The Last Wolf

At the 2026 Sydney Writers' Festival I attended a panel session on crime writing with American author Shawn Andre Cosby. SA Cosby is best known for writing Southern Noir thrillers, set in his home state of Virginia. Reckoning I would enjoy his storytelling, I bought a couple of his novels and after the session I asked Cosby where I should start with his work. After discussing my reading preferences, Cosby recommended All the Sinners Bleed (2023) would be the best place to begin. So I started there, and it has been a perfect introduction to his work.

 

Set in the fictional Charon County Virginia, Titus Crown is the County's first Black sheriff. Titus is a former FBI agent who now leads a team of deputies as they break up bar fights in this small Southern town. The police are called out to a shooting at the local high school where a beloved teacher is killed by a former student. As Titus and his team investigate, tensions flare in the community, and they soon realise that there is serial killer, or killers, in their midst. Between the evangelical church groups, the sons of the confederacy, and the parents in fear for their children, Titus has his hands full as he races to solve this case.

Titus is a wonderful, fully-formed character. He has to delicately balance the expectations of his role, the needs of his family, and the weight of the history in this place where racism is rife and violence is on the precipice. While his work is heavy, Titus has a keen sense of humour which helps to lighten his burden.

Cosby has a descriptive way of writing, heavy on metaphor, with a clever turn of phrase. His creativity is evident in the interspersed short chapters about Charon County itself, the memories it holds from its years as a Civil War battleground, and the ways it was shaped by decades of hate and bloodshed. I appreciate Cosby's nod to Greek mythology in the naming of his county. His intelligent writing elevates the police procedural, subtly layering class and race to produce a deeper, more meaningful story. 

I highly recommend All the Sinners Bleed to fans of gripping crime thrillers. This is a fast-paced story with riveting action. You will be thinking about long after you turn the last page. 

I look forward to reading more of his work as Cosby is well on his way to becoming one of my favourite crime writers. All the Sinners Bleed has also been optioned by Netflix and will be turned into a miniseries. That will definitely be one to watch!