My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby

 

I loved S.A. Cosby's other four books, so I was looking forward to reading this, his debut novel. I'm happy this book wasn't my introduction to the author, or I probably wouldn't have picked up any of the others. It's good to know he has grown so much as a writer, and I look forward to more from him.

When a pastor is found dead, and law enforcement is calling it suicide, parishioners turn to Nathan Waymaker, a former sheriff's deputy who now works in his cousin's mortuary, to investigate. Scraping the surface of the man's life, Nate uncovers an unsavory character, who, though much loved by his parishioners, is corrupt and associated with gangsters. The more he digs, the more his own life is in danger. 

The story, while good, relies too much on stereotypes and gratuitous sex and violence. There were implausible situations, such as the admiration Nate received from a gangster and his almost superpowers in fights, whether fists or guns. There were a couple of good characters, but mostly they were unlikable--even his love interest came off as shallow. I'm chalking this up as an ambitious first effort that didn't quite do it for me. 

2.5/5 stars.

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King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

 

I'm a fan of S.A. Cosby. His books are gritty, contain interesting characters, and have unique plots. This latest book is no different. 

Roman Carruthers has forged a successful career as a wealth manager in Atlanta, far from his roots in small-town Virginia. Still, when his father ends up in a coma after a car accident, he comes home to a less-than-ideal situation. His sister, Neveah, now runs the family's crematorium, and his younger brother, Dante, has become entangled with a group of deadly criminals. Roman immediately uses his financial acumen to try to free Dante from the gang's clutches, but the more he tries, the deeper he gets involved with the gang--endangering all of their lives.

This is a fast-paced story whose moral dilemmas fascinated me. It is a suspenseful crime thriller that captures the reader and poses the question of just how far one would go to protect loved ones. There is violence, but it is used effectively and adds to the story. I highly recommend this book and the author. 

4.5/5 stars.

For more information:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble