Father Tim Kavanagh and his wife, Cynthia, return from Whitecap Island to "the little town with the big heart" in Jan Karon's seventh novel in the bestselling Mitford series, In This Mountain. Retirement holds challenges Father Tim hasn't anticipated, and even as Cynthia's career as a children's book author and illustrator brings her new accolades, he finds himself dogged by health troubles and dissatisfaction with the way his life is turning out. However, the beloved villagers of Mitford are on hand to offer support and humor through every crisis, and a few new characters are introduced to keep interest in the series fresh. Throughout the tale, Karon folds in themes of grace and forgiveness, and offers hope for even the most difficult situations. Fans will be delighted to find that this installment of the series is full of the engaging descriptions and charming depiction of life in Mitford that first won Karon the loyalty of legions of readers. --Cindy Crosby


From Publishers Weekly
Fans of Mitford, N.C., will rejoice over this anticipatedfull-length seventh installment in the bestselling series, especiallythose disappointed with its shorter, rather lightweight predecessor, ACommon Life. Although this offering is permeated with Karon'strademark charm, the plot isn't all sweetness and light. Three yearshave passed since Father Tim Kavanagh and his wife, Cynthia, returnedto Mitford from Whitecap Island, and depression and discontent aregnawing away at the good cleric as he faces the big "7-0." AsCynthia's career reaches new heights, Father Tim makes some personaldecisions that lead to tragedy. But never fear - although Karonstrikes some somber notes, she avoids becoming heavy-handed. Devotedreaders will find the same appealing characters and enchanting writingthat originally won them to the series. edith Mallory is up to her oldtricks, plotting her seduction of Father Tim, and haircut wars arefought between barber Joe Ivey and stylist Fancy Skinner. Convictedjewel thief George Gaynor returns to the series after his release fromjail; something new is cooking down at the Main Street Grill; andDooley Barlowe learns the ropes of romance even as he agonizes over asearch that may turn up his lost father and brothers. Karon more fullyfleshes out two of the series' minor characters, Helene Pringle andHope Winchester, and introduces newcomer Millie Tipton, awise-cracking Methodist preacher who fits comfortably into townlife. Homespun dialogue, fresh and lively descriptions, laugh-out-loudmoments and poignant scenes mark the heartfelt book, which is a happyreunion for Mitford devotees.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Father Tim Cavanaugh is bored. At first, retirement seemed like a good thing; now he longs for a mission, a parish, a goal. After a diabetic blackout at the wheel of his red Mustang, he finds he has seriously injured a fellow clergyman and killed the man's dog. Guilt, confusion, pain, and envy send him into a depression. However, God is keeping Father Tim in Mitford, NC, for a number of reasons to find Dooley Barlow's brother Sammy, to bury Dooley's grandfather, to encourage and support the "man in the attic" when he is released from prison, to help Uncle Billy find some new jokes, and to act as cheerleader for his wife, Cynthia, as she is showered with awards from the publishing world. Once Father Tim realizes that he is needed in Mitford, he regains his love of life, his sense of humor, and his happy existence. Karon's writing makes everyday life seem very important; her storytelling compels the listener to become a caring and concerned part of the community. Read with lively and interesting voices by John McDonough, this novel is highly recommended. Joanna M. Burkhardt, Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, ProvidenceCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
The seventh Mitford book finds priest Tim Cavanaugh and his artist wife, Cynthia, still living in the tiny town of Mitford. Now retired, Father Tim seeks new challenges, while Cynthia continues to garner accolades for her children's books. As he plans to embark on a new ministry, unexpected events unravel his plans, threaten his marriage, and endanger his life. Narrator John McDonough warmly characterizes the benevolent priest but fails to capture the spirits of many other characters. The listener finds it difficult to distinguish between males and females. The abridged recording leaves one with the feeling of being on the wrong page. J.J.B. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
*Starred Review* Following the sweet trifle of A Common Life (2001), Karon serves up heartier fare in the latest installment in the increasingly popular, faith-based Mitford series. Father Tim has been retired from the Lord's Chapel for several years now but still feels unsettled. Although he and wife, Cynthia, have made plans to spend a year in an Appalachian ministry, there are other opportunities available, several of them related to Cynthia's growing fame as an author and illustrator of children's books. But Father Tim's inability--or stubborn refusal--to control his diabetes leads to a crisis that completely overturns his generally placid daily round. Meanwhile, efforts continue to reunite all the members of adopted son Dooley's scattered family; rehabilitated ex-convict George Gaynor comes back to town with interesting consequences for Hope Winchester at the Happy Endings Bookstore; Emma Newland's efforts to make Father Tim computer literate finally start to pay off; the Main Street Grill regulars welcome the new pastor at the Methodist church--a woman (perhaps destined for a larger role in the next book?). Notwithstanding her quaint small-town setting and folksy cast of recurring characters, Karon always manages to avoid sentimentality by realistically depicting life's challenges. In past books Father Tim has ministered to other people in need, but this time he undergoes a severe test of his own, and it makes for a deeper book. Loyal fans will eat up the newest Mitford, and readers who may have been growing weary of Father Tim will find refreshment here. Mary Ellen Quinn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Father Tim and Cynthia have been at home in Mitford for three years since returning from Whitecap Island.
In the little town that's home-away-from-home to millions of readers, life hums along as usual. Dooley looks toward his career as a vet; Joe Ivey and Fancy Skinner fight a haircut price war that takes no prisoners; and Percey steps out on a limb with a risky new menu item at the Main Street Grill.

Though Father Tim dislikes change, he dislikes retirement even more. As he and Cynthia gear up for a year-long ministry across the state line, a series of events send shock waves through his faith - and the whole town of Mitford.
In her seventh novel in the bestselling Mitford Years series, Jan Karon delivers surprises of every kind, including the return of the man in the attic and an ending that no one in Mitford will ever forget.

Author Biography: Jan Karon, who lives in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, was an award-winning advertising executive before following her dream of writing books. She is the author of five Mitford novels. At Home in Mitford and Out of Canaan appeared on the New York Times and other bestseller lists. At Home in Mitford was named am ABBY Honor Book by the American Booksellers Association in 1996, 1997, and 1998.

FROM THE CRITICS

Book Magazine - Beth Kephart

The seventh installment of the Mitford Years novels finds Father Tim beset by the blues, his wife, Cynthia, bustling with her usual compensatory cheer and all the folks of Mitford going about their ordinary lives at Happy Endings Bookstore, Sweet Stuff Bakery, Mitford Blossoms and the other small-town spots that Karon's millions of readers have come to know. Caught in the quagmire of retirement and a tad uncomfortable with Cynthia's success as a children's book author, Father Tim thinks about—and at times pursues—new ways to spend his days. He fiddles with a few mild essays. He buys his wife flowers. He learns how to send e-mails. He tries a sandwich wrap. He helps Dooley, a boy he'd taken in several years before, locate a missing sibling. He prepares salmon roulade. Karon's latest book is a quilt of common scenes and common sayings: "She could holler at him 'til she was blue in the face"; "Home is where the heart is"; "she couldn't make heads nor tails of the words." There are no challenges here and no surprises, nothing daring or remotely literary—little that one might call original or fresh. Karon's subject has always been the supremely ordinary, and Mitford fans will not be disappointed here.

Library Journal

Father Tim Cavanaugh is bored. At first, retirement seemed like a good thing; now he longs for a mission, a parish, a goal. After a diabetic blackout at the wheel of his red Mustang, he finds he has seriously injured a fellow clergyman and killed the man's dog. Guilt, confusion, pain, and envy send him into a depression. However, God is keeping Father Tim in Mitford, NC, for a number of reasonsDto find Dooley Barlow's brother Sammy, to bury Dooley's grandfather, to encourage and support the "man in the attic" when he is released from prison, to help Uncle Billy find some new jokes, and to act as cheerleader for his wife, Cynthia, as she is showered with awards from the publishing world. Once Father Tim realizes that he is needed in Mitford, he regains his love of life, his sense of humor, and his happy existence. Karon's writing makes everyday life seem very important; her storytelling compels the listener to become a caring and concerned part of the community. Read with lively and interesting voices by John McDonough, this novel is highly recommended.DJoanna M. Burkhardt, Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Providence Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

AudioFile