“Moore, besides being laugh out loud hilarious, has a profound understanding of human nature . . . A truly remarkable writer. This book is a joy to read.” —Fannie Flagg, New York Times–bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
When a late life love affair blooms between Mr. Forrest Payne, owner of the Pink Slipper Gentleman’s Club, and Miss Beatrice Jordan, famous for stationing herself at the edge of the club’s parking lot and yelling warnings of eternal damnation at the departing patrons, their wedding summons a legend to town. Mr. El Walker, the great guitar bluesman, comes home to give a command performance in Plainview, Indiana, a place he’d sworn—and for good reason—he’d never set foot in again.
But El is not the only Plainview native with a hurdle to overcome. A philandering husband struggles to prove his faithfulness to the wife he’s always loved. And among those in this tightly knit community who show up every Sunday after church for lunch at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, are the lifelong friends, known locally as “The Supremes” —Clarice, facing down her chance at a great career; Barbara Jean, grappling at last with the loss of a mother whose life humiliated both of them, and Odette, reaching toward her husband through an anger of his that she does not understand.
This lively cast of characters learns how to fully live, serenaded by the bittersweet and unforgettable blues song El Walker plays.
“The arrival of [Moore’s] new novel had me singing anything but the blues.” —Julia Glass, National Book Award–winning author of A House Among the Trees and Three Junes
“Fun and exuberant.” —Chicago Review of Books
“Moore’s bluesy, breezy novel . . . should appeal to fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Fredrik Backman.” —Library Journal, starred review
