Trial of Tears

Reviewer: Kristen
Author: Chris Semal
Pages: 193
Format: eBook (AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 1st)
Rating: 8 out of 10

Summary (from Goodreads): Pete Watts is a former undercover narcotics cop who got way too close to his job. He now runs a music rehearsal studio that draws the underbelly of the industry: violent drug gangs, a strange assortment of hangers-on and a gorgeous ex-mercenary who wears makeup in the form of multi-colored tears running down her face. These tears are, in fact, decals on which different poisons are concealed. Some survive the Trial of Tears, some don’t. The story’s taut climax is set in a posh townhouse in which only the courageous will emerge unscathed. 
An action-packed love-letter to New York City, it’s a story of friendship and redemption, that provides a roller-coaster of laughter, drama and suspense, leaving the reader wanting more. 

MyThoughts: This book wasn't at all what I was expecting it to be, and surpassed a lot of my expectations. Being a little bit "musically challenged" the music rehearsal studio undertone was a little intimidating, but Chris Semal explained it perfectly. In regards to the characters, it's set up that they all kind of have their mini stories. For a while you didn't know how they relate until the end of the book. The beginning of the book was a bit confusing for me, but I found my way through it pretty easily after that. The mob and NYC scene are different from what I'm used too, but I loved it. The conversations were funny and a relief to the story. Each character was different, and that led to it being so intriguing. Drugs, poison and crime were all connected, and I thought that Chris Semal did it flawlessly. 

Final Thoughts: Beyond a shadow of a doubt, check this book out. This is not one that you want to miss. It's a shorter novel, but it has such a plot driven story line, you'll be wanting more.