At Home in Mitford (The Mitford Years) by Jan Karon

A story to return to again and again

It's easy to feel at home in Mitford. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable.

Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved by, a mystifying jewel thief, and a secret that's sixty years old.

Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich provincial comedy in which mysteries and miracles abound.