Review of "The Supremes Sing The Happy Heartache Blues: A Novel" by Edward Kelsey Moore

This sequel to The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat revisits three women - Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean - who grew up as best friends in Plainview, Indiana. Affectionately called 'The Supremes', the trio of African-American women, now in their sixties, have supported each through life's ups and downs for decades.

I strongly suggest that interested readers start with the first book.

*****

Odette and her husband James are happily married empty nesters, whose children and grandchildren live in Chicago.



Odette, who was born in a sycamore tree, is a fearless woman who sees - and speaks with - ghosts....most often her mother and Eleanor Roosevelt. James is a State Trooper with a long facial scar from the time his drug-addict father cut him with a razor blade before deserting the family. James fell in love with Odette when they were in grade school, and the story behind this is marvelous!💖

Clarice is a concert pianist, living separately from her husband Richmond, who was a notorious womanizer. The couple still see each other, especially when Clarice needs some loving.



Clarice is happy with the arrangement, but Richmond wants to reconcile - and is trying to prove that he's mended his ways.

Barbara Jean is a gentle philanthropist who's married to the love of her life.



The beautiful, wealthy fashionista has clothes closets that would swallow the average apartment. 👗 However, when she was a child, Barbara Jean lived in a run-down shack with her drug addict, prostitute mother.

*****

As the book opens, Clarice's elderly mother Beatrice - a very devout Christian lady, is marrying Forrest Payne - owner of the Pink Slipper Gentleman’s Club.



The club was once a nightclub/brothel, but 'true love' convinced Forrest to turn it into a music venue. The wedding of the two octogenarians has brought legendary guitar bluesman El Walker 🎸 back to Plainview, to sing at the nuptials. El left town under a cloud more than fifty years ago, and his return starts a lot of wheels turning.



As a child, El lived in the same terrible foster home as Barbara Jean's mother Loretta, who he thought of as a sister. The bluesman has memories and photos of Loretta to share with Barbara Jean, who comes to understand her mother better.



El also has other connections to Plainview, which are revealed as the story unfolds.

Another thread of the story revolves around twentyish Terry Robinson, who used to hide out in Odette's pavilion when he was a frightened schoolboy. Odette befriended the youth, who was shunned by his father and bullied by his schoolmates for being too feminine.



When Terry's father threw him out, the boy loudly vowed to come back and piss on his dad's grave. That time might be getting close, since Terry's father - Wayne Robinson - is dying.....and quite worried about the peeing.😒



As all this is going on, Clarice is preparing for an important piano recital in Chicago, a concert that could affect her future as a musician. Clarice is extremely nervous about the upcoming show, and her anxiety is exacerbated by Richmond's constant pleas to get back together.

The book depicts a lot of heartache, with many of the most painful scenes harking back to difficult childhoods, drug addiction, illness, and dysfunctional families.

There's also plenty of humor in the novel. Some of the funniest parts are about Clarice's cousin Veronica, who longs to be influential and admired. Veronica has a new grandbaby, Apollo, who (unfortunately) looks like an ugly little piglet. People's reactions to photos of little Apollo - and the infant himself - are hilarious. (If you're a 'Seinfeld' fan, this is reminiscent of the ugly baby episode.)



Veronica's issues comes to a head when she substitutes for the sick pastor at a Sunday church service. Veronica's sermon - and what she says afterward - will be remembered in Plainview forever!😁

Edward Kelsey Moore has created memorable characters that range from religious zealots to people who are gay and transgender. The empathy of (most of) the townsfolk toward the latter folks is nice to see.

I enjoyed this book very much, and look forward to more stories about the residents of Plainview. Highly recommended.

Rating: 4 stars