This first installment in the Father Tim series was very difficult for me to get into. The constant flashbacks were at times disorienting, and the numerous characters had me flipping back through to figure out who I was encountering. That being said, the final half of the book helped to remind me why I adore Jan Karon. The pace picked up, and the flashbacks were fewer and further between. And, true to form for Mrs. Karon, I ended the last few pages with a box of Kleenex on my lap. Overall, it was a satisfying read, if you can trudge through the first two hundred pages.
