King Of Ashes

Author: S. A. Cosby
Genre: Crime Thriller
352 pages
Publisher: Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar, 2025

Synopsis
When eldest son Roman Carruthers is summoned home after his father’s car accident, he finds his younger brother, Dante, in debt to dangerous criminals and his sister, Neveah, exhausted from holding the family—and the family business—together. Neveah and their father, who run the Carruthers Crematorium in the run-down central Virginia town of Jefferson Run, see death up close every day. But mortality draws even closer when it becomes clear that the crash that landed their father in a coma was no accident and Dante’s recklessness has placed them all in real danger.

Roman, a financial whiz with a head for numbers and a talent for making his clients rich, has some money to help buy his brother out of trouble. But in his work with wannabe tough guys, he’s forgotten that there are real gangsters out there. As his bargaining chips go up in smoke, Roman realizes that he has only one thing left to offer to save his himself, and his own particular set of skills.

Roman begins his work for the criminals while Neveah tries to uncover the long-ago mystery of what happened to their mother, who disappeared when they were teenagers. But Roman is far less of a pushover than the gangsters realize. He is willing to do anything to save his family. Anything.

Because everything burns.

My review
S.A. Cosby is back with King of Ashes, a standalone southern noir crime thriller that’s equal parts gritty and lyrical. This compelling story dives deep into morality, family, and the dark underbelly of Jefferson Run, a small southern town overrun by violence and drug-related gangs. I’ll read anything Cosby writes. His bold, morally ambiguous characters and atmospheric storytelling keep this author at the top of my reading list.

The story follows Roman Carruthers, who returns to Jefferson Run after five years when his father is left in a coma following a tragic car accident. His sister, Neveah, is worn down from single-handedly managing the family crematorium, while his brother, Dante, battles addiction and spiraling debts owed to dangerous drug dealers. Forced to intervene, Roman uses his sharp financial acumen to navigate and outwit the criminals threatening his family’s safety.

Cosby’s character development is stellar, with Roman standing out as a morally ambiguous financial genius determined to protect his family at all costs. Neveah’s determination to find out what happened to her mother years ago, and Dante’s recklessness create a dynamic sibling trio struggling with their shared trauma and the weight of their father’s legacy.

Cosby’s writing shines with evocative metaphors that capture the essence of Jefferson Run, a dying town steeped in violence and a haunting history. He excel at crafting atmosphere, and I was fully immersed in the dark, tension-filled streets of a small southern community. While some metaphors felt a bit heavy-handed, they don’t detract from the overall rich narrative.

My only criticism is the plot’s uneven pacing. The beginning had me hooked with its intense dive into family drama and the mystery of Roman’s mom’s disappearance! And the final act? Absolutely thrilling. Unfortunately, the middle dragged a bit, felt repetitive, and didn’t quite have the depth I’ve come to expect from Cosby’s other books.

Despite its flaws, King of Ashes is an emotional and authentic crime thriller. It may not reach the heights of Razorblade Tears or All the Sinners Bleed, but it reaffirms S.A. Cosby’s place as a skillful and emotional storyteller. His distinctive voice and ability to weave compelling narratives ensure he’ll remain at the top of my reading list.

My recommendation: though not Cosby’s best, King of Ashes is definitely worth the read!