• Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good

  • Mitford Years, Book 10
  • By: Jan Karon
  • Narrated by: John McDonough
  • Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,639 ratings)

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Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good  By  cover art

Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good

By: Jan Karon
Narrated by: John McDonough
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Publisher's summary

A publishing event: number-one New York Times best-selling author Jan Karon returns - and invites her millions of fans to join her again in Mitford.

After five hectic years of retirement from Lord's Chapel, Father Tim Kavanagh returns with his wife, Cynthia, from a so-called pleasure trip to the land of his Irish ancestors. While glad to be at home in Mitford, something is definitely missing: a pulpit. But when he's offered one, he decides he doesn't want it. Maybe he's lost his passion.

His adopted son, Dooley, wrestles with his own passion - for the beautiful and gifted Lace Turner, and his vision to become a successful country vet. Dooley's brother, Sammy, still enraged by his mother's abandonment, destroys one of Father Tim's prized possessions. And Hope Murphy, owner of Happy Endings bookstore, struggles with the potential loss of her unborn child and her hard-won business.

All this as Wanda's Feel Good Cafe opens, a romance catches fire through an Internet word game, their former mayor hatches a reelection campaign to throw the bums out, and the weekly Muse poses a probing inquiry: Does Mitford still take care of its own?

Millions of fans will applaud the chance to spend time, once more, in the often comic and utterly human presence of Jan Karon's characters. Indeed, they have never been more sympathetic, bighearted, and engaging.

©2014 Jan Karon (P)2014 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Mitford Changes With The Times

Let me start by saying that I have loved the books in the Mitford series and anticipated this book--# 10 with great excitement-- counting the days until it was released on Audible. The idea of having a new book from Jan Karon and John McDonough returning as narrator was wonderful. That said-- I had some issues and concerns that I need to address in this review.

First, it is important to note that this book actually comes after the two books in the Father Tim series rather than after book 9 in the Mitford series. It is best to listen to books 1 through 9 from Mitford and then move on to Home in Holly Springs and In the Company of Others BEFORE listening to this book --#10. There are a great deal of plot spoilers in this book about all of the other books. The Father Tim books will be ruined if you skip them now and read them later--even though they are a different series.

Further, there is a great deal of rehashing and retelling of old stories from previous books. This is more than a short, plot based reintroduction of characters and an occasional revisit to prior events. The first five chapters (at least) all seemed to be retelling--and as such--very repetitive and almost boring after a while. Most people who have read and loved these books know the characters well and don't need all the reminders and back stories.

My biggest concern was that one of the reasons many readers love the series is the wonderful positivity, wacky humor, friendliness of the community and the sense of connectedness the books embrace. In the past the characters were very kind to each other, often turning neighbors into family. With this installment there is an edginess and a feeling of discontent in the town. Mitford seems to have moved fully into the modern world and with all these changes comes all the negative draw backs as well. The tone of this installment was much darker and harsher. Everyone seems to be suffering and/or in some sort of trouble or conflict. If the reader is looking for the zest, the food, and upbeat silliness from the previous books they will be disappointed. Mitford no longer seems to be the safe haven from the worldly stresses and strains that it once was. Much of the cozy is gone.

John McDonough's narration--a favorite of mine from the past--was over the top in parts. Some voices were almost ear splitting. This evened out as the book progressed. He still is Father Tim to me--but it was a bit forced at times.

I am not suggesting that you skip the book. I just think it best to go into such a long listen (over 17 hours) with your eyes open. There are many good things about this installment--it's just different than I had expected. Listening is no longer the comforting visit and the reassuring escape from the difficulties of every day life--where all things are possible--that it once was. I am sorry to see it go.

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66 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

so wanted to give this five stars

First of all, let me say that I am setting this book aside at Chapter 5 because of the change in Mitford and the narrator's strained-diaphragmatic voice. It is not easy listening. I may resume the book at a later time and completely revise this, since other reviewers say the book improves toward the end, but for now, I very much agree with Sara's review. The early books were so charming! The therapeutic value of Mitford is that the story takes us to interpersonal relationships as they could be. As Sara said, there is now a strange edginess about the town. Father Tim seems to have beome a curmudgeon... others' over-attention to Tim's diabetes and others' efforts to dress Tim properly, cut Tim's hair and (for gosh sakes) offer Tim help with bowel purgatives make the priest appear childish and coddled. Wish I could give this 5 stars, but alas, it is 3 at best.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Jan Karon says goodbye to Mifford?

The great writing and imagination of Jan Karon appears to be saying a goodbye to Father Tim, Cynthia, and all the Mitford town folk in this most recent and long awaited Mitford book.
Unfortunately, Karon's "putting to bed" of the many characters of our beloved Mitford made this last book a painful dirge at times, too much like the real life we try to escape when we pick up one of her books.

Perhaps the author, who must be 70 or close to it, is bringing some of her own reality into this book.
The last chapter does hint at the possibility of a new story built around Father Tim's adopted son Dooley, but after such a poignant goodbye in this recent book, one wonders if the author will tackle such a fresh beginning?

May God stir Jan Karon's imagination again or lay that "mantle" upon new shoulders. We need the cultural sanity and spiritual hope of these books more than ever.
Lin Willett, Gladstone Oregon

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Narrator IS Father Tim

Would you consider the audio edition of Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good to be better than the print version?

? Have not read the book yet.

What did you like best about this story?

Mitford in General

Which character – as performed by John McDonough – was your favorite?

Father Tim

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Mitford

Any additional comments?

I have not yet completed listening to this book yet, but I have to react to a former review about the Narrator. John McDonough has narrated almost all of this series. I only know of one of them narrated by Scott and that one was in the other series. John McDonough is the voice of The Mitford books. I would have been very disappointed if it had not had him as the narrator. Note: I only gave this stars because the review process required it. I will write another review after I am finished the book. Just had to get this comment out there!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Darker plot lines with Hallmark Endings

What made the experience of listening to Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good the most enjoyable?

Getting reacquainted with Mitford characters whose journeys through life speak of hope and simpler times.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Perhaps the most gripping section dealt with the suspense surrounding Father Talbert's disappearance and subsequent rescue. The endless scenarios surrounding Father Tom's stint at Happy Endings were at times less interesting, at other times engrossing.

What does John McDonough bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

John McDonough is Father Tim's voice to most readers, and I was delighted to hear his voice again in this edition. However, I agree with other critics that these were not his finest character renditions, and at times the voices seemed shrill and indistinguishable.

If you could take any character from Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Father Tim, of course.

Any additional comments?

Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good presented an older, harsher Father Tim back in a Mitford where conflict and criticism now seems common, and the new characters and plot lines fail to captivate the imagination as clearly as in earlier works. There are many references to earlier story lines that add little to the current work, and the wrap-up chapters so neatly bring all things to good endings that only Hallmark could make the movie!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not sure how to rate this.

I love Jan Karon's books but this one has NO story line. It's just all over the place. The narrator is ok but have seen better from him.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointed.

What did you like best about Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good? What did you like least?

Loved the Mitford Books. Listening is always a joy, I am always transported through Father Tim into the story, not this time. The constant rehash of character names such as Sassy and Sissy was to much. I found no real plot. Missing a good narration.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I wasn't sure whose voice was speaking at times. Had always loved Mr. McDonough but hard to concentrated on his voice this time.

Do you think Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The Dooley character has grown up to be a "Nice Guy", could be the base of a new series.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thankfully, more of the same from this author.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I will gladly recommend this to anyone that is already a Jan Karon fan, and to anyone else that enjoys stories about people who seem so real that you want to go sit down and visit with them. This is a continuation of the Mitford books, but you could read it as a stand-alone.... but you will probably want to read all the others just to join the Village of Mitford fans.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good?

I have tried 3 times now to record which was the most memorable moment for me.... so I guess there is no most memorable. So much is going on in this story that I can't come up with just one.

What about John McDonough’s performance did you like?

I thought that the narrator was believable as Father Tim.

If you could take any character from Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Cynthia. Even though she professes to be shy with strangers, I don't think we would feel like strangers for long.

Any additional comments?

I have my Audible books on my phone, and usually listen to the books either in the car, or before I go to bed (with ear buds so I don't disturb the Husband). I began to listen to this one night, and continued to listen to it the next day - ALL DAY - as I was at home. I finally finished it at about 11:30 pm! I think I will just start all over again, I'm sure there were a few things that I missed.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

the best ever

This series of books is the greatest ever. as always when I finish one I find myself missing the people. I think they are part of my family and wonder why no one else knows where they are or what they are doing. If there was a real Mitford I would move there and go to Happy Endings and buy a book, and buy a piece of the OMC. I just finished reading this book and I miss all of them already. I sure hope there is another book in the making. I would be hurt thinking that I will never know what happens to these people. Thank you Jan Karon for these friends, I laugh, I cry, I am happy.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • PC
  • 08-06-16

Well worth the time to read

What about John McDonough’s performance did you like?

I love that the Mitford series uses the same reader throughout. He has an amazing ability to make each character come to life. how can one man have so many voices!?

Any additional comments?

I found this to be one of my favorite books in the Mitford series. the characters are maturing as they should and the story is realistic to life. So glad Jan Karon added it to the series.

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