Something is not quite right at the Cornwall House convent. One young novice has already died, the apparent victim of a routine fire drill; another has mysteriously withdrawn from the convent, and her family has not heard from her since. The youngest worshippers have long, flowing hair, and Reverend Mother Ann herself wears makeup and perfume.

When Reverend Mother Agnes of the neighboring Daughters of Compassion convent receives a bizarre, convoluted letter from an old friend at Cornwall, worries and suspicions are quickly aroused. Mother Agnes dispatches her most trusted disciple, Sister Joan, to see if she can shed light on the strange events. It doesn't take long for Sister Joan to realize that Reverend Mother Ann is running a unique type of sacred institution.

There are hushed whispers among the Sisters of virgin sacrifice, Mother Goddess worship, suicide, and even murder. Sister Joan may be able to rectify the wrongdoings at Cornwall House, but can she expose the unsettling truth without sacrificing her own profound religious convictions?

Readers of Ellis Peters and Ralph Mclnerny will enjoy A Vow ofSilence, the first in a promising series of mysteries featuring Sister Joan.