Razorblade Tears

A Novel

By: S. A. Cosby

Narrated by: Adam Lazarre-White

“Lazarre-White's commanding performance is equally riveting. He creates an irresistible listening experience” –AudioFile Magazine

“Superb...Cuts right to the heart of the most important questions of our times.” —Michael Connelly,
#1 New York Times bestselling author

A 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 his father was a criminal. Buddy Lee still has contacts in the underworld, though, and he wants to know who killed his boy.

Ike 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.

Provocative and fast-paced, S. A. Cosby's Razorblade Tears is a story of bloody retribution, heartfelt change—and maybe even redemption.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

©2021 S. A. Cosby (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year, 2021

NYPL Best Books of the Year, 2021

Washington Post Best Books of the Year, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2021

Thriller Awards - Winner, 2022

Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2021

Time Magazine Best Books of the Year, 2021

L.A. Times Book Prize - Finalist, 2022

New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, 2021

Shelf Awareness Best Books of the Year, 2021

NPR Best Book of the Year, 2021

Edgar Allan Poe Award Nominee, 2022

My new favorite audiobook!

Wow! All I can say is Wow! This is an instant classic.

Last year, I read SA Cosby’s Blacktop Wasteland, and I absolutely loved it. I didn’t think that he could top himself, but Razorblade Tears is phenomenal. This book features two men, one black and one white, named Ike and Buddy Lee, looking to find out how their sons, who were married to one another, were murdered.

This book is gritty, raw, and real. Cosby doesn’t inflate his novels with extra fluff. It’s not Clancy length with never-ending descriptions. Instead, it’s to the point. It has beautifully woven sentences that form a picturesque, vivid painting of the novel. It has characters that, regardless of the pitfalls and struggles, are some of, if not the most, unforgettable characters I’ve read about it years. Ike and Buddy Lee will forever be cemented as these two completely opposite characters thrust into this extraordinary situation. This book is timely and touches on some of the most difficult topics society is faced with right now. I knew after reading Blacktop Wasteland that my expectations were going to be high with this one, but I never dreamed it could be this good.

This book needs to be a bestseller. It is the best book I’ve ever read, and I mean that honestly. I’ve read thousands of books over my lifetime, and this one has become the best in mere days. I don’t think there is a higher praise I could give a thriller than saying it’s my favorite book, so there it is. It’s a must-read that will be the best book in 2021.

Adam Lazarre-White is a great narrator. He was great in SA Cosby's Blacktop Wasteland, and he's just as good here.

WOW!

I am 43 year old father of 6. Three of those children are adults. This book was very emotional for me. I’ve always accepted and will continue to accept and respect my child’s lifestyle. It’s very important for me to have raised them with love , respect and tolerance for things we may not understand. I was questioning my self while listening to this novel. The conversations in this book need to always take place in real life. I highly recommend this book, the narration was on point!

Beautiful Writing, Great Story

Razorblade Tears is a heartfelt coming-of-knowledge story written with gorgeous prose.
You feel for these two very different men who learn the true meaning of love and acceptance and come to recognize their former ignorant behaviors as they work through an exciting revenge and salvation drama.
This book is not appropriate for children but is a page-turner for adults.

great second book by cosby

this is a somewhat family storyline common to the genre but it is an engaging and enjoyable story. much better polished than his first book, everything such as story, dialog, and narrator, all comes together.

Great story…couldn’t put it down.

Wow!!! I’m so happy to find author S. A. Cosby. Razor-blade Tears comes alive with vivid descriptions and language that makes you feel like you’ve been jumped into the gang. It’s a much needed transfusion of rich and complex characters woven into a story that is so current and relevant. It will keep you in its grip until the very last sentence. Adam Lazarre-White gave a superb performance!! I loved listening to his voice and the special qualities he gave to each character. I can’t rave enough about this book!!