#1 New York Times bestselling author Jan Karon welcomes you back home to Mitford in this inspirational novel that “hits the sweet spot at the intersection of your heart and your funny bone” (USA Today).After five hectic years of retirement from Lord’s Chapel, Father Tim Kavanagh returns with his wife, Cynthia, from the land of his Irish ancestors. While he’s glad to be at home in Mitford, … to be at home in Mitford, something is definitely missing from his life: a pulpit. But when he’s offered one, he decides he doesn’t want it.
For years, he believed he had a few answers. Now he has questions. How can he possibly help Dooley’s younger brother, Sammy, make it through the fallout of a disasterous childhood? Could doing a good deed for the town bookstore be the best thing for his befuddled spirit? And who was riding through town in a limo? Not Edith Mallory.
Then an editorial in the weekly Muse poses a question that sets the whole town looking for answers: Does Mitford still take care of its own?
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I love how Jan Karon, through humble Father Tim, finds beauty in the ordinary lives around us—the beauty that oblivious folks like me tend to overlook as we blunder through our days. Even as JK touches on people’s sins & flaws, she celebrates the souls made in God’s image. I could use more of Father Tim’s way of looking at things, especially his belief that any of us can be the “somebody good” who makes our little corner of the world “somewhere safe” for an anchor-less soul. Beautiful story. Must-read. Favorite.
**Thanks, Audible. John McDonough is one of the best narrators out there.
Great read!
Such a great addition to this wonderful series. I didn’t want it to end.
Anything Jan Karon is a 6 out 5. Mitford series and Father Tim series were all outstanding. Wish there were more.
I love all of her books! Delightful characters & story.
It was good, but I will say the preceding series was much better..make sure to read the earlier books in the series! The characters are wonderfully described and so believable that you feel you are part of the community.
[updated September 2020]
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, the twelfth Mitford novel, takes us back into the town where “they take care of their own”, and in some ways, their own need more care than ever!
Tim and Cynthia have come back to Mitford. Each is a little older. Dooley, now in pre- vet, and Lace, an art major, are dancing around commitment, Hoppy Harper is retiring and planning on mission work, Stores have changed hands, lives have been in turmoil, change is coming, but are the residents ready?
The owner of Happy Endings bookstore has a medical situation that puts her store in peril. Father Tim chooses to help out, and corrals others into helping as well. Along with bookselling, he realizes that in some ways , he is doing just as much ministry in the poetry section of the bookstore as he did at Lord’s Chapel. His work with the Barlows is still active, although the focus is more on Sammy this time. However, the bookstore is a blessing to his wounded soul as well.
I have to say I was skeptical of a twelfth Mitford book. What could Tim and his “flock” give us that she hasn’t already written? This book is not easy, but, in true Karon style, it reflects Christian faith and values in a “real life way”.
Sprinkled with the usual faith quotes,along with the one liners of foundational theologians, Somewhere Safe is a book to return to, and I will be searching out my own copy to add to my bookshelves soon [which I did and reread Sept 2020 after originally reading in 2015]
All Mitford books are wonderful!! This was no exception.
This is Jan Karon’s 12th book in the charming Mitford series. Father Tim has been retired for several years, and trying to discern his next calling from the Lord. Is it another parish, is it helping someone out with a local business – or something else? In this book, there are surprises, suspense and the wonderful characters that Karon’s readers love, including Tim’s beloved dog Barnabus.
This is a continuation of Father Tim and his family in Mitford. I won’t give away the plot, but I will say that the characters are the best part of her books. They inspire me, make me laugh, and make me think I know them intimately! I have read all the books in this series 3 times.
I love the Milford series and all books associated with this community and characters. This one did not disappoint!
Loved the choice of words and the personalities of the characters. Can’t help nut love them all!
Love Jan Karon books. Have read many of her books, always wishing for more. The characters are so endearing.