{"product_id":"9781250252708","title":"Razorblade Tears : A Novel","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): S. A. Cosby\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e*INSTANT \u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e BESTSELLER*\u003cbr\u003e“Provocative, violent — beautiful and moving, too.” —\u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Superb...Cuts right to the heart of the most important questions of our times.” —Michael Connelly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A tour de force – poignant, action-packed, and profound.” —\u003ci\u003eMilwaukee Journal Sentinel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Black father. A white father. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eTwo murdered sons. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eA quest for vengeance.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIke 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDerek’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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIke and Buddy Lee, two ex-cons with little else in common other than a criminal past and a love for their dead sons, band together in their desperate desire for revenge. In their quest to do better for their sons in death than they did in life, hardened men Ike and Buddy Lee will confront their own prejudices about their sons and each other, as they rain down vengeance upon those who hurt their boys.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProvocative and fast-paced, S. A. Cosby's \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears \u003c\/i\u003eis a story of bloody retribution, heartfelt change - and maybe even redemption.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A visceral full-body experience, a sharp jolt to the heart, and a treat for the senses…Cosby's moody southern thriller marries the skillful action and plotting of Lee Child with the atmosphere and insight of Attica Locke.” —\u003ci\u003eNPR\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Cosby’s prose is vibrant and inventive, his action exuberant and relentless…You may come for the setup, but you’ll stay for the storytelling.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eCosby writes in a spirit of generous abundance and gleeful abandon.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“S.A. Cosby’s new crime novel is provocative, violent — beautiful and moving, too…Elmore Leonard, wherever you are, you’ve got competition…S.A. Cosby has reappeared as one of the most muscular, distinctive, grab-you-by-both-ears voices in American crime fiction\u003c\/b\u003e.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“\u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e is superb. No doubt, S. A. Cosby is not only the future of crime fiction but of any fiction where the words are strong, the characters are strong and the story has a resonance that cuts right to the heart of the most important questions of our times.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—Michael Connelly, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A tour de force – poignant, action-packed, and profound.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A visceral full-body experience, a sharp jolt to the heart, and a treat for the senses…Cosby's moody southern thriller marries the skillful action and plotting of Lee Child with the atmosphere and insight of Attica Locke.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eNPR\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Stunningly poignant and brutally profound…Cosby gives readers a unique take on a revenge narrative, one propelled by furious action and two incredibly authentic and compelling main characters.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Minneapolis Star Tribune\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Utterly unique\u003c\/b\u003e…Cosby wisely tweaks the formula, mixing in biting humor and frank confrontations about race and sexuality amid the mayhem…\u003cb\u003eRiding shotgun with the violence, though, is also great beauty\u003c\/b\u003e — in descriptions of the grief of a community, in the fathers’ stirring awareness of the true meaning of love and even in Cosby’s reverence for the vibrant natural world (a sunset “dipping lower than a ballroom dancer”).”\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Los Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Cosby has crossed Elmore Leonard with Walter Mosley to produce the thrill ride of the summer\u003c\/b\u003e…Sounds like the perfect vehicle for a Will Smith\/Bradley Cooper summer blockbuster…Cosby’s writing is cinematic, with action-movie sequences and dialogue that’s more buddy movie than noir…\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e is an instant classic.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“An action-packed story that starts strong and accelerates\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e also is an insightful story about racism, homophobia, parenting, classism, squandered chances and seized opportunities…\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e combines the best of thought-provoking fiction, character studies and hard-charging action.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—South Florida Sun-Sentinel\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“[A] powerful thriller\u003c\/b\u003e…Equal parts a bloody Tarantino film — think “Kill Bill” — and a saga of redemption by fire, both men needing to avenge their boys’ deaths to atone for failing them in life…I agree with the hype. \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e may run only 300 or so pages, but it’s an epic.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Washington Independent Review of Books\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Following \u003ci\u003eBlacktop Wasteland\u003c\/i\u003e was one hell of a challenge, but S. A. Cosby doesn't merely deliver, he ups his game with \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e, a story that addresses the big questions while never losing sight of the characters at its core. Taut, tense, and thoughtful, \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e confirms Cosby as one of the most important new voices in contemporary fiction, period.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—Michael Koryta, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThose Who Wish Me Dead\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A violent noir revenge story you can't stop reading.\u003c\/b\u003e One of my favorite books of the summer.”\u003cbr\u003e—R. L. Stine, bestselling author    \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A powerful blend of pulsing action, sensitive and subtle character interaction, and uncompromising but highly nuanced reflection on racism and homophobia\u003c\/b\u003e…Few novels marry tough and tender, head-banging and coming-of-age, as seamlessly as this one does, but that's no surprise from a supremely talented writer who keeps getting better.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBooklist, \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003cb\u003eA lean, mean crime story...Fast on its feet, by turns lethal and tender…This is a bloody good yarn\u003c\/b\u003e with two compelling antiheroes you’ll root for from the start.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eKirkus\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003cb\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Simultaneously a contemplative mystery and a stunning thrill ride. \u003c\/b\u003eA master of his craft, Cosby balances incredibly complicated characters with enveloping suspense and some of the most captivatingly violent scenes that you will ever read…Cosby’s writing is both fearless and sympathetic, exhibiting his formidable intellect alongside vivid imagery, sharp wit and intricate plot lines.\u003ci\u003e\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—BookPage\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003cb\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“[Cosby’s] story of fathers and sons, of men learning to respect others’ lives, has an unexpected depth for such a violent, confrontational book. \u003cb\u003eThis powerful book should be in every library.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Library Journal, \u003c\/i\u003estarred review\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A double-barreled action saga that brings to mind the mayhem of early Dashiell Hammett and the bedlam of vintage Sam Peckinpah.\u003c\/b\u003e Leavening the violence is the salty banter of two bereaved fathers who turn out to be, for better and worse, much more alike than they suspected.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eWall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“S.A. Cosby blew us away with last year’s searing heist thriller\/rural noir \u003ci\u003eBlacktop Wasteland, \u003c\/i\u003eand with \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears \u003c\/i\u003ehe’s done it again. In \u003cb\u003ea heartbreaking tale of love, murder, vengeance, and acceptance\u003c\/b\u003e, two ex-cons, one Black and one white, team up to find those responsible for the death of their sons, who were married to each other…\u003cb\u003eShattering and beautiful, this is a must-read for genre and literary fiction fans alike.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—CrimeReads\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“S. A. Cosby is a once-in-a-generation storyteller — and he's only getting started. In \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e, Cosby delivers a jaw-dropping thriller of vengeance, cruelty, and heart. \u003c\/b\u003eHis iconic voice, cinematic prose, and brilliant plotting will have you hearing an 80-piece orchestra at full crescendo as you race towards an ending so explosive, you'll literally duck for cover. This book is far more than a work of art; it's the gold standard.”\u003cbr\u003e—P. J. Vernon, author of \u003ci\u003eBath Haus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“The mystery community has been raving about \u003ci\u003eBlacktop Wasteland\u003c\/i\u003e, in my mind, the best novel of last year. Believe it or not, this book is even better...\u003cb\u003eThis book is not only an exciting thriller, there is much depth to the writing, as well. Race, LGBT, class structure is all covered here\u003c\/b\u003e…The plot is totally compelling and the pacing is relentless, overall. I could not put it down...Highly, highly recommended.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Deadly Pleasure Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“The very definition of a white-knuckle ride\u003c\/b\u003e…don’t know when I last read such a bruising book about bruised people.”\u003cbr\u003e—Ian Rankin, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A harrowing portrait of two fathers grappling with their messy pasts\u003c\/b\u003e amid a violent present in the American South.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eTIME\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Buckets of blood are spilled, but in a volume that's proportional to the amount of soul-searching going on and the number of jokes being cracked…\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e ups the ante by introducing characters forced to grapple with their thoughts on homosexuality and interracial love while Confederate flags fly around the\u003cb\u003e...S. A. Cosby's terrific follow-up to \u003ci\u003eBlacktop Wasteland\u003c\/i\u003e is another rustic noir centered on a Black man with a checkered past who feels forced to jeopardize his straight-arrow status.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness, \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003estarred review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Gripping and fast-paced, this is an immensely entertaining read. \u003c\/b\u003eThe laconic protagonists, on a mission to avenge their sons’ murders and make amends for their own shortcomings as fathers, meet some fantastically nasty bad guys, and the results are deeply satisfying. There is a real humanity in the storytelling which elevates this thriller to another league. Highly recommended.”\u003cbr\u003e—Alex George, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Paris Hours\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“If you prefer your summer reads to be grab-you-by-the-throat sort, be sure to check out \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e by S.A. Cosby...\u003cb\u003eCosby’s deft blue-collar characterization and powerful, high-octane prose will thrill fans of Dennis Lehane, Walter Mosely and Don Winslow.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Shawnee Mission Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Fast-paced but moving thriller…The exuberant but choreographed violence \u003c\/b\u003ein \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e might remind you of Quentin Tarantino’s films...like [Elmore Leonard], Cosby can create a vivid character sketch in a few lines and knows how to counter the darkest situations with humor…\u003cb\u003eHis voice is his own, his characters engaging and surprising, his narrative skill impressive.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Tampa Bay Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Graphic, explosive, cinematic story-telling at its finest… \u003ci\u003eRazorblade Tears\u003c\/i\u003e is crime fiction as raw, gutsy and hardcore as it comes \u003c\/b\u003e. . . definitely not for the faint of heart… Highly recommended for fans of hardcore crime fiction and great, heartfelt storytelling everywhere.”\u003cbr\u003e—mysteryandsuspense.com \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Cosby’s talents for \u003cb\u003epungent dialogue and Chandler-esque phrase-making\u003c\/b\u003e…[are] evident again in this pulsating follow-up, which oddly but fruitfully combines progressive values…\u003cb\u003ewith the mayhem-packed chronicle of an atavistic pursuit of revenge.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eTimes of London\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A nuanced take on contemporary race and LGBTQ issues\u003c\/b\u003e of a type not commonly found in crime fiction. \u003cb\u003eChalk up another winner to Cosby.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A vivid, tense thriller\u003c\/b\u003e...reminiscent of another superlative black American writer, Attica Locke…\u003cb\u003eFerociously gripping.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Financial Times (UK)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“It’s a rare trick to combine violence with social commentary, but Cosby pulls it off.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Daily Mail\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong-listed Amazon.com Best Books of the Year (2021), Long-listed Washington Post Best Books of the Year (2021), Long-listed New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year (2021), Long-listed Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year (2021)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781250252708\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Flatiron Books","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":40833027899598,"sku":"9781250252708","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/getimage_6c3f0a1e-1293-4ca4-9705-4d53d433740c.jpg?v=1644840672","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781250252708","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}