A Vow of Penance

Sister Joan Mystery #5

by Veronica Black

Sister Joan of the Order of the Daughters of Compassion once again becomes the reluctant sleuth when a cheerful housekeeper is found dead and the verdict of suicide looks suspicious. When someone starts mutilating the convent's trees and a bloody axe is found in the chapel, she knows that something sinister is going on. St. Martin's Press.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Crime

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Pseudonym 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."

Reviews

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Vow of Penance (1994) by Veronica Black is the fifth in this convent-based series starring Sister Joan. In this particular installment, Sister Joan is struggling during the Lenten season with her her far from Christian dislike of two new personalities within the order. There is the grim Sister Jerome who seems intent on making the season of Penance even more arduous than necessary and the newly ordained, very joyless Father Timothy who has come to fill in while their beloved Father Malone takes a much deserved sabbatical.

When she discusses the arrival of the two newcomers with the rectory housekeeper, Mrs. Fairly is sure that she's heard the name Sister Jerome somewhere before but cannot recall the circumstances. "I'll recall where I heard that name if I don't consciously think about it." Later that evening Sister Joan receives a puzzling (and far-from-complete due to a bad connection) phone call from Mrs. Fairly asking her to meet her in town at a cafe because "New lay--remembered where--not willing to trouble Father with--ten tomorrow." But when the nun arrives at the cafe she is joined at her table not by the bustling housekeeper but by Detective Sergeant Mill who informs her that Mrs. Fairly is dead--an apparent suicide.

Sister Joan refuses to believe that. She insists that the housekeeper was not the type and that even is she's wrong about that Mrs. Fairly would never had made an appointment to meet her if she planned on killing herself. She prods Mill into looking more closely into the death and does a little discreet detecting on her own. She's even given subtle encouragement to do so when Mother Dorothy assigns her to serve as housekeeper for the the priests until a full-time replacement can be found. Unfortunately, there will be two more victims and a bloody ax will appear on the chapel altar before Mills and Sister Joan can get to the bottom of the mystery. There are other puzzles as well. Why have the convent's trees been vandalized? Is there a connection similar vandalism that happened many years ago? And what was so important about Mrs. Fairly's purse?

This is an entertaining cozy mystery with just a hint of more gore than may be usual for the genre. Sister Joan is a spunky nun with an interesting relationship with Detective Mill. It is refreshing to see a relationship that doesn't depend on romance or sexual tension. Fully developed characters with realistic dialogue give a good foundation to the story. The culprit may not be well-hidden (after all, we aren't exactly given a great number to choose from), but figuring out the motive is a bit more difficult. Veronica Black weaves a convincing story that depends on the past to explain the present.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Lent in the convent and Sister Joan is trying to keep control of her curiosity and her desire for more interesting food when a new lay sister arrives at the convent. Sister Joan does not take to Sister Jerome but knows she has to get on with her. Father Malone is off on a sabbatical and his place is being taken by the dour Father Timothy who seems of a very similar character to Sister Jerome. But what does Mrs Fairlie – the Presbytery’s housekeeper – want to talk to Sister Joan about? Mrs Fairlie is found dead before she can tell Sister Joan what she is worrying about.

Mother Dorothy seems inclined to let Sister Joan investigate and sends her to housekeep for the two priests – Father Timothy and Father Stevens. Soon there are more strange events than anyone might want to experience and Sister Joan finds herself torn between her Lenten observances and her duty to help the police with their enquiries. I enjoyed this interesting story and liked the way Sister Joan’s character is developing. I also like Mother Dorothy who definitely has more to her personality than meets the eye.

The plot is likely to keep the reader guessing until all is revealed. It is fairly clear who could be the murderer but the motive is less clear and how everything fits together – past and present – is interesting reading. I like the way Sister Joan’s relationship with the DS Mill is progressing and it is a challenge for any author to develop such a relationship convincingly without being able to introduce the conventional love story. Veronica Black succeeds admirably with this and the relationship is subtle and believable.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, number 5 of the series. Sister Joan finds herself filling in as housekeeper to the two local priests when their housekeeper dies under suspicious circumstances. She once again finds herself immersed in a mystery. Father Malone is on a sabbatical and newly-ordained Father Timothy is filling in for a while. Meanwhile at the convent, there is a new lay sister, Sister Jerome. Both Sister Jerome and Father Timothy seem to be big on penance. Sister Joan is struggling to keep her dislike for both of them under control. Also, it is Lent, a time of sacrifice in the religious calendar. I must say that I also guessed part of this mystery. I seem to be getting better at solving Sister Joan's cases, but I still enjoy reading about her.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Vow of Penance by Veronica Black is the 5th book of the Sister Joan cozy mystery series set in late 20-century Cornwall during Lent. Sister Joan belongs to the order of the Daughters of Compassion. She has been serving as Lay Sister, the one authorized to leave the enclosure when needed to shop for the convent. When Sister Jerome arrives to become the new Lay Sister, Sister Joan is asked to just help out wherever needed for a while. When Catholic priest Father Malone, beloved by the parish, leaves for a sabbatical in Rome, Father Timothy comes from another parish to take his place. Sister Joan finds both Sister Jerome and Father Timothy to be quite disagreeable. The presbytery housekeeper Mrs. Fairly calls Sister Joan and sets up a meeting, to discuss something she read in the past about Sister Jerome. But Mrs. Fairly never makes it to the meeting, evidently committing suicide overnight. Sister Joan does not believe it was suicide. She is proven right when more murders occur, all seemingly related. Sister Joan stays at the presbytery, to do the cooking and cleaning for the priests until they find a new housekeeper - and to look for clues. She doesn't share her suspicions with the local detective until almost too late.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, now that I have read the whole set of five books, I can honestly say that there is so much redundancy in this series that it feels like the books are padded to make a page count for the editors. I suppose the author did this so each book could stand alone, but when reading it as a series it does get tiresome to read the same explanations over and over again.

The story is okay. The mysteries are well crafted with just the right amount of false leads and red herrings. By the third book, I had figured out the author's formula for the storyline and was able to narrow down the possible suspects within the first few chapters. By book 5, it was fairly clear from the beginning who the killer was although the red herring was really good.

[Rev. Sharon Wylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for the characters (nuns and priests!) and setting (rural England), but the mystery wasn't too compelling. I figured out the "who" pretty early on, which is disappointing for a mystery reader. (The "why" needed a clue that wasn't revealed until near the end.) And I don't want to spoil the ending, so I will just say that I found it unsatisfying.

Still, I like this character and will read others in the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I probably read the first four books of this series back in the early 1990s. It was a pleasure getting reacquainted with Sister Joan and her fellow nuns at the convent.

Once I figured out WHY the first murder victim was stripped of his clothing, it was fairly obvious WHO the perpetrator was, but Sister Joan uncovered the motive behind four killings and two acts of vandalism.

[Jennifer Cagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy mystery!

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. The books about sister Joan keep getting better. I love how she figures out the mystery and then the big reveal towards the end. Looking forward to the next in the series!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Joan always finds a way to keep her vows and discover the real truth behind strange happenings at the Convent and in this case at the presbytery, while helping out the two priests till a new housekeeper can be found.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't as good as the previous books in the series. The perpetrator was rather obvious in spite of some strong hints in another direction. On top of that not all the things that happened were explained.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery from an author who understands the religious life. Sister Joan is vastly different to Sister Boniface, but another religious with an understanding of people and an eye for detail.

[Mary K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So delightful. Sister Joan is warmly lovable and highly relatable even as a professed religious. The reoccurring characters are entertaining. And I figured out the mysterious killings in this tome. I read out of order but still enjoyable and was not a problem.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

i felt this book was very slow, it was easy to guess the murderer, no real substance.

[Karen Cowgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of her BEST!!!

[Catherine Matsubu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellently written story !

As i said in my other reviews, Veronica Black has done a superior job of writing an absorbing story! Thank you

[L Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed. Good mystery.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am beginning to wonder how it is that Sister Joan has so much personal freedom when she's a member of a semi-cloistered convent, but I am enjoying this series.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still really appreciating these!

Just wish the next "set" of 5 books was available at the very inexpensive introductory price the first set of five was!

[Lynn J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Another great Sister Joan book. Most enjoyable. I did figure it out early, but it was still a good read.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! Too much! This was so dark and brutal. It kept my interest but it was a very harsh mystery. I guess it seems more dark because of the setting and the characters.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister Joan is in strife again. These books are such a fun easy read. The storyline in each book is good.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the housekeeper at the presbytery is found dead, a possible suicide, Sister Joan is sent as a temporary replacement. But various events makes her suspicious while D.S. Mill investigates helped by Sister Joan.
An enjoyable cozy modern mystery another good story in this series

[Miriel68 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one! Even if it was pretty obvious from the beginning who the killer would be, it is a joy to be in the company of sister Joan and other nuns!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Series

These are the most charming mysteries. Sister Joan is so relatable you find yourself rooting for her. Relaxing, clean enjoyable books. On to book #6!

[Jill Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as usual.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Story

I never tire of Sister Joan. Mother Dorothy is quite something too. All the sisters and police officers are unique and interesting characters. Veronica Black weaves a marvelous mystery throughout the cloistered and not-so-cloistered rural English life.
Even though each story stands on its own, it really helps to build all the repeating characters and their individual growth by reading them in order. I of course, read my first one because it was on sale! Then loving it so much, I went back and got #1 and so on, even rereading that sale one. I highly recommend this series.

[Kathy Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not Catholic

I am fascinated by how the good sisters live. Not only that, but I am convinced we all could do with a little (or maybe a lot) of their devotion and habits, pardon the pun. And what a pleasant murders[s] mystery! And solution. Including the hidden humor. I can hardly wait for the last, as of now, book in a series

[Di Worley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping!

I do love this series, the characters, the plot and, of course the flashes of humour, that come from several characters. If you get the chance start with the first book and you'll be hooked in no time!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder, madness, and a gambolling puppy

To me, not quite as good as some of the others, but still intriguing. I do like Sister Joan, though.

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rollercoaster of a ride

Another triumph forster Joan as she tries to solve not one, but three murders. Sister Joan manages to pick up on small snippets that she finds are intriguingly out of place. I liked the characters, especially the other nuns.