King of Ashes: A Novel

Written by S. A. Cosby

Narrated by Adam Lazarre-White

A 2026 Audie Awards finalist for Audiobook of the Year!

“Narrator Adam Lazarre-White masterfully voices a wide range of characters. Listeners will be captivated by the layered storytelling, morally complex characters, and the powerful interpretation of a narrative steeped in pain, violence, and family loyalty.”—AudioFile

Award-winning, New York Times bestselling author S. A. Cosby returns with King of Ashes, a Godfather-inspired Southern crime epic and dazzling family drama.

When eldest son Roman Carruthers is summoned home after his father’s car accident, he finds his younger brother, Dante, in debt to dangerous criminals and his sister, Neveah, exhausted from holding the family—and the family business—together. Neveah and their father, who run the Carruthers Crematorium in the run-down central Virginia town of Jefferson Run, see death up close every day. But mortality draws even closer when it becomes clear that the crash that landed their father in a coma was no accident and Dante’s recklessness has placed them all in real danger.

Roman, a financial whiz with a head for numbers and a talent for making his clients rich, has some money to help buy his brother out of trouble. But in his work with wannabe tough guys, he’s forgotten that there are real gangsters out there. As his bargaining chips go up in smoke, Roman realizes that he has only one thing left to offer to save his brother: himself, and his own particular set of skills.

Roman begins his work for the criminals while Neveah tries to uncover the long-ago mystery of what happened to their mother, who disappeared when they were teenagers. But Roman is far less of a pushover than the gangsters realize. He is willing to do anything to save his family. Anything.

Because everything burns.

"Lazarre-White brings a nuanced portrayal to a full cast of complex characters. The rich details are given depth with Lazarre-White’s lyrical qualities." —Booklist on All the Sinners Bleed (Starred Review)

"Adam Lazarre-White’s Southern drawl drips slow as molasses..." —Library Journal on All The Sinners Bleed (Starred review)

A Macmillan Audio production from Pine & Cedar Books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jun 10, 2025
• ISBN: 9781250395030

S. A. Cosby

S. A. Cosby is a New York Times bestselling writer from southeastern Virginia. He is the author of All the Sinners Bleed, which was on more than forty Best of the Year lists, including Barack Obama’s, as well as Edgar Award finalist Razorblade Tears and Los Angeles Times Book Prize winner Blacktop Wasteland. He has also won the Anthony Award, ITW Thriller Award, Barry Award, Macavity Award, BCALA Award, and Audie Award and has been longlisted for the ALA Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence.

Reviews for King of Ashes

[Marissa Simek · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I haven't even listened to the whole book yet but I just had to leave a review of this narrator! He is amazing to listen to all the different accents wow ?

[Carrie Holzmeister Stimpson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Are you willing to sell your soul to the devil to save your family? That's what Roman has to consider when trying to help his brother, Dante, out of a huge mess. This novel has suspense, action, murder, loyalty, family bonds, betrayal and so much more. It's a real nail-biter. I loved every second of it! And I think I've developed a bit of a crush on the narrator, Adam Lazarre-White. His voice is intoxicating. Do wait, read or listen to King of Ashes now!

[josephine Richard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Incredibly fast-paced, captivating, and casually violent story from Cosby. Loved it!

[ikennachinedu2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful book. Mixed emotions. Great story. I love the voice of the narrator

[msjkalen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book was awesome; the narration made it even better!!!

[Alex · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

That should be amazing book? Starts poor. A lot of romance in between. I expected more. Stoped after 7 hours. Enough.

[LynneGauthier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Like a Shakespearian tragedy. Complex characters and plot. Good exciting read, but not a feel good ending. If you like Breaking Bad, this one’s for you.

[Nikki · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing, just an amazing read
This will be one that I will reread quite a few times.

[Debra · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story. Intense. I'm just not a fan of hearing the N word even if it's in a story.

[Emily Lassiter Branch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Dang, y'all. That's all I could think as I read this book. Dang! I've heard so many good things from so many readers (including my daughter) about S. A. Cosby and kept putting off starting one of his books because other shiny things got in the way. So going into this one I was a bit afraid of being disappointed because of my high expectations, but I needn't have worried. As I expected, the story is raw and dark and gritty and tough to listen to at times. And as I read I was sure it would break my heart at some point or other, and I wasn't wrong on that point either. But in the midst of all the grit and violence and tough subject matter is some truly gorgeous writing. At times It made me wish I'd also had the written text to follow along with, so I could go back and savor certain passages. But I must say I was happy that I was listening to the audiobook, because Adam Lazarre-White's voice and narration is one of those perfect matches for the writing, and there's just nothing better than that combination when it comes to audiobooks. So now I'm a fan, and his other books have moved way up on my TBR list.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a digital copy for an unbiased review.

[brendasteele47 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A page turning for sure. I held my pearls on every page. Wow, bad choices made by others can affect the entire family for a lifetime… a must read..

[ashlee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing writing! Unexpected ending. I was hooked from start to finish. 10/10 will re-read again before the year is over.

[bmoss19 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 star story! Hard to stop because it keeps you wanting to know what’s next.

[boakyewaahgeorgina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Devastating masterpiece! Gripping will have you on the edge of your seat by the end of the book

[doorlyw · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I truly felt every loss, every betrayal, every impossible choice. Cosby didn’t write characters, he wrote people. Stressful to read at times, but you can’t look away. Bravo!

[kellytcharity · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It just doesn’t get any better!! S.A. Cosby is a thriller writing genius. His storytelling is unmatched and The King of Ashes might be his best one yet!!