S.A. Cosby does not miss. King of Ashes is a gripping, emotionally heavy Southern noir that digs into family, grief, and the weight of the past. It’s raw, complex, and soaked in atmosphere—the kind of story that stays with you.

The book follows Roman Carruthers, a successful financial advisor who returns to his small hometown after his estranged father is shot. What he thinks will be a quick trip becomes anything but. His younger brother is caught up in dangerous debts, his sister’s holding their crumbling family together, and there’s a long-buried mystery around their mother’s disappearance that refuses to stay buried.

I was lucky enough to receive an ALC (thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio!), and I have to say—the audiobook narration by Adam Lazarre-White was phenomenal. He brought so much intensity and emotion to Roman’s character. Definitely one of the best narrations I’ve heard all year.

I’m giving this one 4 stars—while the character work and themes were incredible, the pacing lagged a bit in the middle for me. Still, it’s a powerful story, and Cosby’s writing is as sharp and soulful as ever.

King of Ashes releases June 10, 2025—add this to your list if you’re into gritty, character-driven thrillers with serious emotional weight.