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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

The Blue Cloak Review

by Chautona Havig · 12 Comments

The Blue Cloak, book five in the True Colors series, has a grisly history. But what did I think about the frontier murderers? Well... via @chautonahavig

She didn’t like it. After having read one of the other books in the series, I was certain she would love The Blue Cloak. But Mom had strong opinions on the book–it didn’t make sense, she said. The crime spree had no impetus, as far as she could see.  And several other elements bothered her.

These surprised me. After all, my mom is used to reading secular fiction without concern for content. So when she didn’t like a book I had been anxiously looking forward to, I wondered what I’d think. Would I like it?

I am here to tell you…

I don’t know.

See, I knew this review was due today. I was so looking forward to reading it last night. I’d sit on the new sofa at the Lighthouse, kick back, put on some lovely music, and read.

So, I got down to the Lighthouse, made a couple of videos for my publisher, and then went to retrieve the book.  I hadn’t brought it. It was at home in my bedroom on the shelf.

I thought. 

But when I went home to get it… it wasn’t there on the shelf after all. It’s still in my mother’s room–you know, that place where she’s asleep even as I write this.

I have this thing. When I can’t find a book I’ve agreed to review, or I leave one at home, I tend to just go buy it. After all, I requested this thing–gave my word that I’d have a review up by today. I’m not required to, by law, but my word does mean something to me.  Sigh.

I went to buy the book.  The Kindle version is over 12.00.  Ouch. I couldn’t bring myself to spend just sixty-five cents less than it would have cost me to buy a paperback–a paperback I already own.

So, for now, my review is this. I have been looking forward to this book for months. My mother, who likes stories like this, didn’t–like it, I mean. I’m even more eager to read it now, but my conviction of how much I’ll like it isn’t there anymore. We’ll see.

The Blue Cloak

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And Having Read It, I Know Even Less 

Some books are crazy easy to review. You immediately connect with the protagonist, love to hate the villain, and are drawn into the story like nobody’s business. Easy peasy.

The Blue Cloak, however, left me staring at the book, not knowing how to respond. I usually follow Amazon’s old rubric of “loved it, liked it, okay, didn’t like it, hated it.”  That doesn’t work for this one.  I didn’t like the book, but the author did her job well.  You see, I don’t think anyone should like this book.  Some books are like that, you know?

Especially since this is the story of true crime–real people who died in senseless, horrifying ways simply because two men felt like it.

I can’t compare this book to the others in the series. It’s not right to compare one book to another. Each book needs to stand on its own merit, and this one has a lot going for it.

For the most part, the writing is solid. Ms. McNear made people I wish hadn’t lived come alive on the page. That takes skills. On the other hand, the characters she created are necessary to the story, but I always felt like they didn’t let me in.

Still, that might be a good thing, actually. I mean, we’re talking about characters who have seen the brutality of mankind at its worst, fear for their friends, and fear for their own lives in trying to put a stop to heinous crimes. What felt like the desire for more from them might just be genius.

So, yeah. I can’t say I like this book.

But that leaves the question of did the author tell the story she was given to tell well? Considering I dreaded turning every page that deal with the horrible Harp men, I’d say she did. If it hadn’t been true crime, I would have considered the glee the men displayed with each killing to be way over the top. Instead, she actually managed to draw hope from me–hope that the younger Harp might have repented eventually.

One thing Ms. McNear definitely demonstrated was that brutality begets brutality. It’s an ugly, ugly thing.

in the end, I’ll say this. Ms. McNear did a good job of showing the horror of those years and the senselessness of their crimes. She took the crime she chose to expose and made us feel the horror of that era, the hopelessness of the women trapped in such a terrible life, and the relief when it all ended. And she did it well.

But again, no. I didn’t like the book. by the old rubric, that should mean a 2-star rating, but that’s not right. The Blue Cloak is better than that. So, this doesn’t follow my usual grading scale. I’m saying four because I can’t decide if the created characters are done crazy well or if they leave something wanting. I just don’t know.

The Blue CloakAbout the Book

Book:  The Blue Cloak

Author: Shannon McNear

Genre:  Christian Historical/Suspense

Release Date: March, 2020

Evil Incarnate Leaves a Trail of Destruction across the Frontier

Book 5 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

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 has 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?

 

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Comments

  1. Florence Wright says

    July 9, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    I hear every word you are saying about this book. It was horrible and good at the same time. I did like the way she wrote. I think I found it kind of a relief to not be too “inside” the heads of the characters, especially the poor lady who got stuck in that nightmare life.

    Reply
    • Florence Wright says

      July 9, 2020 at 12:02 pm

      I just realized I commented before, but that was before you got your review inserted OR maybe I missed your review the first time, not sure now.

      Reply
  2. Florence Wright says

    April 20, 2020 at 8:21 am

    As a story, I loved it!!!! As history it was horrendous!! The writing and issues it brings up are amazing, but the backdrop .. as we say in NJ “fuhgedaboutit”!!! Terrible!! awful and horrible all in one big ugly ball. (apparently, I’m not NJ enough, because Grammarly had to provide me with correct spelling options for “fuhgedaboutit”. pfft.

    Reply
  3. Kathy Jacob says

    April 9, 2020 at 7:42 pm

    Agreed. The author did what she did well. The whole scenario was horrifying.

    Reply
  4. Caryl Kane says

    March 25, 2020 at 9:53 am

    I’ve been enjoying this series! Thank you for participating in the tour.

    Reply
  5. Vivian Furbay says

    March 25, 2020 at 2:27 am

    What an interesting story! I really enjoy historical fiction and this sounds like a good one.. I would like to know what happens to these two brothers and their families when they are on the run.

    Reply
  6. Emma says

    March 24, 2020 at 8:58 pm

    I hope I remember to come back and look for your review when you read this one! I’ve read a couple others in the series and really enjoyed them, but decided I didn’t want to read this because it sounded too gory for me. I’m quite curious about your reaction to it, though.

    Reply
  7. Shannon McNear says

    March 24, 2020 at 6:52 pm

    You know what? I’m not surprised … and not offended, either, not a bit. (Your mom is right–there was no rational motive behind these crimes.) And I don’t blame you for not buying it on Kindle! Thank you so much for featuring my story anyway, and for taking part on the tour. 🙂 And I’d love to hear your thoughts when you do actually get around to reading it.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      March 24, 2020 at 10:36 pm

      I have it down at the Lighthouse with me right now. I should be able to give my .02 on this one in the morning.

      I think for me it won’t be about whether I think the crimes made sense but what you did with the story of them. And I’m glad you weren’t offended at Mom. She’s blunt, but she really is kind. 🙂

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        March 26, 2020 at 10:14 am

        Hey, I have family like that! ? And I don’t mind honesty. I’m looking forward to it!

        Reply
  8. Amelia says

    March 24, 2020 at 11:37 am

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Andrea Stoeckel says

    March 24, 2020 at 10:53 am

    maybe we need to acknowledge the darkness in order to fully be seen, if not actually find the light

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

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Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
byChautona Havig

Last fall, I talked with several authors about their novella collection (Episode 177) and learned about a new series they’d planned for 2023. Well, of course, I wanted to talk with them about it, and last week I “sat down” (I stand while recording, but you get my drift) with Heather Greer to talk about her book in the Stained Glass Legacy Series, Window of Opportunity.  I’ve been reading her book and am really enjoying it, so I was excited to talk about this 1920s story of friendship, romance, corruption, and more!  Listen in to find out what to expect from Heather Greer’s first historical romance!

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you!

Why Doing the Right Thing at the Wrong Time Is No Picnic!

Okay, you have to read the book to “get” that title, for the post, but I figured it’d make Heather smile.

Heather and I talked about the differences in writing contemporary versus historical fiction–including all the work that goes into research!  Did they have this thing or that then? Are we assuming too advanced or not advanced enough?  Did people actually use this word or that? It’s a complicated process, and it slows down the writing when you have to figure out if a train even went through that area and if so, which direction did it go?!  Not that this has ever happened to me!

But first, Heather told the story of how she met the other authors in this series at a writer’s retreat, and the idea for this entire four-book series (all releasing THIS YEAR) sparked conversations until they couldn’t not write it.  With each book being written in a different era (1920s, 1970s, contemporary, and future dystopian) AND with not only this stained-glass window but also the family of the young men we’ll meet in Heather’s book, Window of Opportunity.

Stay tuned for more interviews with other Stained-Glass Legacy authors. I hope to chat with all of them!

Window of Opportunity by Heather Greer

Faith and duty drive Evangeline Moore to protect her father’s pristine image as a judge in Harrisburg, Illinois. Her resolve’s biggest test? Dot, her childhood friend. With Evangeline beside her, Dot’s desire for the Roaring Twenties’ glitz and glamor leads the pair into questionable situations.

Born into a Chicago mob family, Brendan Dunne understands duty, but faith puts him at odds with his father’s demands. Even when his brother James’s propensity for trouble lands them in Harrisburg, the truth is undeniable. To their father, the lines he won’t cross mean Brendan will never measure up.

When circumstances push Brendan and Evangeline together, unexpected events create opportunities to break free of family expectations. Will they be brave enough to forge their own path before the window closes on their chance to change?

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Episode 203: A Chat with Heather Greer about Window of Opportunity
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Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
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Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
Links to more info in my bio!

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Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Welcome to Red Wing, Minnesota. Home of Hanisch's Bakery, Mandy's Cafe, the Uffda Shop, and Pepie the Lake Monster (who knew?)

Oh, and home to Twice Sold Tales, a charming bookstore in a charming town--but not for long.  Unless Milton arrives with his trusty parrotlet, Atticus (not Finch!), this local gem of a store may soon be out of print--so to speak.

Some might blame owner Harper Brevig. Let's face it. Her "bookside manner" isn't much to write home about (although I did write a book about it...). But no, she's making enough money, and she's not spending too much money (much to her disgust), so where's it going?

Find out in Twice Sold Tales which is on tour with Celebrate Lit! Check out the blogs and enter to win a cool prize package with a book, one of "Pepie's babies," and other fun bookish goodies!
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Reposted from @pepperbasham Thanks to @dareyoutore Reposted from @pepperbasham Thanks to @dareyoutoread for this fun graphic!! #thecairocurse #freddieandgrace4ever @barbourbooks #historicalromance
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