I love both reading and writing noir crime fiction. When it comes to modern day noir authorts, it’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Sean Cosby’s work.
Cosby is a superb stylist, which makes his work a joy to read. More importantly, he give readers true insight into what it means to be African American in today’s USA. He also shares some unusual knowledge because his wife is a funeral director.
His protagonist, Nathan Waymaker, in My Darkest Prayer, worked for a funeral home. But that was a mere hint of what’s portrayed in his latest and what may be his toughest book yet: King of Ashes. You may learn more about crematoriums and the firing process than you every wanted to know!
The Carruthers’ family business is running the crematorium in the decayed town of Jefferson Run, Virginia. Many years before Mama Carruthers disappeared without a trace and ugly rumours about her demise and her husband’s hand in it persist. The eldest of the three children, Roman Carruthers, escaped to Florida where he’s now a highly successful financial manager of among other clients, “gangsta” rap artists. His sister, Neveah, is the one who’s left behind to run the family biz while younger brother, Dante, wastes away in dissipation.
When their father is badly injured in a car accident, Roman returns to help the family. He soon learns that Dante is mixed up with two ruthless local drug dealers – real and vicious gangsters, not rap wannabees. To save his brother, Roman tries to placate the gangsters by offering up his financial acumen and the darker benefits of the crematorium business…
Roman’s fall from grace is true noir and the deeply tragic twist at the end of the novel is unforgettable. This thriller may be too tough for readers who enjoy the lighter side of crime fiction but if you love noir, King of Ashes is a must-read.
5 STARS ∗∗∗∗∗