Books by S.A. Cosby
S.A. Cosby is a Virginia-based writer of crime novels, whose books are sometimes described as ‘Southern Noir.’ The combination of gruesome crimes, communities struggling with poverty and racism, tortured and yet sympathetic main characters, as well as humour, make for memorable thrillers.
“If you’re an S.A. Cosby fan, you won’t be disappointed by his latest, with the story revolving around a family who run a crematorium in a post-industrial town in Virginia. The eldest son, a successful businessman in Atlanta, heads home after his father has an accident. As you read it, there’s the familiar sensation you get with most of Cosby’s main characters – that is, wanting to shout: ‘No! Don’t do it! It’s going to end badly.’ Cosby’s books are sometimes talked about as ‘southern noir,’ and there is some very black humour indeed in this book. It also left me quite curious about what kind of people do run crematoria.” Read more...
The Best Crime Fiction: The 2026 Gold Dagger Shortlist
Sophie Roell, Journalist
All the Sinners Bleed
by S.A. Cosby
☆ Shortlisted for the 2024 Edgar Allan Poe Awards
🏆 An AudioFile Best Mystery/Suspense Audiobook of 2023
All the Sinners Bleed (2023) is the latest book by S.A. Cosby, a writer of crime novels set in the Southern United States. In this book, thankfully, the main character is on the right side of the law: he's a former FBI agent, now a sheriff in Virginia. The plot revolves around unspeakable crimes and a serial killer, with all the anguish of race relations at the forefront as the action unfolds.
Razorblade Tears
by S.A. Cosby
☆ Shortlisted for the 2022 Edgar Allan Poe Awards
☆ Shortlisted for the 2022 CWA Gold Dagger
If you loved S.A Cosby's last book, Blacktop Wasteland, you'll enjoy this one. The characters are different, but the chief protagonists are again ex-cons, sucked back to the dark side by circumstances beyond their control. You, the reader, will again wish them well as they commit gruesome murders. As a mystery, however, this latest book, Razorblade Tears, is much more satisfying: it's driven along not only by memorable characters but also by the plot.
“Razorblade Tears 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.” Read more...
Tosca Lee, Novelist
Blacktop Wasteland
by S.A. Cosby
☆ 2021 CWA Gold Dagger Highly Commended
Blacktop Wasteland is a thriller more than a mystery, but deserves a mention because it was highly commended by the Crime Writers' Association in its 2021 Gold Dagger awards. The chief protagonist is Bug (real name: Beauregard), a car mechanic and hotshot driver, and your heart starts sinking early in the book as his efforts to stay on the straight and narrow falter under financial pressure—even as he tries to be a good husband, dad and businessman. Still, you quickly get sucked into the action and feel oddly empowered by him and just how smart and talented he is, rooting for him even as he commits heinous crimes.
“Let’s just talk a moment about S.A. Cosby’s incredible voice and unforgettable characters. Don’t tell me for a moment Bug—or any of the other characters who grace these pages—are not real people. I refuse to believe it. They are too multi-dimensional, too flawed, sympathetic, and too perfectly human. And then there’s the story: gritty, dynamic noir by an author in complete command of his craft. As an author, I read mastery like this with equal parts awe and envy.” Read more...
Tosca Lee, Novelist
Interviews where books by S.A. Cosby were recommended
Best Mystery Books of 2021
2021 was fantastic for fans of the mystery genre, with lots of different types of books to choose from. There were also a wide variety of different evocative settings, including Tasmania, Ghana, a ski resort, a retirement village, and the Nevada desert. The year also saw new books in popular mystery series, including the second instalment of The Thursday Murder Club.
The Best Thrillers of 2021, recommended by Tosca Lee
Looking for a fantastic new thriller to read? We asked Tosca Lee, the bestselling author, to talk us through the International Thriller Writers 2021 shortlist. With their amazing characters, palpable tension, unique voices and incredible plot twists these thrillers achieve what every reader is looking for: a book they can’t put down.
The Best Mystery Books of 2022
2022 was a great year for books in the mystery genre, with some great plots and unforgettable characters, at least one of which (The Maid) has gone on to start a series. Settings included everything from snowy Scandinavia to World War II Hawaii.
The Best Thrillers of 2022, recommended by Tosca Lee
Every year, the International Thriller Writers—an honorary organisation of authors—showcases the best new books in the genre at their annual awards. Here, bestselling author and the organisation’s vice-president Tosca Lee talks us through the six-strong shortlist of books, and explains why ‘Southern noir’ writer S.A. Cosby won the title for the best thriller of 2022—only a year on from his last triumph.
Award-Winning Crime Novels of 2024, recommended by Sophie Roell
Crime novels are one of the most popular fiction genres, catering to a wide range of tastes and interests. Our editor, Sophie Roell, takes us through the books that won prestigious US and UK awards this year, from a historical novel set during the American Civil War to a spy thriller that raises interesting questions about Western policy in the Middle East.
The Best Mystery Books of 2024
2024 was a solid year for mystery books, with books out from some of the best contemporary writers in the genre, including Tana French, S.A. Cosby, and Ruth Ware. The range of mood was also broad, with some wistful and nostalgic tales, and other books that are laugh-out-loud funny. Our best mystery books of 2025 list is now up and running.
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1
Birnam Wood: A Novel
by Eleanor Catton & Saskia Maarleveld (narrator) -
2
All the Sinners Bleed
by S.A. Cosby -
3
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
by Jesse Q. Sutanto and narrated by Eunice Wong -
4
The Secret Hours
by Mick Herron -
5
I Have Some Questions for You
by Rebecca Makkai and narrated by Julia Whelan and JD Jackson
The Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks of 2023, recommended by AudioFile Editors
The Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks of 2023, recommended by AudioFile Editors
It’s a lot of fun listening to mystery books or crime novels as audiobooks, with good narrators adding suspense and enjoyment to the reading experience. Editors at AudioFile magazine, who specialize in reviewing audiobooks, pick out the best ones of 2023, good books made even better by being read aloud by a skilled narrator.
The Best Crime Fiction: The 2026 Gold Dagger Shortlist, recommended by Sophie Roell
If you enjoy crime fiction, there can be a bewildering array of books to choose from. Fortunately, the UK has the Dagger Awards, awarded by the Crime Writers’ Association to standout books in the genre. The ‘Gold Dagger’ is given for the best crime novel by an author of any nationality, originally written in English and first published in the UK. Five Books editor Sophie Roell runs us through the six books that made this year’s shortlist.
