“A brave book, taking an almost forgotten piece of southern history and shining God’s redemptive light into the darkness. The Blue Cloak is pure historical suspense, well told, that will keep you on the edge of your seat until justice is served.”
–Laura Frantz, Christy Award–winning author of An Uncommon Woman
“With careful respect and diligent research, McNear uses a deft stroke to depict a terrible, dark piece of history. The writing is powerful, and the suspense had my gut clenched as I journeyed with these characters along the Wilderness Road. The Blue Cloak is masterful, historical suspense!”
–Ronie Kendig, best-selling author of The Tox Files
“A haunting story of innocence gone wrong, The Blue Cloak is a devastating account of a true eighteenth century killing spree. Author Shannon McNear handles the heart-wrenching details in a fashion that keeps you at the edge of your seat.”
–Michelle Griep, Christy Award–winning author of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series
“What happens when a triumph turns into a tragedy? That’s what daughter of a Baptist preacher Sally Rice Roberts (aka Harpe) must face when her recently baptized groom takes her home to a nightmare. The younger brother (or cousin) of Micajah Harpe, Wiley hasn’t been honest with Sally. The two men share three women and an ever-escalating spree of robbery and murder in Tennessee and Kentucky as they evade one search party after another in the waning days of the eighteenth century.
Shannon McNear handles a dark chapter of true history with her customary skill and tact, drawing redemption from the clutches of evil while illustrating the strength of the human spirit when undergirded by the power of prayer. Writing about actual historical characters is challenging at best. Shannon’s expertise shines in how realistically she’s done that. Rachel’s admirable burden for her lost friend makes her a compelling heroine. Along with Ben, you won’t rest—or be able to stop turning pages—until the guilty are brought to justice, Sally is returned, and Ben can find a home in Rachel’s arms.”
–Denise Weimer, LPC historical imprints managing editor and multi-published author of The Witness Tree
“Shannon McNear takes the hopelessly dark topic of historical serial killers Micajah and Wiley Harpe and weaves in the light of Christ. If you love true crimes from the past and yet want to see how good triumphs, don’t miss The Blue Cloak. Equal parts history, horror, suspense, redemption, and grace, this is a story not to be missed!”
–Jennifer Uhlarik, award-winning author of Sand Creek Serenade
“Shannon McNear has become one of my top favorite authors of historical fiction. Her ability to create a vivid, historically authentic world inhabited by a cast of memorable characters immediately draws me into her stories. Her latest release is no exception. The Blue Cloak sets the engaging romance of Rachel Taylor and Benjamin Langford amid the perils of the Kentucky frontier at the turn of the 1800s. Their love shines even more brightly against a dark backdrop based on the true story of a violent, years-long crime spree along the Wilderness Road by two brothers, Micajah and Wiley Harpe, and the three women who were forced to become their unwilling companions.
McNear weaves in real details of the violence sparingly to illustrate the depth of their evil but without overwhelming readers. She also portrays with tender compassion the emotional and mental torment of the women the brothers controlled.
Fascinating notes at the end of the book detail the historical facts the story is based on. I was especially touched by the words of Corrie ten Boom, cited at the beginning, on which the story’s theme is based: ‘There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.’ The Blue Cloak illustrates this precious truth in a deeply moving way that left me humbled by the undeserved grace poured out to all of us weak and wayward sinners.”
–J. M. Hochstetler, author of the American Patriot Series and coauthor with Bob Hostetler of the Northkill Amish Series