A Vow of Silence [Hardcover]

Veronica Black (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1990

"Outstanding." Publishers Weekly
A Sister Joan Mystery.
The sisters at lonely Cornwall Convent share chilling secrets they cannot confess . . . Sister Sophia is dead. Sister Magdalen has vanished. Sister Joan, newly transferred to the convent to investigate its mysterious troubles, begins to suspect what she hardly dares to name: Blasphemy . . . and worse . . .

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- A gently compelling murder mystery, set in an unusual locale--a convent--and populated with characters more used to combating evil than being part of it. Sister Joan is a feisty, individualistic nun who finds it difficult to reconcile the deaths and disappearances she can't ignore with the vow of obedience she has taken. Mingled with the intricacies of the case are some weird contradictions to the Reverend Mother's faith by apparently pagan customs. YAs will enjoy a different sort of mystery in this first title in a projected series.
- Joan Lewis Reynolds, West Potomac High School, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

"Outstanding." Publishers Weekly
A Sister Joan Mystery.
The sisters at lonely Cornwall Convent share chilling secrets they cannot confess . . . Sister Sophia is dead. Sister Magdalen has vanished. Sister Joan, newly transferred to the convent to investigate its mysterious troubles, begins to suspect what she hardly dares to name: Blasphemy . . . and worse . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 207 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr (May 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312044410
• ISBN-13: 978-0312044411
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,058,456 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shows a positive view of the convent and its inhabitants., October 26, 1999

By 

Monica K. Van Ness (Aurora, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vow of Silence (Mass Market Paperback)

Even when there are differences and problems, the women try to work things out and get through difficulties as best they can. Sister Joan can be almost too strong minded, but she also can see where she needs to work on herself and that she might be able to learn from the others around her.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gentle and Enjoyable Cozy Mystery, January 2, 2007

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vow of Silence (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a gentle and interesting mystery, but mostly it's a story about the conditions and interactions of the residents of a nunnery. The book is a relatively quick, and enjoyable, read. The writing is easy going, the story retains your interest, and the cast of characters is relatively small and thus easy to keep up with. The "unpleasantness" is kept to a minimum in keeping with the story and there is no gratuitous gore or violence. A pleasant and entertaining cozy mystery, providing an informative introduction to nunnery life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile, absorbing, wonderful main character, October 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Vow of Silence (Mass Market Paperback)

I share the view of the prior reviewer: this book made me "want to know more" and I thoroughly enjoyed it (even if it was a little predictable). In some mysteries, the mystery is all; in others, character is all. This series is about an interesting, unpredictable, absorbing character. You will want to know Sister Joan better!