Disappearance and Cassette Clues

David "Tag" Taggert's sudden disappearance leaves his friends and loved ones reeling. Millie, his blind girlfriend, and Moses, his best friend, are left with only a box of cassette tapes—Tag's voice, his story, his confessions. The tapes become a lifeline, a puzzle, and a way for Millie and Moses to piece together what happened and why Tag left. The sense of loss is immediate and raw, but the tapes offer hope, a chance to understand, and a way to keep Tag close even as he slips further away. The emotional weight of absence, the ache of not knowing, and the desperate need for answers set the tone for the journey ahead.

Tag and Moses: Origins

Tag and Moses first meet as troubled teens in a psychiatric hospital. Moses, haunted by visions of the dead, and Tag, wracked with guilt over his missing sister, form an unlikely bond. Their friendship is forged in pain and honesty—Tag believes Moses's strange gift without question, and Moses helps Tag's family find closure about his sister's fate. Together, they run from their pasts, traveling the world, learning to survive, and becoming each other's anchor. Their brotherhood is fierce, loyal, and unbreakable, but it is also marked by a promise: to keep each other alive, no matter what. This promise will echo through every choice they make.

The Blind Dancer's Audition

Millie, blind since childhood, auditions as a pole dancer at Tag's bar. Her performance is mesmerizing—athletic, graceful, and unexpectedly sensual. Tag is captivated, not by her blindness, but by her presence and confidence. The staff's initial skepticism turns to admiration, and Millie claims her place in Tag's world. Her blindness is not a weakness but a source of strength, shaping her unique way of experiencing life. The chapter pulses with the tension of first impressions, the vulnerability of being seen, and the power of claiming one's own narrative, even in a world that underestimates you.

Walking Millie Home

Tag insists on walking Millie home after her shift, a gesture that begins as protection but quickly becomes intimacy. Their conversation is playful, honest, and full of unguarded moments—Millie's humor about her blindness, Tag's openness about his fighting, and the subtle chemistry that sparks between them. The walk through snowy streets becomes a metaphor for trust and vulnerability, as Millie navigates by memory and Tag learns to see the world through her senses. The emotional resonance is deep: two people, both marked by loss, finding comfort and possibility in each other's company.

Henry's World and Giants

Millie's younger brother, Henry, is autistic, obsessed with sports trivia, and fiercely attached to his sister. His world is structured by routines, facts, and the comfort of familiar things. Tag's gentle approach to Henry—inviting him to the gym, teaching him self-defense, and respecting his boundaries—builds trust. Henry's struggles with bullies, his literal way of seeing the world, and his longing for connection are poignant. The recurring motif of "giants"—from children's books to absent fathers—becomes a symbol for the challenges Henry faces and the protectors he seeks. Through Henry, the story explores the meaning of family, loyalty, and the quiet heroism of everyday survival.

Building Tag Team

Tag channels his restless energy into building a business empire: a bar, a gym, a fight team, and a community for misfits and strays. The Tag Team gym becomes a sanctuary for those who need a second chance—veterans, addicts, lost souls. Tag's leadership is both tough and compassionate, and his vision is rooted in the belief that no one should have to fight alone. The camaraderie among the fighters, the rituals of training, and the sense of belonging are palpable. Tag's world is one he built from scratch, a testament to his refusal to walk anyone else's path, and a place where broken people can become whole.

Falling for Millie

Tag and Millie's relationship deepens as they navigate the complexities of her blindness, his past, and the demands of their lives. Their connection is physical, emotional, and spiritual—rooted in shared vulnerability and mutual respect. Millie's independence challenges Tag's protective instincts, and Tag's intensity pushes Millie to open her heart. Their love is not without obstacles—insecurities, misunderstandings, and the ever-present shadow of loss—but it is fierce and transformative. The emotional arc is one of hope, healing, and the courage to choose love, even when the future is uncertain.

The Song of David

Music weaves through Tag and Millie's story, from the literal songs they share to the metaphorical "song" of Tag's life. Millie, who "listens" to movies and collects favorite sounds, teaches Tag to appreciate the world in new ways. Tag, in turn, sings to Millie, creating a private language of affection and reassurance. The "Song of David" becomes a symbol for the legacy we leave, the stories we tell, and the ways we are remembered. The tapes Tag records are not just confessions—they are love letters, a soundtrack for Millie to hold onto when words fail.

Guilt, Ghosts, and Promises

Tag's life is shadowed by guilt—over his sister's death, his own self-destructive impulses, and the fear of failing those he loves. Moses, with his ability to see the dead, is both a comfort and a reminder of mortality. The promise Tag and Moses made as teenagers—to keep each other alive—becomes a lifeline as Tag's struggles intensify. The ghosts of the past are never far away, and the story grapples with the weight of promises, the burden of survivor's guilt, and the longing for redemption. The emotional stakes rise as Tag's internal battles threaten to consume him.

The Diagnosis

Tag's world shatters when he is diagnosed with a brain tumor. The news is delivered with clinical detachment, but the impact is seismic. Tag's first instinct is to protect those he loves—by running, by hiding, by trying to control the narrative. The fear of becoming a burden, of losing himself, and of dying before he's truly lived, drives him to make impossible choices. The chapter is raw with grief, anger, and the desperate search for meaning. The tapes become both confession and legacy, as Tag tries to make sense of his life and prepare Millie for a future without him.

Love and Leaving

Tag's instinct is to leave, to spare Millie and Henry the pain of watching him die. But love, stubborn and relentless, pulls him back. Millie refuses to let him go without a fight, challenging his belief that he is unworthy of love if he cannot be strong. Their confrontation is explosive, honest, and ultimately redemptive. Tag learns that true intimacy is not about perfection, but about allowing oneself to be seen at one's weakest. The decision to stay, to fight, and to let others fight for him, marks a turning point. The emotional arc bends toward hope, even in the face of mortality.

The Vegas Fight

Tag accepts a last-minute fight in Las Vegas, determined to pay his debts and go out on his own terms. He enters the octagon alone, his team and loved ones watching from the crowd, unaware of the full truth. The fight is brutal, exhilarating, and symbolic—a microcosm of Tag's life, his refusal to give up, and his need to prove himself. The crowd chants his name, Millie listens to the play-by-play, and Moses watches with dread. When Tag wins, the victory is short-lived—he collapses, seizing, the cost of his defiance made painfully clear.

Seizure and Survival

Tag's collapse leads to emergency surgery and a harrowing recovery. The truth of his illness is finally revealed to all, and the anger, fear, and grief that follow are overwhelming. Moses confronts Tag about his choices, Millie forgives but demands honesty, and Henry, in his own way, insists that Tag is a fighter. The family—by blood and by choice—rallies around Tag, refusing to let him face the end alone. The emotional arc is one of reconciliation, acceptance, and the realization that love is not about sparing others pain, but about sharing it.

No Tap Outs

Tag's motto—"no tap outs"—becomes the rallying cry for his battle with cancer. The Tag Team community, Millie, Henry, and Moses all become his corner, his support, his reason to keep fighting. The struggle is grueling—chemotherapy, setbacks, moments of despair—but the team refuses to give up. Tag learns to accept help, to be vulnerable, and to let others carry him when he cannot stand. The emotional resonance is profound: the fight is not just for survival, but for dignity, connection, and the right to live and love fully, even in the face of death.

Marriage and Miracles

Tag and Millie marry in a ceremony filled with joy, defiance, and the presence of their chosen family. The wedding is both a celebration and an act of hope—a refusal to let cancer define their story. Millie becomes pregnant, and the prospect of new life brings both fear and wonder. The team grows, the community rallies, and small miracles abound. The emotional arc is one of gratitude, resilience, and the recognition that even in the darkest times, love can create light.

The Team Gathers

As Tag's health declines, the Tag Team community becomes a source of strength and solace. Friends gather, stories are shared, and the bonds of love and loyalty are reaffirmed. Moses, haunted by the dead, finds comfort in the living. Henry, once searching for giants, finds heroes in those who stay. The tapes Tag recorded become a treasure trove of memory, a way for Millie and their son to hold onto his voice. The emotional resonance is bittersweet—loss is inevitable, but so is the legacy of love.

Facing the End

Tag's final days are marked by pain, but also by peace. He faces death with courage, humor, and the knowledge that he is not alone. Millie, Henry, and Moses keep vigil, honoring his wishes and holding onto hope. The story does not flinch from the reality of suffering, but it also refuses to let suffering have the last word. Tag's acceptance of his fate, his gratitude for the life he lived, and his trust in those he leaves behind, create a sense of closure and transcendence. The emotional arc is one of surrender—not to despair, but to love.

The Song Continues

After Tag's death, the community he built endures. Millie raises their son, Moses continues to paint, and Henry finds his place in the world. The tapes become a bridge between past and future, a way for Tag's voice to echo through the lives of those he loved. The story ends not with an ending, but with a continuation—the song of David, the legacy of love, and the promise that even in loss, there is more. The emotional resonance is lasting: grief and joy, sorrow and hope, all woven together in the music of a life well-lived.

Characters

David "Tag" Taggert

Tag is a force of nature—charismatic, restless, and fiercely loyal. Haunted by the loss of his sister and his own brushes with self-destruction, he channels his pain into building a community for the lost and broken. As a fighter, he is relentless; as a friend, he is steadfast; as a lover, he is vulnerable and tender. Tag's journey is one of learning to accept love, to let others fight for him, and to find meaning in both triumph and defeat. His relationship with Millie transforms him, teaching him that true strength lies in vulnerability. Tag's legacy is not just in the empire he built, but in the lives he touched and the love he left behind.

Amelie "Millie" Anderson

Millie is defined by resilience, humor, and an unyielding sense of self. Blind since childhood, she refuses to be defined by her disability, embracing life with courage and grace. Her relationship with Tag is a partnership of equals—she challenges him, supports him, and refuses to let him run from love or pain. As Henry's guardian, she is both protector and nurturer, balancing independence with vulnerability. Millie's journey is one of claiming her worth, demanding intimacy, and teaching those around her that love is not about perfection, but about presence. Her strength is quiet but unbreakable, and her love is the anchor that holds the story together.

Moses Wright

Moses is both observer and participant—a man who sees the dead and paints their stories, but struggles to find peace among the living. His friendship with Tag is foundational, rooted in shared trauma and mutual rescue. Moses's ability to see what others cannot is both a gift and a burden, shaping his worldview and his relationships. As a husband and father, he finds redemption and purpose, but the specter of loss is never far away. Moses's role as narrator, confidant, and chronicler gives the story its depth and perspective, and his journey is one of learning to let go, to grieve, and to celebrate the miracles of ordinary life.

Henry Anderson

Henry is Millie's younger brother, a teenager with autism whose world is structured by routines, facts, and the comfort of the familiar. His encyclopedic knowledge of sports, his literal way of seeing the world, and his deep attachment to Millie make him both vulnerable and endearing. Henry's journey is one of learning to trust, to fight for himself, and to find heroes in unexpected places. His innocence is a source of both humor and heartbreak, and his presence grounds the story in the realities of family, loyalty, and the quiet heroism of everyday life.

Georgia Wright

Georgia, Moses's wife, is a source of strength, compassion, and practical wisdom. As an equine therapist, she helps others heal, and as a partner, she grounds Moses and offers perspective. Georgia's presence in the story is steadying—she is the voice of reason, the hand that soothes, and the heart that keeps hope alive. Her relationship with Moses is a model of partnership, resilience, and the power of love to redeem even the most broken souls.

Axel Karlsson

Axel is a Swedish fighter who becomes one of Tag's closest allies. His physical strength is matched by his emotional sensitivity, and he serves as both protector and confidant. Axel's loyalty to Tag, his kindness to Henry, and his quiet wisdom make him an essential part of the Tag Team family. His presence is a reminder that strength comes in many forms, and that true friendship is built on trust and acceptance.

Mikey Slade

Mikey, a one-legged veteran, brings grit, humor, and a no-nonsense attitude to the Tag Team gym. His experiences in combat and his struggles with loss give him a unique perspective on pain and resilience. Mikey's mentorship of younger fighters, his camaraderie with Tag, and his willingness to fight for those he loves make him a pillar of the community. His journey is one of finding purpose, connection, and peace in the aftermath of trauma.

Cory Mangum

Cory is a former NCAA champion whose career was derailed by addiction and mental health struggles. Tag gives him a second chance, and Cory becomes both student and teacher in the gym. His battles with his own demons mirror Tag's, and his presence in the story highlights the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the possibility of change.

Andy Gorman

Andy brings humor, heart, and a touch of chaos to the Tag Team family. His history with Tag is marked by both rivalry and respect, and his loyalty is unwavering. Andy's role as comic relief is balanced by moments of insight and tenderness, and his presence underscores the importance of chosen family.

Millie's Mother (Spirit)

Though deceased, Millie's mother lingers in the story as a spiritual presence, offering comfort, guidance, and reminders of love that transcends death. Her influence is felt in Millie's strength, Henry's resilience, and the moments of grace that punctuate the narrative. She embodies the idea that those we love never truly leave us, and that their legacy endures in the lives they touched.

Plot Devices

Cassette Tapes as Confession and Legacy

The cassette tapes Tag leaves behind are the central narrative device, serving as both confession and legacy. Through the tapes, Tag tells his story in his own words, offering Millie—and the reader—insight into his fears, hopes, and motivations. The tapes allow for nonlinear storytelling, blending past and present, memory and immediacy. They also function as a way for Tag to remain present even in his absence, to offer comfort, explanation, and closure. The tactile, analog nature of the tapes underscores themes of memory, loss, and the desire to be remembered.

Dual Narration and Shifting Perspectives

The story alternates between Tag's tapes, Moses's reflections, and Millie's experiences, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives. This structure allows for deep psychological exploration, as each character grapples with their own fears, desires, and regrets. The shifting viewpoints also highlight the interconnectedness of their lives, the ways in which love and loss ripple outward, and the importance of bearing witness to each other's stories.

Symbolism of Fighting and Dance

Fighting and dance are recurring motifs, symbolizing both struggle and grace. Tag's career as a fighter is both literal and metaphorical—his battles in the ring mirror his battles with illness, guilt, and vulnerability. Millie's dancing, despite her blindness, becomes a metaphor for resilience, adaptation, and the refusal to be defined by limitations. Together, their physicality becomes a language of love, defiance, and hope.

Foreshadowing and Ghosts

The presence of ghosts—both literal (through Moses's visions) and figurative (through memory and regret)—serves as foreshadowing and emotional ballast. The unresolved trauma of Tag's sister, the legacy of Millie's mother, and the specter of death all loom over the narrative, reminding the characters (and the reader) that the past is never truly past. This device heightens tension, deepens character motivation, and underscores the story's central questions about fate, choice, and the possibility of redemption.

The Team as Chosen Family

The Tag Team gym and its members function as a surrogate family, offering belonging, purpose, and unconditional support. The rituals of training, the bonds of loyalty, and the willingness to fight for each other become a bulwark against isolation and despair. This device reinforces the theme that no one fights alone, and that love—whether romantic, platonic, or communal—is the ultimate source of strength.

Analysis

Amy Harmon's The Song of David is a meditation on love, loss, and the fight to find meaning in the face of mortality. Through the intertwined stories of Tag, Millie, Moses, and Henry, the novel explores the ways in which trauma shapes identity, the courage required to accept help, and the transformative power of chosen family. The use of cassette tapes as both confession and legacy is a masterstroke, allowing for a deeply personal, almost confessional tone that draws the reader into Tag's inner world. The novel refuses easy answers—Tag's battle with cancer is neither romanticized nor sanitized, and the pain of loss is rendered with honesty and compassion. Yet, the story is ultimately hopeful: it insists that love is worth the risk, that vulnerability is a form of strength, and that even in the darkest moments, there is music to be found. In a modern context, the book resonates as a call to community, a reminder that no one fights alone, and a testament to the enduring power of story to heal, connect, and inspire.

Last updated: September 27, 2025