England has seen its fair share of turbulent times, and Oliver Thorne happens to be coming of age in one such era. The grandson of a military man, young Oliver serves his country as any loyal British boy in World War I can. He is a proud and dutiful Scout and he takes this commission seriously. From soldiers on the front to housewives picking up the slack in their absence, this devastating war demands something from everyone. So Oliver and his closest friend and fellow Boy Scout, Alfie, do whatever they can to help out. In their eagerness, they stumble unaware into the path of a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing. More than one, actually. But the boys take every challenge in stride and persevere, ultimately playing a part in the war effort much larger than bicycle patrol, bugling, or collecting stone fruit pits for gas mask filters. The world may be crumbling around them, but Oliver and Alfie refuse to give in to fear or intimidation. Their choices have consequences, but their actions are never forgotten, leaving a legacy that survives the war.
A history that stretches back more than a hundred years can easily be overlooked or forgotten. But Steven Burgauer transports audiences to the thick of the First World War in The Mystery of the Broken Gargoyle. From the very first page, the author stitches this immersive story together with tentative, yet sturdy threads. A kite made by a boy and his Graunfadir. Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. A lonely war widow harboring dangerous secrets. The cost of so many broken gargoyles. Each flowing strand allows readers to discover, rather than being told, a story about all the ways a young man is shaped by his family, his friends, his country, and his convictions. The novel’s first act focuses on a thorough introduction of characters, their personalities, their motivations, and their interpersonal dynamics. It takes its time finding momentum, but when the plot finally thickens, it does so in grand fashion. All at once, readers are pulled into a risky game of early 20th-century spycraft, treason, and espionage. Taking the opportunity to educate on everything from the arduous work involved with wool processing to the various buoyant materials historically used in life vests, Burgauer brings the past to life, even if the thorough details sometimes weaken the narrative flow. Still, the deeper themes at play often blur the lines between good and bad, are thought-provoking, and help audiences empathize with those affected and afflicted by war. Historical fiction that is equal parts education and entertainment, The Mystery of the Broken Gargoyle is a heartfelt exploration of courage, legacy, and the heroism of ordinary people.
