This book was well-written and easy to follow with none of the boring slumps that sometimes go hand in hand with some true crime novels. I really liked how this book started at the beginning of the Gere's and Mayszak's lives and crescendoed, versus the crime being described in full, vivid detail in chapter one like most books in this genre. By the time we actually got to Brenda's disappearance, I felt as if I knew the family quite intimately and I was emotionally attached and affected as well.

The only time I grew restless with this book was when we had to read about scumbag Mike Green's biography toward the end. Thankfully Olsen kept it short and brief enough and we were able to arrive at Brenda's discovery. Along the way, I was also saddened deeply by Joe's demise.

I am truly impressed by Elaine and the way she was able to cope with Brenda's disappearance, Joe's alcoholism, and continuing to successfully raise her sons. What a story! I was so into this book that my eyes became teary when Elaine found out what had happened to Brenda and she was able to seek closure. I was really happy for her.

I am so glad I got to read this book! I loved it all the way through.

[review I wrote about 10 years ago]

The title of this book refers neither to the murderer who destroyed the hard-won tranquility of a young couple and their three children, nor to the 12-yr-old victim, but to the victim's mother. Without subtracting an iota from the uniqueness of her story, Jack Olsen portrays Elaine Gere as one of those heroically strong American women whose lives usually pass unheralded. We follow her indomitable spirit from a childhood in squalor, to marriage and family, to the disappearance of her daughter, through the baffling and enervating aftermath of a high-profile crime, through the years when her devastated husband flounders in alcoholism and turns violent, to the final healing of her broken family. David Guterson, author of Snow Falling on Cedars, writes, "Salt of the Earth constitutes a literary achievement of the highest order. It is the complexity of life, its mystery and beauty, its violence and love and terrible strangeness, that Jack Olsen forces to confront here."

Great book. Jack Olsen was a great true crime writer. This book is truly one of the saddest I have ever read. You will not be able to put it down.

Joe Gere has tried to protect his family in every way he knew how. One day his twelve year old daughter disappears. It is left to his wife Elaine to sustain him and the remaining stricken family. Good book

Pretty good true crime book by Jack Olsen. It mostly focusses on the people involved over the many years it takes this story to unfold. Courtroom scenes are kept to a minimum.

This book was devastating, heartbreaking and true to life. But it tells the story so well.

Riveting true crime story!

A twelve year old girl is missing.

Another great Jack Olson True Crime! Great Read!!!

This is the true story of how one woman fought and triuplhed over life stattering violence and she healed her family-and herself.

Read All Book Reviews of "Salt of the Earth"

If you like true crime, you'll love this book. This book is both horrifying and uplifting. I had a hard time putting it down!

Typical Jack Olsen true crime; if you like his work, give the rating another point or two...

Read All Book Reviews of "Salt of the Earth"