The Gulch Jumpers

by Catherine Pomeroy

In the mid-1960’s, West Virginia bluegrass trio The Gulch Jumpers was on the verge of musical success, when tragedy struck. Fifty years later, surviving bandmate Ray Jones is broken and homeless, but he still has his talent and his faith in miracles. Ellie Sanders, attorney at law, discovers a battered shoebox of song lyrics in the back of her bedroom closet that leads her to Ray. She is shocked and dismayed to see her college friend, Brandy, at the same shelter, a sullen and resentful heroin addict. Ellie resolves to help, hoping it will banish her own ghosts. Ray asks Ellie to take him on a desperate search, and the friends head south on a road trip into the worlds of bluegrass, blues and old-time music. Racial prejudice, legal hurdles, grief over lost children and drug addiction converge as Ellie, Ray and Brandy discover the power of music, friendship and hope.

Genres: Book Club

308 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2018

Reviews

[Tom Bilcze · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gulch Jumpers is the story of life journeys. The three journeys woven together in this book are stories of reclaiming life in the shadow of tragic events. The main characters set out on a quest that forces them to face their demons and reclaim life.

The story sends an unlikely trio on a road trip from the rust belt into Appalachia and the deep south. Elie and Brandy set out to solve a decades-long mystery that sent Ray into a path of sorrow and homelessness. As the miles pass by, the trio becomes a dysfunctional family determined to solve Ray’s mystery.

The Gulch Jumpers shows that we are not alone in this world. Life is unpredictable. We often find ourselves taking a different path, a path we never intended to venture down. We live our lives on the journeys that we share with others. Our unique path takes part in our shared experiences with us and leaves part of our lives behind with others.

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book written with a lot of heart. Three unlikely people on a road trip, looking for a miracle at the crossroads. The characters are well -crafted, complex and relatable. They each have aspects that really connected with me as a reader, and it pulled me into the story.

[Theresa Halvorsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. It was sweet and gentle with a surprising amount of tension.

Ellie meets Ray at a homeless shelter after finding a 'box of treasures' in her closet that once belonged to his family. Along with another homeless character who was Ellie's high school friend, Ray and Ellie set out on a trip to find Ray's daughter. As is natural in books such as this, there are emotional hardships along the way that teach each of the characters something about themselves. The arcs are satisfying and well thought out and the book is well written. I especially enjoyed all the blues music references and can't wait to check out some of the music referenced. This book was an enjoyable way to spend my time and satisfied my soul in many way.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gulch Jumpers seems very genuine as it reflects the author's real-life experiences: Cleveland, Appalachia, child welfare, racism, music, and especially the law. It really demonstrates the importance of Loving v. Virginia.

More attorneys should write novels.

[Philip Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read! Characters are well developed, personable and real. The story line pulls you easily to the next chapter. You feel like you are in this adventure of an intriguing and profound trip to the heart of Family, Love and American Music. If you enjoy twists and turns worthy of flipping to the next page please read 'The Gulch Jumpers".