Almost immediately upon their arrival at the Carolina Outer Banks Island, the Kavanaghs find the new parishioners needing both spiritual and worldly help. However, Tim also finds himself assisting his former parishioners, who seem to never stop calling. Of particular concern and guilt is that teenager Dooley Barlowe, whom the Kavanaghs took into their home and raised for the past five years, is back in jail again.

A NEW SONG, the fifth Kavanagh tale, is a refreshing entry in the warm and humorous series. Like its predecessors, the story line slowly meanders along at a pace that seems to mirror real life. The lead characters remain a wonderful duo and the return of players from the previous novels augments the guilt feelings shared by Tim and Cynthia over deserting their flock. The residents of the barrier island provide quirky new additions to the wonderful cast. Anyone who enjoys a novel that emphasizes the small personal triumphs and setbacks will take great pleasure from Jan Karon's entire collection.