Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby - Review
Review Snapshot:
What mood is this right for: You’re looking for a great story with southern gothic themes
Length (Audio): 12 hours, 22 minutes
Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Southern Gothic
Source: Libro.fm
Where to Buy: Razorblade Tears - Affiliate Link - Libro.Fm - Free with a trial of audible - Available on Kindle Unlimited
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ infinity
1 Sentence Summary: Two fathers set out to solve the murder of their sons confronting thier own prejudices and familial relationships
My Thoughts:
S.A. Cosby was a new discovery for me in May 2025, and he immediately skyrocketed to a favorite author slot. I finished Razorblade Tears and jumped straight into All Sinners Bleed (review incoming—also an Infinity Star read), bought Blacktop Wasteland, and pre-ordered King of Ashes.
I will, absolutely & forever, read every single thing this man publishes. His narrative and ability to develop deep characters is quite unparalleled in the thriller space. Most thriller reads have left me feeling like the story was fine but everything else was, well…as the youths say, “mid”.
I am going to keep this post pretty free of spoilers because I really think it’s the best experience to go in blind to the themes as much as possible. We follow two fathers, Buddy Lee and Ike Randolph, on a mission to avenge the brutal murder of their sons. As they dive deeper into this dangerous journey, they’re forced to confront not only the killers but the emotional chasm between themselves and their children—and each other.
“It didn’t seem fair for a man to morn someone, abundantly, that he had loved, so miserly.”
The number of layers in this story is phenomenal. The relationship and dynamic between the two fathers. The learning they do about the value differences between them and their children. The growth they go through together. Add in the literally action packed thriller. This book had me on the edge of my seat literally the whole time. I am an avid thriller reader and I have never experienced a book like this before. To be able to achieve an incredible plot, character, and theme neatly wrapped up in 336 pages is beyond my comprehension. Absolutely brilliant pacing.
All this said, if you do not like thrillers as a genre, if you’re not looking for action packed and to read something that includes quite a bit of violence, then this book isn’t going to be for you. However, if you have ever wondered what exactly it would be like if someone was killed with a steel lawn tamper then you are the target audience exactly.
The ending didn’t shock me, I was pretty certain of the killer from pretty early on. So it’s an odd experience to have a generally predictable killer but still have this break my rating scale. For me, it’s because this story is about so much more than the twist. It’s about what we owe the people we love, even after they’re gone. It’s about becoming better—no matter how late. I don’t think I’m the same person I was before reading this book, and I honestly don’t know how anyone could be. It made me want to hug everyone I love just a little tighter.
“When the people you love are gone, it's the things they've touched that keep them alive in your mind”
Quick footnote:
I think this book is very enjoyable in any format but I absolutely loved the audio. Adam Lazarre-White is a storyteller at heart and it makes him an excellent narrator. He did the narration for All the Sinners Bleed as well and really elevated the experience of both books.
