An Absolute Powerhouse of Storytelling

As expected from S.A. Cosby, this book delivers gritty, grounded, and painfully real storytelling that grabs you from the first page. The characters are raw and deeply human, shaped by a tough upbringing and haunted by secrets too terrible to speak aloud—even to family. The tension between gang dynamics, the brutal realities of the drug world, and the lingering trauma of childhood poverty create a backdrop of constant suspense.

Every scene pulses with emotion, and the stakes only get higher as the story unfolds. The narration is absolutely beautiful—gripping and emotionally rich without ever feeling overdone. Cosby proves once again why he's a master of Southern noir.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Wow WOW when I got this I dropped everything and finished it in one day. S.A. Cosby is a must read, and I'm never disappointed. This book is probably his best one yet.
This story is so dark it was Shakespearean. So harsh and tragic, Marlon is the one who feels like he has to protect the family while sister Nevaeh is the caretaker. Dante is the brother who struggles with addiction and is in debt to some dangerous people. When their father is injured in an automobile crash, Marlon comes home, and everything comes to a head.
This book starts out fast and never slows down. I didn't expect what happened and I'll be thinking about these people for a while. The narrator was excellent, with the voices and the accents and the feelings.

WOW- I am utterly speechless and stunned after reading this incredible crime fiction novel. I am a big fan of SA Cosby books but this is definitely my favorite. In the last few chapters I had to put the book down because I was sobbing, I am wrecked emotionally.

A retelling of the Godfather, Roman is a rich music executive from Atlanta that has to go home because his father Keith is in the hospital. His sister Nevaeh is keeping the family together as usual, and his brother Dante has gotten himself in seriously hot water again. Their mother went missing 10 years ago, and everyone in town thinks that their father Keith murdered her, because he is the owner of the town Crematorium. Hence the title, King of Ashes.

The title has a double meaning, not only because of the crematorium, but also Roman may be the head of this family but it is a family in ruins. In trying to help Dante out of trouble, Roman takes what comes at him. A typical SA Cosby hero, Roman is morally gray, smarter than everyone around him, and always appearing to be in control. These characters are so fantastic and they will stay with me a long time. This was fast paced, very gruesome, even by SA Cosby standards, and utterly tragic. The story unfolded like sinking into quicksand.

Audiobook review- the narrator Adam Lazarre-White has voiced all of the SA Cosby books (and also some sports memoirs I have listened to). I think he is at the absolute pinnacle of narrators. It is wildly difficult to voice as many characters, male and female, and be as engaging as he is.

This is absolutely the best crime fiction of 2025, and one of the top 10 mystery/thrillers of 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC. Book to be published June 10, 2025.

Family drama hits different when everything is on fire!

S.A. Cosby’s writing is cinematic—action-packed and emotional, like you're right there in every smoky room, and every dangerous deal. It’s dark, gritty, and grounded in love, loyalty, and survival.
5 stars. No question. This is the kind of story that burns into your brain long after the last page.

Once again, Adam Lazarre- White came through with an AMAZING narration!

Thank you Flatiron Books for the advanced listener copy!

Wow. This was intense and dark, even by S.A. Cosby standards. I know it says it was inspired by The Godfather, but add quite a dash of Breaking Bad into the mix. What lengths will a man go to in order to protect his family? How will he justify it to himself? This is bleak, dark, violent, and so very compelling.