It’s 1924, and two young orphans, Mercy, a “mulatta” and Rope, a boy with a damaged hand, are put aboard an orphan train and sent out west. There they are taken in by Harlan and Estelle Nau, whose own children had died in 1918 in the Spanish flu epidemic. Soon put to work in the house and grounds, no one expects their life to be easy or comfortable, but events turn out far more horribly than anyone could have predicted. The KKK is on the rise and tensions run high in the town. Mercy and Rope are increasingly in danger. I found this a gripping and compelling read, extremely well-written and well-paced, with the tension ramped up throughout, and the plot never predictable. The characters are nuanced, even the worst of them, and the young protagonists themselves insightfully portrayed. The time and place are expertly and authentically depicted, and the dialogues and interactions between the townspeople convincing. A great read.

Intriguing premise with a historical setting, intriguing characters, and an exploration of social issues; however, the pace was slow in the middle and there were predictable plot elements.

1924, after the Spanish flu epidemic, orphans, Mercy and Rope are loaded on an orphan train and end up as prisoners to a farming couple in Michigan. After an accidental death, Mercy and Rope flee to Michigan, being pursued by a determined detective. The entry of the KKK complicates all of their plans, but only deepens the trust between Mercy and Rope. Well written and recommended reading.

A Cold, Hard Prayer takes us into the world of Mercy and Rope, two orphans who made the arduous journey to the Midwest on an orphan train. We follow these resilient teens to the last stop on the line where they are acquired by a family where abuse, and the aftermath, gives them no choice but to flee.

This story is charged with the rise and influence of the KKK across the midwestern states and drives the story forward with Mercy being of mixed ethnicity. Battling against time and the “law and order” of the KKK recruiters, police captain Kincaid rushes to find the two orphans before they are delivered to a very different type of justice.

I thought this book was incredibly well-researched and didn’t shy away from the hard details. It was an excellent reflection on how the economic downturn of the time paired with advances in technology really spread radical ideologies rapidly throughout the USA (and elsewhere). In a time where life is a struggle for the working class, finding someone to blame gives a sense of control back to those who are isolated from decision-making.

I appreciated the reality of the writing, and would certainly recommend this book. If you were a fan of Orphan Train, this would definitely be a book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Michigan State University Press and John Smolens for an advanced e-copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I the John Simolens is a great author, I really enjoyed this book, the 2 main charactors inthe book are orphans, the go through such a hard life, all the wanted was a family life. They eventually flee the abuse, but that is just the begining of the trouble they go through. This is a must read for those who like Historical fiction. Thank you to the Author for allowing me to read this good book.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

Lots of historical tidbits in this story. Starting with the Orphan Train, Rope and Mercy are being chased by the KKK. I'm sure they wouldn't have survived without the help of Kincaid. Interesting read, well written.

3.75☆

I'm truly impressed with this book. I couldn't put it down! There were even gripping quotes that I turned to my husband and read aloud to him because I loved it so much!

Well written with a couple of surprises. I loved learning more about klan activity in the Midwest. Several plot points seemed unbelievable, but not enough to make me stop reading.

This was a great read. I have been finding myself getting more into historical fiction lately, and this book has furthered my interest in the genre for sure. A very well written story full of adventure, anticipation, hope, and freedom. I really enjoyed the authors writing style and was hooked from the beginning. My only complaint is that I wished there would have been an epilog or a more detailed ending. I was invested in the characters by the end and wanted more of their future.

This was one of the best books I have read recently. There was a well-developed plot and characters. It was a book that I could not put down. The story's development had you guessing what would happen, but you were never sure how the story would be resolved.
This book also was a great starting point for discussing what is happening today and how history repeats itself. While connecting history to real-life events, there is also the issue of choosing good or evil. Why would you consider taking the law into your own hands, and is vigilante justice justified?
I would highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of "A Cold Hard Prayer" from Netgalley. I was interested in reading this book because it takes place in Michigan. I live in Michigan so wanted to see what this book is about. Mercy and Lincoln" Rope" came to Michigan on the Orphan train from Boston. They end up together on a farm. They are not treated well. When the wife has to go to the hospital for surgery, the husband traps Mercy in her attic room and tries to rape her. Rope rescues her but has to kill the man to save her. They are now on the run and on their way in northern Michigan to make it to the upper Peninsula. Mercy believes she has an aunt who is supposed to live in Michigan.
Both Mercy and Rope are in danger and chased to bring them back to the farm. This is 1924 so their is prohibition. Mercy is bi-racial " in the book they refer to her as a "mulatta" so she is dealing with the KKK.
Mercy and Rope are trying to survive and save themselves throughout the book. I liked reading this book since the author mentions many of the cities in Michigan. I found myself rooting for Mercy and Rope. a good read.