A Nun in the Closet was originally published in 1975.
A Nun in the Closet is a great story and I have read it many times since it has been published. The cast of characters are fabulous and the action is fast-paced. If you get a chance click on this link: http://www.who-dunnit.com/reviews/1/ and read all about it. I couldn’t have done a better job. This story has reviewed numerous reviews and has even been made into a play.
Synopsis (From the Barnes and Noble Site)
From the bestselling author of the Mrs. Pollifax books comes a new mystery habit to acquire. From the moment Sister John and Sister Hyacinthe reach the old house left to their abbey by a mysterious benefactor, their cloistered world begins to crumble. First, there is the wounded man hiding in the house, then the suitcase stuffed with money sitting at the bottom of the well, not to mention fearful apparitions in the night. Lord only knows what’s going on. That is, until the good sisters, armed only with their faith and boundless energy, set things right—even if it means a shocking revelation or two about ghosts, gangsters, drugs…and murder.
Cast of Characters
Sister John – fixes all the machinery
Sister Hyacinthe – accomplished botanist, learning how to drive
Mother Angelique – current Abbess
Sister Vincent – lute player and composer
Sister Beatrice – paints illuminated manuscripts
Sister Maria – writes exquisite poems
Sister Elizabeth – makes dandelion wine
Sister Thecla – had asthma
Sister Charity – editor of the “Reflections” magazine -had arthritis
Mr. Armisbruck (delicatessen owner in Bridgemont, PA buys Abbey’s bread)
Mr. Doermann – Windmill Maker of Bridgemont Corners
Mr. Joseph Alfred Moretti of Morningside Dr. New York, NY – former owner of the inherited property
Mr. Samuel Cherpin – the lawyer for the estate of Mr. Moretti
Sister Emma – died of serum hepatitis when she helped dig out the septic tank (a.k.a. Linda Elizabeth Scozzafava)
Mother Clothilde – established the order in America – died of serum hepatitis digging out the septic tank
Sister Ursula (a.k.a. Everett Brown – man with bullet holes found in the closet and Nick Grassia’s Accountant)
Bad Guys
Nick Grassia – Mob Boss
Mr. Giovanni – supposed Census Taker – (Nick Grassia’s Bag Man)
Mr. John M. Ianicelli- supposed purveyor of fine religious objets d’art (works for Frank Scozzafava)
Mr. Joe Smith – Supposed Milk Delivery Man from Cowbell Dairy (works for Frank Scozzafava)
Frank Scozzafava – Mob Boss
Citizens of Gatesville
Sheriff Bill McGee
Deputy Hubie Johnson
Al Carson – Power and Light Man
Joe Epworth – Grocery Store Owner
Mr. Eaton – Farmer with the bean crops
Sister Isabelle Irwin – Dominican Nun at the House of Hope
Father Daniel O’Malley
Camping Hippies
Bhanjan Singh – visiting Guru
Naomi Witkowski – interested in growing herbs former 60’s Activist
Brill Stevenson – Social Psychologist author of Underground America
Alfred Comstock Geer (Alfie) – handyman, bean picker and former architect student
Gloria Schlaughterbeck (Sunrise)
Mr. Quigley – garbage collector (a.k.a. FBI man)
Marvin Coombs – Chemist, friend of Brill
Jason Horowitz – New York American Civil Liberties Lawyer, Friend of Brill
Migrant Workers and Family
Che’ – boy of local migrant workers
Alice – 9-year-old only wanted a small suitcase
Melida – young woman babysitter for town trip
Old Uncle Joe Stout – 2nd babysitter for town trip
Moses, Rosabeth, Lucas, Harry, and Carrie – children on the town trip
Quotes and Excerpts from the Book
Abbess of St. Tabitha
“If souls could be captured and pinned like butterflies Sister John’s soul would have a width and breadth to outdo them all. It would also, she thought dryly, have particularly exuberant colors.”
“Sister Hyacinthe knows how to make a very good dinner out of herbs, weeds, and ground nuts.”
“Sister John, of course, is the only one who can mend our printing press when it breaks down.”
*************************************
“Didn’t that extraordinary young man with the beard mention noises last night in the woods? We have a man upstairs with three bullet wounds in him, and he must have been shot nearby. He certainly couldn’t have walked far…”
Sister Hyacinthe looked at her accusingly. “Sister John, you’re enjoying this!”
“I used to adore crossword puzzles,” confessed Sister John. “Let’s have a look in the barn, it won’t take but a moment.”
Sister Hyacinthe sighed. “I’ve driven several hundred miles today, Sister John, I’ve pulled money out of a well and a bleeding man out of a closet and we’ve still not had our supper.”
Sister John absently patted her arm. “Just a glance,” she promised, and strode across the lawn, skirts flying.
*****************************************
Alfie said patiently, “You keep missing the point. I mean that when all the cars are rusted junk and suburbs sterile and food in short supply and equipment scarce there have to be people who’ll know how to live simply, without machines. And, “he added, whipping the towel from Sister Ursula’s shoulders, “I’ll bet you don’t believe we’re right about that either, but did you ever think oil would be rationed?”
We now have a Universal book Link Created to almost every major retailer in the world that carries this book in all of its current available formats such as eBook, paperback and audio. Click on the above picture to check it out. We will use these links to keep track of how many people visit our website and which retailers they like to the best. Not everyone shops on Amazon. These are just visit numbers we will never have access to your personal information. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please use our CONTACT Form and get in touch.
