From Publishers Weekly
Sister Joan, that robust, cheerful English nun, makes her sixth appealing appearance (following A Vow of Penance). Assisted by unbelieving Det. Sgt. Alan Mill, Sister Joan, 38, fights the evil that has entered the Cornwell convent of the dedicated Daughters of Compassion along with two postulants-the latter a rarity these days. Joan sees a batlike shadow on the convent walls the night the would-be nuns arrive, and finds expensive hothouse roses left in odd places. One of the candidates is strange, frightened Magdalen Cole of London, of whom Joan harbors an un-nunlike distrust-especially after the nun who changed beds with Magdalen is murdered. The other candidate is sunny, eager Bernadette Fawkes of Yorkshire. Arriving in the area at the same time is a large group of New Age travelers, whom the generous Joan supposes to be "rather like" Jesus and his disciples "journeying about the Holy Land." Because the mystery here is fairly straightforward, readers will find most satisfaction in Black's rendering of convent life and in the charms of Sister Joan's earthy good sense.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
YA?Sister Joan of the Order of Daughters of Compassion returns to sleuthing for the sixth time. Once again her community in Cornwall is beset by odd behavior and strange happenings. The quiet atmosphere begins to evaporate as two prospective candidates for the convent life arrive on the scene. Over several nights as she sees to convent security, Sister Joan finds unlocked doors, freshly cut blood-red roses near the altar, and a knife in the chapel. Soon a tragic death occurs and she must decide how much she should reveal to her superior, Mother Dorothy, as well as to her friend Detective Sgt. Mill. Once again Black has taken the unusual aspects of convent life and added a gutsy protagonist with strong religious and moral values. She balances them with an intriguing plot, a flock of possible villains, and a tough but supportive police presence that respects Sister Joan's allegiance to an authority even higher than the law. Fans of this series will not be disappointed.?Mary T. Gerrity, Queen Anne School Library, Upper Marlboro, MD
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
