The novel begins with the death of a nun, Sister Miriam, who apparently starved herself to death in a ruined tower, known as the 'Tower of Ivory', which adjoins the grounds of the Convent of the Blessed Eleanor, a
nunnery and a girls'
school. The tower has specific significance to the
Order, as it was the original convent building. The tower and the ancient history of the Order are recorded in the
Treasury of the Blessed Eleanor, a manuscript that is referenced throughout the story. Though it is never stated explicitly, Blessed Eleanor is presumed to be
Eleanor of Aquitaine, who was once
Queen of England. Television reporter
Jemima Shore is a former schoolfriend of Sister Miriam, who was also known as Rosabelle Powerstock and was heiress to "the Powers fortune", one of the largest fortunes in Britain. Jemima is invited back to the convent by Reverend Mother Ancilla, where she uncovers a number of mysteries, including the suggestion that Miriam, whose family owned the convent lands, may have written a second
will bequeathing them away from the Order, and into the hands of another
charity. The tension builds when the girls at the convent school tell Jemima that the Black Nun, a malevolent faceless
spectre reputed to appear whenever a death is about to take place within the grounds, was seen just prior to Sister Miriam's death, and has been sighted again. ==References==