The Recommended Reading Order
The Sister Mary Teresa mystery series, written by Notre Dame philosophy professor Ralph McInerny under the pen name Monica Quill, follows a clear chronological progression. To appreciate the slow evolution of the convent and the development of the characters, it is highly recommended to read the books in their original publication order.
- Not a Blessed Thing! (1981) - The debut novel introduces Sister Mary Teresa Dempsey ("Emtee"), Sister Kim, and Sister Joyce, as they shelter a threatened TV station owner named Cheryl Pitman.
- Let Us Prey (1982) - The sisters investigate a double murder from within their Chicago house, relying on Emtee's deductive powers.
- And Then There Was Nun (1984) - A clever mystery showing the growing dynamic and investigative division of labor among the three remaining sisters of the Order of Martha and Mary.
- Nun of the Above (1985) - Emtee pieces together clues to solve the murder of a wealthy Chicago woman.
- Sine Qua Nun (1986) - A scholarly debate leads to a real-life murder puzzle that the sisters must unravel.
- The Veil of Ignorance (1988) - Sister Mary Teresa takes on the defense of Lydia Hopkins, a convicted murderer she believes is innocent, despite internal convent friction.
- Sister Hood (1991) - When a Carmelite nun (who happens to be the daughter of a former Chicago mobster) is abducted, Emtee guides her sisters to find the kidnappers.
- Nun Plussed (1993) - Sister Mary Teresa investigates the death of a former student, Margaret Doyle, unraveling a complex web of deceit.
- Half Past Nun (1997) - Emtee matches wits with a dangerous serial killer by connecting seemingly unrelated clues.
- Death Takes the Veil and Other Stories (2001) - A retrospective collection of four novellas and three short stories featuring the eccentric detective.
Understanding the Nero Wolfe Inspiration
In designing Sister Mary Teresa, McInerny drew direct inspiration from Rex Stout’s famous Nero Wolfe series. Just like Nero Wolfe is an eccentric, heavy-set intellectual who rarely leaves his home and sends Archie Goodwin to gather clues, Emtee Dempsey is a 200-pound medieval scholar who remains in her Chicago convent house. She relies on the younger, more agile Sister Kim and Sister Joyce to perform the external legwork, fetch documents, and interview suspects, while she synthesizes the information to solve the crime.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the case files, readers should keep a few details in mind:
- Convent Context: The books reflect the cultural and religious shifts in the Catholic Church post-Vatican II. The Order of Martha and Mary is depicted as a tiny, dwindling order consisting of only three nuns, which adds a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere.
- No Crossovers: Although Ralph McInerny is famous for his Father Dowling series, the two series do not cross over. Monica Quill's stories are lighter, wittier, and focus on logical deduction.
- The Final Volume: Death Takes the Veil and Other Stories is not a standard novel but a compilation of shorter mysteries originally published between 1988 and 1997, serving as a perfect retrospective piece to finish the series.
Reader Advice: Can the Books Be Read Standalone?
Yes. Every book contains a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final chapter. You can pick up any book in the series and enjoy it on its own. However, reading them in order is recommended to fully experience the domestic banter and the evolving relationship between the three sisters of the convent.