5 out of 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Roman Carruthers returns home after hearing that his father has been in an accident. The last thing he wants is to go home but he knows he has no choice. Carruthers Crematorium which has been run by his father and his sister Neveah. She can't do it all by herself and their younger brother Dante is no help. He finds himself in some deep trouble that Roman will need to get him out of. In order to help Dante, Roman will need to sacrifice all he has worked hard for.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

Roman Carruthers, an intelligent and successful financial advisor in Atlanta, learns that his father is in a coma after a nasty car crash, and when he heads home he finds out that his younger brother Dante's mistakes dabbling in the criminal underworld in their hometown of Jefferson Run led to the local gang members running their dad off the road. Meanwhile, his sister Naveah is trying to hold together the family crematory business, despite her suspicions that their mother, who disappeared years ago, was murdered by their father when he discovered his wife's infidelity. Roman tries to settle Dante's debt, but finds himself becoming ever more deeply involved in the gangsters' business as he tries to protect his family. As he quickly learns, their father was right: everything burns.

King of Ashes, narrated by Adam Lazarre-White, kept me riveted and guessing right up until the end. I loved Naveah's feisty, no-BS attitude, even as I felt really bad for her as her brothers kept lying to her. Roman is a classic mob story anti-hero, a modern-day Michael Corleone. He sinks further and further past the point of no return -- though when he is honest with himself, he knows there is no metaphorical line to cross, you just keep going until you lose out. This book was full of secrets, betrayals, and shocking revelations that made my jaw drop, especially by the end when we were into some seriously cold gangster sh*t, and I loved it. King of Ashes is my second S. A. Cosby after Razorblade Tears, and I'll have to check out his other books after this absolute banger.

4.5 stars

More chillingly dark Southern noir from S. A. Cosby, brilliantly read by Adam Lazarre-White, in which the main character takes a Godfather-esque path from being mostly on the side of the angels to being sucked into a life of crime.

Successful financial consultant Roman Carruthers leaves his luxe lifestyle in Atlanta to return to his hometown of Jefferson Run, VA after his father is put in a coma following a car ‘accident.’ Almost immediately Roman discovers that his younger brother, Dante, has got in waaaay over his head with the local gang run by the chilling Gilchrist brothers, Torrent and Tranquil. Roman wades naively in to extricate Dante, but his plan to make his family safe involves him, much like Michael Corleone, being compromised morally and in too deep to see, or even want to see, a way out.

Wrapped into this is a years-long mystery about Roman's mother, who disappeared without a trace but which left a cloud of suspicion over his father. Since then, Roman, Dante, and their sister, Neveah, have been broken and grieving, expressed by each of them in different ways.

The overarching metaphor for the novel is the crematorium that the Carruthers own and run: “everything burns” their father used to intone and we find out quite what that means. As we race towards the inevitable denouement, will Roman’s fierce love for his family be enough to save them?

As ever, Cosby does a dazzling job of evoking place, in this case a decaying Southern big town/small city, and creating nuanced and vivid characters, both primary and secondary. However, I did feel at times that the language got a little over-florid and overwritten which I hadn't felt with previous Cosby books. Nonetheless, this will be one of my top audiobooks of the year.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the review copy.

OK. So I believe this is the first I've read by this particular author... but WOW! This one will stay with you long after the reading is done! .....

**** Let me start by pointing out some triggers: DEATH is the number one in this book! ****
Then there are gangs, murder, lots of shooting, lots of absolutely gruesome scenes with people being murdered, or hurt, for something as simple as spilling a drink... and alcohol and drug addictions, sex addictions, dominatrix scenarios, and.... lastly... getting even by whatever manner is necessary! 😮😮

This takes place in a not so great area in Virginia and we are introduced to Neveah and Dante and their older brother Roman. He is being called home after his father gets into a bad accident, and Neveah is not sure he is going to live...

Roman has not been home for 5 years.
He now has his own life and makes good money in his job as a financial advisor to some very wealthy people... So he's not all that happy to go back home to Virginia... but he knows his sister really needs his help right now.

When he arrives he realizes a few things all at once...
1. His sister is basically running their family's crematorium all by herself because their other brother is getting himself high all the time...
2. His father might be in the hospital because of something pretty stupid that his brother did.

🛑🛑 And that's all I'm going to say on that!! 🛑🛑

This one is a catch your breath, hang on to the edge of your seat, ride-of-your-life kind of book. If you are up for the challenge, please DO NOT MISS this one!! Definitely some GODFATHER vibes here….

#KingOfAshes by #SACrosby and narrated by #AdamLazarreWhite.

4.5 big, scary, gunshot ridden 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 for me, happily rounded up to 5!!!

*** RELEASE DATE IS COMING UP SOON, SO LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON JUNE 10, 2025!!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

S.A. Cosby has become a must-read author for me and his latest, King of Ashes does not disappoint. I switched back and forth between print and audio with this one. The narrator has a lovely, melodic voice, but I found the print to be more desirable at points because I wanted to read faster.

This was a heck of a ride! S.A. Cosby's books are so much more than what they appear. Yes, they are violent and gritty, but always likeable main characters you root for and so much family drama. I love that Adam Lazarre-White is always the narrator of his audiobooks. He is so fantastic and his voice I can listen to all day!

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🔪King of Ashes-S.A. Cosby. Publishing June 10th, by Flatiron Books.

🔥Roman Carruthers comes home to Jefferson Run when his father has been a in a car accident. Dante, his younger brother owes dangerous criminals a lot of money and his sister Naveah is trying to keep the family business-Carruthers Crematorium running.
When it becomes known that the car accident their dad had was no accident, Roman realizes Dante has put them in a bad spot. Roman starts to work with the criminals from the inside as he tries to keep his family and the family business afloat. At the same time, they unravel a mystery of what happened to their mother.

Cosby writes southern noir like no one. If you read his work before this will be right up your alley.

This one comes out June 10 and is already making a ton of noise!

Worth a read/listen!

Thanks to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley

𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
When eldest son Roman Carruthers returns home after a suspicious accident, he discovers his brother entangled with dangerous criminals, his sister overwhelmed by their crumbling family business, and realizes he’ll have to risk everything—including himself—to save them all.

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
First of all— S.A. Cosby can do no wrong! And honestly? I’m a little worried I won’t do this review justice.

King of Ashes is wild! It’s gritty, raw, and full of pain, but also packed with love, loyalty, and revenge. Roman, Nevaeh, and Dante’s story is intense and unflinching—it’ll grab you by the heart and won’t let go. Roman’s fierce devotion to his siblings is unforgettable. I honestly don’t know how Cosby pulls it off, but he always manages to blend brutal, edge-of-your-seat thrillers with these moments of unexpected tenderness.

The anxiety. The jaw-dropping moments. And the little surprises he slipped in for longtime fans…unmatched!

𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
I’ll say it again: Adam Lazarre-White is a national treasure. He could read me literally anything—dishwasher repair manual, birdhouse instructions, the entire dictionary—and I’d hang on every word. But the best pairing? S.A. Cosby and Lazarre-White are a character-deepening, story-elevating powerhouse.

A profound thank you to @Flatiron_books for the #gifted physical ARC of my most anticipated book of the year! #FlatironPartner And to @macmillan.audio for the immersive ALC. Thank you…is a paltry sentiment.

Another great story filled with a close-knit family who will do anything to protect another, all while individually possessing their own secrets. I found myself unsure where the story was going until the very end!

Also, the fact that both of these books (this and Razerblade Tears) relate around the funeral industry, I am definitely curious if Cosby’s got any close familiarity with the industry.

<u><b>King of Ashes</b></u>
S.A. Cosby
Narrated by: Adam Lazarre-White
Release Date: June 10, 2025

ALC courtesy of MacMillan Audio and NetGalley.

One of my most anticipated books of 2025, and it did not disappoint. Signature S.A. Cosby, gritty and raw. Perhaps more violence than in his previous novels. Roman Carruthers returns home to Virginia after his father is hospitalized after an “accident,” and is soon embroiled in his brother Dante’s involvement with a criminal gang. To get Dante and his family off the hook, Roman uses his “special set of skills”… as a (not quite above-board) financial adviser? Yes, although he is Les Schwab to the rich and crooked, it doesn’t take long for turtleneck and pre-owned Rolex wearing, used-Porsche driving Roman to find himself in way over his head. THEN, he needs to bring in Khalid, his friend “who possesses a special set of skills” to bail him out. At least Cosby made him an ex-Ranger, and not the usual ex-CIA or former Navy Seal (or in the 80’s – Chuck Norris).

Despite the tired “family member in trouble” trope, <i>King of Ashes</i> is a very entertaining read, a definite page-turner particularly in audio with Adam Lazarre-White’s excellent narration, and is a perfect summer read. I realize going in that this is an action thriller genre novel, and I was not looking for anything cerebral, but a little bit more originality, and less cliché, would have been nice. Nevertheless, I am sure the Obama production company screen adaptation (I can see Michael B. Jordan starring) will be snapped up by Netflix or Apple.


4 stars
5 stars for the narration

I absolutely flew through this audiobook. The narrator did a great job and made the experience even better. The story was so unique and kept me interested the whole time. I’m a sucker for a good setup and payoff, and the way S.A. Cosby reveals details throughout the book is masterful.

It has just the right amount of mystery, thriller, and action to make this an addictive read, but there’s also real depth to the story. The character development is solid, and I really enjoyed learning about their backgrounds. For what it is, it’s really well written, and I’d definitely recommend it. 1,000% worth the read!

S.A. Cosby doesn't disappoint once again! This man truly knows how to get your heart pounding and deliver twists and turns, with such a shock that you may have to rewind and listen again. The South, the gangs, the crematorium, the money, and ultimately the family ties aren't to be messed around with! I loved this book and the audio was definitely on point!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The audiobook of KING OF ASHES is narrated by Adam Lazarre-White and we have thoroughly enjoyed listening to him spin these Cosby tales on long road trips over the past few years. Once again, Lazarre-White adeptly uses his voice to convey the attitudes, concerns, and motivation for key characters. Having received a starred review from Library Journal, KING OF ASHES is a LibraryReads selection for June 2025 and an Indie Next pick ("A Faustian deal with his hometown devil descends into depravity."). Plus, it appears on recommended summer reading lists from NPR, New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic and more.

KING OF ASHES is the latest mystery/thriller by award-winning author S. A. Cosby. His first, Blacktop Wasteland, continues to be my favorite although I have also read or listened to Razorblade Tears and would highly recommended All the Sinners Bleed. The publisher describes KING OF ASHES as "a Godfather-inspired Southern crime epic and dazzling family drama." The story is set in Jefferson Run, Virginia where older brother Roman Carruthers has returned briefly from his investment business in Atlanta and where sister Neveah now runs the family crematorium business. Both are drawn into a dangerous situation initially created by their younger brother, drug-using Dante. Cosby explores the family dynamics, including the disappearance of their mother, saying, "[Roman] hadn't shared the weight the way he should have, but they were sister and brother, the three of them: Dante, Neveah, and Roman had shared the same womb, been brought into the world with the same alchemy of love, passion, and need that had lived between their parents. That magic united them for all time ..." Initially Roman "had no desire to be the King of Ashes. That title belonged to his father and Roman was content to let him live on through him or burn with him." Danger and violence, however, increasingly thwart Roman's efforts to right Dante's wrongs; there are some truly evil characters and the crematorium itself becomes an instrument of death, both rumored and real. Readers need to be prepared as suspense and tension build: this text turns quite brutal, dark, and gruesome.

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby is a gripping, high-stakes Southern crime thriller that delivers everything fans of Cosby’s work have come to expect—razor-sharp prose, morally complex characters, and a relentless pace that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Set in the gritty town of Jefferson Run, Virginia, the novel follows Roman Carruthers, a financial mastermind forced to return home after his father’s suspicious accident. As Roman navigates the dangerous world of gangsters and family secrets, Cosby masterfully weaves a tale of loyalty, redemption, and survival. The tension is palpable, the action is brutal yet poetic, and the emotional depth of the characters makes this more than just a crime novel—it’s a powerful family drama.

Cosby’s writing is immersive, blending beauty with brutality in a way that few authors can. His ability to craft flawed yet compelling characters ensures that every twist and turn hits hard. If you’re a fan of crime fiction that doesn’t shy away from the dark corners of human nature, King of Ashes is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance audio version of this book..one of my favorite books of the year so far. I really enjoyed this book..the storytelling and the characters.. loved it

I listened to the audiobook version, and it was absolutely gripping. While the story starts off at a slower pace, once it hits the halfway mark, it kicks into high gear and doesn’t let up.

This is a raw, haunting crime story steeped in family secrets, told in the gritty, unflinching style that S.A. Cosby does best. The characters are layered and deeply human, their relationships messy and believable. It’s a dark, emotionally charged ride that pulls you in and refuses to let go.

When I say that S.A. Cosby is one of my favorite authors, I don’t say that lightly. His books are IMMERSIVE and instantly captivate me and King of Ashes is no exception.

The dynamic between the three main siblings instantly enthralled me (being the oldest of three myself) and I connected with how our MMC needed to protect his siblings right away. The writing of the dialogue is just so good! There are scenes in this book that I have not stopped thinking about and will stay with me.

I listened to the audiobook and Adam Lazarre-White has such a depth to his voice and characterization that S.A. Cosby’s words become even more captivating. Adam is a crazy talent and if you can listen to this story, you should.

Please do check trigger warnings but this story is such a good organized crime southern noir that you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audioboook copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own

Anything S.A. Cosby write, I will read. And 0nce again he delivers a heavy hitter. Pair that with the narration by Adam Lazarre-White (who is my all-time favorite narrator), this book had me in tears and will probably be my top read of 2025.

Roman Carruthers will do anything to protect his remaining family and fix the mess his younger brother made. There does not appear to be a line that he will not cross and I was shocked at the lengths he went in the name of loyalty and familial ties. Cosby has a way of writing that brings complex, flawed characters to life and garnering empathy for them that is unmatched. My heart was breaking for the Carruthers siblings, who all did very bad things and yet I still felt like I understood them or at least understood why they did the things they did. This book was gritty and brutal, yet poetic and emotional. I recommend the audio format based on Lazarre-White's absolutely exceptional performance as narrator.

Thank you Macmillian Audio and NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

I am both a S.A. Cosby completist and big fan. He is absolutely on my autobuy/autoread list. While I enjoyed his first few books, I LOVED All the Sinners Bleed and was hoping for another emotional, character-driven, gritty romp through Cosby's mind with King of Ashes. I wasn't disappointed. While the story seemed to lag a little at times (some repetitive moments of introspection from our main characters), that didn't lessen my anticipation and need to keep turning pages to see how Roman would get his family out of the mess his younger brother made. If at all. S.A. Cosby doesn't shy away from violence, death, and unhappy endings which just makes his books more visceral and real. I think this was a happy medium between the fight-scene heavy earlier books and the character-driven, slow-burn of ATSB. If you like Cosby, you'll enjoy this book.
The narration was superb in the audiobook. The narrator has done all of Cosby's books and has the perfect timbre and tone to carry these heavier topics and emotions. I was also impressed with the subtle ways he changes his voice for each character/personality - even the females - without being heavy-handed or cliche.
Overall, a 4.5 stars for me rounded up. Keep writing, Mr. Cosby, and I will keep reading.

4.5 stars

I would HATE to cross S.A. Cosby. Dude knows how to get away with murder and get himself out of sticky situations. Also, GIVE THIS MAN HIS MOVIE/STREAMING DEALS! I wouldn't mind seeing Michael B. Jordan, LaKeith Standfield, and Yusuf Gatewood to name a few, bringing these high velocity stories to life.

King of Ashes will not disappoint you if you're a fan of Cosby's work. It stays true to his signature small town mayhem. It's filled with gunfire, beautiful people, deadly villains, and an impossible situation only Cosby can get his characters out of whole.

The narration was spot on as always, although I hope the narrator utilizes a different voice for the female characters. For some reason, they always sound whiny to me and none of the main females on Cosby's book are like that.

Anyway, if this is on your TBR, don't sleep on it when it comes out. Treat yourself and read it ASAP.