S.A. Crosby is just an absolute all-star of an author. This is the second book I’ve read from him, and both have been suspenseful, crime-filled and action-packed, and ultimately stories about the lengths the characters will go to protect their families.

King of Ashes had me on my seat for the entirety of the novel. While all three Carruthers siblings get chapters dedicated to their independent stories, Roman is the true main character, and what a character he is. Each of them has a depth that is rarely found in novels these days, and you get to really see their sorrows, as well as their vices. I do wish there was more to be found in the way of happiness for really any of them. They’ve led hard, traumatic lives, but I believe there were things that may have brought them a little joy, and we saw only the scraps of that.

There were plenty of antagonists in this story as well, all horrible, but some truly abhorrent. At times, it was a tough, graphic read, and one I could see playing out in my head like a gangster movie from the 90s.

There were plenty of twists and turns in this book. All of them surprising, but none of them unrealistic to the plot. In fact, as soon as I finished the book, I just wanted to start from the beginning to see if I could piece things together now that I knew how they ended up.

Like Razorblade Tears, this novel was absolutely heartbreaking. I’ve come to realize Crosby doesn’t write books for the faint of heart. These aren’t happy stories, but they’re GOOD stories. They’re thrilling and haunting. They make you think.

This is an incredible book, but if you want a happy ending and a joyful ride, this isn’t for you.

It's hard to know where to begin with SA Cosby. He is just a masterful writer, with plotting that strikes you right in the heart and beautiful prose. The publisher also somehow found an audiobook narrator whose beautiful voice and acting does this prose justice. It is always more than a normal reading experience to listen to an SA Cosby book - it's somehow transcendent. If I could give more than five stars, I would. Listen to this and relish every word!

This is my second read by S.A. Cosby and he does not disappoint. I loved the pacing of the story, the world building, and how he tied in the title of the book. This book definitely had layers with family dynamics, battling between what’s right, wrong, and necessary. Also how secrets do more harm than good in the end. Great read overall.

S.A. Cosby is one of my favorite authors. This book is engaging, timely, and easy to read. The main character’s actions take a melodramatic turn in the middle of the book, but there are other aspects of his personality introduced but not really explored. His other novels were so poignant that maybe my hopes were too high.

i will read every single book this author writes from here on out. are you kidding me???? this is the best book i've finished in 2025, hands down!!!!!

No one writes a thriller like S.A. Cosby! I’ve been a super fan since his first novel and King of Ashes does not disappoint. King of Ashes is dark, gritty, and violent and explores a variety of themes including class, sex, and race. Ozark meets The Godfather - S.A. Cosby wrote what will be one of my favorite reads of 2025.

I’m not sure I can ever go back to just reading the print version of Cosby’s books because narrator Adam Lazarre-White takes Cosby’s writing to another level. An incredible performance!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC.

Oooh, this was a twisty one.

This is my second from this author and again, just like after All Sinners Bleed, I'm left with a pit in my stomach and a noticeable lack of fingernails.

Smart and violet and tender and tragic and sly, this book had everything I want in a thriller, including the final, surprising - yet somehow inevitable? - mindf#ck.

And the voice acting? Perfection.

Now all I need is a Kahlil-centric tale.

If there’s one takeaway from this reading experience - it’s that S.A. Cosby knows how to write a fucking fabulous novel. I hate to say it, but crime novels typically bore me (to death LOL). But he always keeps me gripped to my seat.

Well…i was not expecting that as the truth reveal. Cosby definitely got me there. Then the change in Roman was something that was always there deep down but i didn’t think it would happen. Dante called it though. He flipped and reversed it. This story was dark, tense and mysterious. These characters had my emotions/feelings all over the place.

These siblings had all been affected in different ways from one huge tragedy. From there they all snowballed in different ways. That damn Dante worked my nerves. Cosby wrote the hell out of him because talk about a pitiful character. Neveah could’ve had so much better but herself worth was at an all time low. However, she worked herself to the bone for a family that didn’t see her.

I could go on because there’s so much to unpack with everyone. Even with the bad guys and Dante’s love interest. As always the narrator was amazing. The story will keep your attention and build over time. Cosby does it again.

The title archived before I got a chance to listen to it. I wound up reading the print version when it came out because I never got approved for the ebook. It was a sold three stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

So good! But I would expect nothing less of S.A. Cosby. Adam Lazarre-White, who narrates all of S.A. Cosby's books, gives another powerful performance.

This book was gritty as it was captivating. Readinga bout Roman and the way that he naviagates being the oldest sibling reminded me so much of myself. This book took you on an experience and i felt like i was living in the pages of the book with the characters, and that PLOT TWIST.....

SA COSBY DOES IT AGAIN

This audiobook was amazing! I hope this author/narrator duo never parts! This book is competing for the top spot in my SA Cosby ratings. This audio kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend!

No one can write thrillers like this man. Wow. Every time a book comes out. I can’t wait to read it, and I have never disappointed. This one was so well written.!!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading it

🔥✨Book Review!✨🔥

“Money is like acid. It burns through everything. Friendships, family, lovers, husbands and wives. Whatever bond you think you have, money will make that sh*t dissolve.” -The King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby.

💴 Roman Carruthers, finance professional, lives in Atlanta Georgia, where he has made a plush life for himself. Although Roman himself will never truly be comfortable, he has an intense dark itch to take care of the guilt he has carried for some time.

📞 When Roman receives a shocking call from his sister Neveah, he travels up to Virginia for his family. He cannot even begin to fathom the ruin and destruction which is awaiting him in Jefferson Run. Someone is after the Carruthers family in a big way. As Roman learns that his brother Dante makes a deal with the devil of Jefferson Run and witnesses his sister’s shattered spirit, he sets out to fix their threatening situation. Roman is their only hope to get pulled out of the burning fire, risking the empire the Carruthers family has built.

🔥Roman and his siblings have always been told “Nothing lasts forever. Everything burns.”

😳 There is something so immersive and grappling about Cosby’s books. This was one ferocious wild ride! If you like a heart pumping, gasping for breath type of crime novel, you need to pick this up now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing for allowing me the pleasure of listening to this story in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Book was out for publication June 10, 2025.

#sacosby #instareader #macmillanaudio #jawdroppingcrimenovel #crimenovel #netgalley

I listened to this as an audiobook. The narration was great. I love Adam Lazarre-White's voice. He's inflections and subtle changes made listening feel like watching a movie.
This is one of my favorite reads of the year!!!

Roman.....the way you were introduced and the way this book closed out left me speechless. Family issues and playing your role an underlying theme of this book. Being the one to leave your hometown and being drug back due to a family emergency only to find out that there is more than an emergency and you might have to get creative to take care of your family......whew the drama!
I think Neveah should have slapped everyone for playing in her face tho.... Amazing book!
Everything Burns!!!

A modern-day Shakespearean tragedy, King of Ashes sees S.A. Cosby delivering once again with a high-octane, emotional action drama. The novel features some of the most realistic family dynamics I’ve read this year. The push and pull between its protagonist, Roman, and his siblings grounds the story on a deeply human level—every beat of his desperation to protect and love, and his frustration at others failing to recognize his sacrifice, rings true as the stakes escalate.

Several elements help King of Ashes stand out. Roman’s family owning a crematory business opens the door to brutal and creative plot turns—and the book puts that to full use. Details like Roman’s sexual preference are handled with refreshing candor and integrated into the character development naturally. While the crime plot is solid, the pacing hits a bit of a lull around the 70–80% mark, where developments come fast and resolutions feel slightly rushed in contrast to the more nuanced human drama. Still, the finale pulls everything together—a gut-punch of mixed emotion.

If you're already a fan of S.A. Cosby, King of Ashes delivers the same heart and stylish flair without feeling like a rehash of previous work. I don’t expect anything to hit the heights of Razorblade Tears for me, but this is still the work of a master storyteller at his prime.

Wow. This was my first S.A. Crosby book, so I wasn't prepared for how raw and gritty it was. I listened to the audiobook, and it was a train wreck that I couldn’t look away from. Don’t get me wrong, the writing and plotting are well done. It’s just that the content was way more intense than I expected it to be. The narrator really brought out the emotion, the terror, and all the tension. Overall, I’m sure lots of people would love this book, but it wasn’t for me. I rated it 3 stars because I listened to it relatively quickly, for it being over 12 hours, even though I cringed at most of the events in the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

A powerful story of family and standing up for those you love while also uncovering the secrets that families hold. Action packed though a bit dark at times. This one kept me guessing as well!

This book was so good! Cosby was able to show what people are capable of to protect the people they love. And how our pasts can influence our choices. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time. And as always his narrator was great. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. All opinions are my own.