Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby Summary
Overview of Razorblade Tears
Two ex-cons - one Black, one white - unite to avenge their murdered gay sons in this NYT bestseller that won six major literary awards. Jerry Bruckheimer snagged film rights for this pulse-pounding thriller NPR called "a visceral full-body experience."
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Key takeaways
When Grief Transforms into Vengeance
Ike Randolph and Buddy Lee Jenkins stand at opposite ends of the social spectrum. Ike, a Black ex-gang leader, has built a successful lawn care business after prison. Buddy Lee, a white ex-con, drowns his failures in alcohol from his rundown trailer. What unites these strangers is unimaginable tragedy - their gay sons, Isiah and Derek, have been brutally murdered. Both fathers harbor deep regret for rejecting their sons' sexuality. Ike remembers waiting for the "glacier" between them to thaw naturally rather than making the effort to understand. Their last conversation had been an argument about Isiah's wedding plans. Buddy Lee similarly failed Derek, unable to accept his identity. Now, with their sons murdered and the police investigation stalled, these two men find themselves drawn together by shared grief and a growing thirst for justice. When Buddy Lee proposes they investigate themselves, Ike initially refuses. But after discovering their sons' graves desecrated with homophobic and racist slurs, something inside Ike snaps. Showing Buddy Lee photos of the vandalized headstones, he simply says, "They've pissed all over their graves." In that moment, years of rehabilitation and restraint dissolve into a single, burning purpose - vengeance.
Unlikely Partners in a Dangerous Investigation
The Cycle of Violence Escalates
Unraveling the Web of Conspiracy
The Price of Vengeance
Confronting Prejudice and Finding Redemption
Legacy of Pain, Promise of Healing
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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