Published by Macmillan audio Genres: Adult Fiction, Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Southern
Format: ARC, Audiobook
My Darkest Prayer is the republished first novel by the brilliant S.A. Cosby. He dazzled me with Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears and when I saw that this book was coming out, I was extremely excited. I love his writing and vivid descriptions. I said it before, he has the heart of a poet. He writes beautiful, insightful and often violent passages that leave me in awe. I had high expectations for this book, and he did not let me down!
“The truth is no one can be fully protected. Safety is an illusion. There is no safety. Just downtime between tragedies.”
Nathan Waymaker is a southern man who has pretty much seen it all and done it all. He is a former marine, sheriff’s deputy and works in his cousin’s funeral home. When a local minister is found dead, Nathan is asked to make sure his death does not get forgotten. What sounds like a cut and dry feat, turns into so much more. Nathan soon learns that he is up against crime lords, low life criminals, crooked cops, corruption, and a not so honorable preacher.
Things get interesting fast! Cosby does not hold back in detailing violence. Nathan needs to reach down deep and count on all the skills he to go up against small town corruption. Go up against them he does!
As I mentioned, this book is full of violence but also has glimpses of humor. I was fully invested in the plot and thought the narrator of the audiobook did a fantastic job. I felt like a fly on the wall watching everything unfold. As with his previous books, Cosby knows how to draw readers in while having his characters fight their way out of tough, often impossible situations.
Keep in mind that this was his first novel and has been republished. His writing has only gotten better with each book he writes. Cosby is from the south and sets his books/characters from there as well. He writes about communities, friendships, family, crime, vengeance and violent acts. He successfully intertwines violence with humor. He creates characters readers come to care about and root for. What a ride this was!
This book is gritty, dark, violent and hard to put down. I love his writing, his descriptions and characters. I look forward to reading more of his books in the future! If you have not read one of his books before, what are you waiting for? This is a great place to start! I find myself recommending his books to people all the time.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.