A Cold, Hard Prayer

by John Smolens

In 1924, an orphan train passes through the Midwest, and two teenagers, seeking a new life, find nothing but hardship when taken in to live on a farm in Michigan. Mercy, a teenage girl of mixed race, and a boy nicknamed Rope, who lost fingers in a factory accident, become virtual prisoners of Harlan and Estelle Nau, whose children died during the Spanish flu epidemic. After facing abuse, Mercy and Rope flee, making an arduous journey into sparsely populated northern Michigan, where Mercy believes she will find her aunt. After Harlan is found murdered on his farm, police captain Jim Kincaid pursues Mercy and Rope to the cold, barren villages on the Mackinac Straits, but his efforts are complicated by the reemergent Ku Klux Klan, which has formed a coalition with the police deputy Milt Waters and the Dingley brothers, who run a local bootleg operation. Resolute and intrepid, Mercy and Rope develop a bond of mutual trust that helps them navigate a stark American landscape shaped by prejudice, hypocrisy, and fear.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

According to Northern Michigan University's website, John Smolens "...has published five novels Cold, The Invisible World, Fire Point, Angel’s Head, and Winter by Degrees, and one collection of short stories (My One and Only Bomb Shelter.) Cold was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and the Detroit Free Press selected Fire Point as the best book by a Michigan author in 2004... His short stories and essays have appeared in various magazines and newspapers, including: the Virginia Quarterly, the William and Mary Review, the Massachusetts Review, Yankee, Redbook, the Los Angeles Times, and the Boston Globe. His work has been translated into Dutch, Greek, Italian, and Turkish, and has been published the United Kingdom by Hodder & Stoughton, London."

His most recent publication is The Anarchist and has been well received.

Reviews

[Brittany - bookmarkedbybritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Stacey E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley

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.

[Markie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Cold, Hard Prayer" by John Smolens is a powerful and gripping historical novel set in 1924, following the journey of two teenagers seeking a new life after being taken in by a farm family in Michigan. The story delves into themes of hardship, abuse, resilience, and the profound impact of prejudice and fear on American society during that era.

The novel introduces readers to Mercy, a teenage girl of mixed race, and Rope, a young boy who lost fingers in a factory accident. Both find themselves on an orphan train passing through the Midwest, hoping for a better life than the one they left behind. However, their dreams are shattered when they are taken in by Harlan and Estelle Nau, a couple still grieving the loss of their own children during the Spanish flu epidemic.

Under the Nau's roof, Mercy and Rope experience nothing but hardship and abuse, feeling like virtual prisoners in a cold and unwelcoming environment. Fueled by desperation, they decide to escape and embark on a challenging journey through the sparsely populated northern Michigan. Mercy's determination to find her aunt gives them a glimmer of hope amidst the harsh realities they face.

As their escape unfolds, they encounter Police Captain Jim Kincaid, who becomes determined to capture them after the murder of Harlan Nau on the farm. However, their pursuit is further complicated by the reemergence of the Ku Klux Klan, which has forged a dangerous alliance with local law enforcement and bootleggers.

Throughout the novel, Mercy and Rope's bond of trust and friendship strengthens, enabling them to confront the adversities of the American landscape shaped by prejudice, hypocrisy, and fear. Their resolute and intrepid spirits serve as a beacon of hope in a world filled with darkness.

John Smolens skillfully weaves a tale of suspense and resilience, transporting readers to a tumultuous period in American history. The narrative is enriched with vivid descriptions of the stark landscapes and the harsh realities faced by marginalized individuals during this time.

"A Cold, Hard Prayer" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that highlights the consequences of discrimination and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It offers a poignant exploration of historical injustices while showcasing the enduring power of hope, friendship, and determination in the pursuit of a better life. Smolens' writing style is compelling and evocative, immersing readers in the lives of the captivating characters who struggle against the odds to forge their own path in an unforgiving world.

In conclusion, "A Cold, Hard Prayer" is a gripping historical novel that captivates with its powerful storytelling and resonates with its portrayal of human resilience. It's a compelling and thought-provoking read that sheds light on an important period in American history, reminding us of the significance of empathy, understanding, and compassion in our shared journey toward a more just and inclusive society.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Polly Krize · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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.

[Cathy Solberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Suspenseful interesting tale about 2 orphans heading west on the orphan train. Loved this book - didn’t want to put it down until the end.

Characters to love and hate, a morality tale and much about the 1920’s and the KKK, Prohibition, and tough times. Mercy, Rope, and Kincaid are central figures in the tale and each has burdens that affect their choices.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by John Smolens. His stories start small and grow to include large historical events and movements. All of his characters are believeable and well developed. A great storyteller.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

His best yet! He’s such a great storyteller.

[Pat Jorgenson Waterchilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read! Very engaging story. Well written and a real page turner 👏!

[Hillary Shemes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Michigan notable book. I really enjoyed this, it was beautifully written.