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Blacktop Wasteland  By  cover art

Blacktop Wasteland

By: S. A. Cosby
Narrated by: Adam Lazarre-White
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Publisher's summary

2020 LA Times Book Prize - Winner
2021 Anthony Awards - Nominee
2020 Amazon.com Best Books of the Year
2020 Library Journal Best Books of the Year
2020 NPR Best Book of the Year
2020 New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year
2020 LA Times Book Prize - Finalist

"Narrator Adam Lazarre-White's voice exudes confidence and depth; his performance is an example of how the best audiobooks deliver pure storytelling." (AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner)

A husband, a father, a son, a business owner...and the best getaway driver east of the Mississippi.

This program includes a bonus conversation with the author.

Beauregard “Bug” Montage is an honest mechanic, a loving husband, and a hardworking dad. Bug knows there’s no future in the man he used to be: Known from the hills of North Carolina to the beaches of Florida as the best wheelman on the East Coast. He thought he'd left all that behind him, but as his carefully built new life begins to crumble, he finds himself drawn inexorably back into a world of blood and bullets.

When a smooth-talking former associate comes calling with a can't-miss jewelry store heist, Bug feels he has no choice but to get back in the driver's seat. And Bug is at his best where the scent of gasoline mixes with the smell of fear.

Haunted by the ghost of who he used to be and the father who disappeared when he needed him most, Bug must find a way to navigate this blacktop wasteland...or die trying.

Like Ocean’s Eleven meets Drive, with a Southern noir twist, S. A. Cosby’s Blacktop Wasteland is a searing, operatic story of a man pushed to his limits by poverty, race, and his own former life of crime.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

“Sensationally good - new, fresh, real, authentic, twisty, with characters and dilemmas that will break your heart. More than recommended.” (Lee Child)

"A fast-paced, fresh take on noir that tears through the underbelly of Virginia." (New York Times)

Blacktop Wasteland is a guaranteed thriller-of-the-year with muscle and heart and characters who will linger long after the last page is read. S.A. Cosby writes with grit and grace. Do not miss this one.” (Michael Koryta, best-selling author of Those Who Wish Me Dead)

©2020 Shawn A. Cosby (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Adam Lazarre-White's voice exudes confidence and depth; his performance is an example of how the best audiobooks deliver pure storytelling." (AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner)

Featured Article: Hit the Open Highway with the 40+ Best Road Trip Listens for Your Next Journey


It takes more than great storytelling to be the right fit for each type of road trip. What works for a cross-country adventure may not be quite right for a quick day trip. What you listen to with your significant other may not be (read: is definitely not) the same as what you listen to with a carload of kids. And when driving solo, sometimes what you want is a little company. No matter what kind of journey you have coming up, we’ve got you covered.

What listeners say about Blacktop Wasteland

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Loved this book!

The narrator was excellent, the story was profound, the characters were fully realized and I simply loved this book! Listen! Now!

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7 people found this helpful

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What a ride!! (Pun totally intended.)

Why are you reading this review when you can be listening to this book? Seriously, get this book and listen to an incredibly action-packed thrill ride of a story with an amazing narrator. Bonus interview with the author at the end!
Loved it!!

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This turned out to be a great book!

While the first few chapters seemed a little slow, after that the story really got into gear - pun intended. Cars, a heist, family drama, colorful characters, this book had it all. I would definitely download the next book if this turned out to be a series.

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A great listen

I loved this book! The story was great. It was exciting and touching with well developed characters. The narrator did an outstanding job!

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Too notch performance

The story was great and the narrator made it really come to life. If you’re a writer, this is who you want to do your audiobook version!

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  • Overall
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Suspenseful, at times edge of my seat.

Very engaging, immediately. The story telling is rich and atmospheric. This author had me hating, loving, relating, all of it.
Thank you for the quick journey into another world.

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Excellent book, well written, lots of action and great narrator. Very interesting characters. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent book, well written with lots of action and interesting characters. I would highly recommend this book. Love to read follow up book.

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Incredible Crime/Thriller

BLACKTOP WASTELAND has immediately jumped up among my all time favorite audiobooks. BLACKTOP WASTELAND audiobook is a perfect blend of action, characterization, tension and narration.

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Suspenseful, compelling, beautifully written & read

The narrator does a really fantastic job with all the voices of the characters in this terrific crime thriller. The story is told with such beautiful writing, yet still seems immediate and action-packed. I’ve discovered a new author who I love! S.A. Cosby is amazing!

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Thrilling crime novel with a ton of heart

The action is amazing and the suspense will grip you. The exploration of what it means to know one's true self though, will be what stays with you. A must read.

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