SWEET, SOFT, PLENTY RHYTHM by Laura Warrell

The characters who populate this novel are some of the least endearing ever.  The central character, Circus Palmer, whose name reminds me of Chili Palmer from Elmore Leonard’s Get Shorty, is a musician and a player, and I’m not just referring to his occupation as a jazz trumpeter.  He is the handsome father of Koko and ex-husband of her mother, Pia, who carries a torch for him long after he has skedaddled.  And she is not the only woman who is hopelessly in love with Circus, despite knowing his penchant for other women.  The only women in this novel with any degree of self-esteem are the few who do not fall victim to his charm, including Odessa, whom he meets on the train and who ignores his invitation to one of his gigs.  Maggie, a successful drummer, is another woman in his circle and appears to be someone Circus sincerely cares for, until she announces that she is pregnant with his child.  And let’s not forget his daughter, Koko, a teenager who is so messed up that I can almost understand why Circus avoids spending time with her.  She lives in sort of an unhealthy, upside-down fantasy world, partly stemming from the neglect of both her parents.  This novel desperately needs someone with a moral compass to anchor it, even if only from the periphery.  Some characters do eventually mature, and some basically go off the deep end.  The writing is decent, but I just could not develop any respect for this motley crew and found it hard to be anyone’s cheerleader.