When a nun leaves the convent, it’s called “jumping the wall.” There really was a wall at the Motherhouse—that’s the place where young nuns get trained and old nuns go to die—but I just walked out the door when I left.
I thought that would be it, you know. After ten years in the convent and another eighteen months back in the real world, I’d pretty much dealt with all the “divorced from God” baggage. My job helped: I work for Driscoll Investigations. I started out as an admin, which was better than waitressing: no chance to drop a whole pile of enchilada-filled plates and get fired. When the boss asked for my help with Bible-crazed stalker case, things changed. The stalker targeted me, but after we solved that case, Frank (my boss) promoted me to partner-in-training.
That brings me to our current case, and why I’m wearing a habit and back in the convent again.
Not permanently, thank Heaven. When I left, I left with no regrets and zero desire to rethink the decision. I’m here undercover, to see why a Novice killed herself—if it was suicide and not murder.
I bet you thought the convent was like the movies Sister Act or The Sound of Music. Sorry, but those are fiction. This is real life.
What I miss most about the real world is my boss, Frank. Because, well, he’s a little bit more than my boss. No lectures about office romances, please! If there’s one talent I have, it’s a strong work ethic. I am quite capable of keeping my work and personal lives in their proper places. It takes work, though, because he dresses like a classic movie detective and is very easy on the eyes.
I also miss our admin, all-natural, whole-health Sidney. She’s perky and fun and always makes me smile. Her family runs an alpaca farm and writes the corniest earworm jingles ever. The Motherhouse could use a dozen Sidneys. She sure could make this undercover job less hellish, and I use that word in the true sense. Because there’s something really off-kilter here. I have to find out what it is in the next two days, or two things could happen: My former Superior General (aka The Puppet Master) pushes me too far and I say some things I regret.
The other possibility is my old rival, Sister Mary Stephen, will paw through my underwear at the wrong time, and I catch her at it. She’s jealous of my sexy, lacy underthings (the first “real world” clothes I bought after I jumped the wall). A catfight in the convent: Not what the job calls for. Too bad I’m playing the perfect, obedient nun. But I can only be pushed so far…
You can read more about Giulia in BACK IN THE HABIT, the second book in the “Falcone & Driscoll Investigation” mystery series. The first book in the series is Force of Habit.
** Thanks to Alice, I have one (1) copy of BACK IN THE HABIT to give away. Contest ends February 19. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet the author:
Alice Loweecey is a former nun who went from the convent to playing prostitutes on stage to accepting her husband’s marriage proposal on the second date. A contributor to BuddyHollywood.com, she is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She lives with her family in Western New York. Force of Habit was her first novel. Her website is http://aliceloweecey.net
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
What fun. I think the last nun I read about was in Dorothy Gilman’s A Nun in the Closet. This sounds very fresh.
mary-fairchild@sbcglobal.net
I’m already imaging Tracy Nelson (from the Father Dowling Murders) as the main character. Can’t wait.
I’m thinking this series should be a lot of fun—just the idea of a catfight in a convent makes me laugh.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Isn’t Alice’s voice great as a writer? She just sucks you in! Don’t enter me to win a free copy, though. I intend to buy this one. 🙂
I love the premise of the story. I am going to get a copy and give it to my cousin who is a nun–she parties better than any of us…
idlivru(at)gmail(dot)com
Risa
I really enjoyed the first book in the series. Can’t wait to read this one!
I haven’t read the first book in this series yet, but I’ve enjoyed a number of other books about former nuns who become PI’s and solve murders. I’d love to win a copy of this book and get into the series.
NoraAdrienne(dot)gmail(dot)com
I loved the first book and look forward to reading your second one. There is always a sense of mysteriousness associated with nuns and what happens when they leave the convent. I remember the first time I saw a nun in street clothes back in the 70’s! Keep writing the good books!!!
This sounds like a wonderful series – and I can’t get the picture of
Whoopi out of my mind!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
This sounds like a wonderful series. When I was growing up my best friend’s father was the caretaker for a Carmelite Monastery. We used to take long walks around it. And if her mother had to pick up somthing that they needed at the grocery, they put the list in a spinning door with the money and we put the items in the door afterwards. Fascinating place. I saw their tiny rooms without much in them. Would really love to read this book.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sister Mary Stephen is a hoot and I love her. What a great read.
My husband & I just LOVED the first book. We said that we HOPE she writes another book. The first one kept our attention from the beging to the end.
This sounds like a fun series! Can’t wait to check it out!
tori@torilennox.com
I can imagine the setting to be my Alma Mater, Maria Regina College, which was connected to the Mother house convent of a large order of nuns. I enjoy mysteries with elements that are relating to Catholicism in some way. I would love to win this book and I know I will be adding it to my list of favorites.
Sounds like a really fun read. Something a little different then what I normally read but it looks like it would be interesting.
gypsygal29@charter.net
This looks very interesting!! i will have to read the first book and then this one!! Thanks for the write up. I went to catholic schools straight through college!!! I have heard a lot of stories and have witnessed a few myself. =-)
Thanks for all the great comments, everyone! And thank you, Dru, for giving Giulia the spotlight for a day.
@Emily: Bingo. What years did you go to Maria Regina? I was a nun in that Motherhouse 1979-80, and then back again off and on through 1983.
@ Alice: August 1984 to May 1986. We didn’t miss each other by very much. I went back in Oct. 2010 to see the Shrine of Blessed Marianne Cope. What an experience that was, after 25 years! I only live about 70 miles away but hadn’t been near there since Graduation Day.
Thanks Alice for letting Giulia tells us about her day and adventures.
This sounds like another wonderful book and series!
ncroessner @ comcast. net
oh, i never heard of this series!!! sounds interesting!!
thank you for the heads-up & for the giveaway!!!!
cyn209 at juno dot com
This series, and Alice’s real life, reminds me of my husband’s uncle. He left the priesthood to get married and become a sort of new age hippie. This sounds like a really great series.
jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com
Just love the ideal of this book. A breath of fresh air.
xzjh04@gmail.com