Razorblade Tears
by S.A. Cosby · 2021
Buy on AmazonA Black father. A white father. Two murdered sons. A quest for vengeance. Ike Randolph has been out of jail for fifteen years, with not so much as a speeding ticket in all that time. But a Black man with cops at the door knows to be afraid. The last thing he expects to hear is that his son Isiah has been murdered, along with Isiah’s white husband, Derek. Ike had never fully accepted his son but is devastated by his loss. Derek’s father Buddy Lee was almost as ashamed of Derek for being gay as Derek was ashamed of his father's criminal record. Buddy Lee still has contacts in the underworld, though, and he wants to know who killed his boy.…
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"This gritty crime novel exploring race, class, and fatherhood aligns with Barack Obama's interest in stories that reflect the complexities of American society. It's an expected read for someone who often highlights diverse voices and social commentary."
Obama's 2022 Summer Reading List · barackobama.medium.com
"Razorblade Tears has been called everything from a “tour de force,” to “provocative, violent, and beautiful,” to “lethal and tender.” This is a moody Southern thriller with fast-paced action, the story of two men—one black, one white, both ex-cons—who team together to solve the murder of their sons, who were married to one another. It’s a gritty tale that looks into questions of race, poverty, and other bias through the lens of both violence and compassion. It really depends on the author. Some put out a book every few years, others one a year—or more. So much of it depends not just on each individual writer, but the circumstances going on in this season of their life and career."
The Best Thrillers of 2022 · fivebooks.com
"perhaps "Razorblade Tears," by S.A. Cosby, which shows two very different men connected by their unbearable grief over the loss of their sons"
By the Book: Ruth Ware · nytimes.com