Karon, Jan: In the Company of Others

The misadventures begin before this fun couple even reaches Broughadoon. Walter and Katherine are delayed by four days. Father Tim has a diabetes fl are up before they leave home and has to pass up many of the proffered treats at the lodge. They have hauled along a carton of books they thought they couldn’t get along without, and it has been raining for three weeks. When they arrive at Broughadoon in a battered old Volvo, the electricity is out because of the storm. Their candle lit dinner was lamb roasted in an oil fired cook stove. A bucket of hot water was provided for bathing before bed, and the rain continued.

The stay at Broughadoon was lengthened when Walter and his wife were delayed even more than anticipated, and Cynthia re-injured her ankle and was confined to the lodge while it healed. While they both regretted that they were unable to do the sight seeing they had planned, they kept busy. Cynthia discovered an historic diary written in the 19th century by the ancestor of a nearby neighbor. She and Father Tim get caught up in it and are able to relate it to the people they were getting to know. Father Tim’s Episcopal collar was not completely accepted by the residents of this Irish Catholic community, but when things turn bad, they call upon him for counseling and prayer. This suited his workaholic tendencies just fine. There are fishing parties coming and going, a stolen painting to find, and an aging alcoholic neighbor to provide comfort to.

There were mysteries to be solved, long festering personal wrongs to be righted, and souls and bodies to be healed. Cynthia, a children’s book author and illustrator, discovers in her enforced inactivity that she has a previously undiscovered gift for portrait painting. Throughout all these happenings, the ancient diary provides them clues to today’s goings on as well as many hours of entertainment to help Cynthia pass the time away.

Before they leave, Cynthia’s ankle heals enough to allow Timothy the opportunity to take his beautiful wife sight seeing and picnicking. For those of you already familiar with the delightful goings on of this Mitford couple, going with them on their Irish journey is a real treat. If you have not read this series, I’m sure this book will encourage you to read them all in order.