Cover image of "Razorblade Tears," one of S. A. Cosby's Southern noir novels

Since Intruder in the Dust (1948) by William Faulkner and James Dickey’s Deliverance (1970) pioneered the genre, Southern noir has attracted a wide following. Scores of other authors have rushed to create works that evoke the grim atmospherics of the rural American South. But in recent years no one, with the possible exception of James Lee Burke, has delivered more compelling stories about the pain and poverty that afflict so many in the region than S. A. Cosby. In four stellar Southern noir novels to date, Cosby has brought into stark relief the reality of life on the margins in the small towns of rural Virginia. And in Razorblade Tears he offers up a searing view of the heartache and desperation that a murder can leave behind.

A double murder rocks two fathers’ lives

Fifteen years ago Ike Randolph walked out of Coldwater State Penitentiary a free man after serving a sentence for manslaughter. Since then, however, he’s steered clear of the outlaw life he’d lived as a young man. Happily married and a father, he now runs a successful lawn care business, employing dozens of other ex-cons who cut grass and shrubs and lay in sod throughout the region.

Ike’s life is good—then it falls apart when two detectives show up at his door to tell him someone had murdered his son, Isiah. In fact, it was a double murder. Both Isiah and his White husband, Derek Jenkins, were dead, leaving behind their three-year-old daughter. And to compound Ike’s misery, he’d never accepted that his son was gay despite his love for the young man. He’s in agony. Then Derek’s father, Buddy Lee Jenkins, accosts him at the boys’ funeral determined to enlist him in avenging their sons’ murder.

Ike knows that “Folks like to talk about revenge like it’s a righteous thing but it’s just hate in a nicer suit,” as he tells Buddy Lee. But that won’t stop him. He’s guilt-ridden over his failed relationship with his son, and he views revenge for the boy’s murder to be a form of atonement.

Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (2021) 336 pages ★★★★★

Photo of a trailer park in rural Virginia, like the one that features in this example of S. A. Cosby's Southern noir novels
A trailer park in rural Virginia much like the one where Buddy Lee Jenkins lives. Image: Jaime Valdez – Portland Tribune

Evidence points to an outlaw motorcycle gang

Unfortunately, Buddy Lee is a loser. Like Ike, he’s an ex-con with a long string of murders in his past. But he’s been living far out on the margins since doing his last stretch in prison, confined to living alone in a run-down rented trailer. And though he’s bright, he’s no match for Ike, who demonstrates how very smart he is as the pair set out to investigate the murder. In fact, in short order, they’ve begun to turn up evidence while the police have accomplished exactly nothing. The problem is, that evidence points to a homicidal outlaw motorcycle gang called Rare Breed (“We make them bleed for the Breed”). And the gang’s president, whom we’ve learned is in fact the triggerman, is a formidable force who has no intention of letting them get any further in their investigation.

Photo of an outlaw motorcycle gang, like the one in this Southern noir novel
An outlaw motorcycle gang like the bunch in this novel that terrorized the two men bent on revenge for their sons’s murder. Image: HotCars

The violence goes on and on

It’s obvious to Ike and Buddy Lee that someone had ordered the murder, which was clearly a contract killing. And the case has something to do with someone powerful who is desperate to avoid exposure in the press. For what, they couldn’t figure out. But it was clear that Ike’s son, a reporter for a gay newspaper, was working on a story about the man. And whoever it was, he had paid or forced the gang to kill Ike and Buddy Lee as well once it seemed they might be getting close to him. The result is a bloodbath—in fact, it’s just about the most vivid display of violence I’ve ever encountered in a thriller. And the violence goes on and on. Razorblade Tears is an exciting story, beautifully crafted, but for any reader who’s the slightest bit squeamish, it’s not likely to a pleasant ride.

About the author

Photo of S. A. Cosby, author of this Southern noir novel
S. A. Cosby. Image: Donald Johnson – The New York Times

Shawn Andre Cosby is the author of four Southern noir crime novels, the last three of which have won numerous awards. And his short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines. Cosby was born in Newport News, Virginia in 1973. When not writing, he is an avid hiker and chess player.

I’ve also reviewed the author’s earlier novel, All the Sinners Bleed (Southern noir at its eloquent best).

I’ve also reviewed quite a few other crime novels set in small-town America, including:

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