Endless Honeymoon FROM OUR EDITORS
The Barnes & Noble Review
In Endless Honeymoon, Don Webb chronicles the exploits of a serial killer with a unique obsession: On a personal mission to rid the world of those who delight in the misery of others, he targets only the cruel and mean spirited, people whose passing is mourned by no one. Although he's made dozens of kills across America over the span of several decades, the FBI has few clues as to his identity or motive.
The job of tracking down this legendary killer (I won't reveal his rather colorful nickname, as this is a family web site) has ended several careers, most recently that of Abel Salazar. Although severed from the Bureau, Salazar, funded by a mysterious benefactor, continues the pursuit. Salazar follows up every lead regarding his nemesis, including those uncovered by his successor in the investigation, the hapless Special Agent William Mondragon.
Recent events have led Mondragon to focus on Willis and Virginia Spencer, a couple who, stumbling upon an early version of the killer's victim-selection software, put it to an entirely different use -- instead of eliminating their targets, they play elaborate pranks on them, hoping to scare them into changing their ways. Unfortunately for the well-meaning couple, their activities bring them into direct contact with their "mentor" when they one night select the same target. That fateful encounter is a catalyst for the rest of the novel, setting in motion a bizarre scenario where all parties are eventually thrown together. The results are by turns outrageous, tragic, and
comic.
Essentially a "road" novel, Endless Honeymoon hangs together nicely. Webb keeps things hopping, even while exploring familiar terrain. The book draws most of its strength from the revealing interactions of a strong ensemble cast -- Webb explores the duality of love and hate, destiny and chance, loyalty and betrayal, crime and justice, retribution and forgiveness, while making
his audience laugh its collective head off. Webb's skewed perspective, one he shares with fellow Texans Joe R. Lansdale, Howard Waldrop, Neil Barrett, Bruce Sterling, William Browning Spencer, and Lewis Shiner, and with spiritual brother David Prill (a Minnesotan!), is a breath of fresh air, making Endless Honeymoon a welcome change of pace from the usual fare. (Hank Wagner)
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Way back when, Robin Hood's turf for his deeds of derring-do was England. Nowadays, Willis and Virginia work the turf in Texas, righting wrongs by spotting society's nastiest creeps—-the mean and bitter people who make everybody's lives worse. (A high-powered computer program allows them to identify these people easily.) Their modus operandi is to perform an ingenious prank on the nasty cuss in hopes of rehabilititating him or her.
Imagine the shock when they put a prank into action on July 4th . . . only to find their victim has just been murdered for real.
Someone must be one step ahead of them.
And indeed, someone is, a shadowy figure. Someone else is also lurking one step behind them, and there's an FBI agent who's keeping pace with them, and it seems there are other figures in the mix . . .
Like a caper novel as Philip K. Dick might have written it, Endless Honeymoon is a weird and wild run through the world of crime.
Author Biography: DON WEBB is one of the rising stars of the mystery field. A licensed fireworks operator, he is also known locally for his culinary expertise, teaches writing, and enjoys an endless honeymoon with the artist Guiniviere Webb. His previous novels include The Double and Essential Saltes and his short fiction and reviews have appeared in more than 250 publications throughout the world. He lives in Austin, Texas.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
As readers of his two previous mysteries (1998's The Double, 1999's Essential Saltes) know, Webb likes to whip up murder, humor and sex into a heady froth. His latest starts out with a similar blend of ingredients and for more than half its length seems destined to be a memorably enjoyable outing. A married couple--Willis and Virginia Spencer--get their kicks by punishing wicked people in their native Texas, using carefully staged scenes of vengeance to frighten them almost to death. One such prank turns lethal when the Spencers cross paths with a legendary serial killer--the same man who developed the secret computer program that helps them target their victims. Also in the mix are two FBI agents--one ex and one current--obsessed with finding the serial killer. So far, so noir--especially when the killer turns out to be a sad and fragile old gentleman. But things begin to sag when Webb adds one ingredient too many: a mysterious woman who has hired the ex-FBI guy to bring her the head of a longtime quarry. (Jan. 6) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Library Journal
Willis and Virginia Spencer play vicious (but hopefully corrective) pranks on various ill-tempered people (found by using computer software called "The Program") until one of their pranks targets someone else's planned murder victim. Unbeknownst to them, a serial killer has been offing these so-called "psychic vampires" for the betterment of society. The case has become a dead end for the various FBI agents assigned to it, but the last two separately enlist Willis's help. Meanwhile, the inventor of the Program pursues Virginia. Texas author Webb, known for his weird, surreal mysteries (The Double), once again offers a strange premise, a complex plot line, and offbeat characters. Though a little nerve-wracking to follow, this is a good read. For larger collections. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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