ALL SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby / Z-View

ALL SINNERS BLEED by S.A. Cosby

Hardback: ‎ 352 pages
Publisher: ‎ Flatiron Books (June 6, 2023)

First sentence…

Charon County was founded in bloodshed and darkness.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in Charon County, Virginia.  Titus grew up there.  He then served ten years as a F.B.I. agent.  Now he’s come home. Hopefully to do some good. Although elected by a majority, there are still some who can’t get past Titus’ skin color.

When an active shooter call comes in, Titus and his deputies rush to the local high school.  They arrive to find one of the community’s most beloved teachers murdered by a former student.  As the young killer walks out, gun in hand, Titus attempts to take him in to custody without more bloodshed.  Unfortunately, one of Titus’ deputies fatally shoots the kid.

Titus’ investigation into the teacher’s murder uncovers evidence of more crimes.  The beloved teacher, a pillar of the community, was involved in sadistic crimes against children.  As Titus digs deeper it becomes clear that three people were torturing and killing children.  Two are dead.  But one is still alive.  Hiding in plain sight among the people of Charon County.

Things become even more complicated. Evidence surfaces that Titus’ Deputy may have had a secret reason to kill the kid.

Another person is murdered.  The killer stages the body to let the world (and Sheriff Crown) know it is related to the murders of the children.  The killer begins taunting Titus.  Publicity about the gruesome murders puts the town on edge.  It also gives those who oppose Titus as Sheriff a reason to remove him from office.

As Titus continues to dig into the evidence, he uncovers dark secrets hidden for decades.  Of course Titus has a secret of his own.  The real reason he left the F.B.I..

Thoughts…

S.A. Cosby is one of my must-buy authors.  He won the Anthony Award for Best Novel two years in a row for BLACKTOP WASTELAND and RAZORBLADE TEARS.  Both get my highest recommendation.  As does Cosby’s MY DARKEST PRAYER.

ALL SINNER’S BLEED is another winner.  Titus Crown is a great lead character.  I was surprised by the ending, but it felt right.  Especially Crown’s last act.

Each novel that Cosby has created made me hope for a sequel.  Yet, each new book brought new lead characters that I come to love.  Perhaps a crossover is due.  Truth is, it doesn’t matter what Cosby writes.  I, like many, many others will be in line to buy it.
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