The Stone Man Mysteries, Book Two - Sanctuary

This is an off-beat series that I took a chance on through Previews. I bought the first graphic novel and was intrigued by this story of a young boy who find himself serving a gargoyle perched atop an old church in 1930s Scotland. The boy, Craig, becomes embroiled in a mystery as he attempts to help the gargoyle, Silex, who can never leave his perch, but sit over the city with an ever watchful eye and an insight and understanding of the people he watches over.  I waited for what felt like forever for the second book to be solicited in Previews, so imagine my surprise when I recently saw the solicitation for book three.  Whatever happened to book two?

I ultimately had to order the second graphic novel, Sanctuary, through Amazon, and it arrived not too long ago. The story picks up following the last story, where Father Harris has died, and a new priest has come to take his place.  Craig is concerned the new priest will not be so accepting of Silex, but the old gargoyle knows he has a duty to perform. And when a desperate young woman comes banging on the church's doors, begging for sanctuary, that is when the real story begins. Young Craig finds himself torn between helping this young girl in need and helping Silex figure out how a man that died nearly 150 years ago suddenly showed up in town, selling off gold coins, and dying a second time while giving a toast at the local pub.

It's another mystery for Craig and the Stone Man (Silex) to solve, but can they figure them both out before the devil dogs themselves tear down the doors to the church and invade the holy ground thereof? Writers Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple provide a very intriguing tale that brings the religious and the supernatural face-to-face in a conflict that only only both worlds working together can resolve.  Artist Orion Zangara sets the mood beautifully with his black-and-white art. Zangara has a way with expressions on his characters that could tell a story without words - whether it be anger, concern, fear, frustration, joy, shock - whatever the emotion, Zangara knows how to capture it perfectly on the page!

Once again, with Craig doing his legwork (and Mrs. Mac and Father Walker unwittingly playing their parts), Silex manages to figure out exactly what is going on and work out a solution that will prevent the unholy from forever soiling the church - and in so doing, the Stone Man also realizes that there is a purpose behind the events of the first book and this, leaving readers with the question - what is going to happen in the third?

While this series is certainly not your typical comic book fare, nor is it your standard mystery fare, it is without a doubt some very high quality storytelling and art that is worth picking up!

RATING:  9 bags of gold coins out of 10 for mixing the supernatural, religion, and mystery into one big pot and coming out with a fantastic story well worth the read!