In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree

The Americans #1

by Michael A. McLellan

Born into slavery, Henry’s young life is spent working in tobacco drying sheds on Missouri plantations. Freed at the onset of the Civil War, he's alone, starving, and on the run from Confederate militiamen.

Five years later, Clara Hanfield, the daughter of a powerful New York shipping magnate, escapes her tyrannical father and travels west in pursuit of John Elliot, the man she loves. John, a U.S. Army lieutenant, was sent to the Dakota Territory where he discovers a government conspiracy to incite an all-out war with the Indians; a war meant to finally eliminate them as an obstacle to the westward expansion.

Henry finds himself caught in the middle.

Aided by Clara, John, and his Cheyenne ally, Standing Elk, Henry must battle hatred, greed, and the ghosts of his past during this turbulent and troubling time in American history.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Westerns, War, Civil War, Novels, Historical

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2017

About the author

Michael A. McLellan is an American author of fiction. To date, Michael has published five novels, including three books in The Americans series: In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree, The Scout of Wounded Knee, and Joe Little and the Indian School.

Reviews

[Andy Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was a pleasant surprise. And entirely the reason I love Goodreads so much. Let's be honest, I'd probably never have stumbled upon this gem of a novel if it weren't for this site. Pre-Goodreads, I had a habit of choosing books by that particular month's hottest author, books with pretty covers and filled with wildly exaggerated author blurbs promising the BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR!!! or that I'd LAUGH (OR CRY) MY HEAD OFF!!! Generally, I'd get to chapter 2 and realise that, actually, it was a bit shit, and not remotely funny (or sad).

Now, with all of you beautiful people reading so many wonderful books, I'm much better informed. I can pick and choose to my heart's content, seeking out potentially interesting titles and choosing whether or not to read it based on ACTUAL REAL-LIFE READER REVIEWS rather than the sickeningly positive opinions of the author's writer friends. That was the case with this book here - 23 of my friends had read it, offering an average 4.75 rating. And not one of them had been paid to do so!

This was truly a great book, and one I feel lucky to have stumbled upon. McLellan has done a masterful job in telling his tale, which takes place during one of the darkest periods in American history. It's a crazy, no-holds-barred, roller coaster of a ride, filled with incredible action, memorable characters and excellent prose. Honestly, if you enjoy Westerns, or love stories, or books with words on their pages, then you're bound to enjoy this.

"BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR!!! (no, but actually!!!)" - Andy Marr, author of 'Hunger for Life'

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

*May contain mild spoilers*

-Author interview below-

The story begins in 1861 with Henry, a slave who’s becoming emancipated during the Civil War, along with Eliza, the only love he’s ever had. Their master has decided to set them free. They head north from the plantation with barely any food and their freed papers in hand.

“Henry, I’m afraid.”

“So am I. Don’t you worry though. Once we get to Illinois, we’ll be jes fine. Can’t be more than a hundred an’ fifty mile if’n we just stay northeast.”

Henry’s luck takes a turn for the worse and his future is very uncertain. As he races for safety, he’s captured by a Native American named Standing Elk and surprisingly receives some well-needed aid. It’s all because of a dream that Standing Elk trusts him and they gain respect for one another over time.

“You carry a heavy heart,” Standing Elk said to Henry matter-of-factly one day when the two were walking by the small creek that ran by the camp. He spoke the language of the Cheyenne.

It was late spring and the creek was high. The clear water babbled and gurgled over it’s bed of stones. Henry picked up a few off of the grassy bank and began tossing them thoughtfully into the fast moving water. In the eight months Henry had been with the Cheyenne, no one had inquired about his past. He figured this was Standing Elk’s polite way of asking.

Next we follow a soldier in the military named John Elliot who’s sent to Dakota Territory to serve. He’s forced to go there because he’s in love with a woman named Clara Hanfield, and Clara’s cruel father won’t allow the relationship; in fact, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep them apart. Once there, John soon realizes the evil desires of the military to execute Indians, including women and children, and has to walk away. Clara is expected to simply abide by her father’s wishes, but she’s very strong-willed and takes off in search of John. Eventually all the characters come together for one dramatic story.

This book is literally chock-full of action with unforgettable characters, even the ones you truly hate. Henry, without a doubt, was my favorite character. I just loved him and the story literally begins and ends with him. He puts up with so much adversity throughout his life from early childhood, yet he strives to remain just and will do what’s right whenever possible. I adored his love for Clara and the friendship he offers.

I found myself rooting for John and Clara while I resented some of the other despicable characters. You honestly can’t help but hope the villains will meet their demise. I feel like this would make a great film if it were adapted for the big screen. You can check out my blog post if you'd like to see the actors I'd choose for some of the characters.

I had so many emotions including multiple jaw drops throughout the book and couldn’t wait to see how the characters would come together. I had no idea how the story would unfold because the book isn’t predictable at all and the ending was even a surprise. Michael McLellan is extremely talented with his ability to write such a powerful story like this and I’m looking forward to reading more of his books.

With that said, I think some people may have issues with some of the language used and perhaps some of the violent content. Parts did leave me outraged and there were times I didn’t think I was going to be able to finish the book, but I reminded myself that it’s important to remember this tempestuous time in history. We may not like it, but in my humble opinion, I feel like we need to look back on it.

Overall, this was an amazing read and I’d recommend it to anyone, especially those who love historical fiction. This isn’t a genre I normally read and I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope everyone will give it a try because this is a book we can all learn from.

Rating: 5*****

Author Interview:

Q: Did you enjoy reading as a child? What are some of your childhood favorites?

A: I loved reading as a child. Runaway Ralph and The Mouse and the Motorcycle by the great Beverly Cleary are unquestionably the reason I write today.

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors?

A: Some of the usual suspects: Stephen King, John Steinbeck, Shirley Jackson, Daniel Woodrell…I really like this writer who calls himself The Behrg. Indy guy. There is something about his writing that really impresses me.

Q: What have you written so far?

A: After and Again was my first novel. I self-published it in 2014. I think it’s a good story, but it reads like a first work. I’ve been telling myself I’m going to do a rewrite on it for three years now; tick tock, tick, tock:)

Then there is American Flowers. I also published this book. It was released in 2015. I think it’s as good or better than In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree, and the subject matter holds special relevance to me.

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree is my third novel and it was published last year by Sweet Candy Press, a small but very capable publisher out of Olympia Washington. I have various short works as well.

Q: Are you working on any books right now?

A: I have two novels that are both about 1/3 complete. I’m taking an extended hiatus at the moment and don’t expect to publish either until 2020. (Return Addresses now available 2020)

Q: What inspired you to write historical fiction, this book particularly?

A: I chose from the onset not to write in any particular genre. Something that many in the industry say is a death-knell for a new author. If that’s the case, so be it. I write about topics that move me, and hopefully at least a few other people. As far as this book, I’ve always been fascinated with this time period and wanted to write a different sort of novel set in it. Something from a different viewpoint than what has been the usual fare.

Q: How much research did you do for this book and how long did it take you to write it?

A: I did a ton of research for this book, and I hate doing research, so it was pretty grueling. Having said that, I learned a great deal (understatement) and feel good about the historical accuracy of the book’s details.

Q: What are your thoughts on how this book, which exposes experiences at such a scary time in history, compares to our current situation now?

A: Things are seldom black and white as they appear. The real world is full of greys. I’d prefer to let readers draw their own conclusions.

Q: Can you share a favorite movie?

Cool Hand Luke and Cold Mountain

Q: What are a few of your favorite songs?

“Yellow Brick Road”

“Big Empty”

Q: Is there a favorite quote you’d like to share?

“A sickness known as hate; not a virus, not a microbe, not a germ – but a sickness nonetheless, highly contagious, deadly in its effects. Don’t look for it in the Twilight Zone – look for it in a mirror. Look for it before the light goes out altogether.”

― Rod Serling

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding and brilliant.....A few SPOILERS included!!!! I felt it’s important to let readers in on the few I share. But none of them will take away the readers own spellbinding experience.

This is a novel written with purpose beyond the storytelling....yet its page turning storytelling-engrossing.
The American Civil War was brutal....1861 to 1865.... between the north and south. It was a nasty war of controversy over enslavement of Black People in our America.
Following the Civil War...( the story that author, Michael McLellan brings us), ....
attitudes regarding race in the south hardened. Reinforced by pseudo-Scientific reports that claimed that whites were a superior race, and by religious claims that whites had been chosen by God to have domain over others, the southern states passed laws regarding miscegenation and other forms of racial mixing ( including segregated schooling, housing, and healthcare). Race functioned to rationalize thoughts and behavior, to explain both human behavior and social status as being innate.

As a biracial South developed, The Indians were placed in a difficult position. Many had been slave owners prior to the Civil War and had attitude toward African-Americans that were similar to Southern Americans. On the other hand, the Southern Americans viewed the world as having only two kinds of people: Whites and others, (including African-Americans, coloreds, and Indians).

This historical fiction novel mostly focuses on ‘the others’: The horrific devastation done to Blacks, and the Indigenous People.
In the war, both sides used African-Americans for military purposes; in the south as slave labor and in the north as wage labor and military volunteers. Over 100,000 ex-slaves fought for the union and over 500,000 fled their plantations for union lines.

On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation, making 3 million blacks legally free....
Henry, a tall black man, over 6 feet tall, was one of those free slaves.....with legal ‘freedom-papers’ that wouldn’t mean a damn if caught by a Jayhawker. But he heard from several sources that they would do better heading north - rather than south. So, leaving Missouri, Henry and Eliza, ( a petite black slave woman - the love of each other’s lives, from the same tobacco plantation), followed the river northeast with their destination being Illinois. Eliza dies early in the story. The events that happened never leave you.

Henry was raised on a plantation near Osceola, Missouri, by a woman named Harriet. His own mother died during childbirth. His father, had been stabbed to death by another slave when Henry was 3 years old.
Harriet taught, Henry, at a young age, not to argue with white people. She wasn’t particularly affectionate, and put him to work by the age of 7, ( drying tobacco), but she certainly never hit him.
Henry’s life changed forever at age 15, when he was bought at the slave auction.
It wasn’t long until the hitting and whipping began.
“Remove your clothes and put them over there”. He choked back tears- was homesick for his little shanty on the edge of the tobacco field. He would never hear Harriet’s sweet singing voice as she chopped vegetables ever again.

Much later in the story - Henry will name his mare, Harriet.
His journey as an African American in the south - after the Civil War - is gut wrenching - DEVASTATING EXPERIENCES - with moments of hope, blessings, and thankfulness, too....( especially to Cheyenne Indian Chief and tribe), but so much was terrifying. The violence, depravity, and mayhem, was horrifying. I kept reading because I trusted the storytellers, (author’s ), authenticity.
But there were a few scenes where I had to break my reading - TO RECOVER.

Michael McLellan’s sharply chiseled prose sets up two story lines:
Clara Hanfield and John Elliot love each other. Both have powerful, controlling, ruthless & righteous father’s.
Clara and John are forbidden fruit to each according to their fathers.
John must leave West Point Military school to fight off the Indians. John wanted no part of murder. Frank Picton was John’s commander. Picton accuse John of being naïve and a coward. Picton was simply an immoral, sinful, and vile!
John takes his journey.....
Clara takes her journey .....first by stealing money from her father and running away from her family and school to find John. He doesn’t know that she’s pregnant.
Clara’s journey turns violent too.

The adventures, trauma, the sufferings > are stories told with mesmerizing prose.
For me - this was one - if not ‘the’ best novel - written about this period of history. I really ‘experienced’ - vicariously - this searing world of long ago.
Scenes were achingly beautiful.

A few excepts to share:
“What I’m trying to say is most Indians aren’t like Short Bull anymore than most white folks are not like the fella who killed president Lincoln”.


Henry:
“He sat against the tree and looked out across the plain; its lush green already showing the faintest signs of fading, foreshadowing the stark grays and browns that would soon dominate its vastness. A colorless mirror into his own emptiness”.


The battle of Big Sandy Creek:
.....Soldiers came and attacked the camp without cause.
Standing Elk’s wife, Walking Woman was killed, and Henry’s friend, Spotted Paw
was killed.
“Supposedly Spotted Paw had been Shot four times and still killed three white soldiers and led several children to safety before dying of his wounds. The old Cheyenne Chief, Yellow Wolf, was killed as well. All together almost one hundred fifty Cheyenne and Arapahos died; mostly women, children, and old men”.


“We do not always see meanings for what is in our path. White man makes...
‘peosane’...hate, grow in hearts of all others he touches. I battle with this. I do not want this hate.
This same hate is in your heart. We must defeat this hate. He stood, looked down at Henry, and added in Cheyenne, ‘Now we smoke’”.

And before I end this review.....
The last few things I want to share is this novel surprised me. I never expected it to be this good....John Steinbeck good...Wallace Stegner good...Lawrence Hill good....
And more than anything I wrote up above .....it’s THE CHARACTERS whom I most loved.
Henry’s loneliness- his confusion - his grief - his despair - his tears - his goodness - all took my breath away.
John, Clara, ( both of their humanity), Clara’s childhood caretaker, and many of the characters from the Indian tribe, etc.... were all important in this story.

Also.... throughout the storytelling, I thought about the powerful wisdom - and healing from nature itself - especially the trees. They seemed to have absorbed the negative energy.

I highly recommend this novel.

[Jeffrey Keeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

”The white man only knows desire, Notaxemahasooma. He knows nothing of contentment. His heart is dry and withered, and he seeks to revive it with that of which has no medicine. He is careless and wasteful, and places himself above and apart from all other things. The white soldiers murder without regard, but themselves are spiritless and go screaming into their own deaths as they were born into life. The white father would take all of our hunting grounds and leave our children with stomachs full of air and hearts full of hate. There can be no peace with such men. We will kill this murderer of The People, but it will not stop the whites. There will be more. Many more.”



The settling of the West involved a lot of unsettling first. American Indians were in the way of westward expansion. The buffalo were in the way of rangeland fencing. The West still needed to be conquered and exploited. Capitalism was just a more acceptable term for greed. There was simply no time to waste on upholding any sense of morality or being bothered by such words as honor or virtuousness. There was money to be made, and whatever was in the way just simple had to be ground down into powder.

Lieutenant John Elliot has just been booted out of West Point. The powerful father of Clara Hanfield, his love interest, has been the instrument of his destruction. A court-martial is preferable, but a firing squad is what her father really wants for John. Instead, he is assigned to a clandestine unit in South Dakota where he joins Colonel Frank Picton. John is temporarily asked to resign his commission because this isn’t an officially sanctioned operation. The powers-that-be want to be able to disavow anything they might do, while at the same time encouraging them to wreck as much havoc as possible.

If this were Vietnam, we’d call this Black Ops, but since it is in the mid-1860s, we just call it Manifest Destiny.

Their task is to give the American Indians what they call a nudge. If they wipe out a few villages, the warriors will have to go on the warpath. If these “rampaging” Indians kill a few whites, then the government will be able to sanction their extermination. Destroying the buffalo also takes away a primary food source for the American Indians. Starve them or kill them, either way they won’t be a problem for much longer.

Henry is an emancipated slave who is trying to find his place in the world. His anger over what has been done to him and those he loves simmers under a steady flame. Ghosts haunt him. His most trusted friend, Standing Elk, is a Cheyenne warrior who often understands Henry better than Henry understands himself. ”For Henry, the hatred which had slowly been fading over the last four years tried to return. He suddenly wished that he was a warrior like the name Notaxemahtasooma implied. He didn’t fully understand the word; it meant Shadow Warrior or possibly Spirit Warrior. He guessed the former as shadow could refer to his skin color. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t a warrior. He wasn’t anyone. He was a man without a place, without a nation.”

John, Clara, Standing Elk, and Henry soon find themselves standing on the wrong side of history, which frequently happens to be on the right side of morality.

I grew up reading a lot of Westerns by Louis L’Amour, Zane Grey, Max Brand, Nelson Nye, Elmore Leonard (Yes, before he became the guru of the hardboiled thriller, he was a Western writer), Ernest Haycox, Elmer Kelton, and later Cormac McCarthy and Larry McMurtry. I wasn’t surprised to learn that McLellan read a lot of the same. Even though I don’t read many westerns anymore, I do sometimes get a hankering to return to my reading roots. I will google lists of the best westerns and frequently find a hidden gem on those lists that may be trapped by a genre, but really should just be seen as fine literature.

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree, to my mind, is historical fiction and, if seen that way, would open up a much larger reading audience for the book. McLellan has a compelling plot that shines a light on an insidious series of events in our history. He has characters that are made of flesh and bone, and when things don’t go well for them, I, as the reader, have that sinking in my belly that can only come from making a real connection with the characters. His villains are treacherous racists, blinded by greed and an unquenching desire to remake the world in their own deceitful images. His heroes are reluctant heroes, who would much rather lead a peaceful life, but find themselves in conflict with the jackboots of history.

The 1860s were a turbulent time with the East still recovering from the devastation of the Civil War, and then there was the systematic plan to wipe out the American Indians out West. It was an opportunistic time to do some household cleaning out West, with those who might care the most still nursing the mental and physical wounds from the bloodiest conflict in American history. This is a story full of grit and greatness, and treachery and duplicity. Saddle up and head West, my friends, and experience the real, unvarnished West.

I intimated to Michael A. McLellan that I might reveal aspects of his dark and disturbing past, which was enough leverage to get him to answer a few questions for me. Now that he has answered the questions I can say that I was completely bluffing. Whatever is dark and disturbing in his past has remained beyond my grasp...for now.

Jeffrey D. Keeten: John William's book Butcher's Crossing focuses on the destruction of the buffalo herds as a concerted effort to eliminate the primary food source of the remaining plains Indians. You touch on this, but the storyline of your novel has a more insidious plot, with the government using some rogue "soldiers" to intentionally stir up trouble with the Indians. If you look back at the history of the United States, we have fought many wars over manufactured pretenses because we had other objectives in mind. In your research, did you find situations where the government was actually employing methods to manipulate an Indian uprising?


Michael A. McLellan

Michael A. McLellan: It was certainly in the interest of the wealthy and powerful to eliminate Native Americans to help facilitate a smoother and safer westward expansion for whites. Of course, any evidence pointing to the U.S. government deliberately inciting an uprising would be completely circumstantial. Having said that, there is plenty of hard evidence that they (Native Americans) were repeatedly pushed toward that end, whether it was plotted or not. "Damn any man who sympathizes with Indians! ... I have come to kill Indians, and believe it is right and honorable to use any means under God's heaven to kill Indians. ... Kill and scalp all, big and little; nits make lice." This quote is attributed to a U.S. army colonel by the name of John Chivington. Chivington is responsible for ordering and participating in an unprovoked attack on a Cheyenne and Arapaho camp at Big Sandy Creek in November of 1864. Somewhere between 40 and 110 (some claim the number is much higher) Cheyenne and Arapaho women and children were killed in the attack. Earlier that same year Chivington, partnered with then Colorado Territory governor John Evans, ordered punitive attacks on several Cheyenne camps for alleged crimes, such as stealing cattle. No investigations, no trials.

JDK: I recently read a biography of William T. Sherman, whom I've always considered to be one of my favorite heroes of the Civil War, but like with many heroes from history, my impression of him was forever tainted when I discovered that he was instructed to get rid of the "Indian problem" out west, and he employed some pretty insidious methods to accomplish that task. The Robber Barons back East were impatient to exploit the West. Your character John Usher portrays that type of greed. Did the American public have any kind of idea of what was really happening out West? Would they have cared?

MAM: Funny, John Usher was the Secretary of the Interior under President Lincoln during the war. At that time, the Department of the Interior handled Indian Affairs. Later he was general solicitor for the Union Pacific Railway, Eastern Division. Whether he was an honest man or not is not for me to say, but here is a man with huge government influence who after his resignation in 1865 had a genuine financial stake in the westward expansion. As far as the public, some word got back east, a lot by disillusioned soldiers, and there was some limited advocacy. Not enough to make any real difference though. Native Americans were feared and hated for the most part.

JDK: The West was a dangerous place, and lots of people met untimely ends. Many of your characters meet their maker in a variety of different ways. I was starting to think I was reading the George R. R. Martin of the American Western. We romanticize and have so much nostalgia for the West, but really it was a brutal environment, especially during the years that your story covers. When I traveled in Italy a few years ago, people were so excited that I was from Dodge City. They had grown up watching Gunsmoke and were so enthralled with the Old West. I thought your portrayal of the violence of the times was based more on fact than fiction. As you were spinning this story, did you have moments where you caught up with yourself and went...Crap did I really just kill off ______?

MAM: I did have some moments like that. I don't want to do spoilers here, but there was a secondary character I was rather fond of who gets killed near the end of the story. I never planned it though. I don't even do outlines. The story just unfolded how it unfolded, and almost any story told in that time period should have more death in it than we're accustomed to. It's the way it was. Disease, violence. I think the average life expectancy in the midwest in 1870 was somewhere around 42.

JDK: Was the insidious Colonel Frank Picton based on a real person? How about Henry, who was such a tragic figure? "Henry wasn't a soldier, nor a wily tactician. He wasn't anything. He was, he thought, as he surveyed the scrubby prairie, a man without a place, a purpose, or a people." Henry was such a peaceful man, but violence kept insisting on finding him.

MAM: Picton encompassed my vision of men like Chivington, Sheridan, Custer and, as you mentioned, General Sherman. Men of war who, for the most part, probably believed in what they were doing. Things are seldom black and white. As for right or wrong, all we can do is look closely (and honestly) at history and make our own assessments. Henry was a way to tell a different sort of tale from a different sort of protagonist's perspective. Imagining what it would be like to be someone like him was sobering. An ex-slave making his way in a world he had no part in shaping.

JDK: So where did the idea to write this novel come from? Did you read something? Did you visit somewhere? Did you take peyote? What was that lightning rod moment when you knew you had a story that you had to tell?

MAM: I grew up on Louis L'Amour, Elmore Leonard, and Larry McMurtry. Not to mention John Wayne. I've always been fascinated with this period, and I feel there is room for new stories from new voices to be told within it. Stories that might balance the reality of the time and the romanticism we humans love so much a little better than we managed in the past.

JDK: What are you working on now, and when can we expect another novel from you?

MAM: I'm currently working on three novels. One is a contemporary piece about a fourteen-year-old boy who's put into the foster care system after his parents both die tragically. Another is a near-future story about an aging man seeking redemption in a dying world. The third is another historical fiction novel related to In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree. I was hoping to have one out this fall, but life got in the way. At some point here, I will put two of them on the shelf for awhile and concentrate on the one I feel most into at the moment. Realistically, I guess I won't have a release until mid-year 2020.

Thanks for having me, Jeffrey.

If you wish to see more of my most recent book and movie reviews, visit http://www.jeffreykeeten.com
I also have a Facebook blogger page at: https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyKeeten

[Colin Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A successful novel.

It gives us several rewards. There are historical and educational elements pitted throughout overlapping storylines that converge and then lure us into a brutal finale, but for a glimmer of hope.

By his unambiguous dedication, Michael McLellan sets us up for his tapestry of struggle and grief:
“This novel is dedicated to the human race. I fear for us.”

A prophetic dedication considering the events that have taken place since the book’s 2017 publication.

‘In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree’ teases the reader with expectations that some likeable characters will persevere and overcome, only to plunge us into the reality of an unforgiving frontier and time.

The interweaving storylines are told from the perspectives of emancipated slaves, displaced indigenous people, lovers and hangers-on from the civil war, plus some social class thrown in. The landscapes are presented as either picturesque or harsh, depending on the character’s circumstances. These people make mistakes, have regrets or are downright horrible. The descriptions of their demise are skilfully told.

The text is matter-of-fact and sentences are often clipped. McLellan makes this work well. For me, the simplicity of the text echoed the starkness of the prairie or the shortness of life in the emerging ‘wild west’.

This is the eighth book I’ve read by contemporary authors registered on Goodreads. All have been excellent and I look forward to the trend continuing.

[Dave Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've all done it. Bought a book based on trusted friends reviews, then let it gather dust. That's what happened to me with In The Shadow of the Hanging Tree. Then I read it and kicked myself for not reading it sooner. Sound familiar?
Set in 1865 it's the story of a free slave and his lover trying to find safety. It's about the imbroglio many states were facing at the end of the Civil War. And it's also, and this bit is very important, about the fate of Native Americans after the Civil War. There's a lot going on. Throw in a love story, a bunch of angry bushwackers and whole load of characters who have become dispossessed, and you have a really fantastic story.
It’s rare for me to be hooked after a couple of pages, and rarer still to decide it's a 5 star read after 30 pages, yet both happened. This isn't a book for the faint hearted because it takes on some ugly issues. But it's an action packed page turner that I couldn't put down. All the way through it I could see a film. Favourite book this year? Ask me in December, but at the moment it's the leader of the pack.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael McLellan has written a raw and emotional story about a dark but important time in our country‘s history. This book touches on both The atrocities of slavery and the abysmal treatment of Native Americans. It is a hard pill to swallow that there is so much hate running through our country‘s history, but I think it is important for us to acknowledge this and hopefully learn from it. Mr. McLellan is a brilliant storyteller who has woven together this compelling story that is simultaneously beautiful and ugly.

The book starts off with two seemingly separate storylines. Henry a freed slave who is heading towards the north to start his new life. John Elliot an army lieutenant who has been sent out west and soon learns of the governments plans to kill off the Indians. It is ultimately Standing Elk Who unites these characters as well as Clara John’s fiancé. Each one of these characters were so well drawn, so vivid, so substantial, and sympathetic. My heart broke and my hope sword for each of these characters. But I have to say Henry really tugged at my heart strings, his grief and despair were palpable. This book was so well researched, almost too realistic at times. The story does not paint a pretty picture, no punches are held. A well told character driven story about a vile time in our country’s past.

This book in three emojis: 🌳 ⛅️ 🎗

[Tara Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads "giveaway" and am very appreciative. Without Goodreads I would not of known of this author or his books. Thank you Mr. McLellan for sending the book to me. This is a very raw and powerful story set in the l860's just after the Civil War. It is fast paced, well plotted and the characters well defined. I thoroughly enjoy the story and highly recommend it. Mr. McLellan is a talented writer and I shall be looking at his other books.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a well written story, in that sense definitely a 5 star book! It felt as if I was watching a film, I could see it all happening before me. And that was exactly my problem, it was a bit too vivid for me. Slavery, American civil war, Indians, need I say more. But the story will stay with me and I would recommend it if you have the stamina that I don't have that much of :)

[Graeme Rodaughan]

A great book - Just not my cup of tea. DNF'ed at 24%

This book has taught me several things.

[1] Michael A. McLellan is an excellent writer, and this is clearly a beautifully and intelligently written novel.

[2] My wife read this book well before I even knew it existed, and gave it 5 stars. She loves well written historical fiction, but didn't tell me about it (she knows me well)

[3] As much as I admired the writing and the skills on display, this was just not my cup of tea. In fact, it has clarified for me that my reading interests are quite specific. I.e. Science fiction, fantasy, a touch of creeping horror, oodles of magic and mayhem, improbable worlds and spectacular conflicts. The more real something is, the less likely I'm going to enjoy it.

[4] This book needed a new shelf - so I created it. "Great Books - Just not my cup of tea"

I strongly recommend this book to all readers with similar tastes to my wife - I.e. a love of pitch perfect writing, strong and detailed characterization, and historical fiction.

(My DNF policy as two inflections. Good - just not for me. Bad - had to stop because it was horrible or (more often) completely lost my interest. In both cases I don't star rate the book).

[Jessaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

"And the earth was corrupt before God. And the earth was filled with violence... And it repented God that he made man on the earth. And it grieved him to his heart."Genesis 6

It was coming to the end of the Civil War in America. Henry and his wife had been given their freedom. They even had papers. But they knew that freedom was limited in America, So, when they began walking up north, they knew to stay hidden. But men had found them and nearby was a hanging tree.

New York. Clara Was the daughter of an affluent man in the city. She fell in love with the young man who was in the army, a man of whom her father disapproved. When her father learn That they desire to be married, he's separated them, Sending John to fort Laramie and Clara to another city, she rebelled. She would find John.

It was a time in America when freed blacks were slaughtered. It was a time when men
destroyed entire villages of the native people. It was a time when freedom did not exist? Has there ever been a time when all people in America were free? Has there ever been a time in America when violence did not exist?

NOTE If you loved this book, you might love the book, Coal Black Horse by
Robert Ulmstead.

[Michael McLellan]

Sequel is almost finished...

[Anthony Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third time reading this book,,, each time I get more out of it. I only have a few books in my personal library I have read more than once. The list is much shorter of books I have read more than twice. This one makes my favorite list.

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree is a tale of love, sorrow, adventure, tragedy, and redemption that made it difficult for me to pause even for a moment, until the end.

After reading a short story by this author and sampling his craft I had to read his latest novel. And, like the short story, I was delighted with the book.

The primary character is Henry, a slave raised on a tobacco plantation in Missouri who is freed when he is about 20 years old. Henry learns quickly, freedom for a young Black man during the Civil War is a very dangerous idea. Not long after heading north with his beloved Eliza, Henry meets the hangman’s rope for the first time. The author does an excellent job of moving the plot while keeping readers engaged in several time periods. Henry’s adventures include living with the Cheyenne Indians and becoming an interpreter and tracker for the army.

The characters introduced are believable and it is easy for the reader to form attachments. I found myself pulling for Lieutenant John Elliot and his sweetheart Clara Hanfield to find their dream life together. Also, I was hoping for Sergeant Campbell to expose the corruption in the army, Randel Eastman to find Clara and Standing Elk to lead the Cheyenne Braves on a quest to avenge the slaughter at Sandy Creek.

Likewise, the reader will love to hate the villains in this book. The evil Colonel Picton and who can forget Emmet Dawson.

I loved every corner of this tale. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and stories so close to reality it’s hard to know its fiction. What I found most clever, and meaningful was how Henry found Andrew Holt and returned his saddle. Nice touch Sir!

[Myrn🩶 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical book! This action packed story came to life and was very intense at times. Plus, I had no idea how this book would end. With diverse and original characters, I came to care for Henry, Clara, John, and Standing Elk. This novel gave me another favorite book couple so I was upset McLellan didn’t give John and Clara a happily ever after . It also gave me annoying characters and lots of men to hate with a true picture of how badly Native Americans and African Americans were treated. I highly recommend this book if you like this genre.

I won a signed copy of this book but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a pretty tale, but it is fascinating and very evocative. In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree takes us back to a dark and tumultuous time in American History. We follow Henry, a “freed” slave through numerous encounters with different characters at various points during his troubled life.

Through Henry, the author takes us on a grim journey that is both exciting, and heartbreaking. The story is written so well that despite its dark subject matter, you can’t help but get deeply involved in both the story and the characters.

It’s one of those books that’s so good but because of the very nature of the story, you hesitate to say you “enjoyed” it. But, since there isn’t a better word to use in its place, I thoroughly enjoyed it and was completely enthralled. It has adventure, corruption, murder and injustice, but it also has love. Love between partners, and between friends.

If you enjoy historical fiction, particularly American History, you should really check out this book.

Rating… A

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow of the Hanging Tree follows the life of an unfortunate freed slave named Henry and his journey in finding himself as a man. Henry’s journey starts by gaining his freedom from his old master as the Civil War comes to an end. He experiences the harsh realities of being an African American in the South during post civil war times. During this time Henry experiences loss, hatred, and the fear of being caught by those who do not care for him because of the color of his skin. After being chased and injured, Henry is found and helped by the Cheyenne Indian Tribe and Chief Black Elk who helps him overcome the hatred in his heart.

Running parallel to his story is the love story between Clara Hanfield and John Elliot who’s love is forbidden by Clara’s father who sends John away. John eventually meets Henry and with his help and the help they discover government conspiracy and work together to fight against it. The author does a fantastic job mixing the heart break, romance, adventure and history in to one book and keeps the reader wanting more.

This book kept me captivated and engaged, it was hard to put it down. There were only a few times I was bored reading the book and I would love to read it again. One of my favorite times in history to study and read about is the Civil War and the wild west. I love how Micheal A. McLellan brings the reader back to this time in history through the descriptions of the setting, clothing, and even the drawing of a bath.

I would not recommend this book for young or sensitive audiences due to the graphic nature of some descriptions and sexual content within the text. It is an excellent book for those who love romance, adventure, thrills, and action with a twist of wild west history.

The author did a good job capturing the personalities of each of the characters, giving Henry a sad but likable personality, writing him in a way that allows the reader to feel pity but also disappointment in some of Henry’s actions. He will enable you to explore the strength Clara carries through her journey a distaste for her father. The careful way each character is written allows the reader to feel a variety of emotions. This aspect of his writing helped keep me engaged and interested while reading.

I give this book five stars for many reasons. I was captivated by the stories, and never left bored or wondering why certain things happened. Micheal A. McLennan always brought the story back to the main character and gave a reason for every event, even the most tragic. I recommend this book to adult audiences and those who enjoy history but warn young and sensitive readers to read with discretion as some scenes are graphic and hard to read.

[Sarah Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are unfamiliar with the part of history that In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree involves, then this may be a spoiler: it’s a tragic story filled with grisly violence and inexplicable hatred. However, I believe most people have read about the treatment of slaves before the Civil War, the atrocities against Native American tribes in the western plains and the strict code of ethics regarding relationships between men and women during these times. Certainly this is an era in American history where misery abounded. While it may not sound like an uplifting subject for a book, you will find characters here that rise above their problems, show their humanity and guts to do right even in the face of perilous adversity.

The characters live and breathe this adversity and the author gets to the heart of their personal struggles with vivid action and realistic dialog. It is here that Henry, a legally freed slave, is in an endless struggle against prejudice; yet, instead of responding with hatred or anger, he reinvents himself as a guide and, later, a protector for those who could have easily looked down upon him. It is here that a shamed and banished West Point cadet, John Elliott, looks beyond the path that could salvage his career and, without hesitation, fights for a cause that could ruin him. It is here that a young woman, Clara Hanfield, believing that the man she loves has been wronged, counters all of East Coast society’s norms by defying her father and follows John Elliott on a desperate journey to Fort Laramie. It is here that we see that the divergent fates of three individuals meet at a turning point in American history and show us that good can prevail.

The book uniquely conveys a story about the time in history; and at the same time, it feels like it is of the time in history. Imbued with plain, straightforward language, the writing cuts to the bones of the plot. It is a pleasure to read clean prose such as McLellan’s.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a strong character driven historical fiction story set in the 1800’s from the Civil War era. Henry, a freed slave was my favorite character. Having freed slave papers didn’t make you free, Henry struggled in many ways. The mistreatment of Henry and the native Americans was difficult to read about. There are two love stories, Henry and Eliza, and John and Clara. I enjoy books from this time period and found it hard to put down. This was an intriguing, emotional read, the tension ramps up at times and the ending is heartbreaking. Due to the time era there’s some brutality. I recommend this book, it’s well written and a good story.
Pub. 2019

[Joseph Carano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I love novels written in the old west genre and this one hit the mark. Written about one of the most volatile eras in the history of our country, the time right after the civil war, it portrays a government wanting to expand and put the civil war behind it, by eliminating the Indian as an obstacle. A sad portion of our history as a nation is written about here and Mr. McLellan does a very good job of it. He mentions in the Forward that he fears for the human race. I think we all do.

[Chitra Iyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Shadow of the Hanging Tree is the third book by Michael A Mclellan. It is due to release on the 27th of January 2017. The book is set on the part of American history when the Civil War had just come to an end. It touches some of the sensitive issues such as racism and slavery apart from the clash between the Americans and the Red Indians.

Henry is a black man whose has been a slave all his life. He and Eliza, his wife, want to leave their terrible lives behind to start afresh. They plan to escape to the north and find jobs since slavery has been abolished. Hiding from the white men, they travel on foot but tragedy strikes as they are spotted. Meanwhile, John Elliot, a young cadet in the military falls in love with his father's enemy's daughter, Clara. Strings are pulled and John is sent off to Dakota, far away from his love. As John begins his work in the Dakota territory, he discovers a government conspiracy that involves the elimination of the Indians for the convenience of the big American expansion. When Clara comes to know of her father's involvement in John's departure, she leaves her father's house in search of John. Henry is rescued by the Cheyenne people after an accident and as he begins to understand them, he realizes that they are kind and humane as opposed to what as being broadcasted by the white men. Henry and John, come together as one to fight the hate war representing the only side that matters - humanity.

This was my first time reading about American history and it was definitely refreshing. The narration is well paced with lots of emotions, which I personally appreciated. The book throws light on the exploitation of the Red Indians, racism and the resultant miserable lives of the slaves. And also the tragic consequences of it all. But what the reader takes away from the book is the consolation that despite the wars and regardless of their race, there were heroes to save humanity during such trying times in history.

The character of Henry comes on as a powerful one and is my favorite. The miseries and tragedies of his life makes him strong and brave but nevertheless, compassionate. Henry is torn between helping the white and the Indians, but ultimately chooses the path of justice.

In The Shadow of the Hanging Tree is a touching story with an action packed climax. The author sends out a strong reminder of our past. It is sad that so much has been endured, so much has been lost in the name of race, money and development. But as we know through examples from history, freedom doesn't come without sacrifices.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it.


*** This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ***

[Bradley Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had the pleasure of reading one of Michael McLellan's previous novels entitled American Flowers so knew something about how incredible a writer he is, but was wholly unprepared for the stunning impact of reading his newest novel In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree. This a powerful, dark, arresting, and at times, terrible historical fiction story of the newly emancipated slave Henry. He finds himself freed by his 'owner' after the end of the Civil War in Missouri. It then chronicles his plight in trying to traverse an entirely hostile environment, where there are no friends and absolutely no one he can trust. Rich in historical accuracy, complex and brutal in prose, and beautifully penned, McLellan captures a time and place and brings it into stark, uncompromising, and rigid tintype focus. A breathtaking and thought-provoking novel from start to finish, wonderfully packaged! I am proud to own a print copy of this fine book and encourage others to get one, as well. You will want this in your collection. A very strong five stars!

[David Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and could not put it down. Michael McLellan's skill as an author comes through in his ability to write exposition without interrupting the story and dialogue that flows naturally.

Set in the period following the end of the civil war, McLellan's novel follows the life of a freed slave, Henry, as he makes his way west and becomes immeshed in the border disputes between the US Army and the Indian Nations. Having lived with the Cheyenne and acted as a scout for the US Army, Henry finds himself caught between the two as expansionist forces attempt to start an all out war by provoking Indian attacks on settlers. In the midst of this, Henry is drawn into helping a young white woman who has run away from an abusive father to reunite with her lover, a US Cavalry Officer who has become disenchanted with the actions of his superior officers.

Throughout the novel, McLellan uses his characters' experiences to touch upon themes of race, justice, and good and evil. In the end, the reader is left with an understanding that good people can commit evil acts and that perhaps the defining human trait is our ability to accept responsibility and to forgive; whether it be ourselves or others.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree is a bittersweet tale that caused me to cry the ugliest of tears yet smile the brightest of smiles. Michael McLellan is a phenomenal writer that can make you feel the deepest of emotions while reading this novel.

Told from multiple points of view, the author gives us the thoughts of every character. As a rule, I find this type of storytelling annoying, but the way it is written, the beauty of the words spoke to me. I truly felt that I knew these characters.

The only complaint I have is that the book ended. I want to know what happens after that final scene, but I will settle for making things up in my mind, which is easy to do with the start Mr. McLellan has given us.

I heartily award In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree a full 5 out of 5 stars. This book is a tough read in that it is very emotional. However, the words flow so smoothly. I recommend this novel as a great book club read for anyone who enjoys deeply emotional books.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree
Author: Michael McLellan
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 23
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 23 readers:
22 would read another book by this author.
22 thought the cover was good or excellent.
23 felt it was easy to follow.
23 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
11 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
19 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
23 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘Graphic and very powerful. I enjoyed this very much.’ Male reader, aged 42
‘This fellow is a very good writer.’ Female reader, aged 36
‘The author is excellent at balancing setting and plot development. It seemed well-researched with a plausible plot and memorable characters. Very good indeed.’ Female reader, aged 29
There’s a good flow to this book. The content is harsh; unrelenting. But the writing style has a warm sort of feel to it; flowing, a little bit velvety perhaps. I enjoyed the language very much. It felt like a warm blanket to wrap myself in.’ Female reader, aged 67
‘There’s a lot of hatred in this story but it is well handled. The historical aspect also felt well researched. Anybody interested in American history would enjoy this historical novel.’ Male reader, aged 54

‘Harsh, powerful and totally unputdownable. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://booksteacupnreviews.wordpress...

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree was historical fiction based on civil war, set in 1861-1866, a dark and brutal time period in American history. It was mainly about racism and its impact, civil war, antagonism, unjust law and exploitation, and fight for survival and what is fair and right.

This book was highly disturbing and evocative. It was filled with so much horrors humans are capable to create and sick psychology. I was shocked reading how politicians and military turned blind eye to what some militia group were doing and its consequence provoked Indians to fight. I kept thinking about book for long time and after long time I don’t have enough or proper words.

Writing was great, hooked me to story from the very first page. It took me longer to finish this book so wouldn’t say it was fast paced and with the topic and events so heavy one cannot rush through the story. Story was written from third person perspective from Henry, John and Clara’s perspective. There were two parallel stories – one of Henry told in dual timeline five years before and later while other of John and Clara.

Book started five years back,Henry escaping for freedom and slavery towards Kansas with his wife. It told about his life on run, how he was brought up, his work in shed of Tobacco plantation, how life took fateful turn when he was sold to a white tyrant, what happened once he ran off with his wife. Five years later he was s till struggling to live free life but have somehow earned Red Indians’ respect and now was working as military scout that put him in middle war between military and Native Americans where he soon had to choose a side.

At the same time John Elliot was forced to join military at Dakota Territory because he dared to love daughter of influential and powerful Shipping tycoon, Clara Hanfield. Few days later, Clara ran away from her tyrannical father to search for John so she can live life away from her father with him.

These three characters’ life and perspective changed as they entered this dangerous territory and as they learned ways of Native Americans, saw military’s unfair and inhuman treatment towards them, and experienced their outrage. It was tense and at the same time interesting to read their life and fate to see what they would do and how they would come out of the situation.

All characters were intriguing. We meet all kind of people. Though most of them were cruel and it would be insult to animals if I call them with animals, but some were kind, generous, compassionate and conscience. One was Henry. He was my most favorite. Even after enduring the worst in the world where he was seen lowly, treated worse than animals, and harbored anger and hatred for whites for what they did to him, he never thought about revenge or joined war with Native Americans, at least not in first half of the book. Even when he hurt anybody to save himself or somebody else he felt guilt for long time. Like John, said he was most noble person in the book and set an example on how humans should act and behave even in toughest time.

I like both John Clara and rooted for them. John was misguided and did what he felt was right based on the situation but he regretted it soon enough and started to question what military was doing and soon discovered government conspiracy that wanted to execute Indians. The reason behind it was revealed at the end of the book. He was so young and had less experience on field but still he showed tremendous courage and sensibility. His heart was on right side.

Clara was great throughout the book. Though I felt her decision was reckless, I could see her point. Her father wouldn’t have tolerated news. She was born and brought up in comforts and still she coped well with what she had to endure and days after she was rescued. I kept thinking about all the possibilities regarding her decision, but none looked right. She deserved much more than what she got here in this story.

Planes of prairie and woods of Missouri, slavery, treatments with slaves, psychology of people and their reaction to free black people and then towards treaty with Indian- it all was narrated wonderfully. Until I read this book and later on googling about civil war, I didn’t know Sand Creek Massacre really happened. It was horrible enough to read in the book, I cannot even imagine how could people have shoot defenseless Indians, elders, women and children alike, with no compassion or guilt, in reality. What might have driven them to such extent! And all for piece of land! A government’s petty reason! So that they can gain something, and what? Just look at the casualty number! Nothing can be worth to cause such big toll.

This story made me think how much people have changed and how some still need to look back at history to see what color and racial discrimination can do. Sadly, terrorism and now coronavirus keep influencing this in people. Just last month I read one blogger faced cruel remarks because of race and color; one WhatsApp group was ranting of safeguarding community and banish other community and was teaching same to their kids; I saw one post where a Chinese was beaten because of coronavirus! How some people’s mentality hasn’t evolved. It was mind-boggling and thought-provoking.

Climax was tense and uncertain. I couldn’t guess what character would face next and what they would decide to do about their situation. All that happened from climax to end made me so sad. The feeling of hopelessness I felt since 60% of the book only intensified in this part. The battle before end was tense, exciting and tragic. I wasn’t satisfied with the end in some parts. I was happy with the result of battle but not with what government did and the reason that was revealed for starting this war.

Overall, it was amazing, thought-provoking, and heart breaking historical fiction. I highly recommend this book to those who love to read books based on history and to historical fiction lovers.

*** Note: I received e-copy of this book from the author via R&R Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author and Shannon. ***

[Bona Fide Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This turned out to be a fascinating story. It starts with Henry and Eliza, newly freed from slavery at the end of the Civil War. The beginning of their freedom has a very big downside in that they have no idea how to manage it. They were released like little puppies with no idea how to save themselves. Being slaves, they were used to hardship and injustice, and once they are free they have to rely on gossip and a lot of hope in their desire to acquire land in the northern U.S. They have heard there are places they can live and work without the terror of the South.

Several times I closed this book and decided I couldn’t review it. The hatred in people’s hearts is easily admitted, but this story lays it bare. Post-war South was a seething pool of hatred. Henry and Eliza don’t get far before they are captured, even though they carry their papers of freedom. Henry is hung and Eliza is dragged away by a group of ragged men with evil in their hearts. Luck or not, Henry’s hanging rope is rotted through and he falls to the ground, where he abandons Eliza to escape his captors.

Some years later, Henry is working for the military as a scout in Indian territory. Here he meets up with people who have grown tired of prejudice and the soulless men who look only to themselves. They have grown tired of men who talk falsely to the Indians and then use their arrogance to become rich while others starve, while they ferment war with the Indians and send soldiers to kill their babies. Because of this, Henry finds people who at least are interested in calling him by name and, at the same time of crisis, support his desire to do something for the Indians that he has come to care so much for.

John and Clara are interesting characters. John is a military man forced to serve in Indian country, because he loves Clara. Her father, being a controlling and selfish man, thinks he can manipulate two people who are in love. As John is forced to go on a foray to an undefended Indian village where soldiers kill every woman, child, and man, he is sickened and actually walks away from the military he though he would spend his life serving. Clara also comes to her own recognition that there have been people in her life that she has loved, but refrained from admitting to herself or them for fear of social ostracism.

Once the people in this story are forced into company with each other, they realize people are similar no matter who or what they are. They all had many of the same worries and the same desires. They could not like each other as a whole population, but on a face-to-face basis they found how to accept, care, and love each other.

I highly recommend this book. It is an eye-opener into the American past and a reminder of what we should hope for today. Without saying, this book points out the fact that we have a long way to go.

The rating:

Genre & general reading age – Historical for adults and older teens.
Level of sexuality – Very low-key.
Is there graphic language – Quite a bit.
Did I cry? No, but I was saddened at times.
Did I laugh? No.
Is this part of a series? This is a standalone.
Level of character development – This book is so well-done, I never had a sense of the characters lacking.

I am very happy to give Mr. McLellan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.

[Lindsey Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original Review Here

I have never studied this part of history, but as soon as I saw the In The Shadow of the Hanging Tree invite for a blog tour, I instantly wanted to join.

There are times when a book is nothing short of powerful, and this is how I felt about this novel. I have never been so concerned for a character within just a few pages, and yet I couldn’t tear my eyes away from that opening, fearing for Henry’s life even before I had got to know his character. McLellan’s writing just has that sort of impact.

As I have said, I am naïve to this part of history – I’ll be the first to admit it. But it means I have literally no idea how accurate In The Shadow of the Hanging Tree is. What it does do, however, is make you think about the level of violence, racism, prejudice etc existed at that time and how drastic the implications of these emotions were. So many innocent people were killed, and this novel makes you think about that.

The characters were all relatable. Henry loses everything when he gains his freedom, but somehow finds a way to not only survive, but make a living for himself. This is mainly due to his relationship with the natives, especially Standing Elk. Henry was compassionate yet brave and was determined to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences for himself.

Both John and Clara were completely naïve, especially Clara. But they too were determined to do what was right. John couldn’t stand by and watch the slaughter, and Clara refused to let her controlling father dominate her life and deny her the man she loved. Both charged into danger, albeit of different sorts, because they felt they had no choice.

The secondary characters were strong as well. Standing Elk would be the type of man you want as a leader, while those at the army base who tried to help the unfortunate couple acted from the heart rather than following orders. This novel had characters that you could easily fall in love with.

It didn’t shy away from how the times were though. Being a main character, being on the right side and acting with good intentions, did not by any means indicate that you would survive. The land was harsh, the people harsher, and those who were not suited for it perished. Regardless of whether they were a main character or the villain. I was left stunned more than once, convinced characters would reach their happy ending and being denied.

In The Shadow of the Hanging Tree is a very powerful read that gets you thinking, regardless of your knowledge of that era. The characters are cleverly constructed so no group appear superior or in the right, and the dialogue used reflects the attitude of the character – you know if someone is good or not by how they think of Henry!

A very strong recommendation and a very strong book.

[Sage Adderley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history, but when I read about it, I usually grab a nonfiction book. I am not too much of a historical fiction reader. But, when the author sent me a copy of In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree, I didn’t hesitate to read it because I absolutely loved his book, American Flowers. I am so happy I gave this story a chance. It was way more intense and emotional than I expected.

Henry is an incredible human being and character. You can’t help but sit on the edge of your seat as you ride the waves of good and bad with him as he becomes a free man. Despite this newfound freedom, he endures endless hate and pain. It’s when he meets the indigenous people of the land that he begins to get the respect he deserves.

One of the main reasons I like this book is because despite it being based in the 1800s, it is relatable to what our country (and the world) is currently experiencing within our government and people. I enjoyed the unusual friendship of Henry, John, and Clara. Each character has enough back story to feel for them. I adore the privileged characters that use their class and status to do the right thing. This book tells the beautiful and painful story of humanity and compassion.

[emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree is one of the most intense and thrilling novels I have ever read. The writing is graceful and just amazing. The story is full of in-depth detail, created a new level of emotion. At times I felt that I was overwhelmed with all what was going on.

In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree is developed really well. I love all the cultures and races that were brought up in this novel. It's fascinating to me. You don't see those touchy subjects in books nowadays. It's rare. I love that uniqueness to In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree. Mr. McLellan is a very talented and inspirational writer. He has potential and talent to get big. I personally feel that this novel should be read by book lovers because it's just packed and packed with emotion. Overall I give In the the Shadow of the Hanging Tree four stars.

[Mark Brandwein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book! Well written! Simply a masterpiece! If you miss out on reading this book, then you are letting Michael McClellan down. Thank you for writing this book!