FALSE WITNESS

The search for a missing person puts Sister Agatha and her friends in the order in grave danger.

Despite a new contract to handle computer mail orders, the nuns of New Mexico’s Our Lady of Hope Monastery are having trouble keeping up with the bills. The problem is exacerbated when an SUV crashes into their gate and destroys it. So Sister Agatha is unusually receptive to mortally ill John Gutierrez’s request that she find Angela Sanchez, the missing niece who stands to inherit his fortune. The bonus he offers would be very timely for the monastery, whose computer business is threatened by a hacker and whose electrical wiring is in a parlous state. Sister Agatha’s contacts quickly track down Angie, now calling herself Terri Montoya. The fugitive was the star witness at the trial of Jimmy Garza, convicted of killing his partner in a fraudulent scheme. But Jimmy escaped from jail, and the money is still missing. Sister Agatha, with her sidekick, retired police dog Pax, at her side, works to uncover the hacker, convince Terri to go see her uncle and determine who is following her and spying on the unprotected monastery. Local knowledge and prayer prevail in the end.

Sister Agatha’s fourth appearance (Prey for a Miracle, 2006, etc.) offers an easy puzzle for its pleasant cast of characters.