Broken Birds and the Boys They Carry
On a forgotten island of jagged cliffs and vicious storms, Finch Mosca is trapped in a house ruled by fear. His mother is drowning in resentment, and his stepfather’s control is merciless. Finch’s last ember of hope is quickly slipping away.
That’s until he meets his estranged grandfather, Henry—the blind old man the island calls Mad. They whisper he once built a secret plane to escape. Some say it flew. Most call it an urban legend that never happened.
Fishermen claim the wreck still sleeps among the cliffs, rusting in the shadows year after year—and on Calaboose Island, whispers have teeth.
As Finch begins deciphering Henry’s strange riddles in secret, a bond forms—part refuge, part rebellion, part impossible dream. And when Finch’s only friends, Amelia and Sam, join him in exploring Henry’s overgrown property, the three uncover something hidden for decades—something that taunts them with the possibility of freedom…or certain death.
A mysterious door. A dare. A second chance at destiny.
All the while, a violent storm brews among the chaos.
Will they escape—or become one more legend the wind refuses to let go?
What readers said
★★★★★
“Atmospheric, tender, and quietly devastating. Broken Birds and the Boys They Carry captures the fragile beauty of hope in a place that’s forgotten how to dream.”
★★★★★
“It’s rare to find a story that feels both ancient and brand new. I devoured this in two nights.”
★★★★★
“It’s mystery, survival, and heartbreak—and somehow still full of hope.”
About the author
Brian Thalhammer
Brian Thalhammer is an accomplished writer, editor and journalist with a B.A. in English from Northeastern Illinois University – Chicago. With a background in journalism, creative writing and grant proposals, he has built a career defined by storytelling and editorial excellence. His current work spans television, print and digital media, reflecting a versatile voice across multifarious formats and audiences.
Brian is also a copy editor and contributing writer for a major automotive magazine, where he has interviewed and profiled notable pop culture figures. His writing appears in a variety of popular publications covering food, tourism, entertainment and lifestyle.
A published author, Brian is the creator of “Jessica Warrior: The Heartbeat Hero,” which debuted as a #1 New Release on Amazon, and “Even Monsters Get Mad: The Coloring Book for Dealing With Your Feelings.”
His creative work has earned industry recognition, including being named a 2023 Writer’s Digest Award Winner. When he’s not immersed in writing and editing, Brian enjoys restoring classic cars, exploring the outdoors and working on his next creative project.
Visit brianthalhammer.com to learn more about the author.
Broken Birds and the Boys They Carry 