Book Review: Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby

‘Razorblade Tears’ by S. A. Cosby was released in 2021. It is a complex tale of grief and violence, and revenge. I really enjoyed it.

When Buddy-Lee Jenkins found out his estranged son, Derek had been murdered, along with his husband, he wanted revenge. Immediately.

Ike Randolph chose to effectively cut ties with his son Isiah after his college graduation, when he came out as gay. But when Isiah and his husband Derek were murdered, any chance of reconciliation between Ike and Isiah is lost. And when the police don’t have any leads, and then Isiah and Derek’s headstone is vandalised, Ike has a decision to make, join Buddy-Lee in his search for answers, or rely on a justice system he has played to his benefit enough times to know criminals slip through the cracks all the time.

This book looked into a lot of different, powerful themes, including homophobia, transphobia, racism and systemic corruption. I really liked seeing the relationship between Ike and Buddy Lee develop from simply acknowledging their common goals, to discussing inequalities, parenting, regrets and grief etc.

The way Cosby addresses race and how Ike is treated differently to Buddy Lee is very poignant, and while Buddy Lee gains a greater understanding in what his whiteness gives him when he brandishes weapons without a fear of being shot, etc. Ike allows himself to consider him a friend, because although he’s thoughtless and has decades of racism to unlearn, he is learning, and Ike can see that.

I loved how upfront and in your face the book was about issues of internalised homophobia and the rifts that can cause in families. It tells a strong, pull-no-punches story about how these grieving fathers had so many things to say about their shortcomings as parents. I hope that readers can understand and reflect upon how their own comments about homosexuality, gender identity, race, etc. could be impacting their children. Better to learn, and attempt to reconnect with estranged children than linger on what-ifs when they’re gone.

As someone who finds thrillers a bit of a hit or miss genre, I was elated to find one that had me at the edge of my seat, trying to work everything out. Most of the twists were well foreshadowed, but, the big reveal at the end, about who is behind everything, went over my head for a minute, mostly because I had no recollection of some of the breadcrumbs. I felt that this didn’t fully take away from the jaw-dropping reveal, though.

I really enjoyed reading ‘Razorblade Tears’, it was a very emotional thriller. I didn’t expect to feel so attached to the characters, but I was teary-eyed at the end over the outcomes.