St. Patrick's Gargoyle

This is a story about Dublin, about gargoyles, angels, elderly gentlemen and exotic motorcars. It is also a story about good and evil, life and death and love. Although this is shorter and much lighter than some of Kurtz' novels, the essential points that make her such a memorable writer are there: fascinating characters, mysterious and inexplicable happenings and the rip in the fabric between mundane and otherworldly. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

A comfortable, if somewhat irreverent, yarn about the forces of good and evil. Gargoyles in this instance being Heaven's reassigned Warrior Angels who join forces with an elderly but spritely mortal Knight. Not heavy literature by any means, but a thoroughly enjoyable and tasty morsel for a lazy evening read. It was easy reading, fun and warm. Katherine Kurtz' tales of the Knights Templar have always been my favorites and when she says "she can't leave them alone" she proves it in this book by managing to incorporate a bit of their legend. I would highly recommend this delight of a book for anyone looking for a pleasurable day of light reading. The ending leaves us to wonder if more books in this genre may be forthcoming. I certainly hope so.

St. Patrick's Gargoyle is a fantasy set in contemporary Dublin and tells of a gargoyle who is entrusted with the safety of the town. When vandals break into a church, Paddy's search for revenge inadvertently dooms a gentle elderly man and sets both on a race to prevent an ancient evil from arising. Intrigue blends with fantasy here.

As an avid reader of Katherine Kurtz, I am delighted to review Gargoyle with utmost praise. A lighthearted, yet touching, story of a man who is growing old and a gargoyle who is even older. This twosome (amidst many other gargoyles) join forces to battle evil arising in Dublin. In the twilight of a waning era, the author portays with sensitivity and sensibility the multi-faceted culture of Dublin and the Irish. Emphasis on both humor and depth kept me engaged and entertained throughout the novel as I read it one snowy afternoon in the mountains from cover to cover. What I appreciated from Katherine Kurtz's narrative is the beautiful and realistic descriptions of Dublin as well as a very fair representation of Irish cultural Christianity. She neither supports nor refutes anyones particular beliefs through the very sensibilities of the gargoyles guarding their respective churches. St. Patrick's Gargoyle is another view of gargoyles which you have likely not seen with the popularity of these beings from the TV show, etc. Katherine Kurtz adds a wonderfully fresh perspective on the gargoyles' lives as they very much ought to be. If you have read any of Katherine Kurtz's other novels, you realize how she is able to articulate the reality of death with a legacy for the living. I appreciate her continued perceptivity in these areas by leaving the reader understanding something deeper about our own mortality. This book 1. may read quickly, 2. may not be very long, 3. may be considered for young adults, but make no mistake, deeper convictions run throughout its text.

At one time, he was an avenging angel, part of a group who would fight whenever He gave the command. However, when God gave His only begotten son to mankind, he turned gentler as described in the New Testament. Reengineering the activity, God no longer needed a horde of bloodthirsty warriors so in a downsizing move, he reassigned many of them to the critical role of Gargoyles, guarding sacred churches and cathedrals. Paddy keeps watch at St. Patrick's Cathedral, but goes to the Gargoyle enclave once a month.The sentry is on his way home when he learns that someone vandalized his church and stole valuable artifacts. Paddy coerces Frances Templeton, a Knight of Malta, to help him. After a successful mission, Frances sees Paddy in his true form, which usually means death to the human observer. However, Paddy intercedes obtaining more time for his new friend for a few more days. They learn that a true knight needs to perform a task to prevent Satan's demon from arriving on earth. Paddy knows that the Divine Plan is at work, but in spite of their valiant output, Paddy does not know the outcome of their endeavor.Katherine Kurtz writes an often irreverent, but witty tale that never pokes fun at religion. Instead Ms. Kurtz gracefully walks the thin line between an amusing satire and homage to theologies. ST. PATRICK'S GARGOYLE is a powerful fantasy that focuses on predetermination as opposed to free will through a Divine Plan that proves God's love for humanity. That message with numerous other missives reaches readers on many different levels in a complex, superbly written novel.Harriet Klausner