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Despite those minor issues, ''The Acid Test'' is a fine meditation on the often-discussed machismo culture prevalent in Mexico and demonstrates in vivid detail the effect this culture has on violence towards women. The female characters here are either revered for behaving 'like men' in terms of committing acts of violence or for their desirability and sexual attractiveness. Character development is minimal and it is often felt that the women only exist, at least in terms of the victim at the heart of this book, to act as a catalyst for male bravado and violence whilst being defined solely by the fact that she drives all men to such irresponsible passion that someone has been unable to avoid brutally murdering her. The dialogue between characters may make some uncomfortable, as may the apparent inevitability of the deaths of female sex workers within this book, in that regard ''The Acid Test'' is not for everyone. However, Mendoza's love of Mexico is evident in the vivid depictions of the landscape and loving depictions of food throughout the book. For those who love their crime lit violent, their authors passionate and have an interest in Narcos and Mexico generally, take the acid test, if you're brave enough…

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