Razorblade Tears is a novel I will be thinking about for a long time. I am so glad I had the opportunity to listen to it on audiobook. The narrator was perfect for this story, and the way he read each character really had me feeling for everyone in the story.
Ike and Buddy Lee are two fathers who never expected they would see their sons buried before they were. The police are of almost no help in their small southern town, and these two decide to take it upon themselves to solve the murder of their gay sons.
I cannot say enough about how well this story was written. I laughed, I cried, I cheered along for the characters when discoveries were made.
I am so thankful to Macmillan audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you netgalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. It was easy to listen too and binged it in a matter of days. I loved how the story unfolded. I was fully invested in the two fathers on a quest to find out who murdered their sons.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Mystery/Fiction 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
Such a beautiful story about two fathers and their relevance for the death of their sons. If you haven’t read this one yet you need to!

I thought the audiobook was great. The narration was great and really fit well with the story.

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Great writing
Complex and interesting characters
Action packed reads
Heavy themes of loss, grief, racism and homophobia
Crime thrillers
Powerful and raw storylines
Emotional and intense reads
Character driven plot

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
I was so attached to the characters
Great character development

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
I am not the biggest fan of long action scenes
Lots of violence
A little over the top but I loved it

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:
★ “When the people you love are gone, it's the things they've touched that keep them alive in your mind”
★ “Folks like to talk about revenge like it’s a righteous thing but it’s just hate in a nicer suit,”
★ “Tears ran from his eyes and stung his cheeks. Tears for his son. Tears for his wife. Tears for the little girl they had to raise. Tears for who they were and what they all had lost. Each drop felt like it was slicing his face open like a razorblade.”

•Description•
Revenge
Violence
Regret

•Rating•
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars
I recommend this audiobook!

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I Will Find You
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Wow! This book was just amazing. The character development, the topics - top notch. I loved that this book made me feel so many different emotions. Cannot wait to diver into more of S A Cosby's work.

I haven’t really read a book quite like this before and I really enjoyed everything it had to offer.

The interesting backgrounds and character development for Ike and Buddy was great to see through the book. The investigation and revenge plot was exciting and full of action. Overall, I loved each moment of the story. My attention was fully captured and I think I felt just about every possible emotion during this read. Awesome book!

I recently received the audiobook for Razorblade Tears from @netgalley and @flatiron_books
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Wow. I am super late to the party! While not my usual genre, it is a moving read and the audio was incredible! I listened to this book during June for Pride and would recommend if you can handle a gripping story of two heartbroken fathers who search for the killer(s) of their murdered sons. The story highlighted race, LGBTIA+ character arcs, prejudices, biases, and was incredibly relevant. This is not an easy read/listen, but it’s an important one!

Ike is black and he lost his son Isaiah, buddy Lee is white and he lost his son Derek they were married and had an adopted little girl name Ariana and we’re shot down in front of the wine store. Buddy Lee introduced to self at the boys funerals and although they have a lot in common such as being ex-cons having gay sons in the south they also differ in many ways. Ike Gato still has his family and built a lawn care business he is proud of. Buddy Lee it’s from a long line of no counts his family is well known in the area but not for anything good at least not until Derek. He graduated college and was a reporter who found love in her stable life until the night in front of the wine store. Both men carry guilt for how they treated their sons prior to their death and buddy Lee wants to find out who did it but Ike is reluctant at least he was until he seen the desecration of his sons grave . Buddy Lee will drag out every underworld contact he has and throughout the search for revenge they will create a tentative friendship and camaraderie they sadly cannot have with anyone else. Let me just say I love this narrators Way of performing a book but in this book razor blade tears it wasn’t as great as it was and other books I’ve heard him perform. Everyone in this book sounded African-American including southern buddy Lee. He had said said all that because he does create a great tone for the book and the such a superior narrator I still very much enjoyed his performance. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review I want to think the publisher and net galley for my ark copy

Wow. Just wow.
This is only my second book by S A Crosby and it won’t be my last - Crosby is now an auto-buy author for me!
Gut wrenching plot. Amazing storytelling. This book had me crying on 288 at the end!
Two fathers - Ike and Buddy Lee - had sons who were married to each other who have been recently murdered. Unsatisfied with the lack of energy the cops are putting in to the solve the case these men decide to get justice themselves. They also come to terms with their homophobia and how their lack and refusal to understand their sons while they were alive robbed them of so much precious time with them.
This is one of those books where I would LOVE to see it turned into a show or movie. I know it would people on the edge of their seat the way I was listening to this audio book!

5 stars for the story itself and 5 stars for the narrator! He has such an amazing voice.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby was an action packed and violent vengeance story that featured flawed characters that I absolutely rooted for. Although parts of it were slightly predictable and other parts had me cringing from the gore I enjoyed the prose, the dialogue and the character growth. The themes were heavy but handled well. I will definitely pick up more from this author.

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby is an intense and raw novel that is filled with revenge, regret, and remorse. The story revolves around two ex-convicts who are united by the tragic murder of their sons. The dynamic between the two main characters is a standout aspect of the book, as they play off each other in compelling ways.

S.A. Cosby demonstrates his skill as a storyteller throughout the novel, creating a gripping narrative. I thought that this book reads like an action-packed movie. While some readers may appreciate this approach, others may find it lacking in other aspects.

One aspect that stood out to me was the graphic and violent nature of the book. The author does not shy away from explicit descriptions, which may not be suitable for all readers. The excessive gore and vulgarity can be overwhelming at times, making the reading experience intense and, for some, off-putting.

I found that the novel full of stereotypes, which for me, detracted from the overall impact. I also predicted both the reveal and the ending around the halfway point of the story, which diminished the element of surprise and suspense for me.

I must mention that I personally enjoyed All the Sinners Bleed, which I read earlier in June, more than Razorblade Tears. However, I am still excited to explore S.A. Cosby's other works, particularly Blacktop Wasteland, as I have heard great things about it and look forward to experiencing his storytelling once again.

PS. This audiobook was narrated by Adam Lazarre-White, same as All the Sinners Bleed, and he was fantastic!

I’d like to thank NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

"Razorblade Tears" by S.A. Cosby is a grab-you-by-the-throat thriller that refreshes the noir genre by moving it to the gothic heart of rural Virginia. The premise is striking: two fathers--Buddy Lee is white, Ike is black, and both are ex-cons--meet over the graves of their gay sons, a married couple who have been viciously murdered. When the police investigation stalls, a vengeance-seeking Buddy Lee enlists Ike's help in bringing the killers to justice, setting off chain of brutal events that move this unlikely duo closer and closer to solving the crime--and to redeeming themselves in some small way for their earlier bigotry toward their dead sons. "Razorblade Tears" is definitely a violent book, much more so than I'm used to. But I had trouble tearing myself away, not only from the rollercoaster plot but also from the characters of Buddy Lee and Ike themselves, men who are grappling with past regrets while tentatively moving toward mutual trust and even the possibility of friendship. Cosby's constant use of over-the-top metaphors and similes was my one complaint, but after a bit I got used to them, or at least was able to ignore them. I'll be back for more from this writer. One other note: I listened to the audiobook version of this, and narrator Adam Lazarre-White was excellent, a perfect choice for this story and these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is heavy and uncomfortable pretty much start to finish. It is full of homophobia and racism, but with life lessons hiding underneath. The character development and growth is great. I enjoy the authors direct and action-packed writing style. I will be reading more of S.A. Cosby’s books.

I had never heard of SA Cosby before picking up this title. I actually originally saw the book as BOTM and then saw a few other bookstagram friends recommending it. I saw this book and requested from Macmillan Audio (thank you) and immediately started listening. The writing is beautiful even with the tough subject matter. The beginning grips you and you want to know what happened and how it is going to be resolved. The narrator really helps to bring the story to life and it’s like I know the characters and I’m fully invested in their struggle. I can fully see why everyone is raving about this book and am so excited I was approved for the next audio (all sinners bleed) because I can see SA Cosby becoming an auto but author for me. I do fully recommend this book whether audio (I loved) or physically reading. This is a story that needs to be experienced.

Deals with race relations, queer relationships, and current political themes amongst other topics.

This was a pretty good story but I have a few point. The character interactions were written like someone who's never met a criminal would expect them to act. The dialogue was odd I'm several places. This being an audiobook, I also have to say I wasn't thrilled with the narration. It was oddly choppy and the difference voices were just...weird.

Truly spectacular in every way. The audio narration was incredible, the writing and story were exceptional. I have become a devout fan from this book and can't wait to read his newest release.

“I’m prepared to bleed, are you?”

And bleed they do. There is a lot of bleeding in this book. Cosby’s follow up book has Bleed in the title. This guy writes a lot of violence.

Who’d have thought I’d be there for it?

The thing is, the characters are so authentic. I love the heroes, even with all of their flaws, and I hate the bad guys so much I can’t wait to see them bleed. And mixed in with all of the brutality are themes of family, love, acceptance, and overcoming prejudice. Wow! This guy can write. Sign me up for his next book, please.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Relative to the title, this one had me (and I am not a pushover) in tears within the first 5 minutes...

Speaks to the authorities well-known system of at least appearing to value crimes against African Americans as less important than crimes against anglos, this novel tells the story of two men who come together due to the loss of their two married sons. As a final all to late nod of acceptance to their gay sons, the two grieving fathers join ranks to obtain justice when they find their son's cases are no longer being investigated...

Things get fast and furious (albeit a bit crazy) from there.

Good read, except their attempt to find justice becomes a bit....apocalyptic

This was a rec from @punkybookbabe , and when I saw it on netgalley, I knew it was fate!

I would describe this as a mix between Sons of Anarchy & the movie Going in Style.

This book has everything: motorcycle gangs, ex convicts, sadness, anger, blood

This book deals with homophobia & racism, and while it was hard for me to read that type of content, I feel like it was vital in portraying Ike & Buddy Lee’s journey of acceptance as well as the real life experiences of queer & black people in the south.

I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time! It was full of grief, regret and revenge, but also friendship, character growth, and love. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I slept on this book for way longer than I should have, don’t make the same mistake I did!

The narrator was perfect for this book! He also narrated the Spite House, which I loved, so it was nice to have some familiarity!

Check TW’s before reading this!

Thank you Macmillan Audio, Flatiron Books & Netgalley for the ALC. A special thanks to SA Cosby! All opinions are my own.

I had such high hopes for this book after reading Blacktop Wasteland last year and it being one of my favorite books.
This book didn't even read like the same author. The dialogue was so over the top and cheesy I couldn't get on board with it at all. If I had to read "he sucked his teeth" one more time...I'd pay someone to count the number of times it appeared. The action was definitely nonstop but so wildly far fetched that everyone in the book should've been dead eight times over.
Overall incredibly disappointing.