Homecoming and Old Wounds

Collin Creed, once the golden boy of Disciple, West Virginia, returns after twelve years away, carrying the weight of a violent past and a dishonorable discharge. His homecoming is anything but triumphant—he's met with suspicion, unresolved anger, and the ghosts of a life he abandoned. The town, a trinity of Disciple, Bishop, and Revenant, thrives on secrets and performance, and Collin's reappearance stirs up old wounds, especially for Lowyn McBride, his high school sweetheart. Their first encounter is raw and awkward, exposing the unresolved pain between them. Collin's presence is a catalyst, forcing everyone—especially himself—to confront the truths they've buried. The hills of West Virginia, lush and insular, become the stage for a reckoning that's been a decade in the making.

The Day After Reckoning

For Lowyn, the day after her annual ritual of letting go—her "get drunk day" in memory of her mother—is sacred. But this year, she wakes not only with a hangover but with Collin Creed in her bed, upending her carefully controlled world. The shock of seeing him, the man who broke her heart and vanished, is both humiliating and electric. Their confrontation is sharp, filled with accusations and misunderstandings about the house she now owns—Collin's childhood home. The past and present blur as they argue over ownership, memory, and the meaning of moving on. Lowyn's need for order clashes with Collin's chaotic return, setting the tone for a story where control and surrender will be tested.

Small Town, Big Secrets

The three towns—Disciple, Bishop, and Revenant—are more than just neighbors; they're a living performance, each playing a role in a lucrative, cult-like revival that draws outsiders and sustains the locals. But beneath the surface, everyone is hiding something. Lowyn's antique shop, McBooms, is a hub of gossip and nostalgia, while Collin's new business venture—a private security compound with his old Marine buddies—raises eyebrows. The townspeople, from the brash Bryn to the enigmatic Rosie, are all actors in a drama of survival, ambition, and deception. The hills are alive with rumors, and the return of Collin Creed threatens to expose the delicate balance of lies and loyalty that keeps the trinity afloat.

Collin's Haunted Past

Collin's life was split in two by a single night: when, as a teenager, he shot and killed a man who broke into his home and tried to abduct his little sister. The act, though arguably justified, left him marked as a killer in his own eyes and the eyes of the town. The trauma drove him to the Marines, then into the shadowy world of private security. His relationships—especially with Lowyn—were casualties of that night. The guilt, shame, and anger he carries are compounded by the town's collective memory, which both vilifies and mythologizes him. Collin's struggle is not just with the past, but with the person he became because of it.

Lowyn's Yearly Ritual

Every year, on her mother's birthday, Lowyn allows herself one night of abandon—a ritual to remember the woman who taught her to live and love. It's a day when she lets go of her rigid self-control, seeking connection, laughter, and sometimes a stranger's touch. But this year, Collin's unexpected presence disrupts the ritual, forcing her to confront the unresolved ache of their breakup. Lowyn's outward composure masks a deep well of vulnerability and desire. Her ritual, meant to honor the past, becomes a crucible for facing the future, as Collin's return reawakens feelings she thought she'd buried.

The House That Remains

The house Lowyn bought from Collin's parents is more than just real estate—it's a repository of memories, regrets, and unresolved love. Collin is shocked to find his old room preserved, mistaking it for a shrine to their lost relationship. Lowyn, meanwhile, insists it's just business—vintage décor for sale. Their argument over the house is a proxy for everything they never said: about love, loss, and the impossibility of going back. The house, with its layers of history, becomes the stage for their second chance, if they can find the courage to claim it.

Reunion in the Maze

A run-in at the Bishop Inn's hedge maze brings Collin and Lowyn face to face, away from the prying eyes of the town. Their conversation is fraught with tension, longing, and the weight of all that's unsaid. They circle each other, both literally and emotionally, testing boundaries and probing for truth. The maze is a fitting metaphor for their relationship—full of dead ends, unexpected turns, and the hope of finding a way out together. The encounter leaves them both shaken, but also opens the door to reconciliation.

The Compound Brotherhood

Collin's return isn't just about Lowyn; he's brought his chosen family with him—Amon, Nash, and Ryan, fellow veterans and survivors of the same darkness. Together, they buy a compound outside town, planning to start a security business. The compound is both sanctuary and fortress, a place to rebuild and protect what matters. The brotherhood is tight, forged in war and loss, but the past is never far behind. Their presence in Disciple is both a promise and a threat, as the town's secrets begin to unravel in the face of their competence and determination.

The Revival's Shadow

The Revival—a tent-show spectacle that sustains the trinity—looms over every character. It's a source of pride, income, and identity, but also a tool for control. The town's leaders, especially Jim Bob, use the Revival to keep everyone in line, rewarding loyalty and punishing dissent. The scripts change, the roles shift, but the underlying message is clear: play your part, or pay the price. Collin and Lowyn are both drawn into the performance, their personal drama becoming fodder for the town's collective story. The line between reality and fiction blurs, with dangerous consequences.

The Prodigal Son Returns

As the Revival season begins, Collin is cast as the prodigal son—a role he never asked for, but can't escape. The town's narrative machinery goes into overdrive, rewriting his past and present for public consumption. Lowyn, too, is recast, her pain and resilience turned into spectacle. The pressure to conform, to forgive, to perform, is immense. But Collin and Lowyn resist, seeking authenticity in a world built on artifice. Their struggle to reclaim their own story is both personal and communal, as the town's fate is tied to their choices.

The Contract and the Cross

Behind the scenes, Jim Bob offers Collin a lucrative contract—security for the Revival, with a promise of answers about the past. But the deal comes with strings attached, binding Collin to the town's fate. The "trinity" of towns is revealed to be a "cross," with a mysterious fourth point: Blackberry Hill, a hidden enclave with its own rules and debts. The web of contracts, both written and unwritten, governs everything from profit-sharing to personal loyalty. Collin and Lowyn are both caught in these agreements, forced to reckon with the cost of belonging.

The Boneyard's Secret

A chance discovery in Lowyn's basement—a map, a key, and a cadaver dog's instincts—leads Collin to a boneyard in the hills. There, he encounters a hidden community, military-trained and fiercely protective of their secrets. The boneyard is both literal and symbolic—a graveyard of the past, and a warning about the future. Collin's intrusion sets off a chain reaction, threatening the fragile peace between the towns and the mountain. The secrets buried in the hills are darker and more consequential than anyone realized.

The Mountain's Debt

The hidden community of Blackberry Hill, led by the menacing Ike Monroe, is revealed to be the fourth point of the cross—a place of exile, power, and retribution. Lowyn's past entanglement with Ike, a "festival marriage" made in grief and confusion, becomes a debt the mountain intends to collect. Ike's claim on Lowyn is both personal and political, a way to assert dominance over Disciple and Collin. The mountain's debts are paid in blood and secrets, and the cost of peace is higher than anyone wants to admit.

Truths and Redress

The truth about Olive—Collin's "sister"—comes out: she was a foundling, the child of a runaway from Blackberry Hill, hidden by Collin's mother and claimed as their own. The man Collin killed was Olive's real father, sent to reclaim her. The violence that shaped Collin's life was not random, but the result of old bargains and broken trust. Lowyn, too, must face the consequences of her choices, as her "marriage" to Ike is used as leverage in a dangerous game. The past is not dead; it's a debt that must be paid.

The Dance of Forgiveness

In the aftermath of violence and revelation, Collin and Lowyn are forced to confront each other—and themselves. Their arguments are fierce, but so is their longing. The town's rituals—the dances, the feasts, the shared work—become opportunities for healing and forgiveness. The community, for all its flaws, offers a model of redemption: not by forgetting the past, but by facing it together. Collin and Lowyn's love is tested, but also renewed, as they learn to trust each other again.

Second Chances and Promises

With the mountain's threat neutralized—thanks to Collin's connections and a dramatic rescue—he and Lowyn are finally free to build a life together. They leave behind the haunted house and the weight of old debts, moving into a new home on the compound. Their relationship, once defined by loss and regret, is now grounded in mutual promise and hope. The town, too, is changed—old contracts are broken, new alliances formed. The future is uncertain, but for the first time, Collin and Lowyn face it as equals, partners, and family.

The Glory After Rumble

In the quiet after the storm, Collin and Lowyn find a measure of peace. The compound becomes a sanctuary for other lost souls—veterans, outcasts, and dreamers—offering second chances and a place to belong. The Revival continues, but its power to control is broken. The town's secrets are still there, but they no longer define its people. Collin and Lowyn's love, forged in pain and tested by time, becomes a beacon for others. The rumble of the past is never far away, but now it is followed by the glory of forgiveness, community, and hope.

Characters

Collin Creed

Collin is the archetype of the prodigal son—once the town's golden boy, now a man marked by violence, guilt, and exile. His psyche is shaped by a single traumatic night: killing a man to protect his sister, then being cast out by his family and community. Collin's years in the Marines and private security have hardened him, but also left him isolated and yearning for connection. His return to Disciple is both a confrontation and a plea for forgiveness. Collin's relationship with Lowyn is central—she is both his lost love and his path to healing. His journey is one of self-acceptance, learning to balance his protective instincts with vulnerability, and ultimately reclaiming his place in the world.

Lowyn McBride

Lowyn is the heart of the story—a woman who has built a life out of loss, responsibility, and ritual. Her mother's death forced her into adulthood too soon, and her annual "get drunk day" is both a rebellion and a memorial. Lowyn's outward control masks deep wounds: abandonment by Collin, the burden of caring for her sister, and the weight of small-town expectations. Her antique shop is a metaphor for her soul—curated, nostalgic, but always for sale. Lowyn's journey is about reclaiming agency, learning to trust again, and allowing herself to be loved, flaws and all.

Amon Parrish

Amon is Collin's brother-in-arms and the comic relief in a world of heavy secrets. His wild reputation masks a deep loyalty and surprising competence. Amon's role is to challenge Collin, push him out of his comfort zone, and provide the muscle when things get rough. He is also a bridge between the old world of Disciple and the new world of the compound, embodying the possibility of change and redemption. Amon's love for dogs and his irreverent humor hide a keen intelligence and a fierce protectiveness for his chosen family.

Bryn McBride

Bryn is Lowyn's younger sister, a force of nature who refuses to be sidelined. Her loud, brash personality is both a shield and a weapon, used to defend her family and challenge anyone who threatens them. Bryn's journey is about stepping out of Lowyn's shadow, claiming her own identity, and learning to balance confrontation with compassion. She is a reminder that family is both a burden and a blessing, and that love sometimes means saying the hard things.

Rosie Harlow

Rosie is the town's heart—cheerful, hardworking, and perpetually optimistic despite a difficult life. As a single mother and Lowyn's confidante, she embodies the theme of found family. Rosie's role is to support, encourage, and sometimes challenge the main characters, offering perspective and humor. Her own secrets and struggles add depth to the story, reminding us that everyone in Disciple is fighting their own battles.

Jim Bob Baptist

Jim Bob is the puppet master behind the Revival, using charm, contracts, and tradition to keep the town in line. His motivations are complex—part self-interest, part genuine care for the community. Jim Bob's power is both a blessing and a curse, as his need to control often leads to unintended consequences. He represents the dangers of nostalgia and the cost of maintaining the status quo. His relationship with Collin is fraught, a mix of mentorship, rivalry, and betrayal.

Ike Monroe

Ike is the enigmatic and menacing leader of Blackberry Hill, the hidden fourth point of the cross. His claim on Lowyn is both personal and political, a way to assert dominance over Disciple and Collin. Ike's psychology is shaped by isolation, power, and a deep sense of grievance. He is both a villain and a victim, trapped by the same contracts and debts that bind everyone else. Ike's actions force the main characters to confront the true cost of secrets and the limits of forgiveness.

Nash Skinner

Nash is the muscle and money behind the compound, a California transplant with a dark past. His presence challenges the insularity of Disciple, bringing new ideas and resources. Nash's loyalty to Collin and Amon is unwavering, but he struggles with his own demons and the need to prove himself. He represents the possibility of reinvention and the importance of chosen family.

Ryan Desoto

Ryan is the wildcard of the group, an Italian-American with mob connections and a talent for violence. His humor and bravado mask a deep sense of alienation and longing for acceptance. Ryan's journey is about finding purpose beyond survival, learning to trust, and embracing vulnerability. He is both a protector and a provocateur, pushing the group to confront uncomfortable truths.

Grimm

Grimm is the town's real estate mogul and Collin's former friend, now a keeper of dangerous knowledge. His role is to challenge, warn, and sometimes betray, acting as a catalyst for revelation. Grimm's motivations are ambiguous—part loyalty, part self-preservation. He embodies the theme that in Disciple, no one is ever truly free of the past.

Plot Devices

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The story unfolds through the alternating perspectives of Collin and Lowyn, allowing readers to experience both sides of their fractured relationship. This dual narration deepens the emotional impact, as each character's internal struggles and unreliable memories are laid bare. The shifting viewpoints also serve to withhold and reveal information at key moments, heightening suspense and empathy.

The Revival as Metaphor and Mechanism

The Revival is both a literal event and a metaphor for the town's collective denial, manipulation, and longing for redemption. Its scripts, costumes, and rituals are used to control, distract, and sometimes heal. The Revival's changing narratives mirror the characters' own journeys, forcing them to confront the difference between the roles they play and the people they are.

Secrets, Contracts, and Redress

The story is propelled by a web of secrets—personal, familial, and communal. Contracts, both formal and informal, bind characters to each other and to the town's fate. The concept of "redress"—righting old wrongs, paying debts, seeking justice—recurs throughout, shaping motivations and raising the stakes. The revelation of Olive's true parentage, Lowyn's "marriage" to Ike, and the existence of Blackberry Hill are all turning points that force characters to choose between loyalty and truth.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The recurring imagery of the house, the maze, the boneyard, and the Revival's thunderous sermons all serve as symbols for the characters' internal struggles. The "rumble and the glory" is both a warning and a promise: that pain and chaos are followed by healing and hope. Foreshadowing is used to build tension, as early hints about the town's contracts and the mountain's secrets pay off in dramatic revelations.

Found Family and Second Chances

The theme of found family is woven throughout, as characters build new homes, businesses, and communities in the aftermath of loss. The compound becomes a sanctuary for those who don't fit elsewhere, offering second chances and a place to belong. The story's structure mirrors this theme, as broken relationships are mended and new alliances formed, culminating in a collective dance of forgiveness and hope.

Analysis

The Rumble and the Glory is a masterful blend of small-town romance, psychological drama, and slow-burn suspense. At its core, the novel interrogates the cost of survival in a world built on secrets—how communities, families, and individuals construct elaborate performances to hide pain, enforce loyalty, and avoid change. The trinity of towns, with their Revival, is both a celebration and a prison, offering belonging at the price of conformity. Collin and Lowyn's journey is emblematic of the struggle to reclaim agency and authenticity in the face of trauma and manipulation. Their love story is not a simple reunion, but a hard-won victory over shame, guilt, and the inertia of the past. The novel's use of dual narration, rich symbolism, and layered plot devices invites readers to question the stories we tell ourselves—and the ones we inherit. Ultimately, The Rumble and the Glory is a testament to the power of forgiveness, the necessity of truth, and the possibility of building a new home from the ruins of the old. It's a story for anyone who has ever longed for a second chance, and a reminder that after the rumble, there can be glory.

Last updated: October 20, 2025