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Sister Joan Mystery #3
A Vow of Sanctity
Loch Morag, remote western Scotland.
Sister Joan heads to the serene shores of Loch Morag for a spiritual retreat in a cave up a steep hill. She’s hoping for peace and quiet, but she soon finds trouble . . .
EVIL HAS A WAY OF FINDING SISTER JOAN EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
Six years ago the womanizing husband of the local store-owner disappeared.
Then the minister’s wife died of an overdose.
Was it an accident or suicide?
AFTER A SUDDEN STORM A BODY SURFACES IN THE LOCH.
What’s going on? The grumpy villagers don’t want to talk about it.
Sister Joan must abandon her solitude to search for the killer and unearth the truth.
Sister Joan heads to the serene shores of Loch Morag for a spiritual retreat in a cave up a steep hill. She’s hoping for peace and quiet, but she soon finds trouble . . .
EVIL HAS A WAY OF FINDING SISTER JOAN EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
Six years ago the womanizing husband of the local store-owner disappeared.
Then the minister’s wife died of an overdose.
Was it an accident or suicide?
AFTER A SUDDEN STORM A BODY SURFACES IN THE LOCH.
What’s going on? The grumpy villagers don’t want to talk about it.
Sister Joan must abandon her solitude to search for the killer and unearth the truth.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1993
224 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Black
47 books69 followersPseudonym for Maureen Peters
Maureen Peters was born in Caernarvon, Wales, on March 3, 1935, and was married and divorced twice; she has two sons and two daughters. In addition to biographical fiction, historical romances, and mystery novels written under her own name, other noms de plume include Veronica Black, Catherine Darby, Levanah Lloyd, Belinda Grey, Elizabeth Law, Judith Rothman, and Sharon Whitby.
Said Maureen Peters about Sister Joan in an interview, "I chose a nun because they have got a lot of time on their hands. I have friends who are real nuns and they give me information on their lives, but mine’s a bit more unconventional. Every time she goes to a convent, she finds a dead body — Cornwall is littered with them."
Maureen Peters was born in Caernarvon, Wales, on March 3, 1935, and was married and divorced twice; she has two sons and two daughters. In addition to biographical fiction, historical romances, and mystery novels written under her own name, other noms de plume include Veronica Black, Catherine Darby, Levanah Lloyd, Belinda Grey, Elizabeth Law, Judith Rothman, and Sharon Whitby.
Said Maureen Peters about Sister Joan in an interview, "I chose a nun because they have got a lot of time on their hands. I have friends who are real nuns and they give me information on their lives, but mine’s a bit more unconventional. Every time she goes to a convent, she finds a dead body — Cornwall is littered with them."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 25, 2021
I wasn't sure how I'd like a Sister Joan mystery with her away from the convent. It was not bad. Sister Joan (mainly because of her dabbling in mysteries) is sent away to a spiritual retreat in the wilds of Scotland. It is a carved-out cave on top of some really steep steps. Of course, she has to have some interaction with the locals (for food and so on). She meets Brother Cuthbert, a young man from the enclave nearby. He rows her across to attend mass and to finish her paintings of the abbey. Also there is Mrs. MacKensie who runs a small store in the village. She seems to be the only local who is not fearful of Catholics. Mr. MacKensie left her six years before and she copes with the help of her son, Rory. There is also a manse, home of the local reverend and his daughter, Morag. Some mysterious happenings begin to pique Sister Joan's curiosity and she is on the scent of a puzzle once more. I loved the ending, especially since it was so surprising. I hadn't seen any of the clues as I read. I look forward to another Sister Joan story. I have books 1 thru 5 on my Kindle.
October 1, 2021
Good prose, good characterization, good world building, good story. And, tragically, no theme. So, 4-stars.
I'm binge reading her in sequence and whined a bit in the previous review about repetition. There was little of that here. Of course she must acquaint the reader with the religious life, but I have come to feel she is ticking the beads of a rosary. It is part of a reassuring ritual.
I rather liked the story.
Of course, there is the ready made theme of sanctity, but the author does not pursue it. Writing is more often a commercial enterprise than an artistic one, but the one needn't exclude the other.
I'm binge reading her in sequence and whined a bit in the previous review about repetition. There was little of that here. Of course she must acquaint the reader with the religious life, but I have come to feel she is ticking the beads of a rosary. It is part of a reassuring ritual.
I rather liked the story.
Of course, there is the ready made theme of sanctity, but the author does not pursue it. Writing is more often a commercial enterprise than an artistic one, but the one needn't exclude the other.
November 16, 2022
Sister Joan is on a spiritual retreat in a cave in the Scottish Highlands near a Loch. On crossing the Loch one time on her own during a storm she discovers a body in the water.
An enjoyable cozy mystery.
Originally published in 1993
An enjoyable cozy mystery.
Originally published in 1993
October 29, 2013
Sister Joan of the Daughters of Compassion is on a summer solo retreat in a small Scottish town, encouraged by her Mother Superior to strengthen her contemplative life and stay out of trouble, as few people in the convent approve of the young nun's propensity for sleuthing. Try as she might, trouble has a way of finding Sister Joan.
She doesn't mind the hollowed-out cave that is to be her summer home; having taken a vow of poverty, Sister Joan is certainly used to much less. What she did not expect, however, was the town's general dislike for all things Catholic, not to mention the silent grumblings of a few monks due to her constant presence at the local monastery to paint some scenery, and the occasional chilling appearance of a shadowed figure called "The Black Morag" who roams the lakeside near the nun's retreat.
In between prayers, Sister Joan manages to become entangled in a rocky romance of sorts between a lapsed Catholic boy, whose long-ago disappearance of his father piques the nun's interest, and the local Protestant minister's daughter. Meanwhile, somebody is stalking the nun, trying to scare her away from the monastery before she sticks her nose where it doesn't belong.
A Vow of Sanctity is the first Sister Joan novel I've read, though it's not the first one written. It's a mild attempt at mystery, seeing as how the truly interesting events are related in dialogue and not action. None the less, this is a short and pleasant read painting a charming view of the Scottish landscape and teaching tolerance among those of different faiths.
She doesn't mind the hollowed-out cave that is to be her summer home; having taken a vow of poverty, Sister Joan is certainly used to much less. What she did not expect, however, was the town's general dislike for all things Catholic, not to mention the silent grumblings of a few monks due to her constant presence at the local monastery to paint some scenery, and the occasional chilling appearance of a shadowed figure called "The Black Morag" who roams the lakeside near the nun's retreat.
In between prayers, Sister Joan manages to become entangled in a rocky romance of sorts between a lapsed Catholic boy, whose long-ago disappearance of his father piques the nun's interest, and the local Protestant minister's daughter. Meanwhile, somebody is stalking the nun, trying to scare her away from the monastery before she sticks her nose where it doesn't belong.
A Vow of Sanctity is the first Sister Joan novel I've read, though it's not the first one written. It's a mild attempt at mystery, seeing as how the truly interesting events are related in dialogue and not action. None the less, this is a short and pleasant read painting a charming view of the Scottish landscape and teaching tolerance among those of different faiths.
February 21, 2021
Absolutely Riveting
First off, I LOVE the first two books in this series and I'm immediately going to start the fourth. This book three is every bit as wonderful as the others. The intriguing mystery, the cast of characters, the well described locations, all spun out in great writing is a joy for this old English major. I can't possibly find anything not to like in these Veronica Black creations.
You don't have to be Catholic to enjoy them thoroughly.....I'm not. The spiritual struggles Sister Joan has are of the universal variety I believe because I've dealt with a few myself and her comments in this area are priceless. Universal mysteries as well as some very practical down to Earth entanglements are run of the mill for inquisitive, needs to know answers, of the mind of Sister Joan.
I encourage you to try and then enjoy one of these books. I bet you'll read the series!
First off, I LOVE the first two books in this series and I'm immediately going to start the fourth. This book three is every bit as wonderful as the others. The intriguing mystery, the cast of characters, the well described locations, all spun out in great writing is a joy for this old English major. I can't possibly find anything not to like in these Veronica Black creations.
You don't have to be Catholic to enjoy them thoroughly.....I'm not. The spiritual struggles Sister Joan has are of the universal variety I believe because I've dealt with a few myself and her comments in this area are priceless. Universal mysteries as well as some very practical down to Earth entanglements are run of the mill for inquisitive, needs to know answers, of the mind of Sister Joan.
I encourage you to try and then enjoy one of these books. I bet you'll read the series!
October 7, 2021
#3 in the Sister Joan mysteries about an Order of the Daughters of Compassion nuns living in the Cornwall house of the order. Sister Joan is a nun with detective abilities who has helps unravel and solve mysteries while she struggles with adjusting to life as a nun. She is also pretty flagrant at breaking various rules, etc. of the convent to pursue her investigations. She is 36 years old, a natural rebel and been a nun for 6 years. As usual in this type of series, the protagonist withholds vital information from the police viewing themselves as the sole arbiter to determine when they deem the information is relevant. In her case, Sister Joan knowingly breaks both civil law and the rules of her order in doing so.
After a year plus at the Cornwell Convent and dealing with multiple deaths and related mysteries, Joan is given a month's spiritual retreat at Lock Morag in western Scotland. The location is a remote cave on the loch in which she hopes for peace and quiet to provide spiritual revitalization. However, that doesn't last long as from the very start she becomes involved in local residents and their issues then a storm brings a body to the surface of the loch effectively ending Joan's spiritual revitalization. How does all the above relate to the disappearance 6 years ago of a local womanizing husband and then death of the local minister's wife by a sleeping pill overdose?
After a year plus at the Cornwell Convent and dealing with multiple deaths and related mysteries, Joan is given a month's spiritual retreat at Lock Morag in western Scotland. The location is a remote cave on the loch in which she hopes for peace and quiet to provide spiritual revitalization. However, that doesn't last long as from the very start she becomes involved in local residents and their issues then a storm brings a body to the surface of the loch effectively ending Joan's spiritual revitalization. How does all the above relate to the disappearance 6 years ago of a local womanizing husband and then death of the local minister's wife by a sleeping pill overdose?
October 5, 2023
Sister Joan is young, adventurous and creative which are great qualities, but unique for a nun. She is sent north to the Order's retreat location for a month of rest and reflection in early autumn. There is a big surprise upon her arrival: it takes a boat to reach the retreat, which is high up a hill in a cave, complete with camping stove, cans of water, and candles for light.
The retreat becomes complicated when she follows someone into the sacristy and discovers shoes from this century on a supposed historic abbot and then that body disappears. She enjoys painting the old stone church next to the monastery, but then someone tampers with it. The momentum builds in a freak autumn storm as she rows across the loch.
There were two surprises near the end, one quite humorous and one quite clever. The author provides an illuminating picture of life for sister Joan and life around this remote loch.
The retreat becomes complicated when she follows someone into the sacristy and discovers shoes from this century on a supposed historic abbot and then that body disappears. She enjoys painting the old stone church next to the monastery, but then someone tampers with it. The momentum builds in a freak autumn storm as she rows across the loch.
There were two surprises near the end, one quite humorous and one quite clever. The author provides an illuminating picture of life for sister Joan and life around this remote loch.
May 23, 2023
I enjoyed the change of scenery - a nice touch after two volumes set in the same, small rural place - and the introduction of new characters, especially Brother Cuthbert. I also appreciate that the mystery was not a typical murder case (a bit like in the first volume). Of course, choosing a nun from a small convent to play a detective stretches the limits of plausibility, when it comes to the number of criminal cases she finds herself drawn into, a bit like Cabot Cove being the most dangerous place in the US in "Murder, she wrote". One just has to agree to a suspension of disbelief, I guess.
February 5, 2021
A Vow of Sanctity
Sister Joan is on retreat in a cave overlooking Loch Morag. Very soon she finds herself investigating another mystery.
I do so love these Sister Joan mysteries. Veronica Black has created a character you can't help.but like. The story is full of twists and turns and I found it impossible to put down as I had to know what was going to happen next.
Highly recommended.
Sister Joan is on retreat in a cave overlooking Loch Morag. Very soon she finds herself investigating another mystery.
I do so love these Sister Joan mysteries. Veronica Black has created a character you can't help.but like. The story is full of twists and turns and I found it impossible to put down as I had to know what was going to happen next.
Highly recommended.
March 1, 2021
I will be going back to read the other mysteries of hers in order. This was a great story with as many twists and turns as a highland dancer. The story opens as Sister Joan is sent for a retreat as she has a tendency for getting too involved in worldly matters like murder. Off she is sent to an isolated mountain cave in the highlands for a month of prayer and meditation. You will have to read it to see how she manages to find another body.
September 26, 2021
I love these mysteries ~~ not gruesome or gory, clever enough detection; realistic characters.... I'm not Roman Catholic, and am loving her portrayal of the faith, and the semi-cloistered life, and a very positive depiction of devotion, as well as a realistic understanding that wherever you have a group of people living/working together, you have plenty of opportunity for self-understanding and growth!
March 9, 2021
Excellent mystery
I am really enjoying this series. I am not Catholic but grew up surrounded by them. These books are really good for the head, heart and soul, at least for me and that is no small blessing!
The characters are well written and just real life people, the kind you have met. Good luck trying to get it all figured out until it is revealed at the end!
I am really enjoying this series. I am not Catholic but grew up surrounded by them. These books are really good for the head, heart and soul, at least for me and that is no small blessing!
The characters are well written and just real life people, the kind you have met. Good luck trying to get it all figured out until it is revealed at the end!
May 13, 2021
Creepy!
The story began as a holiday but soon became very scary. Sister Joan is led to her retreat in a cave in a cliff but is helped by one of the brothers from a remote monastery. I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know what happened next. I never thought it would end as it did.
The story began as a holiday but soon became very scary. Sister Joan is led to her retreat in a cave in a cliff but is helped by one of the brothers from a remote monastery. I couldn't put the book down as I wanted to know what happened next. I never thought it would end as it did.
August 11, 2022
Ambiguity: a category of human, and therefore, Christian existence
My third journey with Sister Joan. The twists and turns as sanctity’s ambiguous nature unfolds in this mystery are quite remarkable. Who would have thought a nun’s adventures could reveal so much about our common humanity?
My third journey with Sister Joan. The twists and turns as sanctity’s ambiguous nature unfolds in this mystery are quite remarkable. Who would have thought a nun’s adventures could reveal so much about our common humanity?
February 19, 2021
Unexpected
Several twists to this one, going in directions not looked for,but still oddly satisfying. Sister Joan is not most people's idea of a nun, but I think she does God's work.
Several twists to this one, going in directions not looked for,but still oddly satisfying. Sister Joan is not most people's idea of a nun, but I think she does God's work.
March 20, 2021
These are such an enjoyable read. Sister Joan is delightful as she treads carefully to solve the mystery presented to her. Her paintings sound lovely. Such a nuanced story that ends very satisfactorily.
May 24, 2021
Good cozy mystery!
This was a good cozy mystery! I read it in one day it was a page turner. I've really started to like this little nun and her way of innocently getting involved in mysteries.
This was a good cozy mystery! I read it in one day it was a page turner. I've really started to like this little nun and her way of innocently getting involved in mysteries.
June 2, 2021
A series that I can't get enough of!!!
Sister Joan is such a wonderful character. Never know what she will get involved in next...and can't wait to find out! She is the Nun version of Jessica Fletcher!
Sister Joan is such a wonderful character. Never know what she will get involved in next...and can't wait to find out! She is the Nun version of Jessica Fletcher!
August 3, 2021
Gripping throughout
I loved the character of Sister Joan. The setting was also beautifully described and added to the tension and intrigue of the story. The plot was excellently worked out and gripped me throughout. Well done!
I loved the character of Sister Joan. The setting was also beautifully described and added to the tension and intrigue of the story. The plot was excellently worked out and gripped me throughout. Well done!
February 1, 2021
I so enjoyed the first 3 Sister Joan mysteries , I wish to read the rest of that series ... Veronica Black has become one of my favourite author and I will continue reading all of her books !!
February 7, 2021
An enjoyable read.
This is another lovely story in the Sister Joan series. The story is one you don't want to put down and is an excellent read.
This is another lovely story in the Sister Joan series. The story is one you don't want to put down and is an excellent read.
March 1, 2021
Another Enthralling Story
Sister Joan goes on retreat in a remote part of Scotland, there are tensions and soon she becomes embroiled in another mystery. Thoroughly recommended.
Sister Joan goes on retreat in a remote part of Scotland, there are tensions and soon she becomes embroiled in another mystery. Thoroughly recommended.
March 9, 2021
Sister Joan is at it again
Even on retreat, Sister Joan finds a mystery to solve. Great story line and great location. You can imagine you're in Scotland.
Even on retreat, Sister Joan finds a mystery to solve. Great story line and great location. You can imagine you're in Scotland.
May 6, 2021
Lots of suspense
I enjoyed reading more about Sister Joan, especially since she was on a Retreat in Scotland. The plot was interesting, as were the characters.
I enjoyed reading more about Sister Joan, especially since she was on a Retreat in Scotland. The plot was interesting, as were the characters.
July 11, 2021
Good read
Unusual twist at the end. Enjoyed this third book in the series and look forward the the next in the series.
Unusual twist at the end. Enjoyed this third book in the series and look forward the the next in the series.
July 28, 2021
3.5 stars
August 5, 2021
Sister Joan is the best combination of obedient and pragmatic. I am glad I found this series.
August 9, 2021
Fascinating read. A tangled and amazing set of mysteries. Well told with interesting characters and settings. Really enjoyed this book.
September 15, 2021
Excellent gripping read
September 24, 2021
Enjoyable
I have enjoyed this series. Keeps you guessing until the end. I will have to purchase the next book in the series.
I have enjoyed this series. Keeps you guessing until the end. I will have to purchase the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews