3.5★

King of Ashes by S.A Cosby is a tense crime novel about a man who needs to save his family after his brother botches a drug deal.

This is the first Cosby novel I have read. He is a great writer with oddly lyrical prose for a crime novel. Now I will admit, I am not the biggest crime novel reader (unless it's true crime), so this book did not hold my interest as much as I thought it would. While I did enjoy it, I don't think this will be a book I will remember. I didn't really care about characters and almost all were unlikeable. The story had a little too much repetition. Nothing really seemed to happen for long periods of time. When things happened, damn were they good and they were brutal. Personally, I thought the ending was perfect.

While this may have been just a fine book, I still want to try another book by this author. I think if you are into crime thrillers, this will be your cup of tea.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillion Audio for an ARC of this novel in trade for an honest review.

Each S.A. Cosby work is better than the last! King of Ashes is masterfully paced, engrossing, and enlightening. It’s the rare novel that manages to thoroughly entertain while offering profundity. The audiobook narrator was excellent.

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"King of Ashes" is the third S.A. Cosby book I've read, and once again takes readers to small-town Virginia for a noir Southern gothic thriller. This time, Roman Carruthers, a successful Atlanta financial advisor, is summoned back to his Virginia hometown by his sister Neveah after their father is injured in a car accident. But when a reluctant Roman arrives, he soon discovers that his younger brother, Dante, is deep in debt to a violent gang who will stop at nothing to collect.. Roman, however, comes up with an audacious plan of his own--one that could extricate his family from danger, or cost them everything.

As I noted in my reviews of Cosby's two previous books, his constant use of over-the-top metaphors and similes once again grated a bit--I get that it's a core element of his Gothic writing style, but I found it harder to ignore this time than in the past. And while all Cosby's books are fairly violent, I felt like the violence in this one reached a level that I was uncomfortable with. If you don't have a problem with either of those aspects, however, "King of Ashes" does deliver another fast-paced and hair-raising ride, this time with a twist I didn't see coming. I listened to the audiobook of this title which was once again perfectly narrated by Adam Lazarre-White.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook in return for my honest review. I expect to see this book everywhere this summer--another winner for Cosby, if not wholeheartedly for me.

Wow. S.A. Cosby continues to impress, delivering powerful storytelling that leaves me in absolute awe. His mastery of Southern crime fiction—blending gritty tension with complex family dynamics—is unmatched. His characters are rich with depth, and the plots are both relentless and emotionally resonant.

Once again, Adam Lazarre-White returns as narrator and proves why he’s the perfect voice for Cosby’s work. His performance is immersive, capturing the darkness, urgency, and humanity at the heart of each story.

Propulsive, intense, and deeply affecting—this is crime fiction at its finest. Highly recommended.

4.5 stars rounded to 5 for Goodreads

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an ARC audiobook.
The narrator was amazing at conveying the story. The author did a great job describing events. I felt like I was watching a movie with all the details. Some were gruesome.
Roman will protect his family, and he becomes very good at it. This book reminded me of the ozarks in the way that he makes money for the bad guys to keep his family safe. I liked the twist of the crematory being a family business. Secrets were exposed and my head was spinning.

4.5 rounded up!

This book was so dark, so gritty, and full of emotion. I loved the family above all else vibes that we got from every angle in this story. This definitely gave old school godfather vibes, which I was here for, with it's own hellish modern twist. The further I got into this story, the sadder it became. More truths being revealed, more loss, and so much action. This one HURT at the end of it all, but it was also relieving the way all of the loose ends tied up. The audio for this book was absolutely fantastic, but I did have to slow it down from my regular speeds so I made sure I caught every bit of it. This is my second S.A. Cosby book, and it definitely won't be my last! I'm so much more eager now to dive into his backlist.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC!

I’ve read most of S.A. Cosby’s books now, and King of Ashes really hits the same sweet spot—gritty crime, tough choices, and characters that feel real. I always love how his narrators pull you in right away. You’re not just reading about them; you’re right there with them. His characters are so flawed and complex, but yet he writes them in a way that draws me into their world and feels for them.

The main character here is dealing with some heavy stuff from his past, and the way it all unravels kept me turning pages. There's action, tension, violence, and just enough emotion to ground it all. Cosby has a way of writing about crime and morality that feels raw and real, never preachy or overdone. You feel the weight of every choice the characters make. I even question my beliefs at times.

I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 just because a couple things in the plot felt a little too neat, and I wanted more closure in one part. I will continue to read everything Cosby writes! Thank you to NetGalley and Mcmillan Audio for the advance copy.

Meet Roman Carruthers, a sharply dressed Atlanta wealth manager who’s called back home after Dad's “accident” leaves him in a coma. Roman left behind high rollers and insider trading, but now he must save his siblings—and their crematorium family business in small-town Jefferson Run—from disaster.

The Carruthers Crematorium isn’t your typical funeral business—death is the daily grind in Jefferson Run, a decaying Virginia town nicknamed “murder capital.” With Dad unconscious, and siblings Neveah running the funeral home and Dante spiraling into addiction and gang activities, Roman returns with a businessman's calm but ends up orchestrating book fraud, S&M roleplay, and street executions. 

This book is a mix of gangster style, Southern Gothic, and Shakespeare. Once the self-appointed “protector,” Roman becomes the new kingpin—a broken moral compass, cigar-chomping authority figure.

This was dark, gritty, and witty—a very entertaining and tense ride.

Gritty and fast-paced crime thriller that continues to prove Cosby's brilliance as a writer. King of Ashes has so many well-done plot twists and heart-rending moments. Perfect character work and characterization, plus a satisfying ending.

Roman Carruthers gets sucked back into small town drama that turns deadly when his brother runs afoul of the wrong people and endangers his whole family. This book felt a lot like The Godfather or The Wire without the cops. It started slow but the ending was a taut Shakespearean tragedy. Like most of Cosby’s books, this is a novel full of morally grey (or much worse) characters. At points I even considered not finishing, but by the end I appreciated the character arcs. The audio narration is excellent. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC.

I don't think SA Cosby is the right fit for me. While lots of people have loved this latest of his, it was a bit too dark and gritty for me personally. The audio narration was okay (a tad too monotone though if I'm honest) and I couldn't make it through til the end. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I listened to the audiobook and although I felt like it started off slow, I was also so intrigued.

This crime story is packed fully of family secrets and haunting details as told by S.A. Cosby in his own gritty style. The characters are so layered upon layers with the messiest relationships intertwined. It is truly a dark, emotionally charged thriller that just pulls you in.
Don't give up, once you get towards the middle you're in for a wild ride.

S.A. Cosby delivers another knockout with 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦! When Roman Carruthers returns home after his father’s suspicious accident, he finds his family in shambles—his brother Dante drowning in debt to violent criminals, and his sister Neveah fighting to keep their crematorium (and sanity) afloat. Roman’s transformation from finance genius to reluctant enforcer is absolutely riveting. Cosby’s cinematic writing had me breathless; every page crackled with tension and raw emotion. I fell hard for Roman—flawed, fierce, and ready to do anything for his family. Neveah’s strength and vulnerability made her unforgettable, while Dante tested my patience in the best possible way. Cosby masterfully explores family loyalty, grief, and redemption, delivering a high-octane, Southern noir thriller that’s impossible to put down. The ending left me stunned, and I’m still thinking about it.

The narration by Adam Lazarre-White was outstanding—he brought every tense, emotional moment vividly to life.

A single verse was constant in my mind as I raced through chapter after chapter in this dark and thrilling story; “For the love of money is the root of all evil; and while some have coveted after it, they have erred from faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows”.

King of Ashes is a sinister exploration of the delinquency, corruption, and villainy a person can convince themselves is justifiable in the pursuit of salvation for their family. S.A. Cosby has once again forced readers into personal introspection as we follow the unraveling of Roman Carruthers and witness the mental and physical trials he must endure to protect those he loves.

After a car crash has put his father into a coma, the successful money manager must leave behind his life of luxury in Atlanta to return to Richmond to assume the responsibilities of the eldest son. When the circumstances of his father’s “accident” become more clear, it is Roman and his brother Dante who find themselves stumbling through a criminal underworld they do not fully understand, nor are equipped for, as they try to shield their sister from any ramifications of their actions. With no Virgil to lead them through this personal dark and disastrous journey, the Carruthers siblings are forced to traverse each circle of their own personal hell one agonizing step at a time as they confront the consequences of their sins.

For me, it is S.A. Cosby’s ability to effortlessly transform the mundane into the maniacal that continues to set him apart from his peers. I would describe Cosby as a wizard of words or a magus of make believe if you will. He continues to dazzle his fans with unparalleled literary sleight of hand that few writing today can achieve.

With his direct, yet eloquent writing style, Cosby creates characters of such incredible relatability that readers are helpless but to follow as the journey transforms from shades of normalcy to the exploration of the darkest corners of the human soul. Like the proverbial frog in the pot, Cosby continues to ratchet up the action and intrigue until the reader does not even question the horrific actions of the protagonist that they would have thought impossible a handful of chapters before.

Even with expectations being sky high, Cosby delivers once again. Even stripped down to its essentials, King of Ashes would be an incredible crime story. Adding in Cosby’s unique worldview, iconic characters, and extraordinary prose takes this book to another level in the genre.

After seeing rave reviews, I was so excited to receive this as an ALC! Holy narrator--his voice is amazing!! I would listen to him read the phonebook.

This is not my usual read. We have a family who has made their fortune via their crematory, hence the name King of Ashes (human remains). Enter a wayward younger brother, Dante, who gets involved with the wrong crowd. Roman, the older brother, comes to the rescue. This family will do anything to protect each other. Anything.

This gave me cool Breaking Bad vibes. This is DARK. And tragic. Roman at times can seem stone cold; however, he really is just a man who will do what needs to be done for his family.

Highly recommend, and it will be a long time before I forget this book.

This review will be posted on my booksta, toomanyfivestarreads.

King of Ashes was my first S.A. Cosby novel, and I was not disappointed. This domestic drama dives deep into how grief impacts each member of a family differently—and just how far someone will go for the ones they love. It’s raw, emotionally charged, and unapologetically bold in its storytelling.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a fantastic job adding depth and weight to the characters, and really bringing each one to life.

I’ll definitely be reading more from Cosby and hope he provides a follow up to this one. I want to see what happens next with Roman. I’m investing now!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy.

It is very few authors that get a 6 star read for me! Very few and S.A Cosby keeps getting them from me as if he is paying me to do these reviews. I loved this book so much and I am ready for his next book. I am so ready.

I recently came across SA Cosby books and they have not disappointed! This one will make you question your loyalty to your family. How far would you go to protect and cover up secrets for your family?

Reading challenge category – 2025 Flourish and Blotts: Auror – Dark Arts: a dark theme

Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC of this work.

The first book that I read by S.A. Cosby was his fourth work, [book:All the Sinners Bleed|61884832]. I still think I enjoyed that one more, but King of Ashes is a close second. He has become a must read author for me.

Roman Carruthers heads back to his smalltown home after his father is in a car accident. His younger brother, Dante, is the mess up of the family. He is involved with the worst criminals in the area. Their sister, Neveah (hate this name), is the one trying to hold everything together. The family owns a crematorium. In an attempt to right his brother's wrongs, Roman gets involved in Dante's business to try to save him, and their family. Through all of this, there is an underlying story of what happened to their mother when they were teens/kids.

The author has such a great writing style - I love when authors make me feel feelings at fictional characters. There are literary and pop culture references, expansive vocabulary use, and small town references that give his work a very well-rounded appeal. There are trigger warnings for this one FOR SURE. <spoiler> there is a scene with dogs and a man's shins that will just live rent-free in my head </spoiler> I have been thinking about this book for weeks after finishing it.

Loved the narration for this book. SA Cosby and Adam LW make a great combo.
I have to admit that this book was all kinds of messed up! We’ve got family drama, drug deals gone bad, extortion, murder and more. It was uncomfortable at times and other times I wanted some characters to catch all the karma. But it was all intended as written and I enjoyed the ride!
*Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley