Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was interested in this story a it centered around affluent Black characters during the time of Jim Crow, the Sables. The father is a successful undertaker who has moved up into the political sphere in St. Louis. His wife is Sara who now manages the funeral home and is quite a powerful person in the community. The book tells their story and next couple generations and the various challenges they face due to being Black in America, the fight for civil rights, historical effect of slavery, racism, etc. The storytelling was ok and the characters were interesting enough but overall it an middling read. The high point was learning about an affluent Black community and highlighting a part of history that has been overlooked in the stories that are published. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

The Sable Cloak was a fascinating tale of a family in Black America and how it continued to move forward and up the economic ladder. I thought the characters were complex and unique while still being relatable. I loved how the story moved from South Carolina to St Louis to Cleveland. At times I struggled with the plot, in that the reader just gets dropped into the story and then, at the end, there is very little conclusion. I wasn't sure what to draw from that, but, in the end, the characters won the day for me.

I was hoping to like this book more than I did. Some parts were enjoyable, other chapters were a bit confusing on how the fit within the story. usually after a couple of paragraphs, it came to me. I did enjoy the last 25:% of the book, especially the end of the story. And that it was inspired by the author's family history. Usually, somewhere in the book i can see where the title of the story comes from, but that did not happen with this story.

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book and I enjoyed it very much! This is a book with a very different perspective, of wealthier black families in the south. There is sadness but also celebrations and I found it so fascinating. I like how the author intertwined and connected various characters in the book. When we were introduced to someone knew I liked how it tied into the story. The title of this book has multiple meanings and I think it's a perfect title no matter how the reader interprets it!

The Sable Cloak by Gail Milissa Grant was, I believe, a labor of love for the author, sadly she passed away shortly before its release. The author was born during the civil rights movement and lived in St. Louis, where part of the novel takes place. The Sable Cloak focuses on the Franklin and Sable families and how their lives were connected. Horace and Sarah Franklin and their daughters and son were a hard working proud family from Greenston, South Carolina. Horace was a successful land owner and farmer and his wife "Big Sarah" owned a thriving emporium where local black families could buy just about anything they needed. Their lives intersected with the Sable family when Jordon Sable was in Greenston to recuperate from a "staged death," and met and fell in love with "Little Sarah," the youngest Franklin daughter, Jordon was the political leader of the black areas of St. Louis and owner of Jordon W. Sable Funeral Parlor and Mortuary Home. He was respected, feared and revered by many; he and Sarah had a marriage based on love, equity and respect. The story covers the period of 1913 - 1964 in the lives of the two families. It is a story about family, power, the ups and downs of life, joy and sorrow, tragedy and much more. While I thoroughly enjoyed The Sable Cloak, I felt like it was somewhat lacking in the development of the characters; perhaps simply a result of its length. In spite of wanting more as a reader, it is a wonderful and insightful book. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC; my review reflects my honest opinion. 4 stars.

The Sable Cloak is the story of a Black prosperous family in 1940’s St. Louis. Knowing that the story was based on the author’s family made it even more interesting . I loved how Jordan and Sara Sable’s marriage was a true partnership, with Jordan excelling as undertaker and powerful political leader in the Black community, while Sara built their funeral business.

A tragic event with their daughter Vivian takes their life in an unexpected direction. The family bands together to protect her and their family legacy.
This story is not just about family. It’s about the Black community’s unity, strength,and even retaliation when necessary . The story flowed well and I found the characters and story deeply engaging .

Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, readers are first taken to Greenston, South Carolina, in 1934. We meet Big Will who upon turning eighteen, must join the neighborhood’s vigilante group to keep justice in an area of town that is ignored by white police. Big Will cannot reconcile his conscience with what he has been tasked to do, so the inner turmoil leads him on a journey away from home, ultimately landing him in St. Louis to live with his cousin and her husband, successful undertaker and politically powerful Jordan Sable.


But to fully understand the family history and dynamics, we’re taken back to Greenston in 1911 and move forward. As the reader is immersed in the riveting events of each of the characters, we keep Big Will’s situation in the back of our minds.



One of the novel’s most compelling strengths is its portrayal of the strong family and community bonds through the segregated South and Midwest. It sheds light on issues of class within the Black community along with the open opportunities for advancement. The characters are richly developed, each with a distinct voice and a history that shapes their motivations. Their struggles and triumphs feel authentic, making for an emotionally resonant read. Though citizens ae not immune to family secrets, we learn how a community can rally behind its neighbors.



The Sable Cloak is based on real-life accounts. Author Gail Milissa Grant’s mission was to show the achievements of overlooked African Americans, and this story serves as a tribute to perseverance and success against systemic oppression. These precursors launched a social movement that continues today. Sadly, Grant passed away in 2024 before this book was published, but her work and storytelling live on.

A mesmerizing and eye-opening read, The Sable Cloak cherishes those who demonstrated resilience and compassion. It captivates from the first page and refuses to let go.

Thank you @NetGalley for an ARC of The Sable Cloak! I was excited for this one because it deals with a wealthy Black family in the Jim Crow South in the early teens through 1940s which I don’t find many books set in this time period.

I found the setting and the characters to be fascinating - especially as it goes from the protagonist, Jordan Sable’s perspective, to his wife Sara’s POV and then onto their other family members. Jordan is a self made undertaker, using his power and influence to work with the politicians to control the Black Vote in St Louis, while Sara comes from a wealthy family who owns an early type of department store in South Carolina. Their chance meeting when Jordan comes into Sara’s store (and falls head over heels!) changes the path of their lives.

This story was enjoyable and the characters were fleshed out fairly well, I did find the changing perspectives to be a little confusing, as we go into stories that have nothing to do with previous chapters, plus I thought the story was going to focus more on the historical aspects of the time period when in reality it is a much more character driven plot. I was slightly disappointed in this but did find the story easy and juicy to read.

Gail Milissa Grant’s The Sable Cloak goes where few historical novels have gone. It tells the story of two affluent black families—the Franklins of Greenstone, South Carolina and the Sables of St. Louis, Missouri.

The story opens in 1934 as Big Will Franklin, a gentle giant, is forced to avenge a crime.against his black neighborhood. The violent act he must commit to do so will haunt him for years to come.

Spanning the years from 1911 to 1964, The Sable Cloak focuses largely on Sarah Franklin, who dreams of a bigger life outside her black neighborhood in South Carolina, and Jordan Sable, whose escape from St. Louis with nearly everyone thinking him dead, results in the joining of the two families in marriage. A wealthy funeral home owner and political organizer, Jordan returns to St. Louis with his tiny but strong new bride, surprising those who thought he died in the assassination attempt. Together the pair are ready to fight for civil rights.

Other characters flesh out the story, Jordan’s mother, Sarah’s sister Mattie in Cleveland and her seamstress and insurance agent neighbors, Jordan and Sara’s daughter Vivian, Vivian’s daughter Eva, Big Will, who flees South Carolina and his ghosts to work for his relative’s husband, Jordan Sable, and who eventually finds himself in a situation similar to the one that caused him to leave home for St. Louis.

By depicting a family repeatedly forced to strike a balance between helping their fellow blacks personally and politically and protecting their own good name and reputation, The Sable Cloak paints a vivid picture of African American success and civil rights advancement in the pre-Civil Rights Movement era.

In “Why I Wrote This Book,” Gail Milissa Grant explains her sources and her motives, connecting characters to her family history and previous memoir. A St. Louis native, Howard University professor, and U. S. Foreign Service Agency and U. S. State Department Foreign Service officer, Grant sadly died of cancer a few months before her second book’s release.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group, Inc. for an advance reader egalley of this highly recommended and posthumously published historical novel.

It’s not often we get to read a novel about well-to-do, successful Black Americans but there was definitely a sizable group of them, even in the Jim Crow South.

Jordan Sable has built a name for himself as a successful owner of a funeral home. His wife Sara, is a true partner and between the both of them, they have created a strong community around themselves and their business.

But being prosperous and well respected doesn’t save them from a life changing traumatic event. The community around them does come together to support them as they try to protect their family and their influence.

The story goes back in time to share the backstories of not only Jordan and Sara but also the past of other key characters that sets the stage for the main storyline. If you enjoy family sagas, this is a great addition to your reading list. I really enjoyed this novel for the different perspective it shares about that time in history.

Thank you to @grandcentralpub and @netgalley for a digital review copy of this novel.

"It's a powerful, layered story that sheds light on a history often overlooked, one that deserves to be told."

The Sable Cloak is a powerful, multilayered novel that brings to light a part of history many may not be familiar with. Set during the era of Jim Crow laws and pre-civil rights, it follows Jordan Sable, a man who has reshaped the political landscape of St. Louis, and his wife, Sarah, who comes from a wealthy Southern family. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with. However, wealth and power don’t shield anyone from tragedy. As challenges arise, their family and friends must come together to protect what matters most.

What sets this novel apart is its portrayal of Black Americans as landowners, business leaders, and political changemakers, something history books often overlook. There’s no singular main character; instead, every person in this story plays a vital role, creating a rich, immersive narrative.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the digital galley.

CW: Alcohol, DV, miscarriage, SA, racism

A strong debut novel by a talented storyteller. While the writing shows many marks of a first-time novel, the story is well-crafted, with vivid characters and bold storylines. The story, of affluent and influential black families in the Jim Crow era, is fascinating and important. Ms. Grant draws from her own impressive ancestry to tell this story, and it is an honest and proud history.

This is a 3-part story, and as the novel is fairly short, I wish we had spent more time with each part. Big Will’s back story, concerning the policing of a black community via mandatory service in a vigilante group that metes out justice to offenders, was the shortest, but also the most compelling of the three. The story of Jordan and Sarah Sable, from their young lives to their courtship, and then on into their rise in power and influence is a fascinating middle installment. The final part concerns their daughter Vivian. Her story is one that is often told, and although it does not add anything new, it does add a layer to the family story and wraps up the entire story quite well.

'The Sable Cloak' is a rich and poignant portrait of a lesser-told story of American history. I found it moving and though-provoking, particularly the emotional effect on Big Will of the aforementioned policing of crime in a black community, train travel during Jim Crow, and learning a bit more about the Overground Railroad. This book would make an excellent book club selection, as it elicits much meaningful thoughts and discussion. I am glad Ms. Grant wrote this novel and that I had the opportunity to read it. My thanks, also, to NetGalley, and to Grand Central Publishing for the invitation to read this ARC.

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley. The first chapter was pretty jarring, but after that it calmed down although there are incidents of violence throughout the book including rape so beware if that is a trigger for you. This book covers multiple timelines in an extended family as they become successful financially in a racist world. The writing was well-done and kept my attention. I felt sick after some of the scenes because they were painted so well with words to capture the ugliness of the violence.

The Red Sable


This Black family story set in St. Louis in the 1940s is both engrossing and relatable. The undertaker and his wife were able to rise to prominence, and become leaders in their community. When a tragedy rallies them together, they find that their family’s true wealth is not in money or in their upper-middle class status, but in the bonds of affection and loyalty.

The book avoids being overly sentimental. In short, this is a good read.

The Sable Coak by Gail Milissa Grant
TW: child abuse, rape

Posthumous novels are hard to review. I feel like I’m intruding on someone’s legacy. Gail Milissa Grant wrote only two books in her lifetime - a memoir and this novel. Her acknowledgements state she hoped she did her people justice. She certainly did, but that doesn’t mean the novel doesn’t have shortcomings.

There is no distinct protagonist in the novel, as the story focuses solely on one person’s journey before starting another. This is different from many modern novels which are told chronologically with alternating viewpoints. Each chapter is easily identified with a clearly stated place and time. Readers feel heavily connected to each character and their world. But it also makes character transitions jarring. This is most apparent once Calvin is introduced.

I preferred the first parts of the novel detailing Jordan and Sarah’s stories. By the time Vivian’s teenage story started, I wanted more of a deep dive into Jordan’s political career or how he and Sarah were an early American power couple. Their stories were told so honestly and vividly. My favorite part was the chapters detailing their courtship - it is so uniquely southern American.

However once the story shifts to Vivian and her struggle it feels almost like a different novel. Honestly I didn’t care much for Vivian and Calvin’s story. I’m not sure if that’s because of the brutality within it or because its evolution seemed very predictable. The actual rape itself is thankfully not graphic. But a trigger warning might be needed.

I would also be heavily remiss if I didn’t say how much I learned while reading this novel. I have heard of the Underground Railroad, but this is the first time I have ever heard of (and then researched) the Overground Railroad. What a fascinating idea! One of the many reasons I enjoy reading historical fiction is that I love learning new things. I also didn’t know why Jim Crow Laws didn’t apply to trains, although the explanation was quite clear. For that I am very grateful.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the early access copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.

I struggle sometimes with historical novels, as it's hard for me to adapt to different speaking styles and societal norms. And so I struggled with this until about halfway through, and it clicked in. This was a story outside my background, and it was told in an interesting and captivating manner. I particularly identified with the story of Big Will, and the awkwardness of his new setting. I absolutely appreciated the connection with author's own family background, making things more connected.

I enjoyed this, and learned some things along the way. Recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

This was an eye opening read about the Sable family and the reach they had within the St. Louis community during the Jim Crow era. Jordan Sable worked his way into the powerful position he obtained in controlling the black vote and used that to his advantage where and when he could. Finally finding himself the one, Jordan marries Sara and they become a formidable couple in the community. She helps take on running the mortuary business and the Sable name becomes even more known. Sara and Jordan are both high class respected members and often advice is asked of them. When tragedy strikes and they endure a great loss they need to find the ability to continue to move forward. But sometimes it takes just one event to change things to uncertainty and loss. I always love when a novel is based off true people and places and this being based off the authors family was fascinating. I also love how the title really has two meanings within the story. Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the complementary novel! This review is of my own opinion and accord.

I really enjoyed how this book centered around the successes of individuals in black communities, particularly in the St. Louis area, and how these successful individuals heavily influenced politics as an effort to further progress for their community. I thought this was really well done with all of the different characters! And the story was engaging - I found myself flying through the chapters.

This is definitely worth the read for anyone who’s interested in a historical fiction that’s not the stereotypical WWII or slavery-centric novel.

I had a hard time with the way this story was told - I found it hard to follow and disjointed. It was just not the book for me.

A story about interconnected Black families in the Jim Crow South and Midwest of the 1920s to 1940s shows the world of the upper middle class in largely self-sufficient Black communities. Jordan Sable, a man with an iron will, runs a mortuary - and the Black vote in St. Louis - and when he finds his match in Sarah, their legacy seems set until something terrible happens to their only child. It's a tale of struggle and success, tragedy and overcoming.