The Blue Cloak by Shannon McNearMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am enjoying the True Colors Series, reading about history in a fictionalized story is so interesting and historical fiction has always been my favorite genre. The twist here is the story is based on an actual crime or criminals, so it gives it a fascinating twist.
The Blue Cloak starts out ominous with the wedding of Sally to one of the Harpe brothers. Rachel, Sally's friend has a weird feeling as she shares her fear from just one look from the other Harpe, giving us the idea this isn't going to end well. This story is based on a gruesome murdering spree performed by these brothers (or cousins) that begins in the frontier of Tennessee in 1797.
The details about the time period and the setting were so well done I could picture the places and the scenery as well as getting a feel for the way of life at the time.
Rachel helps tend her parents store and meets Ben Langford, whose cousin was just a murdered along the trail and it's suspected at the hands of the Harpes. Ben was coming to join his cousin and then is thrown in to seeking justice.
The refreshing bits of tenderness and beginning romance of Ben and Rachel always comes at time you need that in the book.
I loved the story despite the gruesome details and it's shocking that this actually happened. I appreciate the details of the story despite not really wanting to know them, but to keep true to the facts it had to be told, just enough detail to feel the heinousness and fear and to feel what it was like to live at that time.
What kept Rachel going was her prayer, realizing that God hears us in all things, she prays for her friend Sally thrown into this awful life with no way of escape, and for the safety of Ben.
Definitely a good read, kept me on my toes wanting to know how and when the violence would come to an end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
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