The Company of Others
A Father Tim Novel, No 2
Jan Karon

Viking Adult
October 2010 / ISBN 978-0670022120
General fiction
Amazon

Reviewed by Barbara Buhrer

Father Timothy Kavanaugh and his wife, Cynthia, are taking their long anticipated vacation to Ireland. Their vacation had been delayed by an accident that sprained her ankle. Tim is happy to become reacquainted with his ancestral homeland. They are staying at a bed and breakfast in Broughadoon run by Liam and Anna Conor. Their vacation is extended because of an injury to Cynthia's just healed ankle.

Events transpire to make this a less than placid vacation. In addition to the injury to Cynthia's just healed ankle, a valuable painting is stolen and Tim becomes involved in its recovery. Then Tim is drawn into a bitter family problem. They discover a journal written by a doctor, Liam’s 19th century ancestor, which reveals a crime and its eventual solution.

This is a charming tale rich in detail about the culture and life in Ireland past and present. The characters are real with human problems that need solutions. We are given a picture of love and spiritual fulfillment that we have come to expect from Jan Karon.