Title: The Tears of Hope: Book One of the Trilogy
Author: Peter A. Hubbard
Publisher: Brilliant Books Literary
ISBN: 9798889450009
Pages: 598
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel
Hollywood Book Reviews
Captain Riley of Interpol is brought in to investigate an attack on the Vatican that left thousands of victims dead. Riley joins with other Interpol forces to track down the mastermind behind the attacks in an emotional escapade which soon unravels a startling connection to refugee children. These children were used to carry out a vile plan that places them center in the attack and labels them as global enemies. One thing becomes eerily certain, the Vatican was only the first target.
The opening sets up the tone with a brief scene focusing on a conversation that pegs the question of what would you do if you committed an act so vile the world chased after you. The brief exchange introduces the concept of an abandoned child who was trained from youth to become a warrior which comes into play throughout the story. This creates an ominous tone perfect for establishing the thriller genre by telling you outright that threats can hide in plain sight. The story delves immediately into the plot with an attack on the Vatican which flattens everything not built out of solid rock or stone. You’re quickly drawn into the action before ever meeting Captain Riley who is assigned to investigate the attack. It’s an intriguing opening as it sets up the events before introducing the characters which allows for you to get an understanding of the reality which drives the psychological elements of the story.
A recurring theme throughout is how quick tragedy can occur on a normal day as these attacks happen quickly such as how it took a split second for the explosion to wreck the Vatican. A real eeriness stems from how these children were taught to operate in plain sight. Events occur throughout that address how unnoticed things are in the moment (such as when a strange truck leaves) only to take a turn afterwards such as radiation poisoning killing many people. Though heavily driven by the suspense, the characters are grounded with flaws, determination, and deep emotion such as Captain Riley who has a complicated history involving life-changing moments which put her onto this path. The first-person narration provides you with the chance to know her on a human level and grounds the story away from the chaotic elements. Just as her being well-rounded is important to capture the emotional depth within the story; the team she works with creates a support system to lean on as the investigation takes a more psychological turn. The focus of the plot focuses on refugee children and does so in a way that makes you feel a genuine sympathy and heartache for the children at the center.
The writing style has a literary structure that crafts poignant visuals drawing you into the intensity of the moment, such as a mushroom cloud described with sooty gray contrails against the blue sky and compared to a canvas from Dante’s Inferno. The details never go overly grotesque, instead craft imagery that creates a clear picture such as radioactive material compared to dead roses in a spring garden. The descriptions are powerful with word choices which touch upon the shock and tragedy that follow these horrific events. The writing touches upon poetic imagery such as describing a bronze sculpture in debris, now resembling a caricature of its former self, following the attack on the Vatican. The story is a thriller with plenty of suspenseful moments which balance the honesty Hubbard puts into capturing the emotional aftermath of terrorist attacks.
A psychological thriller that hits close to home, The Tears of Hope: Book One of the Trilogy explores the aftermath of terrorism and the reality that refugees face in a suspenseful chase across the globe.