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All the Sinners Bleed
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2023)A Black sheriff. A serial killer. A small town ready to combust.
Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia. In recent decades, Charon has had only two murders. After years of working as an FBI agent, Titus knows better than anyone that while his hometown might seem like a land of moonshine, cornbread, and honeysuckle, secrets always fester under the surface.
Then a year to the day after Titus’s election, a school teacher is killed by a former student and the student is fatally shot by Titus’s deputies. Those festering secrets are now out in the open and ready to tear the town apart.
As Titus investigates the shootings, he unearths terrible crimes and a serial killer who has been hiding in plain sight, haunting the dirt lanes and woodland clearings of Charon. With the killer’s possible connections to a local church and the town’s harrowing history weighing on him, Titus projects confidence about closing the case while concealing a painful secret from his own past. At the same time, he also has to contend with a far-right group that wants to hold a parade in celebration of the town’s Confederate history.
Powerful and unforgettable, All the Sinners Bleed confirms S. A. Cosby as “one of the most muscular, distinctive, grab-you-by-both-ears voices in American crime fiction” (The Washington Post).
Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia. In recent decades, Charon has had only two murders. After years of working as an FBI agent, Titus knows better than anyone that while his hometown might seem like a land of moonshine, cornbread, and honeysuckle, secrets always fester under the surface.
Then a year to the day after Titus’s election, a school teacher is killed by a former student and the student is fatally shot by Titus’s deputies. Those festering secrets are now out in the open and ready to tear the town apart.
As Titus investigates the shootings, he unearths terrible crimes and a serial killer who has been hiding in plain sight, haunting the dirt lanes and woodland clearings of Charon. With the killer’s possible connections to a local church and the town’s harrowing history weighing on him, Titus projects confidence about closing the case while concealing a painful secret from his own past. At the same time, he also has to contend with a far-right group that wants to hold a parade in celebration of the town’s Confederate history.
Powerful and unforgettable, All the Sinners Bleed confirms S. A. Cosby as “one of the most muscular, distinctive, grab-you-by-both-ears voices in American crime fiction” (The Washington Post).
338 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 13,797 reviews
February 11, 2023
An excellent, gritty novel about how eventually, all sins must be reckoned with, one way or another. Loved this book. Titus, the Black sheriff at the heart of the novel, is its compelling g moral center. After a shooting at the local high school Titus and his deputies learn that there is a brutal serial killer in their midst. One who is unraveling and starting to go after everything Titus holds dear. As he grapples with his own traumas, Titus must navigate the local politics of a Southern small town and stop the killer before it’s too late. The action is nonstop and Titus has real depth. The ending is a bit of a rushed mess and some plot points need more development. Are we really not going to get into why the young man who did the school shooting was involved in that mess? But that aside, this is just awesome. Layered. Dark. True.
September 23, 2024
4.5 - so so so good! Titus is that 👏🏼 guy 👏🏼 One of the best written male main characters ever. A serial killer is on the loose in this small southern town with deep roots of systemic racism and corruption. Similar vibe to Pretty Girls, not as graphic, but definitely still graphic at times!
October 15, 2025
**4.5-stars rounded up**
When I first completed the audiobook for All the Sinners Bleed I decided to give it 4.5-stars, not rounded up. My thought process was that I didn't connect to it emotionally in the same way that I did Razorblade Tears, which I gave 5-stars.
For some reason, in my little pea-brain, I was thinking because I didn't feel that way that it wasn't as good a story for me as that one. Hence the slightly lower rating.
Even though that was my reasoning initially, and I stress the initially part, I was wrong. Here we are, a full 4-days after I completed the book, and I cannot stop thinking about Titus, Charon County, or this mystery.
First, can we all acknowledge that Adam Lazarre-White is one of the most talented voice artists out there. I could listen to him read anything and be lulled into happiness. It's true. You think I'm embellishing, but I'm not.
In this story we follow Titus Crowne, the first black sheriff of Charon County in Virginia. Titus used to work for the FBI, but decided to come home for a number of different reasons.
He ran for sheriff with the hopes of making a difference in his community; changing it for the better. The job has had it's ups-and-downs, but overall, it seems they're making headway. Then, a year to the day after his election, a school shooting rocks their small community.
Caution: Scenes from school shooting on page.
A teacher is dead and the shooter, a former student and someone Titus knows well, is shot and killed by the responding deputies.
Even though there are many witnesses, Titus insists on an internal review of the shooting. It's the right thing to do.
Looking into the teacher, and the former student, Titus and his department unknowingly open up a big ole' can of worms. It appears the student was abused by the teacher. The teacher everyone felt was so pristine was anything but.
Y'all, this story goes dark and I loved it. It's extremely interesting. There are religious elements, a cult-like atmosphere, buried bodies and so many secrets it makes Washington D.C. seem transparent.
The most compelling thing about this novel though is simply Cosby's quality of storytelling. From the very first chapter I was reminded of how easy it is to get swept away by his writing. The way the plot and characters are developed is a masterclass in style.
Titus is such a great main character. He has so many admirable qualities, but he also has a past. He's human, he struggles with things and second-guesses himself, but he always works hard to do the right thing. He's the type of character you want to succeed.
He's also the type of character I'm really hoping I will meet again. To my knowledge, this is a standalone novel, but man, would I love to someday get a follow-up. I'm not ready to say goodbye to Titus.
The mystery aspect, which involves many dead bodies, goes there. It gets graphic. I was actually surprised by how dark certain scenes got. I was living for it.
I recommend this to Readers who enjoyed The Echo Man. If you like that mystery, I think you could end up really vibing with this one as well. There was just something about this that gave me the same level of toe-curling enjoyment that that one did.
I loved following along with this investigation and felt my pulse ratchet up a notch every time the stakes were raised, which spoiler alert, was a lot!
I highly recommend this one for your Summer reading list. If you love a fast-paced, intense, Police Procedural Thriller, this is an absolute must for you. It's a nail-biter!!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I loved this!
When I first completed the audiobook for All the Sinners Bleed I decided to give it 4.5-stars, not rounded up. My thought process was that I didn't connect to it emotionally in the same way that I did Razorblade Tears, which I gave 5-stars.
For some reason, in my little pea-brain, I was thinking because I didn't feel that way that it wasn't as good a story for me as that one. Hence the slightly lower rating.
Even though that was my reasoning initially, and I stress the initially part, I was wrong. Here we are, a full 4-days after I completed the book, and I cannot stop thinking about Titus, Charon County, or this mystery.
First, can we all acknowledge that Adam Lazarre-White is one of the most talented voice artists out there. I could listen to him read anything and be lulled into happiness. It's true. You think I'm embellishing, but I'm not.
In this story we follow Titus Crowne, the first black sheriff of Charon County in Virginia. Titus used to work for the FBI, but decided to come home for a number of different reasons.
He ran for sheriff with the hopes of making a difference in his community; changing it for the better. The job has had it's ups-and-downs, but overall, it seems they're making headway. Then, a year to the day after his election, a school shooting rocks their small community.
Caution: Scenes from school shooting on page.
A teacher is dead and the shooter, a former student and someone Titus knows well, is shot and killed by the responding deputies.
Even though there are many witnesses, Titus insists on an internal review of the shooting. It's the right thing to do.
Looking into the teacher, and the former student, Titus and his department unknowingly open up a big ole' can of worms. It appears the student was abused by the teacher. The teacher everyone felt was so pristine was anything but.
Y'all, this story goes dark and I loved it. It's extremely interesting. There are religious elements, a cult-like atmosphere, buried bodies and so many secrets it makes Washington D.C. seem transparent.
The most compelling thing about this novel though is simply Cosby's quality of storytelling. From the very first chapter I was reminded of how easy it is to get swept away by his writing. The way the plot and characters are developed is a masterclass in style.
Titus is such a great main character. He has so many admirable qualities, but he also has a past. He's human, he struggles with things and second-guesses himself, but he always works hard to do the right thing. He's the type of character you want to succeed.
He's also the type of character I'm really hoping I will meet again. To my knowledge, this is a standalone novel, but man, would I love to someday get a follow-up. I'm not ready to say goodbye to Titus.
The mystery aspect, which involves many dead bodies, goes there. It gets graphic. I was actually surprised by how dark certain scenes got. I was living for it.
I recommend this to Readers who enjoyed The Echo Man. If you like that mystery, I think you could end up really vibing with this one as well. There was just something about this that gave me the same level of toe-curling enjoyment that that one did.
I loved following along with this investigation and felt my pulse ratchet up a notch every time the stakes were raised, which spoiler alert, was a lot!
I highly recommend this one for your Summer reading list. If you love a fast-paced, intense, Police Procedural Thriller, this is an absolute must for you. It's a nail-biter!!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I loved this!
January 27, 2024
Outlier review here, even though I am giving ALL THE SINNERS BLEED a three-star rating. I didn’t think that it was a terrible novel, but I don’t agree with the majority of my Goodreads friends who gave it a high five-star rating. Nor with Stephen King, who gave it a glowing review in the New York Times—and usually I agree with Mr. King’s assessments. Most of the time.
This book excelled in only one aspect, at describing a small, narrow-minded town in the Deep South—Charon—where race still determined social status—a caste system—that slowly, very slowly, is crumbling as the 21st century progresses. Titus Crown, a Black man, has been elected sheriff. He was formerly an FBI agent who returned to his home town to help his father, who is recovering from a hip replacement. When the old racist sheriff died, Titus won the election over the old Sheriff’s equally racist son by gaining support from the town’s Black residents (more that 50% of its inhabitants) plus its more enlightened white newcomers. The author’s description of the town and its ambiance are well done.
But ALL THE SINNERS BLEED falls down in several respects:
(1) There are too many characters who are named but not described. The only ones I could pick out of the crowd were: Titus, his father (Albert), his brother (Marquis), his current girlfriend (Darlene), his ex-girlfriend (Kellie), Carla (Titus’s chief deputy), Scott Cunningham (the “boss” racist), Mrs. Cunningham (Scott’s mother), and Elias Hillington (the snake preacher)—plus the principal, Jeff Spearman, and Latrell Macdonald who are killed at the beginning of the novel.
(2) All the women in the story are stereotypes, and we know very little about any of them except re their relationship to Titus. I’m not even sure about Carla’s race. She is referred to as a “J. Lo” in one sentence, which suggests that she may be Latino. Yet nothing is said about a Latino community in Charon; the white community and the black community are the only two that appear to exist in that town.
(3) There was no rational reason for why Dayane Carter, who knew the identity of “The Last Wolf”, wouldn’t reveal it to the Sheriff’s office. Given that the Lone Wolf had recently murdered her lover, she must have known she was in danger.
(4) Although in the end, we discover the reason for the Lone Wolf’s killing spree, there is no rational reason given for why Jeff Spearman and Latrell Macdonald joined him in his terrifying deeds. It was completely out of character for these two men to have been involved in torture and murder. When one mulls over this, it was a plot device that simply didn’t work.
(5) The Lone Wolf’s real identity is not revealed until the last few pages of the book. But he never appears earlier in the novel. This is a definite no-no in a mystery. The culprit should always appear early in the story, even if he will not be identified until near the end. Thus, ALL THE SINNERS BLEED cannot be classified as a mystery. I suppose it might be classified as a thriller, but it lacks the momentum of a true thriller wherein the protagonist slowly puts together the clues needed to determine the killer.
(6) Titus is tortured night and day by his memories of Red DeCrain, yet when the story about Red is finally revealed, I, for one, couldn’t see why Titus was so distraught. DeCrain got what he deserved; Titus shouldn’t have been so upset about his actions in the midst of the horrific incident.
(7) Early in the novel, there are suggestions that Titus has OCD, but this thread is dropped as the story progresses. There are several other threads that seem to go nowhere—the drug dealers that are involved with one of Titus’s deputies, Titus’s friendship with Latrell’s father, Elizabeth Morehood’s embezzlement—all mentioned and then dropped.
(8) Titus’s memories of his mother loom large throughout the novel. She died of scleroderma, a disease that I had never heard of, and so I googled it. It is extremely rare and seldom kills although it is very painful. I do think the author overstepped himself by using it as a plot device. Just as he overstepped himself by having Titus say pretentious quotes from famous authors throughout the book. It was simply showing off his knowledge of a broad range of readings.
I don’t like the author’s writing style, but this may be a personal preference; I think it is too pretentious—far too many “wise” quotes from various sources. Still, given all the lapses in logic found throughout the storyline, I can’t see why ALL THE SINNERS BLEED has received so many high reviews. I think C.A. Cosby has been overhyped, pushed into the limelight too soon—before learning to hone his craft.
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing me with an ebook copy of this book to read.
This book excelled in only one aspect, at describing a small, narrow-minded town in the Deep South—Charon—where race still determined social status—a caste system—that slowly, very slowly, is crumbling as the 21st century progresses. Titus Crown, a Black man, has been elected sheriff. He was formerly an FBI agent who returned to his home town to help his father, who is recovering from a hip replacement. When the old racist sheriff died, Titus won the election over the old Sheriff’s equally racist son by gaining support from the town’s Black residents (more that 50% of its inhabitants) plus its more enlightened white newcomers. The author’s description of the town and its ambiance are well done.
But ALL THE SINNERS BLEED falls down in several respects:
(1) There are too many characters who are named but not described. The only ones I could pick out of the crowd were: Titus, his father (Albert), his brother (Marquis), his current girlfriend (Darlene), his ex-girlfriend (Kellie), Carla (Titus’s chief deputy), Scott Cunningham (the “boss” racist), Mrs. Cunningham (Scott’s mother), and Elias Hillington (the snake preacher)—plus the principal, Jeff Spearman, and Latrell Macdonald who are killed at the beginning of the novel.
(2) All the women in the story are stereotypes, and we know very little about any of them except re their relationship to Titus. I’m not even sure about Carla’s race. She is referred to as a “J. Lo” in one sentence, which suggests that she may be Latino. Yet nothing is said about a Latino community in Charon; the white community and the black community are the only two that appear to exist in that town.
(3) There was no rational reason for why Dayane Carter, who knew the identity of “The Last Wolf”, wouldn’t reveal it to the Sheriff’s office. Given that the Lone Wolf had recently murdered her lover, she must have known she was in danger.
(4) Although in the end, we discover the reason for the Lone Wolf’s killing spree, there is no rational reason given for why Jeff Spearman and Latrell Macdonald joined him in his terrifying deeds. It was completely out of character for these two men to have been involved in torture and murder. When one mulls over this, it was a plot device that simply didn’t work.
(5) The Lone Wolf’s real identity is not revealed until the last few pages of the book. But he never appears earlier in the novel. This is a definite no-no in a mystery. The culprit should always appear early in the story, even if he will not be identified until near the end. Thus, ALL THE SINNERS BLEED cannot be classified as a mystery. I suppose it might be classified as a thriller, but it lacks the momentum of a true thriller wherein the protagonist slowly puts together the clues needed to determine the killer.
(6) Titus is tortured night and day by his memories of Red DeCrain, yet when the story about Red is finally revealed, I, for one, couldn’t see why Titus was so distraught. DeCrain got what he deserved; Titus shouldn’t have been so upset about his actions in the midst of the horrific incident.
(7) Early in the novel, there are suggestions that Titus has OCD, but this thread is dropped as the story progresses. There are several other threads that seem to go nowhere—the drug dealers that are involved with one of Titus’s deputies, Titus’s friendship with Latrell’s father, Elizabeth Morehood’s embezzlement—all mentioned and then dropped.
(8) Titus’s memories of his mother loom large throughout the novel. She died of scleroderma, a disease that I had never heard of, and so I googled it. It is extremely rare and seldom kills although it is very painful. I do think the author overstepped himself by using it as a plot device. Just as he overstepped himself by having Titus say pretentious quotes from famous authors throughout the book. It was simply showing off his knowledge of a broad range of readings.
I don’t like the author’s writing style, but this may be a personal preference; I think it is too pretentious—far too many “wise” quotes from various sources. Still, given all the lapses in logic found throughout the storyline, I can’t see why ALL THE SINNERS BLEED has received so many high reviews. I think C.A. Cosby has been overhyped, pushed into the limelight too soon—before learning to hone his craft.
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing me with an ebook copy of this book to read.
October 14, 2025
Welcome to Charon County, Virginia, a city founded in bloodshed and darkness. Tragedies have struck the place several times throughout its shameful history, including the massacre of indigenous people and their forced removal from their land, incidents of cannibalism, malaria outbreaks, poisonings during picnics involving Confederate members, and even baptismal drownings.
These tragedies have shaped the fate of the townies, who, in turn, have created their own monsters fueled by hatred, bias, distorted perspectives, and narrow-mindedness. These townies perceive differences as threats, making it a miracle for the town to elect its first Black Sheriff, Titus Crowne. This election comes despite the town's notorious history, with dishonorable actions etched into its foundations and core.
Titus, a former aspiring FBI agent, retired from his position for undisclosed reasons. He returns to his hometown to take care of his father, who found solace in religion after grieving the loss of his wife, and his brother, who appears to have gone astray, getting involved with the wrong side of the tracks.
Becoming sheriff with the intention of changing things in this town and defending the rights of those who have been abused, outcast, and harmed for years may seem idealistic. However, Titus faces opposition from both white people who despise him and black people who consider him a traitor, unaware of his efforts to protect their rights. Any attempt to change the system with good intentions is met with protest and rejection.
Now Titus finds himself in the middle of the most challenging case of his life, even more life-changing than the notorious case that led him to leave his position as an agent. The case involves Latrell, a troubled young black man and the son of one of Titus's old friends. Latrell is involved in a school shooting that claims the life of Mr. Spearman, a beloved teacher. As Titus negotiates with Latrell to surrender, two white deputies shoot him without following his instructions.
The incident, heard by church ministers, sparks a large protest march by black and Latino communities, along with a few supportive white individuals. They march in protest against yet another black person who has died at the hands of police officers without proper justification. Meanwhile, a group of lawbreakers creates another altercation, seeking to protect their Confederate statue amidst the turmoil.
Titus soon realizes that the death of the beloved teacher and the brutal crime committed by the young black student, who may have suffered a psychological breakdown or been influenced, is just the tip of the iceberg. After finding Mr. Spearman's call logs with Latrell, they search his house and discover that the man they had admired for years, the seemingly perfect teacher and good citizen, is actually a monster disguised in human form. Evidence reveals that he, Latrell, and another mysterious individual wearing a mask sexually abused several young black children. Not only did they abuse them, but they also killed them and buried them under the Willow Tree.
Now Titus must find the third monster, who is covering his tracks by killing more townies who have worked with him. In addition to these investigations, Titus has to navigate town politics, appease the reverends who insist on convincing their congregations to protest against the sheriff, questioning the fairness of his investigation. Furthermore, he must confront his past when his ex-partner arrives in town to start a podcast that may delve into more of the town's secrets.
Who is the monster lurking around, taking the lives of innocent boys who have been abandoned and neglected by their own families? Could a town create its own monster through its dark and tainted roots, nourished by the blood of innocents?
This book is a gory, dark, and realistic slap in the face, offering a harsh but illuminating approach to racism, religion, and violence. Titus Crowne emerges as one of the most memorable characters, haunted by his own demons as he strives to navigate the thin line between evil and faith. He is a flawed and tormented man, driven by a relentless pursuit of justice for all. It is these qualities that make him real, relatable, and unique.
Overall, this book is mind-blowing and compelling, with a fast-paced narrative, whirlwind action, powerful messages, and an epic conclusion that evokes both laughter and sarcasm, much like Titus himself. It is thought-provoking, leaving readers restless, saddened, and numb. It took me two days to gather my thoughts and find the right words to write this review, as I hesitated to do justice to how much I loved this book.
I still wonder if my praise adequately reflects my true feelings. However, I can honestly say that this is not only the best book
of the month but also one of the finest books I have ever read.
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These tragedies have shaped the fate of the townies, who, in turn, have created their own monsters fueled by hatred, bias, distorted perspectives, and narrow-mindedness. These townies perceive differences as threats, making it a miracle for the town to elect its first Black Sheriff, Titus Crowne. This election comes despite the town's notorious history, with dishonorable actions etched into its foundations and core.
Titus, a former aspiring FBI agent, retired from his position for undisclosed reasons. He returns to his hometown to take care of his father, who found solace in religion after grieving the loss of his wife, and his brother, who appears to have gone astray, getting involved with the wrong side of the tracks.
Becoming sheriff with the intention of changing things in this town and defending the rights of those who have been abused, outcast, and harmed for years may seem idealistic. However, Titus faces opposition from both white people who despise him and black people who consider him a traitor, unaware of his efforts to protect their rights. Any attempt to change the system with good intentions is met with protest and rejection.
Now Titus finds himself in the middle of the most challenging case of his life, even more life-changing than the notorious case that led him to leave his position as an agent. The case involves Latrell, a troubled young black man and the son of one of Titus's old friends. Latrell is involved in a school shooting that claims the life of Mr. Spearman, a beloved teacher. As Titus negotiates with Latrell to surrender, two white deputies shoot him without following his instructions.
The incident, heard by church ministers, sparks a large protest march by black and Latino communities, along with a few supportive white individuals. They march in protest against yet another black person who has died at the hands of police officers without proper justification. Meanwhile, a group of lawbreakers creates another altercation, seeking to protect their Confederate statue amidst the turmoil.
Titus soon realizes that the death of the beloved teacher and the brutal crime committed by the young black student, who may have suffered a psychological breakdown or been influenced, is just the tip of the iceberg. After finding Mr. Spearman's call logs with Latrell, they search his house and discover that the man they had admired for years, the seemingly perfect teacher and good citizen, is actually a monster disguised in human form. Evidence reveals that he, Latrell, and another mysterious individual wearing a mask sexually abused several young black children. Not only did they abuse them, but they also killed them and buried them under the Willow Tree.
Now Titus must find the third monster, who is covering his tracks by killing more townies who have worked with him. In addition to these investigations, Titus has to navigate town politics, appease the reverends who insist on convincing their congregations to protest against the sheriff, questioning the fairness of his investigation. Furthermore, he must confront his past when his ex-partner arrives in town to start a podcast that may delve into more of the town's secrets.
Who is the monster lurking around, taking the lives of innocent boys who have been abandoned and neglected by their own families? Could a town create its own monster through its dark and tainted roots, nourished by the blood of innocents?
This book is a gory, dark, and realistic slap in the face, offering a harsh but illuminating approach to racism, religion, and violence. Titus Crowne emerges as one of the most memorable characters, haunted by his own demons as he strives to navigate the thin line between evil and faith. He is a flawed and tormented man, driven by a relentless pursuit of justice for all. It is these qualities that make him real, relatable, and unique.
Overall, this book is mind-blowing and compelling, with a fast-paced narrative, whirlwind action, powerful messages, and an epic conclusion that evokes both laughter and sarcasm, much like Titus himself. It is thought-provoking, leaving readers restless, saddened, and numb. It took me two days to gather my thoughts and find the right words to write this review, as I hesitated to do justice to how much I loved this book.
I still wonder if my praise adequately reflects my true feelings. However, I can honestly say that this is not only the best book
of the month but also one of the finest books I have ever read.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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June 8, 2023
4.5⭐️
A year to the day former FBI Agent Sheriff Titus Crowne is elected the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia, the community is shocked by a school shooting that results in the death of a much-loved school teacher by a local young man who is cornered and shot to death by the police who respond to the call. The investigation into the incident reveals a sinister side to the deceased teacher and his shooter, which ultimately leads to the discovery of several acts of heinous crimes against children. Evidence points to the existence of another accomplice, who seems to have ties to the community and an agenda of his own and personal scores to settle. When more people are brutally murdered and the threats become more personal, Titus and his team race against time to uncover the identity of the killer and catch him before it’s too late.
With its powerful writing, intriguing plot and compelling characters, S.A. Cosby’s All the Sinners Bleed is a gritty and intense story that had me riveted from the very first sentence. In addition to crafting an intricately plotted mystery, the author seamlessly incorporates themes of trauma, racism and social injustice into the narrative, which enriches the story without making it overwhelming. The author does a magnificent job of describing the setting, the small town dynamics with its racial divisiveness, and its historical legacy, which fuels conflicts within the community. Titus Crowne is a complex character, dealing with own past trauma and conflicted over his duties as the first Black Sheriff of Charon County, determined to make a difference but duty bound to protect even those who maintain their Confederate pride. I also liked how Titus’s personal life – his relationships with his father, brother, girlfriend, and his community, in general, are portrayed in the course of the story. Though I did feel that a few aspects of the mystery needed to be explored a bit more, overall, I was satisfied with how the author chose to end the novel.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Adam Lazarre-White who does a fabulous job of voicing the characters and making the story come to life.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of All the Sinners Bleed.
⚠Gun violence and sexual exploitation and murder of children.
A year to the day former FBI Agent Sheriff Titus Crowne is elected the first Black sheriff in the history of Charon County, Virginia, the community is shocked by a school shooting that results in the death of a much-loved school teacher by a local young man who is cornered and shot to death by the police who respond to the call. The investigation into the incident reveals a sinister side to the deceased teacher and his shooter, which ultimately leads to the discovery of several acts of heinous crimes against children. Evidence points to the existence of another accomplice, who seems to have ties to the community and an agenda of his own and personal scores to settle. When more people are brutally murdered and the threats become more personal, Titus and his team race against time to uncover the identity of the killer and catch him before it’s too late.
With its powerful writing, intriguing plot and compelling characters, S.A. Cosby’s All the Sinners Bleed is a gritty and intense story that had me riveted from the very first sentence. In addition to crafting an intricately plotted mystery, the author seamlessly incorporates themes of trauma, racism and social injustice into the narrative, which enriches the story without making it overwhelming. The author does a magnificent job of describing the setting, the small town dynamics with its racial divisiveness, and its historical legacy, which fuels conflicts within the community. Titus Crowne is a complex character, dealing with own past trauma and conflicted over his duties as the first Black Sheriff of Charon County, determined to make a difference but duty bound to protect even those who maintain their Confederate pride. I also liked how Titus’s personal life – his relationships with his father, brother, girlfriend, and his community, in general, are portrayed in the course of the story. Though I did feel that a few aspects of the mystery needed to be explored a bit more, overall, I was satisfied with how the author chose to end the novel.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Adam Lazarre-White who does a fabulous job of voicing the characters and making the story come to life.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of All the Sinners Bleed.
⚠Gun violence and sexual exploitation and murder of children.
May 2, 2023
S. A. Cosby has become one of my go to authors and once again, he did not disappoint. All the Sinners Bleed tackles a school shooting in a small Virginia rural town. The shooter, a troubled young black man, targets only a single teacher before being shot as the sheriff tries to talk him into giving up. The sheriff, Titus Crowne, is the first black sheriff of the county. He walks a fine line - being seen as “blue rather than black” by many in the black community while many in the white community are still fighting the Civil War. But it’s what comes up after the shootout that is the real tragedy. The shooter was one of many young people abused by the teacher and an unknown man. The hunt is on for the unknown man.
This is such a timely story. Titus is dealing with the black churches convinced the shooting was unnecessary and the white community not thinking him fit for the job.
Cosby handles a plethora of difficult and dark subjects with grace. His writing style is, at times, poetic. He has the ability to combine heartbreaking details with nonstop action. His characters come across as real, breathing individuals. Titus was my kind of main character- strong, agnostic but with a complete knowledge of his Bible verses, a loving child. “For a man that doesn’t believe in God, you sure talk about religious sh** a lot.” My heart went out to him, all the things he was forced to juggle.
This is one of those audiobooks I wanted to rush through to see how it would end while at the same time wanting to savor every minute.
I listened to this and I have mixed feelings about Adam Lazarre-White. His voice captured Titus. But he didn’t do the other voices justice and they all tended to sound alike.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.
This is such a timely story. Titus is dealing with the black churches convinced the shooting was unnecessary and the white community not thinking him fit for the job.
Cosby handles a plethora of difficult and dark subjects with grace. His writing style is, at times, poetic. He has the ability to combine heartbreaking details with nonstop action. His characters come across as real, breathing individuals. Titus was my kind of main character- strong, agnostic but with a complete knowledge of his Bible verses, a loving child. “For a man that doesn’t believe in God, you sure talk about religious sh** a lot.” My heart went out to him, all the things he was forced to juggle.
This is one of those audiobooks I wanted to rush through to see how it would end while at the same time wanting to savor every minute.
I listened to this and I have mixed feelings about Adam Lazarre-White. His voice captured Titus. But he didn’t do the other voices justice and they all tended to sound alike.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.
March 3, 2023
HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!
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finally got my hands on this and i'm gonna hunker down and ignore everything else, even if it means i die in a heap of burning rubble. worth it.
also, never a bad time to repost THIS picture:
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finally got my hands on this and i'm gonna hunker down and ignore everything else, even if it means i die in a heap of burning rubble. worth it.
also, never a bad time to repost THIS picture:
October 2, 2024
I should have walked away. Not because it’s bad, but because it is that good, and it would be a difficult read for me to get through.
This is a gritty story. It’s dark. It has a storyline that encompasses quite a bit that if it were a movie, I would know when to cover my eyes. With a book, not an easy option.
Titus Crown was born and raised in Charon County, Virginia but moved away to work for the FBI. He returns to take care of his father. He becomes the first Black sheriff after defeating his crooked predecessor, under whom racism thrived and drugs were allowed to run rampant through the county.
As sheriff, Titus, must deal with the usual – petty crime, drugs, abusive husbands, drunks. But, on the first anniversary of his election, a former student walks into the local school and shoots a beloved teacher in his classroom before being fatally shot by Titus’s deputies seconds after hinting about bad things in the teacher’s phone.
Titus’s investigation leads to a field full of bodies of children of color. The murdered teacher and the young man who pulled the trigger were involved in some atrocious crimes, and there are videos and photos of all of them.
There is also a third masked man who is still loose.
As the investigation progresses, things get complicated. The killer has connections to a local church, and the bodies had religious messages on them.
The story gets darker, grittier, more intricate. Religious zealots and racism are front and center in this story.
The story feels real. The characters are believable.
What sets this story apart from so many others, is its unerring depiction of small-town rural life and the uneasy (and sometimes violent) interactions between Charon’s white and Black citizens.
The reality of the people he described – like the backwoods snake-handling Jesus shouters, placed readers in the center of his story. Whether we wanted to be there or not.
And then…This is a book filled with so much “controlled” anger.
One of Titus’s deputies – white – asks why someone wasn’t looking for the Black children that were found in that field. Titus tells him that people probably are looking, but not getting much help from the press:
“Blond hair and blue eyes make the news.”
Next time you watch missing persons reports on the news, take a look…you will probably notice…he probably is right.
One last thing…
The epilogue. The last page. Titus and Ol’ Rebel Joe. You will know it when you read it.
S.A. Cosby knows how to engage his readers. His writing is confident and skilled. This will not be an easy read, but it will be a phenomenal reading experience.
This is a gritty story. It’s dark. It has a storyline that encompasses quite a bit that if it were a movie, I would know when to cover my eyes. With a book, not an easy option.
Titus Crown was born and raised in Charon County, Virginia but moved away to work for the FBI. He returns to take care of his father. He becomes the first Black sheriff after defeating his crooked predecessor, under whom racism thrived and drugs were allowed to run rampant through the county.
As sheriff, Titus, must deal with the usual – petty crime, drugs, abusive husbands, drunks. But, on the first anniversary of his election, a former student walks into the local school and shoots a beloved teacher in his classroom before being fatally shot by Titus’s deputies seconds after hinting about bad things in the teacher’s phone.
Titus’s investigation leads to a field full of bodies of children of color. The murdered teacher and the young man who pulled the trigger were involved in some atrocious crimes, and there are videos and photos of all of them.
There is also a third masked man who is still loose.
As the investigation progresses, things get complicated. The killer has connections to a local church, and the bodies had religious messages on them.
The story gets darker, grittier, more intricate. Religious zealots and racism are front and center in this story.
The story feels real. The characters are believable.
What sets this story apart from so many others, is its unerring depiction of small-town rural life and the uneasy (and sometimes violent) interactions between Charon’s white and Black citizens.
The reality of the people he described – like the backwoods snake-handling Jesus shouters, placed readers in the center of his story. Whether we wanted to be there or not.
And then…This is a book filled with so much “controlled” anger.
One of Titus’s deputies – white – asks why someone wasn’t looking for the Black children that were found in that field. Titus tells him that people probably are looking, but not getting much help from the press:
“Blond hair and blue eyes make the news.”
Next time you watch missing persons reports on the news, take a look…you will probably notice…he probably is right.
One last thing…
The epilogue. The last page. Titus and Ol’ Rebel Joe. You will know it when you read it.
S.A. Cosby knows how to engage his readers. His writing is confident and skilled. This will not be an easy read, but it will be a phenomenal reading experience.
June 21, 2023
This title: intense. It oozes a violent visceral feeling. The story: as intense.
Charon county, Virginia. Bigotry. Bias. Brutality.
Some grisly, sadistic murders involving children. 3 perpetrators; 2 dead. The hunt is on for the serial killer. Titus, the black sheriff, is chasing demons. Both in the past and the present. Good vs evil. Black vs white.
Cosby, you haven’t lost your “Razor”sharp edge.
4+ ⭐️
Charon county, Virginia. Bigotry. Bias. Brutality.
Some grisly, sadistic murders involving children. 3 perpetrators; 2 dead. The hunt is on for the serial killer. Titus, the black sheriff, is chasing demons. Both in the past and the present. Good vs evil. Black vs white.
Cosby, you haven’t lost your “Razor”sharp edge.
4+ ⭐️
April 22, 2024
Trigger warning: sexual abuse
Conjure up the most horrible crimes you can imagine, and then multiply it.
This was a very hard read, but I felt an obligation to keep reading. The author did an excellent job of bringing the story to life, and he also touched upon important matters like race. This made it a complex read, and I loved how the main character (the sheriff) had to navigate those issues. I could well imagine how hard it must be to investigate murder when there is so many societal issues to handle at the same time. The book made me sad and it was no walk in the park, but it was also a story I will not forget.
Conjure up the most horrible crimes you can imagine, and then multiply it.
This was a very hard read, but I felt an obligation to keep reading. The author did an excellent job of bringing the story to life, and he also touched upon important matters like race. This made it a complex read, and I loved how the main character (the sheriff) had to navigate those issues. I could well imagine how hard it must be to investigate murder when there is so many societal issues to handle at the same time. The book made me sad and it was no walk in the park, but it was also a story I will not forget.
April 2, 2025
Tak jak dwie poprzednie książki to były sensacyjne thrillery, tak ta to bardziej klasyczny kryminał - i to jest w porządku, ale czegoś mi tu brakowało. Dużo ważnych tematów, co jest na plus, ale fabularnie jakieś takie… nie wiem. Niesatysfakcjonujące.
Also, bardzo lubię bohaterów, których autor tworzy, ale nie można zaprzeczyć, że nasz główny bohater to jest dokładnie ten sam chłop, który był w „Kolczastych łzach” i „Asfaltowej pustyni” XD
Also, bardzo lubię bohaterów, których autor tworzy, ale nie można zaprzeczyć, że nasz główny bohater to jest dokładnie ten sam chłop, który był w „Kolczastych łzach” i „Asfaltowej pustyni” XD
October 13, 2023
Somewhere between 2.5 - 3 stars
Failed to connect with this Southern crime fiction gritlit story.
A small town Sheriff hunts down a serial killer among the community.
The first quarter was stronger than the last three quarters. The storyline is heavy, intense and gut wrenching. I was in shock over and curious about the heavy, dark and disturbing storyline as it was initially introduced but as the novel progressed, my investment wavered and I lost interest.
I thought I would love this novel but it was just ok. It failed to pull me in. I wasn’t invested in any part of this - the characters or storyline. It should have been a heavy, impactful read but I didn’t connect. I found myself confused between secondary characters. Too many unfleshed characters to keep track of. I also felt there was too much emphasis on the political, historical and religious views of the townsfolk that I got lost in all the little details. My biggest issue, which I know most will disagree with, is that I didn’t care for the main character, Sheriff Titus. He came across as preachy and spoke in a way that lacked natural ease and didn’t feel real to me.
It felt overwritten in many areas. I have only read one other book by this author, Blacktop Wasteland, which I didn’t have this problem with. I think (hope) this was just a one-off issue for me with this author and I can enjoy the rest of his backlist. Some examples of this are:
“The rest of the day unspooled like wax running down a candle.”
“The clouds gathered like young men on a corner getting ready for a fight.”
These sentences sound awkward to me. There were many examples of this type of writing throughout the book that kept me at a distance from the story.
This was not a good fit for me, but make sure to check out the countless raving reviews - I’m definitely the outlier with my thoughts.
Failed to connect with this Southern crime fiction gritlit story.
A small town Sheriff hunts down a serial killer among the community.
The first quarter was stronger than the last three quarters. The storyline is heavy, intense and gut wrenching. I was in shock over and curious about the heavy, dark and disturbing storyline as it was initially introduced but as the novel progressed, my investment wavered and I lost interest.
I thought I would love this novel but it was just ok. It failed to pull me in. I wasn’t invested in any part of this - the characters or storyline. It should have been a heavy, impactful read but I didn’t connect. I found myself confused between secondary characters. Too many unfleshed characters to keep track of. I also felt there was too much emphasis on the political, historical and religious views of the townsfolk that I got lost in all the little details. My biggest issue, which I know most will disagree with, is that I didn’t care for the main character, Sheriff Titus. He came across as preachy and spoke in a way that lacked natural ease and didn’t feel real to me.
It felt overwritten in many areas. I have only read one other book by this author, Blacktop Wasteland, which I didn’t have this problem with. I think (hope) this was just a one-off issue for me with this author and I can enjoy the rest of his backlist. Some examples of this are:
“The rest of the day unspooled like wax running down a candle.”
“The clouds gathered like young men on a corner getting ready for a fight.”
These sentences sound awkward to me. There were many examples of this type of writing throughout the book that kept me at a distance from the story.
This was not a good fit for me, but make sure to check out the countless raving reviews - I’m definitely the outlier with my thoughts.
May 2, 2023
Gritty southern crime fiction.
S. A. Cosby keeps it real. All the Sinners Bleed is another winner, the third for me by the author and I love them all! Well-written police-procedural thriller with themes of racial and social injustice.
Former FBI, Titus Crowne returns to his hometown to care for his father. He ends up being elected as the first black sheriff in the small rural town of Charon County, Virginia.
A beloved teacher is killed by a young black man in a school shooting, he is the sole target. Cops are at the scene and while Titus is handling the situation, white cops shot the perp dead. The circumstance has become even more difficult for the black sheriff and the community. As the investigation progress, darker town secrets are revealed.
Cosby has a knack for telling these raw and oftentimes violent themes without feeling preachy. I find myself captivated by the complexity of his characters and story.
Adam Lazarre-White did a wonderful narration for Cosby's books and this is another exceptional audiobook that you shouldn't miss!
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my ALC.
Expected pub date: June 6, 2023!
S. A. Cosby keeps it real. All the Sinners Bleed is another winner, the third for me by the author and I love them all! Well-written police-procedural thriller with themes of racial and social injustice.
Former FBI, Titus Crowne returns to his hometown to care for his father. He ends up being elected as the first black sheriff in the small rural town of Charon County, Virginia.
A beloved teacher is killed by a young black man in a school shooting, he is the sole target. Cops are at the scene and while Titus is handling the situation, white cops shot the perp dead. The circumstance has become even more difficult for the black sheriff and the community. As the investigation progress, darker town secrets are revealed.
Cosby has a knack for telling these raw and oftentimes violent themes without feeling preachy. I find myself captivated by the complexity of his characters and story.
Adam Lazarre-White did a wonderful narration for Cosby's books and this is another exceptional audiobook that you shouldn't miss!
Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my ALC.
Expected pub date: June 6, 2023!
November 11, 2023
Better than "Blacktop Wasteland" but sadly not as good as "Razorblade Tears".
October 23, 2023
Evil is not complicated, it's bold. This passage stood out for me in All the Sinners Bleed. This gripping, non-stop action, heart-thumping, page turner is based in a small town in Virginia with an active shooter incident at the local high school.
Titus Crown, the new sheriff, finds indescribable horrors during the investigation and the town roils with racism.
I listened to this book on audiobook and Adam Lazarre-White is a phenomenal narrator.
S.A. Cosby is an incredible author. I loved Razorblade Tears and will look for other books by Cosby.
Highly recommend!
Titus Crown, the new sheriff, finds indescribable horrors during the investigation and the town roils with racism.
I listened to this book on audiobook and Adam Lazarre-White is a phenomenal narrator.
S.A. Cosby is an incredible author. I loved Razorblade Tears and will look for other books by Cosby.
Highly recommend!
September 6, 2023
This is Cosby’s best yet. An exciting ‘can’t put me down’ suspense thriller that made big points in every category- plot, prose, character development, and historical background.
Titus Crowne, the newly appointed African American sheriff, has come back to his Virginian home town and has his hands full. And he’s no light weight. As a former FBI agent the town is lucky to have him back, but not everyone thinks so.
A school shooting by a former student lets loose a trail of secrets that have been covered up for years. What is found is a town full of simmering hate. One violent act leads to another and then another. The town is torn apart by race. Confederacy flags are found everywhere. Statues of confederate officers are in plain sight. Not all residents like to see the reminders.
This novel is character-driven. You can’t help but love the main character Titus. Strong-willed, intelligent, violent, but also loving. The narrator’s voice was perfect as Titus.
Cosby is quite the storyteller.
5 out of 5 stars
Titus Crowne, the newly appointed African American sheriff, has come back to his Virginian home town and has his hands full. And he’s no light weight. As a former FBI agent the town is lucky to have him back, but not everyone thinks so.
A school shooting by a former student lets loose a trail of secrets that have been covered up for years. What is found is a town full of simmering hate. One violent act leads to another and then another. The town is torn apart by race. Confederacy flags are found everywhere. Statues of confederate officers are in plain sight. Not all residents like to see the reminders.
This novel is character-driven. You can’t help but love the main character Titus. Strong-willed, intelligent, violent, but also loving. The narrator’s voice was perfect as Titus.
Cosby is quite the storyteller.
5 out of 5 stars
May 28, 2024
Gripping and gritty.
This story is so grim, it would have been a difficult read if it had not been so fantastically written and narrated.
It was so well done I felt a part of the story, like I was in this small community and watching the events unfold.
The character work is fantastic and they felt like very real people.
I also loved the rhythm and emotions added by the narrator, who did a lot to make me feel invested in the book.
I highly recommend it.
This story is so grim, it would have been a difficult read if it had not been so fantastically written and narrated.
It was so well done I felt a part of the story, like I was in this small community and watching the events unfold.
The character work is fantastic and they felt like very real people.
I also loved the rhythm and emotions added by the narrator, who did a lot to make me feel invested in the book.
I highly recommend it.
July 29, 2023
You will devour S.A. Cosby's ALL THE SINNERS BLEED. Heaven knows, I did. Cosby writes gripping page-turners that are rich with heart and beautifully written. His characters are as real as your neighbors, and harbor both the deepest evils and the most wrenching kindnesses.
June 16, 2023
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby was such a gripping mystery thriller that captured my attention right away. It was well paced and full of twists, hard decisions, horrific discoveries, dangerous situations, untimely deaths and a race against time. I listened to the audiobook that was very well narrated by Adam Lazare-White. It took place in Charon County, Virginia where not a lot of serious crimes were committed. The members of the younger generation were eager to escape from Charon but many of its older residents have been there for decades.
Titus Crowne grew up in Charon, Virginia. His mother had died when he was about twelve years old. Her death affected him more than he was willing to admit to. Titus attended the University of Virginia and then went on to become a FBI agent. When his father fell ill, Titus decided to come home to Charon County to help take care of him. While Titus was home, he decided to run for the elected office of sheriff. Titus’s main objective for running for the position of sheriff was that he wanted to make a difference in how the position was handled. He became the first black sheriff in Charon County’s history. Titus took his position very seriously. He was determined to fix the system from the inside out. All had been relatively quiet and easy for the first year that he served as sheriff but that was about to change in a heartbeat. A shooting had occurred at the high school. That was to become the worst crime Charon County would have ever had faced. As the investigation unfolded, Titus and his team began to uncover the most heinous crimes imaginable. A third participant to the crimes was still at large. Would Titus be able to uncover the identity of that individual before anything else happened?
All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby was fast paced and very well plotted. The characters were well thought out and developed. I found it so hard to tear myself away from this audiobook. S. A. Cosby realistically portrayed the issue of racism and the trauma of school shootings. It is so sad that our country has had to suffer so much trauma from both of these issues in the past several years. Unfortunately , I believe that we will continue to suffer from both of these issues until a united stance is established against gun violence and racism. All the Sinners Bleed dealt not only with racism and school shootings but with mental health issues, family, grief, loss, suffering and faith. The discoveries and evidence that Titus and his team collected were hard to stomach. It was so sad to contemplate that crimes like the ones committed in this book can and do happen. It made me so angry and sad. As a country, we must do more to stop this madness! I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Titus Crowne grew up in Charon, Virginia. His mother had died when he was about twelve years old. Her death affected him more than he was willing to admit to. Titus attended the University of Virginia and then went on to become a FBI agent. When his father fell ill, Titus decided to come home to Charon County to help take care of him. While Titus was home, he decided to run for the elected office of sheriff. Titus’s main objective for running for the position of sheriff was that he wanted to make a difference in how the position was handled. He became the first black sheriff in Charon County’s history. Titus took his position very seriously. He was determined to fix the system from the inside out. All had been relatively quiet and easy for the first year that he served as sheriff but that was about to change in a heartbeat. A shooting had occurred at the high school. That was to become the worst crime Charon County would have ever had faced. As the investigation unfolded, Titus and his team began to uncover the most heinous crimes imaginable. A third participant to the crimes was still at large. Would Titus be able to uncover the identity of that individual before anything else happened?
All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby was fast paced and very well plotted. The characters were well thought out and developed. I found it so hard to tear myself away from this audiobook. S. A. Cosby realistically portrayed the issue of racism and the trauma of school shootings. It is so sad that our country has had to suffer so much trauma from both of these issues in the past several years. Unfortunately , I believe that we will continue to suffer from both of these issues until a united stance is established against gun violence and racism. All the Sinners Bleed dealt not only with racism and school shootings but with mental health issues, family, grief, loss, suffering and faith. The discoveries and evidence that Titus and his team collected were hard to stomach. It was so sad to contemplate that crimes like the ones committed in this book can and do happen. It made me so angry and sad. As a country, we must do more to stop this madness! I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 6, 2023
I FOUND A PROCEDURAL NOVEL THAT I ENJOYED! S.A. Cosby’s upcoming thriller, ALL THE SINNERS BLEED, is the first detective/procedural novel that I’ve enjoyed since the Meg Gardiner Unsub Series! Is it a full moon?!
I really fell in love with this author’s storytelling with Razorblade Tears, so I knew that I needed to read this one. This book is very, VERY heavy, and has multiple triggers so be wary of the story if you need to know them. This book talks racism, SA and trauma, and gun violence. The story is centered around Titus Crowne, the first Black sheriff in Charon County and his investigation into a school shooting that ends up being linked to a dead teacher’s child and sexual abuse ring. Again, go into this novel knowing it’ll be a heavy one. I was floored and shocked at every turn. The slow-building suspense just filled the pages and I couldn’t stop reading! I usually don’t enjoy the slow-burn aspect of procedural novels, but S.A. Cosby is an expert at storytelling and ALL THE SINNERS BLEED is a provocative and riveting journey.
I really fell in love with this author’s storytelling with Razorblade Tears, so I knew that I needed to read this one. This book is very, VERY heavy, and has multiple triggers so be wary of the story if you need to know them. This book talks racism, SA and trauma, and gun violence. The story is centered around Titus Crowne, the first Black sheriff in Charon County and his investigation into a school shooting that ends up being linked to a dead teacher’s child and sexual abuse ring. Again, go into this novel knowing it’ll be a heavy one. I was floored and shocked at every turn. The slow-building suspense just filled the pages and I couldn’t stop reading! I usually don’t enjoy the slow-burn aspect of procedural novels, but S.A. Cosby is an expert at storytelling and ALL THE SINNERS BLEED is a provocative and riveting journey.
June 29, 2023
4+ "Terrible people can do good things, but they liked doing the terrible things first."
"Evil is seldom concealed, it's just fuckin bold."
"We all chose to be skeptical, when the truth is inconvenient."
TELL THE TRUTH AND SHAME THE DEVIL.
Charon County, a small town in rural Virgina, a racist town but also a town with a black sheriff. Titus Crowne was elected sheriff, his hope to bring about fairer treatment for the blacks in this town. Then, a school shooting, a young black man shoots just one white teacher before he himself is shot dead. The teacher happens to be the towns favorite teacher, everyone just loves this man, and the fact that he was shot by a black man, raises racial tensions. Titus must get to the bottom of this, why this teacher, why only this teacher, and he must do it quickly.
very violent, very dark but what happens in this book has happened in other towns, other cities, so the realism is there. I just loved the character of Titus , a man who wants to do good, who wants to be fair and a man who is not easily fooled. Such a good book and a book that shows the many layers people have and not all of them good, nor should they see the light of day. We all see what we want to see, hear what we want o hear. Justice often depends, unfairly, on skin color, position in life, financial status and this book shows that the actual pursuit of justice may be dangerous but those who want to do right, dont shy away when things are difficult.
The narration by Adam Lazarre-White was fantastic.
"Evil is seldom concealed, it's just fuckin bold."
"We all chose to be skeptical, when the truth is inconvenient."
TELL THE TRUTH AND SHAME THE DEVIL.
Charon County, a small town in rural Virgina, a racist town but also a town with a black sheriff. Titus Crowne was elected sheriff, his hope to bring about fairer treatment for the blacks in this town. Then, a school shooting, a young black man shoots just one white teacher before he himself is shot dead. The teacher happens to be the towns favorite teacher, everyone just loves this man, and the fact that he was shot by a black man, raises racial tensions. Titus must get to the bottom of this, why this teacher, why only this teacher, and he must do it quickly.
very violent, very dark but what happens in this book has happened in other towns, other cities, so the realism is there. I just loved the character of Titus , a man who wants to do good, who wants to be fair and a man who is not easily fooled. Such a good book and a book that shows the many layers people have and not all of them good, nor should they see the light of day. We all see what we want to see, hear what we want o hear. Justice often depends, unfairly, on skin color, position in life, financial status and this book shows that the actual pursuit of justice may be dangerous but those who want to do right, dont shy away when things are difficult.
The narration by Adam Lazarre-White was fantastic.
July 6, 2023
Terrible people can do good things sometimes. But they like doing the terrible things more.
If I knew gruesome cruelty, torture and murder of children is the main subject of the story, I would never have read the book. To be fair, in the synopsis the word ‘abuse’ is mentioned, but I automatically thought it to be the old-fashioned disgusting fondling kind. I continued only with the hope of seeing the perpetrator get their comeuppance, which they did, eventually, thank the gods!
With that out of the way, the writing was good, the plot average and the conversations were contrived, with too many ‘pieces of wisdom’, wise quotes and Bible verses thrown here and there.
There were pointless character backgrounds which unless there is going to be a sequence, were unnecessary and boring.
And I categorically hate it when the author chews and re-chews the facts several times thinking the reader is slow or dull-witted.
P.S
If I knew gruesome cruelty, torture and murder of children is the main subject of the story, I would never have read the book. To be fair, in the synopsis the word ‘abuse’ is mentioned, but I automatically thought it to be the old-fashioned disgusting fondling kind. I continued only with the hope of seeing the perpetrator get their comeuppance, which they did, eventually, thank the gods!
With that out of the way, the writing was good, the plot average and the conversations were contrived, with too many ‘pieces of wisdom’, wise quotes and Bible verses thrown here and there.
There were pointless character backgrounds which unless there is going to be a sequence, were unnecessary and boring.
And I categorically hate it when the author chews and re-chews the facts several times thinking the reader is slow or dull-witted.
P.S
February 29, 2024
This book is good! The action. The suspense. The grit and the intensity. You will get it all in this one.
Trigger warnings for graphic description of crime scene and victims.
We are looking for a sadistic killer who’s killing innocent kids.
We have a very determined main lead who’s going to reveal who this person is and he knows he’s someone close to his community.
I love the writing. There’s no dull moment in the entire book and this is what kept me going.
There are a few emotional moments which left me crying.
However, I was expecting a lot more towards the end. A kind of closure for the victims. I didn’t get it but this one is a good story!
Trigger warnings for graphic description of crime scene and victims.
We are looking for a sadistic killer who’s killing innocent kids.
We have a very determined main lead who’s going to reveal who this person is and he knows he’s someone close to his community.
I love the writing. There’s no dull moment in the entire book and this is what kept me going.
There are a few emotional moments which left me crying.
However, I was expecting a lot more towards the end. A kind of closure for the victims. I didn’t get it but this one is a good story!
June 7, 2023
Riveting, nuanced, and timely. All the Sinners Bleed is both a serial killer mystery and layered story about a Black sheriff in the south dealing with hatred from white supremacists and distrust from Black people who have been harmed by police violence in the past. This was a page-turner while also having really beautifully written prose, excellent character work, and thoughtful explorations of issues affecting the United States in the current climate. It gets into the harm that can be caused by religious fundamentalism, and the ties between some churches and white supremacy.
Titus grew up in a small town and now he is their first elected Black sheriff. He's haunted by his past as an FBI agent and struggles to balance his intent to protect people and change the system from the inside with the legal constraints he is under, and all of the competing demands from members of the community. Then a school shooting changes everything. The son of his friend goes back to the highschool he attended and kills a beloved teacher, only to be shot during a standoff by a deputy. But further investigation uncovers a history of abuse by that teacher, disturbing images, and a trail of bodies with a missing third party.
This was beautifully written and really thoughtful in how it handled many sensitive issues. One thing I appreciated was that while there are scenes that are more graphically described, the images of Black children being abused and murdered are only discussed in more vague terms. We see their emotional impact on the main character and get a general sense of what happened to them, but it's never described in an explicit or salacious way. And you don't need it to feel the impact. I wasn't sure what to expect given that content but while there are more gruesome scenes of murders of adults, I appreciate how the harm to children was dealt with. Cosby is truly an excellent writer and this novel offers food for thought without being didactic or stereotyping people in different groups as all good or all bad. It does question whether good intentions are enough to fix things in a system that is broken. The audio narration is truly fantastic, I would listen to this narrator on other projects. I received an audio review copy from Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
Titus grew up in a small town and now he is their first elected Black sheriff. He's haunted by his past as an FBI agent and struggles to balance his intent to protect people and change the system from the inside with the legal constraints he is under, and all of the competing demands from members of the community. Then a school shooting changes everything. The son of his friend goes back to the highschool he attended and kills a beloved teacher, only to be shot during a standoff by a deputy. But further investigation uncovers a history of abuse by that teacher, disturbing images, and a trail of bodies with a missing third party.
This was beautifully written and really thoughtful in how it handled many sensitive issues. One thing I appreciated was that while there are scenes that are more graphically described, the images of Black children being abused and murdered are only discussed in more vague terms. We see their emotional impact on the main character and get a general sense of what happened to them, but it's never described in an explicit or salacious way. And you don't need it to feel the impact. I wasn't sure what to expect given that content but while there are more gruesome scenes of murders of adults, I appreciate how the harm to children was dealt with. Cosby is truly an excellent writer and this novel offers food for thought without being didactic or stereotyping people in different groups as all good or all bad. It does question whether good intentions are enough to fix things in a system that is broken. The audio narration is truly fantastic, I would listen to this narrator on other projects. I received an audio review copy from Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
April 5, 2024
“𝒮𝓂𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝑜𝓌𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓅𝑜𝓅𝓊𝓁𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝓉𝒽 𝒻𝓊𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝓈𝑒𝒸𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓈. 𝒮𝑒𝒸𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝓁𝑒𝓈𝒽, 𝓈𝑒𝒸𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒷𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹. 𝐻𝒾𝒹𝒹𝑒𝓃 𝑜𝒶𝓉𝒽𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒾𝓈𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝒸𝓀 𝒶𝓈 𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓀 𝓈𝓅𝑜𝒾𝓁𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝒶 𝒽𝑜𝓉 𝓈𝓊𝓂𝓂𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝓊𝓃.”
I’m this authors newest and biggest fan. I’m going to be recommending this book left and right. I’m going to walk up to a random stranger and tell them about this book. I’m OBSESSED!!!
The writing is riveting and captivating told from a male’s POV(which normally isn’t my favorite) but it was authentic and felt realistic. I loved how the author wrote a flawed yet lovable main character that you can’t help but cheer on. The plot was PLOTTING this book is a page turner and pulls you into the story quickly.
Read if you love
🔸small town USA
🔸southern religious views
🔸serial killer mystery
🔸deals with racial tension/racial disparity(very well written)
🔸detailed crimes(not extremely detailed) that seem real.
I would definitely check trigger warnings before reading because there are graphic detailings.
Overall thoughts: ADD👏🏼TO👏🏼YOUR👏🏼TBR👏🏼TODAY
I’m this authors newest and biggest fan. I’m going to be recommending this book left and right. I’m going to walk up to a random stranger and tell them about this book. I’m OBSESSED!!!
The writing is riveting and captivating told from a male’s POV(which normally isn’t my favorite) but it was authentic and felt realistic. I loved how the author wrote a flawed yet lovable main character that you can’t help but cheer on. The plot was PLOTTING this book is a page turner and pulls you into the story quickly.
Read if you love
🔸small town USA
🔸southern religious views
🔸serial killer mystery
🔸deals with racial tension/racial disparity(very well written)
🔸detailed crimes(not extremely detailed) that seem real.
I would definitely check trigger warnings before reading because there are graphic detailings.
Overall thoughts: ADD👏🏼TO👏🏼YOUR👏🏼TBR👏🏼TODAY
September 22, 2023
Gripping & dark, kept me invested througout!
March 21, 2023
This is my 4th S.A. Cosby and it's time for me to break up with S.A. Cosby. I liked Blacktop Wasteland a lot, but none of the rest have done it for me. We're just not right for each other.
Cosby likes to work within established tropes and subgenres. This time I could tell right off it was a subgenre I don't particularly enjoy: the serial killer thriller. Not just a procedural, no, this is too gruesome and with too high a body count to fall into the steady old procedural. I rarely enjoy the serial killer thriller because it always has a killer who gets away with so much that it's basically impossible, who is all about ridiculous and over the top staging because shock value is part of the whole deal. It also has too many narrow misses, too many decisions not to call in backup, no one in these books has any sense or any caution. And all those things are true here.
I didn't see much here that I see when Cosby is working for me. The book and its characters don't feel as lived in, there's a little bit of magic that I just never got here. Maybe it was rushed, maybe it is just the natural style of this genre. I couldn't tell you why I can only tell you that for me it didn't work. I hoped it would, I waited for it to come together, but it never did.
Cosby likes to work within established tropes and subgenres. This time I could tell right off it was a subgenre I don't particularly enjoy: the serial killer thriller. Not just a procedural, no, this is too gruesome and with too high a body count to fall into the steady old procedural. I rarely enjoy the serial killer thriller because it always has a killer who gets away with so much that it's basically impossible, who is all about ridiculous and over the top staging because shock value is part of the whole deal. It also has too many narrow misses, too many decisions not to call in backup, no one in these books has any sense or any caution. And all those things are true here.
I didn't see much here that I see when Cosby is working for me. The book and its characters don't feel as lived in, there's a little bit of magic that I just never got here. Maybe it was rushed, maybe it is just the natural style of this genre. I couldn't tell you why I can only tell you that for me it didn't work. I hoped it would, I waited for it to come together, but it never did.
January 18, 2024
Former FBI agent Titus Crown is the first black sheriff in Charon County, Virginia. Not everyone is ready to accept such a thing.
Charon County is a quiet place that has had only two murders in recent decades. One day there is a shooting at school and it starts an investigation into a serial killer case, that is going to bring a series of tragic events into the town.
This is a not-put-down book with many twists, unexpected events and a storm of emotions. It's an excellent read and was a good Nominee for the Best Mystery & Thrillers for 2023.
Charon County is a quiet place that has had only two murders in recent decades. One day there is a shooting at school and it starts an investigation into a serial killer case, that is going to bring a series of tragic events into the town.
This is a not-put-down book with many twists, unexpected events and a storm of emotions. It's an excellent read and was a good Nominee for the Best Mystery & Thrillers for 2023.
April 23, 2025
A one day listen - I almost couldn’t put it down. 4.5 stars rounded down because I think it lacked just enough not to be bumped up to a 5.
Highly entertaining, the story was well done. More mystery than suspense, it was a ride I didn’t want to get off of. I felt there were a few things the characters said or did that annoyed me slightly but for the most part, I felt like I was IN IT. I imagined being in the small town of Virginia, watching everyone navigate a socially distant ideal of equality and justice for everyone. The fact this was 2017 made it a little hard for me to feel like things are still like this. That would be my only gripe.
I really appreciated the accurate police procedural detail, only a couple things stood out to me that were not accurate but would easily be missed if you weren’t intimate with that knowledge.
It was a grotesque crime with bread crumb clues that make your blood run cold. Not for the faint of heart, be prepared for some sickening details. If it doesn’t bother you, this story will absolutely keep you interested!
Highly entertaining, the story was well done. More mystery than suspense, it was a ride I didn’t want to get off of. I felt there were a few things the characters said or did that annoyed me slightly but for the most part, I felt like I was IN IT. I imagined being in the small town of Virginia, watching everyone navigate a socially distant ideal of equality and justice for everyone. The fact this was 2017 made it a little hard for me to feel like things are still like this. That would be my only gripe.
I really appreciated the accurate police procedural detail, only a couple things stood out to me that were not accurate but would easily be missed if you weren’t intimate with that knowledge.
It was a grotesque crime with bread crumb clues that make your blood run cold. Not for the faint of heart, be prepared for some sickening details. If it doesn’t bother you, this story will absolutely keep you interested!
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