Dirty Little Angels

Not Just a Southern Girl's story

Chris Tusa puts you in the mind's eye of 16 year old Hailey from the slums of New Orleans. Written in easy to read, flowing text, Hailey's miserable life experiences pass before you.
You can't help feeling what she feels or seeing what she sees.
It is not all pretty! Murder,conflict, abortion, ignorance, alcohol, abuse, abuse, abuse.It hit me on so many levels.
This story is well written and could be the life of any poor sixteen year old.... in any city in America. It is rich and genuine and makes you appreciate what you may have. We have much more to read from this talented writer.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Style

Chris Tusa has a captivating writing style. The characters are so real that they almost pop off the pages. Tusa's unique descriptive text paints a vivid picture without being overly wordy. The story moves along at a quick pace and his writing made me want to read every word.

The story doesn't have a strong or complicated plot. Instead, the characters are the draw. The reader is drawn into the world of 16-year-old Hailey. We follow her along and find out what happens when a teenager from a screwed up home is allowed to run free.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good start, but...

Chris Tusa writes some descriptive narratives in his book, Dirty Little Angels. It is written from the point of view of Hailey, a sixteen year old poor girl from New Orleans. She talks us through her family life, her school life and what she does for fun. But this book is not fun. It deals with sex, murder, suicide, revenge and death. It also didn't seem to have a plot. There is a lot of talk and then some action about two/thirds of the way through the book. I didn't care about the characters or their situations, although Chris develops them very well. I believe that Chris has potential but this book didn't fulfill me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Must Read

Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa is about a troubled teenage girl named Hailey who is trying to find herself in the slums of Louisiana. Her brother, Cyrus, is constantly getting into trouble. Her mom had a miscarriage that sent her spiraling down with depression. Hailey's parents hardly speak, let alone look at one another. She cries out for help but her cries go unanswered.

When she finds out that her dad is cheating on her mom with a trashy waitress, she becomes angry and blames him for all the problems her family has. That is, until she finds out about her mother's past.

She finds it hard to cope with the cards life has dealt her and ends up in Charity, a psych ward, after taking too many pills. Her parents are worried about how they are going to pay for her to get ongoing treatment because her father doesn't have a job and her mother stays in bed all day. But when Verma, a friend of the family finds out, she pays for treatment.

Cyrus finds himself in over his head until Hailey takes matters into her own hands. It makes you wonder, how far would I go to save my family?

I really enjoyed reading this book and think you should check it out!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Life is cheap!

This is an ugly and brutal tale of teenage life on the poor side of town.

***
Author Chris Tusa tells a bitter descriptive tale of poverty, brutality and depression that leaves the reader headed to the shower to wash the filth away. Becoming poor white trash would be a step up for teenager Miss Hailey, her family, and so-called friends. Drugs, smoking, sex, and criminal behavior just as normal a part of daily life as brushing one's teeth, that is if they brush their teeth or have teeth to brush. Unfortunately, the final chapter for these gritty characters is unknown. Only the baby molester, Moses the preacher and a Ferris wheel operator who was killed by brother Cyrus has a happy ending.

Gritty, dark, makes you think

A giant thank you to the indie writers that give away their books to us through LibraryThing. I would never have purchased this book outright due to the dark nature of the story. That would have been my loss.

I cannot say this was a quick fun read. It deals realistically with the dark side of the less fortunate and forgotten part of our society. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their development. The progression of the story through the tribulations of the characters was very well written and kept me engrossed to the very end.

While I was reading, I was thinking "Even though it is well written, what is the point of the story?" Then I had the proverbial light bulb illuminate in my brain. This story made me feel just like I was watching a Hallmark Presents on TV. They are always so well written, that I enjoy them simply for the subtleness of the story. Dirty Little Angels could easily be pitched for prime time. Highly recommend and wish that I could give 4.5 stars.

CHRIS TUSA'S "DIRTY LITTLE ANGELS" (A REVIEW)

I think it's been a long time since I have read a story that took me back to my teenage years. Hailey, on the cusp of womanhood goes through so many emotions a lot of which I remember myself experiencing at that age. Chris Tusa has done a remarkable job capturing the depth of feeling and turmoil of a 16 year old girl from a middle-class family background rift with alcoholism, depression, and on the verge of complete poverty, struggling to keep them all together while giving up a part of her own sanity.


At times during reading this book there were so many thoughts that paralleled with things I could remember from my own time as a 16 year old that it was simply amazing to read. I felt as if Chris had stood up and allowed Hailey to take his seat at the computer and tell her story first hand. It's rare you find a man able to so effectively capture what it was really like to be a teenage girl in Louisiana trying so hard to hold it all together while questioning not only her faith but her own place in the grand scheme of life.


This book was a fantastic read and I would definitely recommend it to any one that enjoys stories that are real and gritty, that can grab you up and toss you into the lives of these very real characters. Without giving away too much I will only say, caution when reading this book... be prepared for some dark times in the life of Hailey Trosclair.

Excellent read

Chris Tusa writes a very poignant view of slum life in New Orleans from a teen's viewpoint, but this is not teen fiction. This book is well written about how unfair life can be for a teen as she decides if Jesus is really there for her family. Tusa brings out the constant turmoils a teenager faces and learns to deal with whether their actions are right or wrong. He also brings out the consequences of those actions. Tusa also looks at the softer side of a teen when they deal with someone who is worse off then they are. The author could have used all adult characters and placed the venue in any city slum and achieved the same results, but I felt his choice of using a teenager was best. All in all this was an excellent read and wish Chris Tusa had made this book a little longer to see how the characters continue their life.

Thought Provoking

Thank you Early Reviewer Giveway and Mr. Tusa for selecting me to share my thoughts on this book. I loved the vivid realism of this novel and the no nonsense approach to the lives of these characters. I found a different message in the story than the other reviewers, and I don't know if this was intended by the author or something I found within the characters. First was that all of these characters were hoping that someone or something more powerful was going to fix their lives and problems. Hailey watched her mom mourn both the lose of a baby and the lose of higher income bracket, and she also watched her mom to pray to God to change things for her. I felt the mom mourned the lose of income more than the infant. Cyrus was the typical avenger and righter of wrongs, and follower of the con-artist Moises, who exploits Cyrus's need for justice to carry out his dirty work. The father unemployed has drowned himself in vices of gambling, women, and booze, always hoping for the big payday. While all of these characters wasted time waiting for change, and cashing in their self-reliance, their choices for a better life slowly burn away leaving the only possible outcome which is equally brutal and a waste of a girl. I loved how the novel made me think, and I would readily recommend this well written story.

Dirty Little World - Chris Tusa's Stark Perspective

Chris Tusa's "Dirty Little Angels" is not for the faint of heart. It is a gritty and raw novel, depicting life in the inner city. Tusa presents a stark perspective, real in its portrayal, and never sugar-coated. This is the quality that makes Tusa's novel worth a read. Although, it doesn't hurt the book any to have wonderful characterization and an interesting plot, either.

Our protagonist is 16 year old Hailey Trosclair, a teenager who has seen her share of misery in her short life. Hailey narrates the plot, and introduces us to her family. There's the father, a selfish, unfaithful, selfish man who also happens to be an alcoholic - he is responsible for the family's financial ruin. Then there is the mother, wallowing in her misery after a miscarriage, and leaving her kids to grieve in a wholly different manner. The older brother, who is protective and life's realities have turned him tough. There is the witty, comic-relief of a friend in Verma. And finally, there's Moses - Moses Watkins, a man who Hailey comes to trust and puts her faith in. All Moses is concerned about, though, is starting a "drive-thru" Church. It speaks to the awful psychological condition of our friend Hailey, that the man she has faith in, happens to be a man who is a religious con-artist.

If you're looking for fluff to read, this book is not for you. If you're looking for a wonderfully written novel, with characters that are perfect in their imperfections, hauntingly real and beautiful - than this might be the book to pick up. The story is interesting, the character's perspectives are presented in a unique manner, the author's voice is strong and clear in presenting its point and he makes some great usage of metaphors that had me clamoring to write them down somewhere. Also, its clear that Tusa has spent some time in the places that he describes, because he not only describes them with stunning precision, but also with passion. I had never before read Chris Tusa's work, but after this novel, I will be sure to follow his works closely.

A look through a dirty window into the life of a family without morals. A poison so common in our current society.

When the Trosclair family suffers a string of financial hardships and a miscarriage, Hailey Trosclair looks to Moses Watkins, a failed preacher and ex-con for guidance. Gradually, though, Moses's twisted religious beliefs become increasingly more violent, and Hailey soon finds herself trapped in a world of danger from which there may be no escape.

Dirty Little Angels is narrated in the first person by Hailey a 16 year old seemingly typical teenager from a Southern town in New Orleans. Hailey has a good heart and is just beginning to step out and be part of the crowd. However this crowd consists of her promiscuous and plastic girlfriend Meridian, and her brothers friends. One of them a seedy twisted man named Moses. Moses is a nut case with off the wall religious beliefs who has delusions of opening up a drive through church in a run down bank. More than once Hailey tags along with her brother and Moses only to get entangled in a web of violence.

Hailey's dysfunctional family consists of a distant mother who is wrapped up in her own depressive state, while her father uses alcohol to drown out his responsibilities, unemployment and his distant wife. Hailey seems to look for love and attention in the wrong way and loses her virginity to her girlfriends loser boyfriend. She finds solace in two people a man who is dying and her diabetic aunt. Sadly I found this story very realistic. As so many parents are wrapped up in their own lives and fail to reach out to their children and teach them morals. I believe Tusa used this setting to bring to realization the fact that life is what you make of it and environment has more influence on your people lives than you think. The ending I found surreal however Hailey was protecting one of the most important people in her life, her brother. Which shows that love can be possible even in a dysfunctional family.

To purchase this book or read other reviews visit Smashwords. Dirty Little Angels can also be found in paperback on amazon. *note: The subject matter in this book is for adults, not for teens, this book contains sexual content, drugs and violence.

Debut Novel

Mom has fallen into a deep depression. Dad is unemployed and makes little effort to find work. Big brother hangs with a spiritual leader who sometimes takes righteousness into his own hands. The BFF is fair-weather at best. How is a young teen girl to cope? Hailey, age 16, tries the best she can.

I don't really know what to say about this book. One big problem for me is the lack of a real ending. Nor was there a much point to the story - no theme that stood out (except poverty), no crisis to conquer, until near the end when the big brother, Cyrus, makes the mistake of going with Moses, the cultist, criminal spiritual advisor Cyrus seems to think knows all. When the kid they "correct" is found all beaten up Moses lets Cyrus take the fall - until Hailey takes down Moses.

The writing was good at times, even wonderful. I think it needs more editing and a better focus. Many sections seemed to ramble on and on without a reason. Filler would be an appropriate word for those sections. If the story was tightened and a conflict set up clearly early on, I think readers would be more receptive to the story. At many times I was lost to where I just put the book down. Had I not a review to do I doubt I would have finished the book. As it is, it took me much too long to finish. As a self-published book, it could be one of the better ones with a bit more effort.

NOTE:received from author

CORRECTION: This is not a self-published book. It is published by he University of West Alabama. My sincere apologies to the author.

Mixed emotions

Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa
I am not the type that needs a happy ending, so this story was perfect in that regard. Otherwise I am not sure what the plot was. I get the theme though; dysfunctional family leads to dysfunctional behavior. This felt crowded with misfortune, which made it dull just at the times when I thought it was going to get better.
A lot of parts were disturbing to read: the teen sex and animal violence so I would caution people about that. There was a message under all of that; you just have to want to keep digging for it.

Great Book

This book was great. It definitely wasn't what I expected. I liked how real it was. You don't start many stories with something tragic, but for this book it really sets the tone and gives the reader a place to start from. It is a refreshing look at how a family deals with a tragedy, and the after effects of such an event. He does a great job, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good story.

A Gem of a Book

This short novel is packed with interesting characters and a great big story. Hailey, Cyrus, and their parents struggle so individually that they almost lose the ability to struggle as a family unit. Hailey's strength seems remarkable for her 16 years but of course it is inevitable that she can't carry the weight of everyone's problems. When she finally accepts her vulnerability, her family has the opportunity to step up and step together. The story is tragic, brutally realistic, and strangely hopeful. I am a new Chris Tusa fan.

Dark, dramatic and a perfect weekend read.

I read this slowly, didn't want to miss anything, not that you have to read it slow, its not a difficult read at all.

Hailey, the narrator. I wished that she was my daughter, I would make everything better for her, she deserves a better life. Hailey needs to have friends her own age but she hangs out with her brother and his friends which leads her into trouble, causing her to make the wrong choices. Hailey is hoping that "God will perform a miracle and cure her whole family."
Her brother Cyrus is always in trouble with the law, he needed a daddy but his daddy was to busy drinking and gambling and his mother stays in bed all day, wallowing in self pity.
Their mother lost a baby and since then she hasn't gone back to work as a nurse. Their dad is jobless, drinks and gambles and because they have no money coming in Uncle Errols threatening to take the house. Hailey finds out her daddy is fooling around with a stripper chick and decides to do something about it. Twists and turns, Cyrus making a wrong choice that affects his life and Hailey going off the deep end, you don't want to miss this one!

I don't want to give to much away, you really have to read the book!!

Good read, but a little sad.

I enjoyed "Dirty Little Angels". Although the story was somewhat sad at times it did depict the realities that come with being poor. I liked the spirited character, Hailey. Although she and her brother Cyrus often found trouble they always had each other's back. It was always family first and close friends like, Velma. You also saw the good side of Cyrus and Hailey, both tried to set their father on the right path. Hailey also took an interest in other hurt souls like Mr. Guidry. I was convinced that the antagonist Meridian was truly evil throughout the book. I thought that this was a good portrayal of life in the slums.

This a page turning coming of age story with a dark Southern Gothic tone and an intriguing twist.

Mini Synopsis: A realistic tale centered in a pre Katrina New Orleans, the main character Haley is a 16 years old girl whose family is having financial difficulties among other sad things. Mom has had a recent miscarriage and is bedbound. Pop is out of work, is spending his time and what little money they do have at the local bar/pool hall, and is involved with a local stripper/waitress.

With all these elements we can see the main character is caught in a situation which is less than ideal. It is a slippery slope as she tries to emotionally balance the events occurring around her and manage her own maturation and the realizations which adolescence provokes.

The story includes a variety of motley characters, and when Haley gets sucked into some gang like activities, the events conspiring against her culminate into an original, intriguing, slightly paranormal, and heart wrenching ending which is connected to the title - Dirty Little Angels.

My Thoughts: I devoured this short novel, it was a definite page turner! Chris Tusa captures the confusion of a teenager spiraling out of control, writing of her confusion, contemplations, and angst. In doing so he uses a simple language appropriate for the background of the characters. Here is an example which is in part both funny and dark. Haley and her brother Cyrus are being questioned by a local detective:

"When we got there, the officer brought Cyrus and me into a white room with glass walls. A few minutes later, another man came in and sat down. He was an older fat man with a stubbly chin and a bald, liver spotted skull. He had tiny baby teeth that looked like someone had plugged little white Chiclets into his gums, and you could smell Old Spice seeping from his pores. His hips where someone else's hips welded onto his skeleton, and his chest looked like Brandon Piggert's chest the summer he'd grown little midget boobs after shooting up a batch of steroids."

This novel asks the questions: How does one become involved in situations we know are not quite right? Where does one fit in within a world that values unreal perfection? And although not a religious book, it examines the concept of whether saving ourselves is right even if it conflicts with our religious beliefs (or lack thereof) or those of others.

The ending, which is connected to the concept of the title, is the clincher, where the title is not at all what it seems. The connection is dark, a bit other worldly, has a touch of insanity, and is something I keep thinking about. I give this great little book 3.5 stars. I am really looking forward to more of this author's work.

Well written and gripping drama

Chris contacted me to read his book and I am so glad that I did. This is a fantastic coming of age book, written through the eyes of Hailey, a teen. Hailey's life contains all of the drama that ensuing proverty and subsequent changes bring, depression, fear, and worries. This is expertly portrayed in her father's disassociation from the family in a time of need, her 'wealthy' uncle's greediness, and her brother's I-don't-care persona.
This is not the book for a cozy afternoon. Dirty Little Angels is a gut wrenching, intense drama of madness, despair, troubled times, and poverty as seen through the eyes of a teenager.

Mr. Tusa's novel is a must read and should be among the future greats of literature.

Great!!!

This book was wonderful! A true page turner! There was not a character in the book that was likeable, but, I believe that is the way the author wanted it to be. We are not supposed to agree with all the choices the characters make, just feel for them because they have to make these awful choices. I really hope there is a sequel. I would really love to know what happens next!!!! "