Sanctuary : Stone Man Mysteries

Gr 5-8-Craig McGowan continues his work investigating crimes in Edinburgh at the behest of Silex, a gargoyle watching over the city from the cathedral roof. Craig looks into strange disappearances and a resurgence in crimes that haven't been committed in nearly 100 years and is drawn to a girl demanding sanctuary of the church's new priest, chased by a mysterious cloaked figure and spectral hounds. Evolving from the first volume, the artwork presents the narrative primarily from Craig's perspective, using framing devices to indicate storytelling and information from other sources. An addition of ink wash gives the visuals depth and atmosphere and provides a better presentation of gloom, weather, and the city than the stark linework of the previous tale. However, the action sequences remain muddled, lacking clear transitions between frames and scenes and failing to establish dynamism when it is required. The novel fails to reveal further depths or details about the characters beyond the purposes of plot. A final expository spread papers over plot points and promises a third tale in a manner designed to be ominous, but which leadenly violates the fair play aspect of readers being able to potentially solve the mystery. VERDICT The gothic atmosphere will entice some, and any previous readers of the series will appreciate the artistic growth of the illustrator, but the weak execution of the storytelling won't create many loyalists.--Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH

In the second installment of the Stone Man Mysteries series, Silex the gargoyle and his assistant, Craig, continue to solve mysteries in 1930s Edinburgh. This time, the two focus on the mysterious murder of a man who died recently, yet somehow also died decades ago, which may be related to the girl who recently requested sanctuary at their church. Though it's not really a mystery, as the answer is instantly spelled out rather than deduced, it is a fascinating gothic novel that hits the many tropes of the genre. The occasionally clunky dialogue is laced with lots of Scottish brogue, like when Father Walker, the priest of Silex's church, says, 'If ye cannae speak of it . . . I dinnae think we can help ye.' Though the trappings might be a bit clumsy, at its heart, the story is engrossing, particularly with its dark and suspenseful atmosphere. Zangara's sketch-heavy artwork adds to the dusky mood and the old-fashioned look of the pages. Hand to fans of spooky mysteries.--Booklist

Prolific mother-and-son pair Yolen (Mapping the Bones, 2018, etc.) and Stemple (The Seelie King's War, 2016, etc.) return with another installment in their gritty noir graphic-novel series featuring a mystery-solving Scottish street urchin and his gargoyle employer. Picking up where the previous volume left off, orphaned Craig is still reeling from having to commit an unspeakable act against a dear friend. Despite his regrets, he continues to work as a detective for Silex, a stone gargoyle affixed to a church parapet who oversees the city below. When a seemingly anachronistic young woman shows up on the church doorstep claiming sanctuary, Craig and Silex must help her before another Mephistophelian force unleashes evil upon 1930s Edinburgh. Building upon the evangelical explorations of the first volume, this is a dark and introspective thriller mixing equal parts history, Christian theology, and mystery. Readers will notice a definite improvement in Zangara's (Stone Cold, 2016) moody black-and-white art; while he has sustained the atmosphere, he has sharpened his lines, rendering previously sketchy characters clearer and more distinctive. Each volume completes a case, although readers are forewarned of the religious and literary importance of the number three, laying the groundwork for what could only be Craig and Silex's next adventure. Although well-wrought, the elaborate combination of atmospheric historical details and a Christian theological slant may be daunting for some.--Kirkus Reviews

The Stoneman Mysteries Book Two is a fun, engrossing, mystery; a black and white graphic novel about a living gargoyle and his living friend. This boy helps the gargoyle uncover events that are happening within their city of Edenburgh that the demon gargoyle with a good heart cannot uncover himself.

The setting is pretty dark not only literally, but in itself it is kinda grim- early 1900s, you can tell there is not a lot of money around, and a girl who is seeking asylum in the church that Silex the gargoyle lives at. The boy, Craig, explores the city looking for clues at Silex's prodding. Craig uncovers a lot more than he bargains for: demon dogs who suck people underground, a minion of the devil who is looking for the girl, and the meaning of dust to dust.

This story has super cool art that fits the feel and time of the story quite well. It's cartoony but not too cartoony, serious but not to serious, and dark, but yeah, you get the picture. It is great! It gives the feeling of something supernatural and evil lurking around every corner.

I think the only thing that I did not like in this book was the occasional use of wording that was, in its best way, trying to remind us that the story occurred in Ireland. Every time I saw it used it felt to me like it was just trying too hard. I understand why some people like it and why it was used, but it just killed me a little inside every time I saw it.

I missed the first volume of series because it came out in 2016 (wow, that was a really really long wait!), but now I am intrigued and want to go find it. I have read some of Jane Yolen's young adult novels in the past and loved them, I am glad that she, Adam Stemple, and Orion Zangara are exploring this realm of storytelling.
Who is it for?: Lovers of gargoyles, old churches, and dark noir type mysteries. Young adults, older adults, folks who are getting into the mystery genre that is seeming to regain popularity now.