Experience the beauty and romance of Ireland at Jan Karon’s website before you begin her newest Father Tim novel, In the Company of Others. The Celtic music and charming photographs will prepare you for a wonderful read.

Those of us who have been waiting for the newest book from Karon can be most pleased with the result. This second book in the Father Tim series takes us to Ireland for a two week vacation with Timothy and Cynthia in the land of their ancestors. Cynthia’s ankle is injured when she is unpleasantly surprised by a stranger hiding in their room. This incident keeps them close to their quaint fishing lodge rather than touring the countryside as planned. Here we become deeply involved in the lives of Liam and Anna Conor, owners of Broughadoon,and Anna’s musically talented daughter Bella. There are many sad, dark secrets complicating their lives in which Father Tim and Cynthia begin to share and counsel. A journal written by Fintan O’Donnell, a surgeon in the nineteenth century, is a focal point of much of the book which brings insight into the history of the people of Catharmore, the nearby ancestral home of Liam and current home of his elderly, alcoholic mother. This journal also leads to the solving of mysteries involving a stolen painting and the stranger hiding in the Kav’nas room.

Cynthia and Tim have a deeply joyous, committed marriage and their dialogue is truly motivating as they share their faith and wisdom with this hurting family. Fans of the Mitford series will learn bits of news regarding those wonderful characters as Father Tim telephones and emails his thoughts back home.