Razorblade Tears and Blacktop Wasteland

With starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, and Library Journal, RAZORBLADE TEARS is S. A. Cosby’s latest novel. Here, he introduces readers to two ex-cons, Ike Randolph and Buddy Lee Jenkins. One is Black and one is White, but both were fathers. Their sons, Isiah and Derek, were married and brutally killed. The two men decide to leverage their underworld contacts and find out why and by whom. Revenge is in the air and so is some fabulous writing, like when Ike says, “I can get a gun if I need to. This is Virginia. They damn near sell them at Seven-Eleven.” Cosby is adept at interweaving social commentary, particularly about race relations and, in this novel, homophobia. One concern about this book is the amount of brutality and violence – be forewarned. Kirkus describes RAZORBLADE TEARS as “A lean, mean crime story about two bereaved fathers getting their hands bloody.”

Released about a year ago, Blacktop Wasteland is a fabulous mystery adventure story by the same author.  We were enthralled by the audio book (from Macmillan Audio and narrated by Adam Lazarre-White) during a recent road trip. Cosby’s main character, Beauregard "Bug" Montage, has left his earlier life of crime as a wheel man, but due to pressing obligations returns for one ill-fated attempt at robbery. The planning is fascinating and the double-crosses add complexity. One can’t help but care for the characters and be drawn into the story of their “professional” and personal lives. Blacktop Wasteland received starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal; New York Times describes it as “A roaring, full-throttle thriller, crackling with tension and charm.” I totally concur and am recommending it highly.