Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby #sacosby @MacmillanAudio @NetGalley #fiction #mystery

Susanne’s Review:

Justice, Revenge, and Vengeance.  

Sometimes there is a fine line between them and such is the case in S. A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears.

If only I had loved this book.  For me, a lot was missing.  First, I did not feel a connection to the characters of Ike and Buddy Lee, whose gay sons were murdered, and sadly I felt that this book was full of stereotypes and left a lot to be desired.  

The truth is, I went into this novel with trepidation – I liked this author’s prior book, Blacktop Wasteland, but didn’t quite love it.  As it turns out, I was right to be concerned going into this.  There is A LOT of homophobia and violence in this novel and for me, both were turnoffs.  Admittedly, when discussing the amount of violence in this book with Kaceey, my book buddy with whom I read this novel, I said that sadly, I felt that it was realistic given where we are in this nation, and for that reason, the level of violence didn’t bother me.  In thinking it over, however, that did not make it ok. There were so many stereotypes here: homophobic, racist, sexist, white men who at the end of the novel had a change of heart, about their sons and the world, it bordered on ridiculous. 

What I will say however is that S. A. Cosby is an excellent writer and his storytelling skills are fabulous. While I’m not sure that I’m the right reader for his novels, I urge all of you to read other reviews as almost everyone else has loved his novels.  

This was a buddy read with Ms. Kaceey.  So glad we got to discuss this one and share our thoughts Kaceey!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the alc.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter. 

Kaceey’s Review:

Two very different men brought together by the deaths of their sons. 

Ike and Buddy Lee’s sons were happily married and raising a beautiful daughter. When the young couple is brutally murdered their fathers are left with profound grief…and guilt. Neither were ever able to accept their son’s lifestyle during their lives, now cut so horribly short. But is it truly too late for them? As they both struggle with the incomprehensible loss, is there hope in all the pain they may come to accept their sons and the love they had for one other? 

One thing is certain…Buddy Lee feels the deaths must be avenged! In his mind, the police are doing little to find the killers. The two fathers team up, determined to bring some justice to their son’s death (by whatever means necessary.) 

I absolutely loved S.A. Cosby’s previous book Blacktop Wasteland and I was certain I’d be placing this latest release right next to it on my favorites’ shelf. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be. It just didn’t connect to me the same way.  

Perhaps it was the violence. Yes, my fellow readers, the violence was outrageously over the top. (in my humble opinion.) This gal just didn’t have the stomach for it, finding myself skimming over some of those darker scenes in order to make it through the book.  

However, on the bright side, I listened to the audio version and felt the narrator did a fabulous job in the telling of the story. 

There are so many five-star reviews for this book. So perhaps this book will work out better for you.

A buddy read with Susanne 

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio