Author: S.A. Cosby
Published: June 2023 by Headline
Category: Crime, Thriller, Literary Fiction, Police Procedural
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Titus Crowne is the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County. A former FBI agent and security expert, Titus came home to take care of his father and look out for his troubled younger brother. He ran for Sheriff to make a difference, especially in the Black community, which has so often been treated unfairly by the police.
But a year to the day after his election, a school shooting rocks the town. A beloved teacher is killed by a former student, and as Titus attempts to deescalate and get the boy to surrender, his deputies fire a fatal shot.
Previously an FBI agent, Titus Crowne is now the first black Sheriff of Charon County, in Virginia. Titus, desperately trying to make a difference and change things for the better, especially for the black community who have suffered horribly in the past, but his sense of justice encompasses everyone. Contending with the racial aspect and extreme religious fervour makes his job all the harder. It’s not an easy line to walk as many small towns in Southern America are still full of prejudice.
When an incident at the local school results in the death of a well known and popular teacher, and the boy who shot him, it unleashes bigotry and violence, and uncovers terrible historic crimes, two serial killers, one still on the loose, and truths about the shooter and his victim that rock the community. Charon’s recent peaceful era was coming to an end.
There is a sense of chaos that can seem to move with its own order. When a chaotic situation becomes rote, there are certain patterns that emerge from the repetition.
As Titus came screaming into the parking lot of Jefferson Davis High on two wheels, he observed these distinct behaviors as they un folded like an origami sculpture moving in reverse.
Titus is extremely likeable and caring, a well fleshed out protagonist; conflicted, with strong moral principles and human flaws who tends towards repetitive, introspective thinking. He was deeply affected by his mother’s death but has since forged a great relationship with his father and I love the interactions between them. This is a case that will push Titus to his emotional and physical limits.
All The Sinners Bleed is heartbreaking and compelling. It’s dark, intense, gritty, thought provoking and shocking. Very skilfully written, perceptive in observations and vividly atmospheric. A well plotted murder mystery interlaced with societal issues. None of those issues are glossed over, particularly the racial issues and the dark underbelly that can pollute some so called religious communities. An incredible story.
I chose to listen to the audio version and Adam Lazarre-White has an easy to listen to voice and does an excellent job with the narration. Off to download Cosby’s other books…
S.A. Cosby is the New York Times national best selling award-winning author from Southeastern Virginia. His books include MY DARKEST PRAYER, Blacktop Wasteland, Amazon’s #1 Mystery and Thriller of the Year and #3 Best Book of 2020 overall, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, Winner of the LA Times Book Award for Mystery or Thrillers and a Goodreads Choice Awards Semifinalist and the winner of the ITW award for hard cover book of the year, the Macavity for best novel of the year, the Anthony, The Barry , a honorable mention from the ALA Black Caucus and was a finalists for the CWA Golden Dagger. He is also author of the best selling RAZORBLADE TEARS which was also nominated for numerous awards as well.
