Hiawatha local debuts novel inspired by hometown history and childhood friends

HIAWATHA, KAN. (KQTV) -- A small Kansas town known for its maple-lined streets and deep history is now the setting for a new mystery-adventure novel from a local making his debut as an author.

Rob Lowe has published his debut book, "The Roundhouse Boys," a novel that follows a group of teenage friends who get into mischief around their hometown, drawing heavily on Lowe's own childhood experiences growing up in Hiawatha.

Lowe, a safety consultant who now lives in East Dubuque, Illinois, said the idea for the book came from stories he loved as a kid.

"I grew up reading stories like the Hardy Boys," Lowe said. "The Goonies came out in the '80s. I wanted to write a similar type novel, a group of young men, teenagers, that basically get into mischief in their hometown."

He said he initially considered using fictional settings for the book, but nothing felt right.

Eventually, he decided to set the story in Hiawatha, a town rich with folklore and historical landmarks.

"I thought, you know, it's the perfect setting," Lowe said. "It's got just enough historical significance and historical monuments."

Real Hiawatha landmarks appear throughout the book, including the Davis Memorial, which was built by John Davis during the Great Depression, the town clock, the courthouse, and the high school gym, which locals call the Roundhouse, all of which play roles in the story.

The title of the book comes from that gymnasium.

"I had a list of titles probably three or four pages long," Lowe said. "As I was researching some of the history of Hiawatha, I came across the roundhouse and I had forgot that's what we called the gym. It was a light bulb moment."

Lowe said the characters in the book are loosely based on his real-life friends, and the banter and arguments between them reflect how they actually grew up together.

"The relationship between the friends feels real because it is," he said. "There's a lot of memories in this book. I'm not going to tell you if all those stories are true. You're going to have to decide. But I can tell you most of them are based on or loosely based on actual events."

Lowe began brainstorming the book about 10 to 15 years ago, often writing in journals during flights and hotel stays for work.

He said he researched popular books like the Twilight series, Harry Potter, and Divergent to understand what made them successful.

The actual manuscript took about a year to complete, with several bouts of writer's block along the way.

"There were several times I put it down and thought, I'm probably not going to finish it," Lowe said. "I would spend time thinking about it, come up with a solution, go back and try it. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't."

The book is aimed at readers starting around age 12, but Lowe said he believes it has something for everyone.

"I think there's enough content in the story," he said. "Whether you like the historical aspect of it, the mystery, the bantering between friends, or the personal stories I wove into it. I think there's something in this book for everybody."

Lowe also hopes readers take away a deeper appreciation for their own hometowns.

"I want people to think of their hometown," he said. "The ambiance, the setting, their friends. There was a lot of morals and values and work ethic taught to folks that grew up in small towns."

For those interested in visiting Hiawatha, Lowe noted the town offers several attractions, including Windmill Lane, a local museum, and the oldest Halloween parade in the country.

The town is especially scenic in the fall, when the maple trees turn yellow, orange, and red.

"The Roundhouse Boys" is scheduled for release on August 18 and will be available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions.

Lowe said signed copies may also be available at a gift shop in Hiawatha.

This is the first book in what Lowe hopes will be a five or six book series.

He said early feedback from readers has been positive, with many expressing excitement for the sequel.

"I'm excited and I'm a little bit nervous," Lowe said. "It's something I spent a lot of time on, blood, sweat, tears, if you will. It's a piece of me."