In This Mountain finds Father Tim and Cynthia again living in Mitford, following their stint on Whitecap Island a couple of years ago. In the little town that's become America's favorite home-away-from-home, life hums along. Dooley looks toward his career as a vet. Joe Ivey and Fancy Skinner fight a haircut price war that takes no prisoners. Percy steps out on a limb with a risky new menu item at the Grill. Uncle Billy feels new pressure to produce a sure-fire joke, and the Man in the Attic returns to Mitford as the town holds its breath to see what happens.Though Father Tim dislikes change, he dislikes retirement even more. His wife wins awards, receives bouquets, gets invited to tour the country. What's he doing? Staring at a blank page in a proposed book of essays, waging a losing battle against moles, and filling an occasional pulpit. Thus, when he decides to take on a unique and difficult ministry, he feels newly energized. He even begins to think he likes change--until an unexpected event propels him on a painful journey that shakes his faith, his marriage, and the whole town of Mitford.Once again, Jan Karon proves she's "a writer who reflects contemporary culture more fully than almost any living novelist" (Los Angeles Times). As always, she transports us with characters who step off the page and into our hearts, and cheers us with her great sense of fun and magnificent storytelling.By the last page of In This Mountain, you may have become so absorbed you'll have missed the sound of the timer going off-again. So, come home to Mitford. And treat yourself to a rare commodity in this world: Complete satisfaction.

Rating 5/5 Marmalade Cakes ( )

After being reminded by a friend that this series is delightfully like "curling up with a cup of tea," I realized that the whole series is missing from my Goodreads list. It's been quite a while since I've read this book, so I'm just guessing on the date. I won't rate it, because the details are fuzzy, but I loved this series. Don't pick it up if you're looking for something exceptionally deep or literary. It's just a warm-hearted and good series with characters striving to learn and do what it right.

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not a bookclub book
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Father Tim discovers retirement is more challenging than he ever imagined. Enjoy the latest news from the little town with the big heart, including a complete archive of the "More From Mitford" newsletters.

Nice descriptions of Father Tim dealing with being diabetic and getting in a car accident as a result, being depressed over hurting his friend and killing his dog, and feeling lost when retired. Although he no longer has an official job, he is still very busy with the town and its people. His wife, Cynthia is too good to be real but did like that she won the equivalent of a Caldecott Medal! Enjoyed Uncle Billy with his issues with telling jokes. Nice finding Dooley growing into a good college student and having the starts of a love life. ( )

I have been listening to the Mitford series driving to and from work. I know I need to read/listen to these in order; however, I get them whenever one comes available. There was a lot of humor in this one as well as some touching moments. ( )

The more I read of this town of Mitford, the more this town grows on me and the people in it, as do Father Tim and his wife Cynthia. Folks pass away and children grow up. You weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. In this book you will see that Father Tim struggles with "retirement", while his wife Cynthia wins a grand award for her writing of children's books. An unexpected and painful journey will come upon both Tim and Cynthia that will impact the whole town. There is always something taking place in the town of Mitford and the author writes in such a way that makes you want to pick up the next book and see what will take place next. ( )

Such an amazing book! One of come back to again and again to read! Jan Karon hits a homerun once again! ( )

This is the seventh book in the Mitford Series. Father Tim & Cynthia are again living in Mitford following their stint on Whitecap Island. A big unexpected event shakes his faith, his marriage and all of Mitford.

This one is probably my favorite book in the series so far. It is a little darker in tone and a bit more serious than the previous books in the series as Father Tim's painful journey, both physically and spiritually, is triggered by a health crisis. What I really liked is how the story is not just told from Father Tim's point of view. This time, the reader also gets to see what is going on inside the heads of some of the Mitford town folk, such as Father Tim's tenant at the Vicarage Helene Pringle, Hope Winchester, who runs the Happy Endings Bookstore and Hessie Mayhew.

Another good installment in this charming, heartwarming and uplifting series. ( )

Returning to Mitford and the life of Father Tim and Cynthia is always so heartwarming and uplifting. Sure, Father Tim has his problems - he even gets kidnapped at one point in this book, and he has serious medical emergency. But his reliance on the Good Lord, prayer, and quoting scripture always gives me hope that things will work out. And they do and I am blessed by hearing how his faith helps him through the low points of his life. It is also good to see how he blesses others in his interactions with them, and to see him celebrating special moments like anniversaries and the reuniting of siblings. Long live Father Tim! ( )

I've been enjoying the Mitford series, however this book had some inconsistencies to it. Karon introduced some dark circumstances in this story that, at least in my view, didn't fit in well with the characters. Enjoyable read nonetheless. ( )

This is the seventh novel in Jan Karon's 'Mitford' series about the Episcopal priest, Father Tim. Set in a small village in a mountain in the south of the USA, it's a delightful series with cleverly drawn characters, light humour, and some moving moments too.

This book takes place more than a year after the previous one. Tim is now well-established as a retired priest, and his wife Cynthia continues to write successful children's books although she keeps intending to stop. They have been trying to find a productive use of their time, and have agreed to join a small mission organisation in the outback. They are both trying to be enthusiastic about it and believing it's probably right, but messages from the organiser are not encouraging.

Then a disaster happens, because Father Tim is not paying attention to his health. The rest of the book covers his reactions to this, including some quite bad depression which he tries to fight. It's perhaps more serious than some of the earlier books; certainly the Christian message is put more clearly than ever, along with some useful reminders of eternal truths.

Very enjoyable as part of the series, but it wouldn't make much sense as a stand-alone novel.

Latest full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/08/in-this-mountain-by-jan-karon.html ( )

Further tales of Father Tim Kavanaugh, his wife, Cynthia, his adopted son, Dooley, and the rest of the citizens of Mitford. This is book 7 of the 9-book Mitford series, and I do advise that they be read in order.

This audio book was narrated by John McDonough. His voice is perfect for the male characters, but a tad too deep and gravelly for the females. Still, it’s a good audio book. ( )

This book finds Fr. Tim and Cynthia back home, having finished their term on Whitecap. For their next adventure, they plan to serve at a mission deep in Appalachia, but Fr. Tim's health throws up a roadblock when neglect of his diabetes results in some serious issues. During a long convalescence, he also has to deal with depression, which his father struggled with as well.

This book is a bit heavier than others in the series. There's plenty of character growth, and certainly some bright spots, but because of the somber tone it has never been my favorite part of the series. However, a least-favorite book in a favorite series is still better than a lot of books I could be reading! ( )

in this mountain by jan karon
life goes on with many people in town. father tim has now retired and needs something to get energized about. ( )

Just when I was all set to read about the Kavanaugh's adventures in Tennessee, Ms. Karon throws a curveball. While the first book hinted at Father Tim's emotional struggles, this book takes a close look at depression and illness as Father Tim copes with the unexpected. I particularly liked the conclusion of this book. ( )

Seventh in the Father Tim Kavanaugh of Mitford, NC series.

Father Tim, in his usual role of Saving the World, has too much to do, he thinks, to worry much about keeping to his diebetic diet. Plus he’s resentful of the disease, that prevents him from eating the food he wants. So, he goes on an eating binge; the results are somber, as in a diabetic crisis, he blacks out at the wheel of his car, and a tragic accident occurs. Obsessed with what he feels is his responsibility AND with what the townspeople really think of him after the accident, he falls into a deep depression.

This is the darkest of the Mitford series. Karon writes with sensitivity and perhaps a tad too much idealism (I’ve lived in small towns most of my life, and never found ALL the people to be that forgiving). But the books has all the strengths of the series: fine writing, interesting characters that develop, a strong but not offensive presentation of Christianity. But what I truly appreciate about the series is that it deals with real life in a rather matter-of-fact but yet compassionate way: people die whether from natural causes or disease, life moves on as others retire and move away. children grow up and leave, while others come in to take their place.

This is a very fine installment in an excellent series. Highly recommended. ( )

Father Tim and Cynthia again live in Mitford, following their stint on Whitecap Island. Father Tim dislikes retirement. His wife is adjusting well, however, what is he doing?

It took me longer to warm up to this book than to any of the other books I've read so far in the Mitford series. I struggled to keep going through the first half of the book. It felt like a rerun of some of the earlier books in the series. For example, Father Tim's health was a major plot point in one of the earlier books in the series as well as in this book. Been there, done that.

I stuck with it and was rewarded by the last half of the book, which typifies what I love so much about this series. The characters resemble the people I encounter daily at work, at church, at the bank, at the mall. Their problems, both physical and spiritual, are realistic, and, just as in real life, they are not neatly resolved. Father Tim's struggle in this book to distinguish his will from God's will reminded me of this passage in Philippians:

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Although the time frame for this books spans from spring to early fall, it turned out to be a timely read for the Thanksgiving season. Father Tim's sermon on I Thessalonians 5:18 is a wonderful meditation on thanksgiving in all circumstances. It's food for the soul. ( )

This is the last book (#7) in the Mitford series. I've read them all and always enjoy the home-y comforts of Mitford. Father Tim, his wife Cynthia, and their friends and neighbors deal with troubles like those found in many small towns. At this point in the series, Karon has developed a huge number of familiar characters and keeps her readers entertained with the intertwined storylines. These books work very well for me on audio, and I've enjoyed spending my drives to and from work with the good folks of Mitford. ( )

I liked this one a lot, because Father Tim is back in Mitford and though retired, still ministers to a lot of people. He also battles some of the depression people get when retired. I don't remember a lot of the specifics, but there is a lot of spiritual insight. ( )

The Mitford Series of Jan Karon is one set of books that I read over and over, about once a year. I love the characters, the small town and the basic humanity of the stories. ( )