Take a photo of a barcode or cover
wordssearched 's review for:
Razorblade Tears
by S.A. Cosby
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Crime thrillers are not usually my bag, but S.A. Cosby came recommended by two of my favorite writers/recommenders of books: Barack Obama and Roxane Gay. For good reason. This story—of two ex-con fathers seeking vengeance for the deaths of gay sons with whom they had complicated relationships—was intricately plotted, well paced and deftly written. The characters aren't relatable, exactly, but they feel human, multidimensional and rooted in reality. Absent are the flat archetypes that I usually encounter when I dip my toe into this genre. It's packed with both action and emotion. Once you start, you may not be able to stop.
All that said, this book really puts the noir part of Southern noir to work. It's a thought-provoking page-turner and doesn't tone down the violence, racism or homophobia of the world it inhabits. If that's not your usual kind of escape as a reader, it may not be for you.
All that said, this book really puts the noir part of Southern noir to work. It's a thought-provoking page-turner and doesn't tone down the violence, racism or homophobia of the world it inhabits. If that's not your usual kind of escape as a reader, it may not be for you.