Reviews

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

tresaspen's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A

3.0

bookedandcaffeinated's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

robertrivasplata's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Page-turning neo-noir southern serial killer mystery. S.A. Cosby has a some good turns of phrase. “Death, darkness, terror: nothing would stop them from setting up the pie-eating booth and the crab-pot-pulling platform.” I think he has a good horror novel in him; All the Sinners Bleed is already kind of a slasher. The part with the Fall Fest reminded me a bit of the “Thanksgiving” trailer from the early 2000s Grindhouse movie. its a lot of mystery novel/neo-noir tropes: the detective with a past (& whose first love is the law), the very genius killer, the phone call with the killer (quoting bible verses). Has a good deal of commentary on 2020s era southern local politics, with old money, black liberation theologians, neo-confederates (with statue), old-time religion/cult types, & good ole boy gangsters all represented. 

emmasafford725's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

cecedicksonn's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

hansan537's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

nkkc's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

murph2244's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book has the appearances of a standard detective story, but it offers some pretty profound commentary on social issues in the American south as it goes. The inner conflict of the Black sheriff is a big part of the story and shows a lot of the feelings Black police officers might have navigating those parts of their identities. Cosby also addresses the mixed feelings many southerners have towards their homelands and the nature of the soul of the region. And the mystery itself was gripping as well, so while the plot tried to go in many different directions, I thought it was successful in hitting many of the issues facing southern small towns.

stonerwithbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

5.0

An intense murder mystery that touches on racism, religion, and police brutality. So good from beginning to end. Have you questioning every character 

inked_finch's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5