What do you think?
Rate this book
King of Ashes: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 31, 2026
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
Want to read
January 30, 20262025 publication
Another author new-to-me. Title sounds depressing? If I were not so squeamish, I’d rate this higher for action and suspense, maybe an extra 1/2 point for shock factor and twists and turns? As it turned out, the conclusion was realistic but I didn’t like it. I’ll add this to his credit, it’s probably realistic… at least possible if not probable.
Potential #1 Red Flag: Roman’s masochism and life philosophy will offend some people. He feels guilty that he couldn’t stop his mother from "leaving" her three children when they adored her. He also feels inappropriate guilt about his wealth as a financial genius with happy clients. However, to his credit he not develop sadism to others, is determined to save his family at any cost…a complicated human being. Sentimental as well, though he he doesn’t seem to recognize it. Cosby’s prose is not poetic like James Burke, but it is a dark, intense, violent atmospheric. (Complicated authors, I imagine, with knowledge of violence in their unhappy backgrounds.)
#2 Red Flag? Crematory-work conditions and sadistic scenes.
~
Ironically-named ROMAN CARRUTHERS left the ashes of the family crematory business (and small town) only to return when his sister NEVEAH tells him their father is in a coma after hit-and-run “accident.” Ironic again, his brother is named DANTE and is deeply in debt to the wrong people. “Nothing lasts forever” their father always told them. Neveah, their sister, is determined to learn how and why their mother disappeared when they were young and adored her. She talks of all the harassment they have recently had, making her fearful.
I started with sympathy for all family figures; but was disappointed that for all his financial genius, Roman ignored little brother Dante’s warnings and so was totally clueless at reading his violent criminal audience. So they got the crap beat out of them and had to accept a very bad deal. If they can’t beat them, they have to join them. However, I got to liking Roman for his smarts and common sense, and to trust he would protect his family and ruin the sadistic Black Baron Boys ir order to end up making his family and the community safer for all.
Roman does appear to have great insight to his family, and uses logic and empathy just fine when it concerns them, so like him for those assets. (At least the brothers are not psychopaths like the crime gang is.) However, Roman's demons will not ever leave his guilt-ridden nightmares! Power and greed turns “ashes to ashes” is the message intended? So I read until the end in spite of his cold streak to get what he wants to bring about The Greater Good. Is he saying sadistic criminal greed and power in government and corporations are to fair “game” to compare? That there are no Good Guys?
Is author’s message “Don’t ever think you’re the smartest one in the room” “Pride goeth before the fall” “Don’t do drugs”? I see there is a Study Guide, but I don’t want to study this story.
Frankly, I will not be reading another novel by this author. He doesn’t know the state motto: Virginia Is For Lovers.
Another author new-to-me. Title sounds depressing? If I were not so squeamish, I’d rate this higher for action and suspense, maybe an extra 1/2 point for shock factor and twists and turns? As it turned out, the conclusion was realistic but I didn’t like it. I’ll add this to his credit, it’s probably realistic… at least possible if not probable.
Potential #1 Red Flag: Roman’s masochism and life philosophy will offend some people. He feels guilty that he couldn’t stop his mother from "leaving" her three children when they adored her. He also feels inappropriate guilt about his wealth as a financial genius with happy clients. However, to his credit he not develop sadism to others, is determined to save his family at any cost…a complicated human being. Sentimental as well, though he he doesn’t seem to recognize it. Cosby’s prose is not poetic like James Burke, but it is a dark, intense, violent atmospheric. (Complicated authors, I imagine, with knowledge of violence in their unhappy backgrounds.)
#2 Red Flag? Crematory-work conditions and sadistic scenes.
~
Ironically-named ROMAN CARRUTHERS left the ashes of the family crematory business (and small town) only to return when his sister NEVEAH tells him their father is in a coma after hit-and-run “accident.” Ironic again, his brother is named DANTE and is deeply in debt to the wrong people. “Nothing lasts forever” their father always told them. Neveah, their sister, is determined to learn how and why their mother disappeared when they were young and adored her. She talks of all the harassment they have recently had, making her fearful.
I started with sympathy for all family figures; but was disappointed that for all his financial genius, Roman ignored little brother Dante’s warnings and so was totally clueless at reading his violent criminal audience. So they got the crap beat out of them and had to accept a very bad deal. If they can’t beat them, they have to join them. However, I got to liking Roman for his smarts and common sense, and to trust he would protect his family and ruin the sadistic Black Baron Boys ir order to end up making his family and the community safer for all.
Roman does appear to have great insight to his family, and uses logic and empathy just fine when it concerns them, so like him for those assets. (At least the brothers are not psychopaths like the crime gang is.) However, Roman's demons will not ever leave his guilt-ridden nightmares! Power and greed turns “ashes to ashes” is the message intended? So I read until the end in spite of his cold streak to get what he wants to bring about The Greater Good. Is he saying sadistic criminal greed and power in government and corporations are to fair “game” to compare? That there are no Good Guys?
Is author’s message “Don’t ever think you’re the smartest one in the room” “Pride goeth before the fall” “Don’t do drugs”? I see there is a Study Guide, but I don’t want to study this story.
Frankly, I will not be reading another novel by this author. He doesn’t know the state motto: Virginia Is For Lovers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review