Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Essential Saltes

don webb

... Show More
Matthew Reynman, an Austin used bookstore owner and fireworks devotee, investigates the strange disappearance of his late wife's ashes, finding himself suddenly deeply involved in an unlikely criminal world.

243 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1999

This edition

Format
243 pages, Hardcover
Published
July 1, 1999 by St Martins Pr
ISBN
9780312203023
ASIN
0312203020
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for don webb

don webb

... Show More
Don Webb teaches High School English in a reform school in rural Texas by day, Creative Writing for UCLA Extension by night. He has a had a mystery series at St. Martin's Press, a series of books on contemporary and Late Antique magical practice from Runa Raven Press, and more than 300 published short stories of SF/F/H. His work has been translated into 11 languages.

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(5 / 5.0, 3 votes)
5 stars
3(100%)
4 stars
0(0%)
3 stars
0(0%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
3 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
pichuscute
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
It took me a few pages to truly immerse myself in his world.

However, once I did, I found myself having an incredibly good time and thoroughly enjoying the book.

The story was so engaging and well-written that it held my attention from start to finish.

Each character was vividly portrayed, and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat.

Now that I've finished this book, I will definitely be on the lookout for more works by this author.

I can't wait to see what other精彩的 stories he has in store for readers like me.

I'm sure they will be just as captivating and enjoyable as this one.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
DressrosaLucy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
This book is a truly strange and captivating compound. It combines elements of love and loss, both real and fictitious books, the beauty and mystery of fireworks, the darkness of murder, the complexity of sex, and the allure of alchemy.

The main story follows Matthew, the bookseller, as he embarks on a journey to find the ashes of his murdered wife. This journey takes him through some very strange and unexpected parts of Texas.

The author makes numerous references to weird literature, including the works of H.P. Lovecraft, Robert W. Chambers, and Edgar Allan Poe, among others. These references add an extra layer of depth and mystery to the story.

Surprisingly, there's even a recipe included for what appears to be a devilishly delicious chocolate cake. At first, I found the first few pages a bit off-putting, but I decided to persevere and keep reading as a way to step out of my comfort zone.

Altogether, I have to say that this book was an interesting read. It had a unique blend of elements that kept me engaged from start to finish, and the surprise ending was the perfect way to cap it all off.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
jonatganofficial
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Matthew Reynman, deeply immersed in the misery of grief over his wife's murder, has spent two years in mourning, emotionally drained.

Finally, he emerges from self-imposed isolation to throw a party, hoping to reconnect with the remnants of his old life without Haidee.

The party is a success, but to his horror, he discovers that one of his friends has stolen Haidee's ashes.

The party was meant to be a way for him to let go and move on, but he cannot part with her ashes as he must fulfill her wish to have their ashes combined and made into a stream of stars in a fireworks display.

What follows is a strange and wonderful adventure through all the odd connections that make up a life as Matthew tries to solve the mystery of who took Haidee's cremains and why.

Underneath the seemingly farcical strangeness of Matthew's quest lies a subtlety that can only be understood by experiencing it.

My dad once told me with great enthusiasm that Stephen King had the ability to make the most ordinary details fascinating. He said he would happily read the ingredient list on a cereal box and all the back copy if King had written it.

Don Webb also has this talent. Essential Saltes is one of those rare gems - a book that I wanted to reread immediately after finishing, just to fully appreciate all those little treasures.

0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.