The fifth book in the Sister Joan murder mystery series.

A new lay sister joins the nuns at the convent, but is there another new arrival? A sinister figure has been skulking around and a bloody axe appears on the altar of the chapel.

When the housekeeper at the local rectory is found dead, it's assumed she committed suicide. But Sister Joan, surreptitiously investigating along with Detective Sergeant Mill, is not so sure.

Then the discovery of the mutilated corpse of an unidentified young man, followed quickly by two more unexpected deaths, leads Sister Joan to another crime from twenty years ago . . .

MEET SISTER JOAN, A REBEL NUN WHO VOWS TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH

PERFECT FOR FANS OF BLACK NARCISSUS, FAITH MARTIN, LIS HOWELL, JEANNE M. DAMS, MARGARET MAYHEW, DAPHNE DU MAURIER, MARGARET FRAZER, ELLIS PETERS or CORA HARRISON.

“This popular series offers peaceful convent decorum, with a giddy streak of gore and a likeable sleuth.” Kirkus

“[Sister Joan] is a sharp and modern-minded heroine.” Publisher's Weekly

????? “This whole series is really wonderful!” Leah

“Fully developed characters with realistic dialogue give a good foundation to the story.” Bev

THE DETECTIVE
Sister Joan is thirty-five and a natural rebel. Coming late to her vocation, she still remembers life outside the convent. But having left behind her lover to serve God, she is now committed to her path. When her Mother Superior sends her to the Cornwall House, her loyalties are split — but she knows her ultimate duty is to the truth.

SISTER JOAN MYSTERY SERIES
Book 1: A VOW OF SILENCE
Book 2: A VOW OF CHASTITY
Book 3: A VOW OF SANCTITY
Book 4: A VOW OF OBEDIENCE
Book 5: A VOW OF PENANCE
Book 6: A VOW OF DEVOTION