Razorblade Tears

Author: S. A. Cosby
Genre: Crime Thriller
319 pages
Publisher: Flatiron Books, 2021

Synopsis
A Black father. A white father. Two murdered sons. A quest for vengeance.

Ike Randolph has been out of jail for fifteen years, with not so much as a speeding ticket in all that time. But a Black man with cops at the door knows to be afraid.

The last thing he expects to hear is that his son Isiah has been murdered, along with Isiah’s white husband, Derek. Ike had never fully accepted his son but is devastated by his loss.

Derek’s father Buddy Lee was almost as ashamed of Derek for being gay as Derek was ashamed his father was a criminal. Buddy Lee still has contacts in the underworld, though, and he wants to know who killed his boy.

Ike and Buddy Lee, two ex-cons with little else in common other than a criminal past and a love for their dead sons, band together in their desperate desire for revenge. In their quest to do better for their sons in death than they did in life, hardened men Ike and Buddy Lee will confront their own prejudices about their sons and each other, as they rain down vengeance upon those who hurt their boys.

My review
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby is an exceptional crime thriller that stands out as one of the top five books I’ve read this year. Cosby crafts a powerful, high-octane Southern thriller that shouldn’t be missed. Set in Virginia, the novel explores themes of fatherhood, family, race, and homophobia, while also exploring an unexpected and emotionally charged friendship between two fathers that is born from the all-consuming rage and grief that follow a tragedy devoid of justice. This outstanding novel is packed with action, suspense, violence, and intrigue, making it a must-read for its compelling storytelling. It’s also a tale of hope, personal growth, transformation, and the possibility of redemption.

What elevates this novel above other crime fiction is Cosby’s exceptional characterization, particularly the flawed yet compelling Ike and Buddy Lee. Their relationship is built on emotional truths that add deep authenticity to the story as they learn about each other’s lives and slowly build trust and respect. As they break down lifelong perceptions, they start to grasp the deep-seated homophobia and racism in Southern American society and confront their own prejudices. Cosby’s brilliant writing ensures that the “cracked and weathered souls” of Ike and Buddy Lee will find their way into your heart. This is an electrifying, raw, and utterly riveting character-driven story—brutal and violent, yet always enthralling, especially in how Ike and Buddy Lee respond to the deaths of their sons.

At just over 300 pages, this is a quick read with near-perfect pacing. Cosby skillfully incorporates just the right amount of Southern colloquialisms and metaphors to enrich the characters and the small-town setting without overdoing it or falling into clichés.

Razorblade Tears is an emotional, raw, beautifully written crime thriller told with the authenticity of someone deeply familiar with life in a small Southern town. His distinctive writing style truly shines, solidifying him as an author who will undoubtedly remain on my must-read list.

My recommendation: read it!