Kurtz, Katherine. St. Patrick's gargoyle.

Berkley, Ace. 291p. c2001. 0-441-00905-0. $7.50. JSA 

Padraig (Paddy) is an ancient gargoyle perched atop St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. When items are stolen from the church and his favorite verger is roughed up in the process, Paddy takes off after the culprits. He enlists the help of 82-year-old Frances Templeton and his 1929 Rolls Royce limousine. Unfortunately, in the process of nicking the culprits, Frances gets a glimpse of Paddy's true form in the shiny black-mirrored door of the Rolls--an instant death sentence since no one may see a gargoyle and live. When death comes calling, Paddy manages to forestall him until nearer Christmas. Which is fortuitous, because it just happens that although the demon Baphomet was bound by King Solomon, under instruction from Archangel Michael, in a headshaped receptacle and kept safe for several millennia, the bounds are weakening and only a human can reinstate them. Hence, Frances, Paddy, and all the gargoyles in Dublin have their work cut out for them. The demon is rebound, Frances is accompanied by his late wife on his way to heaven, and Paddy goes back to his perch on St. Patrick's,

This is a surprisingly engaging and religious tale. I remember reading the short story from which this unfolded, "The Gargoyle's Shadow." And although the gargoyles like to make irreverent comments about the Boss, the overall impression is of a benevolent God who has everything under control. The grue-some-looking gargoyle on the cover may draw readers into the story but they will leave with the quiet assurance that all is right with the world, and they will never look at a gargoyle in quite the same fashion again. Sherry S. Hoy, Libn., Tuscarora Jr. H.S., Mifflintown, PA