and redemption reigned.If you like history (McNear pays attention to details) and true crime, then I recommend The Blue Cloak to you. You won’t be about to put it down!Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      Barbour’s True Colors series always has me anticipating the release of the next installment, and each story seems more intriguing than the last. True crime is a genre that I have watched on television as well as read about, and although I can’t remember exactly which medium provided the information, I’m sure that I’ve heard of the Harpes before, although the details are extremely hazy. Due to having some medical background and chronic illnesses, descriptions of bodies tend not to bother me as much as the next person, so in my case that is not a deterrent. This book does include content that some readers may find disturbing insomuch as to make them want to avoid reading it, but these passages are few and far between and are handled tactfully, without sensationalized graphic details. As usual, the pop of color (blue, in this case) on the otherwise monochromatic background infuses life and dimensionality into the cover.A horrifying look at the two brothers who are considered by many to be America’s first serial killers, Shannon McNear’s “The Blue Cloak” is a book that will stay with you after turning the last page. The first third of the story is, in my opinion, a bit more slow-paced, with exposition and character development, but that is certainly not to say that it is lacking in activity, which becomes apparent later on. From the beginning, Sally Rice’s wedding to Wiley Harpe felt wrong, but unfortunately in the late eighteenth century along the Wilderness Road in Tennessee, the threat can remain hidden for a long time. Rachel Turner is a godly heroine, relying on prayer and trusting God to work in all situations. As an employee of her family’s trading post business along the Wilderness Road, she also represents a working woman who does everything that she can for those she loves. Her work, and that of lawyer Ben Langford, serves to not only seek out justice but also to bring the hope and love of God to even the most desolate. In times such as these, this message is all the more important; may we be lighthouses guiding the lost to the safe shores of the Savior’s arms. I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed reading this story but it seemed a little choppy in places. I loved the characters of Ben and Rachel. It was hard to read about some of the things that the Harpe brothers did but it is not hard to believe that there are people out there that are that horrible. I received a copy of this book from Barbour publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
    • 5/5
      This is a Christian historical fiction true crime novel taking place from 1797 to 1804, mainly set in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. It tells the horrifying story of the real-life Harpes, Wiley and Micajah, America's first serial killers, from the points of view of Sally (the preacher's daughter who unwittingly married Wiley and was pulled into a living nightmare), Rachel (the best friend of Sally who was at her ill-fated wedding), and Ben (the Virginia lawyer who traveled West vowing to revenge the death of his cousin at the hands of the Harpes, falling in love with Rachel along the way).This book was well-written, moving, and captivating. One part even made me cry, which is very rare for a book and attests to its emotional pull. I am glad I read it, and I highly recommend it to others. Never before have I heard the story of the Harpes, but this book told the true story in a fascinating fictionalized manner that was hard to put down. Five stars!Warning: this book is written from a Christian perspective, but it still contains some graphic mature material that is not for the young or squeamish.
    • 5/5
      This isn't the first book that I've read by this author but it is certainly one that I will long remember! The Blue Cloak is historical fiction and some may consider it hard to read but in the end, it is a story that proves God's providence in our lives. McNear has based her book on true facts that occurred in Tennessee and Kentucky during a two year span that began in 1797. Two men known as Big and Little Harpe began a reign of murder and terror and took with them three women who were victims themselves. These women were accused of these heinous crimes but were ultimately acquitted of any wrongdoing. Their punishment had certainly been in the treatment that they themselves endured. This was a time when frontier settlements were miles apart and it took months to receive news and McNear clearly shows the fear and uncertainty along the Wilderness Road. The Harpes have been called some of America's first serial killers and she explains in her author's notes how she struggled with presenting these true facts in her fictional story. She admits that she considered giving the project up because of the truly evil deeds of these two men but she decided to show that "God is truly stronger than evil". As I read McNear's account, I found myself wanting to stop but unable to do so. Yes, there is violence but the author avoids offending readers and through it all, she is quick to remind us that there were Godly people praying for guidance and for God's protection as they feverishly worked to stop this evil. I also appreciated that she shows forgiveness as a central theme through it all.The Blue Cloak is the latest book in The True Colors Crime series from Barbour Publishing and I am giving it 5 stars. It is beautifully written and McNear's attention to historical detail and her efforts to share God's presence in her story makes it a wonderful historical Christian novel. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
    • 5/5
      THE BLUE CLOAK (True Colors Series, Historical Stories of American Crime)By: Shannon McNearForm: PaperbackPages: 256Published: 3/1/2020Isbn: 1643523147Publisher: Barbour BooksReviewed by: mrsboone4, Green Forest, AR USADate: 3/3/2020Rating: 5 StarsSally Rice is a minister's daughter. She and a young man are caught in a compromising position and they have to get married. She loves Wiley Harpe, her new husband. Her childhood as a minister's daughter in no way prepared her for the horrible life she will live with her husband, his brother Micajah and two additional women.Sally thinks that she and Wiley are on their way home, where they will live and she will keep house and raise their babies. She is sadly mistaken. Wiley has them meet up with his older brother Micajah and two other women-one of whom Micajah later marries up with. Then, Micajah informs her that He will share her, Sally also! Sally is horrified. She has no other choice. The other two women Susan and Betsey were kidnapped as young pre-teen girls and held by these two evil men. They tell Sally to submit to both men and keep her mouth shut, don't complain and you will live.Micajah and Wiley decide to start murdering anyone whom they come into contact with. Everyone is advised on the Wilderness Trail, to join up with another group to prevent and deter crime against the settlers on the Wilderness Trail. But, what happens when you unknowingly join up with the wild Harpe Brothers? You will be hacked to pieces and all of your belongings stolen, even your clothes and your horse.Sally's girlhood friend Rachel gives her a lovely blue cloak for a wedding gift. Rachel's family owns several trading posts along the Wilderness Trail. Rachel gives Sally a hug and tells her that she is praying for her. That's all Sally has to hold onto, as she is carried off into the wilds of Tennessee.Ben's cousin Thomas is not very responsible and Thomas ends up being murdered by the Harpe Brothers. Ben stops in at a trading post and asks about joining up with a posse who is going after the murderers. He is gone a long time. Eventually, Micajah is killed. The women are rescued. Ben continues his hunt for Wiley. Ben and Rachel fall in love. Wiley is eventually captured and killed as well.It is all very hard for Sally and Rachel, because neither ever thought that Sally would be involved with this class of fiends.Exciting story. Ms. McNear has done extensive historical research to get the information she needed to tell all about the Harpe Brothers.Many thanks to Barbour Books for the complimentary copy and I was under no obligation to post a review.
    • 5/5
      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
    • 5/5
      There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still. Corrie ten BoomThis 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.
    • 4/5
      Title: The Blue Cloak (True Colors) Author: Shannon McNearPages: 256Year: 2020Publisher: BarbourMy rating: 4 out of 5 stars.The Blue Cloak is not a read for those who find it difficult to read about horrific, tragic but historically true tales of crimes committed. The author did do a good job writing a tale with the facts she discovered about the Harpe brothers in the year 1797. The story takes place in Tennessee when Rachel attends her friend’s wedding to one of the Harpe brothers; yet, there is something weird that Rachel feels when she is around the groom.Sally is Rachel’s friend and what goes on with and around Sally will remain with a reader long after they finish the book. I found it interesting to note that even the author struggled with writing the book after her research reveals just how “rough” the Harpe brothers were as serial killers in the late 1700s to early 1800s. The readers may find that when they complete the book, they have strong feelings and questions about faith, and I encourage them to see the hope that only can be found in God. As I read, the picture that kept coming to mind is that the light shines brightest against the blackest backdrop. Evil is ugly and there is no way around that, but somehow God brings good from it and turns it from ashes to beauty.Audiences can separate fact from fiction in the author’s notes at the back of the book. One cannot read a book such as this and not be touched in some way. Maybe there are readers who can separate themselves from the tale while reading, but I found that impossible. The author does a fantastic job of handling sensitive information delicately. There may be scenes that disturb readers so just be aware of that if you choose to read the book.While the Harpes eventually face justice, it didn’t change the outcome, or the lives destroyed by their actions. This reader takes comfort in knowing that somehow hope sustains us in our darkest times even when we have questions without answers.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.