S.A. Cosby is the king of Southern noir and he's coming to town

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On the Shelf King of Ashes By S.A.Cosby Flatiron Books: Pine & Cedar: 352 pages, $29If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores.When the king of Southern noir, S.A.

Cosby, sent out his debut novel, “My Darkest Prayer,” it was rejected again and again.“One of the editors said, ‘I just don’t believe this level of violence and intensity exists in rural areas,’” Cosby tells me with a laugh.

“I was like, I grew up here.If you live in a rural area and it’s a Friday, Saturday night, there’s not a lot to do but drink and fight and ride around.” He admits he’s exaggerating to some extent.

“But Raymond Chandler is exaggerating.Robert Cray is exaggerating.

These great writers,” Cosby says.“A novel is not supposed to be a documentary.”His latest, “King of Ashes,” is riveting and terrifying, and continues to receive wide acclaim.

Cosby’s work has topped bestseller lists and been praised by former President Obama.The author’s distinctive storytelling is rooted in his background.

He was born poor in rural Virginia.His family lived in a mobile home.

“I grew up loving stories, but didn’t have a lot of money,” he told me.“Didn’t have indoor plumbing until I was 15.” We spoke via Zoom, with a spotty connection because he still lives in rural Virginia.

When he was young, Cosby’s parents separated, and his mother, who had health issues, struggled.Cosby started college but dropped out to move home and take care of her.He wanted to be a writer, but was working full-time as an associate manager at a big-box hardware store.

He grabbed whatever time he could.“I wrote on my lunch break,” he said.

“I wrote late at night because when I was working, I was also a primary caregiver for my mother.” After his mother died — a loss reflected in his fictio...