Boone Shepard

Boone Shepard #1

by Gabriel Bergmoser

“This is a true account of certain events that occurred in Scotland in 1965. You might have heard the rumours—whispers of an evil plot involving time travel, dangerous experiments, a secret fortress, a terrible book, famous authors and, regrettably, murder.
You might also have heard of heroes who were caught up in this plot, fighting to do the right thing. That sounds a lot more impressive than it actually was.
My name is Boone Shepard. I’m here to set the record straight.”
Boone is taking a break from writing for The Chronicle newspaper to hunt down and destroy every last copy of a very rare, very dangerous book. But then his editor calls to demand he investigate a missing persons case deep in the Scottish Highlands—in the company of his rival, photographer Promethia Peters—and he is forced to abandon his personal goals and get back to work. Restless and begrudging, Boone is unprepared when this hunt leads him back to the one story that won’t stop chasing him—his own.
Boone Shepard is the first in a series of young adult novels following the adventures of an Australian expat, errant journalist and accidental hero.

Genres: Young Adult

264 pages, Paperback

Published April 26, 2016

About the author

Gabriel Bergmoser is a Melbourne based author and playwright. After starting out in the youth theatre scene with his early plays Windmills, Life Without Me and Hometown, Gabriel completed his Masters of Screenwriting at the Victorian College of the Arts. He co-founded the independent production company Bitten By Productions, entering the Melbourne theatre scene with the one-act comedy Reunion and the futuristic Babylon Trilogy of noir thrillers. Gabriel's 2015 Beatles comedy We Can Work It Out opened to sell out shows and rave reviews – it has also been performed in Queensland and returned to Melbourne stages for the 2018 Fringe Festival.

In 2015 he won the prestigious Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award for his pilot screenplay based on Windmills and was flown to the International Emmys in New York to accept. The same pilot was later nominated for the Monte Miller Award. In 2016 his first young adult novel, Boone Shepard, was published by Bell Frog Books; it was later shortlisted for the Readings Young Adult Prize the day after the sequel, Boone Shepard's American Adventure was released. The third book, Boone Shepard: The Silhouette and the Sacrifice, was released in 2018 and a television adaptation is currently in development with Pirate Size Productions.

His 2016 plays The Lucas Conundrum, Regression and The Critic opened to excellent reviews while his early 2017 play Springsteen sold out its entire season. His play Heroes was nominated for the 2017 Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama Writing and went on to win several awards, including five for Best Production and three for best script, on the 2017 VDL One Act Play Festival circuit. His first musical, Moonlite (featuring original songs by Dan Nixon) was performed as part of the 2018 Midsumma Festival; it received rave reviews, sold out its entire season, and was later selected for the highly sought after Home Grown Grassroots development initiative. His 2019 play, The Trial of Dorian Gray, sold out its entire season, was extended, then sold out again. Several of his plays have been published by Australian Plays.

In 2019 Gabriel signed a two book deal with Harper Collins, with the first, The Hunted, scheduled for publication in July 2020. The Hunted will be published in the UK by Faber with translation rights having sold to Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, Italy and France. The film adaptation is currently being developed in a joint production between Stampede Ventures and Vertigo entertainment in Los Angeles, with Gabriel writing the screenplay. He has since signed a second two book deal with Harper for his YA coming of age novel The True Colour of Little White Lies and a follow up.

Reviews

[Sean Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow me to preface this by saying that I know the author. He's a friend, and I take enormous satisfaction out of making fun of him. But on this occasion I cannot. He's written a book that is just really bloody good. If you grew up loving Indiana Jones, Tintin, Doctor Who, or Lemony Snicket then Boone Sheppard is the hero you deserve. Bring on book two!

[Claire Chibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5

This was a fun read, aspects of it reminded me a little of the All The Wrong Questions series which is always a good thing :D

It felt a bit mood-whiplashy though, between the zany names/banter/literary references and the occasional unexpectedly serious subject manner, but then again I am quite a bit older than the target audience.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A most enjoyable lark, time travel adventure - 5 stars.

[Caitlyn Hardiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whether the character is Indiana Jones, Tintin, Robert Langdon or a group of children (famous, secret, wizard or otherwise), each generation of reader has its fictional adventuring heroes. These characters, through accident or circumstance, see themselves thrown into dangerous situations and are required to solve mysteries unveiling great conspiracies.

It is important to have these seemingly impervious characters in our lives because as a species we are obsessed with danger, and through these heroes we can vicariously live out a more daring and unpredictable life where literally anything can happen.

The dangers however in creating such a character are when the author relies too much upon clichés or throws too much “adventure” at the reader at the detriment of narrative depth. This being said, it is with both great relish and hesitation to witness a new adventure character come to life, and in addition an Australian character that can help to fill this neglected niche in Australian fiction.

Written by Melbourne-based Gabriel Bergmoser, whose credits include the 2015 Beatles-themed comedy We Can Work It Out and the 2015 Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award for his screenplay based on Windmills, Boone Shepard is the first of a series of young adult adventure novels based on the namesake character.

Bergmoser focusses his witty narrative to create Boone Shepard, an investigative journalist, ex-pat Australian and daring adventurer who carries himself with a stylish, yet arrogant and sharp-tongued flair. The story begins in 1965 and follows Shepard’s adventures as he goes to any end to obtain the bestselling news story, while also attempting to destroy the existence of a “terrible book”.

While Shephard’s adventures begin in a rather clunky fashion, a stylish rhythm develops that hopefully will continue in the next book of the series An American Adventure. Knowing already that this book is the first part of a series, perhaps more effort could have been made detailing some of Shepard’s adventures and building characters in the same manner and treatment others are given.

Although care was given to create strong female roles in this book, more depth is required to create the potentially enigmatic but in reality somewhat stunted character Marbier. It was also unfortunate that the reveal of one of the main antagonists, rather than being a surprise, was more an ever so slight eye roll.

Other characters were touched upon in a seductive way, such as during the Damien White/Dorian Gray arc that included a well-known and influential character renowned for his exuberant personality. He could have easily comprised a larger portion of the storyline, and it is hoped he is revisited in more detail through future storylines, as well as the intriguing Promethia who was played well to balance Shepard and aided the reader to delve into his psyche.

The whole concept of reimaging history through fiction is not new, but Bergmoser was able to incorporate such elements without delving into cliché scenarios, and hopefully will enable young adult readers today to discover more about our rich literary past.

Boone Shepard certainly contains a lot of adventure for such a small book but overall is a very enjoyable and fun read for readers young and old(er). Australia may have just found its new adventurer and his name is Boone Shepard.

(Co-authored with Jimmy Twin; check out the full review on the Australian Arts Review website at http://artsreview.com.au/boone-shepard/)

[Readingee · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, I wish I could find more reasons to like it to be honest, but I found the plot to be flat and uneventful. It was almost as if there were too many things going on that it was hard to keep up, and for me at least the plot line plateaued. The constant changing of time frames was just confusing it was all too much that the story was lost in between.

I think the concept of a good story was there, but I think maybe if there was less of changing of time frames then it would've run more smoothly and would've reduced the level of confusion. I am honestly running out of things to say. I thought I enjoyed the book, but the more I think about it, the more I realise I don't have a lot to say.

The occasional taste of romance there was, excited me a little and I rooted for the couple on show.

Overall, the novel was pretty average, nothing too special and I honestly wish I had more to say about this novel....

[Barbara Guertin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most brilliant books I've ever read! Couldn't put it down. I cried, laughed, was mad, was in shock, and was terrified. Amazing.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books are for nerds, and I liked this book, therefore I am a jalapeño.

[Jaime]

I first listened to Boone Shepard as three chapters of an audio book, released by Sanspants Radio. I first found out about Gabe through the same network, and I've never stopped following his work. I listened to him passionately pitch ideas on Movie Maintenance, saw those pitches become plays, read his blog all the way up until now. And that added layer of connection to the book, that combination of author and work, is why I liked Boone Shepard as much as I did when I eventually got a physical copy.

I've never been bothered by smaller aspects of it, I've always just loved it as a larger whole. From the moment I start reading it feels like all of Boone Shepard already exists and this book is just one beautifully constructed tapestry of his individual adventures and exploits. I love the characters, their relationships and each situations they go through together as Gabe writes people beautifully as any good author does. But what I like a great deal more is the whole of it, the way it fits together. The craft Gabe uses to turn a story that feels like it already exists into something tangible and engaging. And it's something I could only have focused an entire review on if I had have messily combined both author and work.

Anyway, that's why I quite liked it.

[Luke Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Boone, Gabe has created an instantly likeable, engaging and exciting character that you cant help but root for.
This first book crams action, intrigue and tension into is relatively few pages but despite this it is the characters that shine. Chiefly the relationship between Boone and Promethia which is wonderfully written and their conversations jump off the page with a realness not often seen in a YA novel.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book for children and adults alike and predict great things for the series in the future

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my perfect adventure. Whenever I need to escape from the grey, boringness of day to day life, I open my worn copy of Boone Shepard, and I am whisked away. Full of interesting and lovable characters, action, love, and time travel to boot. This story is my all time favourite place to go.

[Jack Delaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read in the vein of Indiana Jones mixed with gothic elements which I loved. A promising first book from Gabe, I will definitely be reading whatever he brings out next. Thanks for the fun and easy read.

[Colin Parfitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was able to suspend my disbelief when Oscar Wilde met the inspiration for Dorian Gray, and when Bram Stoker met “Dracula” but then Henry Sherlock turns up and I’d had enough.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful action packed book with so many unexpected twist and turns that were for the most part unpredictable. also a well thought out plot

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifting between the 1960s back in time to the 1880s Boone Shepard, in his efforts to destroy evidence of a dark crime from his (long distant) past, hurtles from one misadventure to another. The author employs a mix of slapstick humour, dry wit, cliche, innuendo, pathos and action packed writing in this very clever gothic story. In search of a damning manuscript and driven by his editor to report on bizarre and mysterious crimes, Boone, teamed with a resourceful, acerbic and clever female photographer unwittingly untangles a succession of evil crimes. The appeal of these dastardly deeds is the way in which they are interrelated and draw on a pastiche of famous literary and supernatural characters and events. Check out the clues in this wonderfully designed cover.

The plot complexity and shifting scenarios will entertain the more mature reader, especially those with some literary experiences to enjoy the intertextuality that pervades the story. From Dracula to Dorian Gray, and Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles with some Huxley thrown in to the pot, this is a story to revel in. Gabriel Bergmoser has built a strong reputation as a playwright, reworking and manipulating well known film and TV stories and has now expressed that talent in the printed word.

No surprise that after its release in May it hit Number 1 on Readings: Children’s & YA Top Ten Best sellers

[Brooklyn Tuesday]

This book is a fun read. It's loaded with outlandish characters and strange story lines that twist and weave around supernatural creatures and some of history's most notable writers. From Oscar Wilde to Bram Stoker, to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it's bursting at the seams with literary cameos and new takes on old faces.

Then there's Boone Shepard, the quirky, awkward, and all-too-in-love-with-his-motorbike journalist who finds himself swept up in the plans of vampires, werewolves, and time travellers. All in the name of a good story, of course.

This is the sort of book you read for the story. It's brimming with action and fast-paced plot lines that take you from nineteenth century England, through modern day Scotland, and into the days of Australia's bushrangers.

The characters have the feel of accidental heroes and they do their best to run with what they've got. They may not always know what they're doing, but they try, and that makes them good to read about.

There's a constant sense of not knowing what could possibly come next and Bergmoser does a nice job of spinning famous stories into fun new adventures.

You might like this if you're into adventure and YA fiction.

[Marj Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot to like about Boone Shepard. It's a fun, action-packed, engaging time slip novel with plenty of allusions to modern classics.
So, why a 3 1/2 star rating?
Personally I found the writing quite uneven; jumpy, in fact, particularly at the beginning of the novel. I felt that we lurched into the action at the pace of a runaway train. The author didn't bother to bed down the characters or set the scene at the beginning of the story. Perhaps it's a film script technique? Whatever, there was little space to catch breath or place action in context; a technical problem which I believe an experienced editor would have sorted out...which is a great shame, because the story has so much potential.

[Josephine Dolmans · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to goodreads and Gabriel bergmoser for giving me a chance to read this book. this is a well written book and easy to read.
boone shepard is not your usual newspaper journalist. he is an adventurous motorcycle riding journalist who will go to great lengths to get a story, wherever he has to go.
along the way he does some heroic actions; and meets some very strange people.
he finds some strange machines. and also finds a girlfriend. I enjoyed it.

Josephine dolmans
8 pine crescent
browns plains qld 4118
jdolmans@bigpond.com

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I won this book from a giveaway sponsored by GoodReads.

I really likes this book, it was full of twists and laughs and tears to be honest. It was an easy read that you couldn't put down. I really liked the changes of time periods and how the characters grew throughout the book. The ending though was very unexpected and I can't wait to read the second book!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, exciting story about a not-so-young journalist and his spectacular (...catastrophic?) antics. Very fun to read, and will get you in the mood for some adventure! There's something in this book for all ages, and it will have you turning pages like there's no tomorrow. 5/5 would read again.

[Noelene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. It was an easy read. The story line had twists in it and the novel is written in such a way that a sequel could easily be written. An Australian author that I have never heard of before. The story was suitable for YA.

[Sarah Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great adventure story for all ages

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rekindled my desire to be an investigative journalist. A fun adventure that's delightful to read at any age.

[Alyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did my friend write a real published book, but its also a kickass one too.
Sign me up for the next adventure Boone Shepard and Promethia go on!

[Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man is legit

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's real good. Books are for nerds, but this is an exception. 10/10 would bang.

[Ollie Pawsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook on Sanspants Radio podcasts. An enjoyable romp through time and literature.