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Harmony #3
Signs and Wonders
It's another bustling year in the lives of this quirky Quaker community. Dale Hinshaw is back and floating another of his crackpot ministry schemes-this time, quite literally, with his Salvation Balloons project. Pastor Sam Gardner's wife, Barbara, the 1977 Tenderloin Queen, wins a trip to the Caribbean and thinks she might just go without her workaholic husband. Deena Morrison struggles with being single and alone, while the Friendly Women's Committee strategizes on how they can "help" her. Jimmy Muldock has a secret only his mother knows, though the ever-curious Furnace Committee is bent on discovering it.
Throughout it all, three things are certain: the Friendly Women's Circle will make more noodles, Dale Hinshaw will push Sam Gardner to the end of his pastoral rope, and the good in human nature will just nudge out the bad.
Filled with master storyteller Philip Gulley's trademark humor and depth of insight, this wise, joyous novel will delight and satisfy both those who know and love Harmony and those who are just discovering it.
Throughout it all, three things are certain: the Friendly Women's Circle will make more noodles, Dale Hinshaw will push Sam Gardner to the end of his pastoral rope, and the good in human nature will just nudge out the bad.
Filled with master storyteller Philip Gulley's trademark humor and depth of insight, this wise, joyous novel will delight and satisfy both those who know and love Harmony and those who are just discovering it.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2003
102 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Philip Gulley
38 books402 followersPhilip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.
He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.
Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.
Gulley is also the Pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting House in Camby, Indiana. If you find yourself in Camby, you're invited to attend a sermon.
He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.
Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.
Gulley is also the Pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting House in Camby, Indiana. If you find yourself in Camby, you're invited to attend a sermon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
November 23, 2016
Book three in the Harmony series looks at a year in the life of the Quaker community’s residents. Familiar characters are back. Dale Hinshaw has a new Salvation Balloons project. Deena struggles with being alone and the Friendly Women are determined to find her a husband. Pastor Sam Gardner is overworked and still can’t say no to his flock, even to accompany his wife, Barbara, when she wins a trip to the Caribbean.
I just love this series. Each book gives us a glimpse of all the good – and not so good – in human nature, but with the hope that the good will outweigh the bad. There are several laugh-out-loud moments (Dale’s Furnace Committee members telling him that his secret is safe with them, for example), and a few tender scenes that simply lift my heart. While Sam is a minister, he is never preachy when imparting wisdom.
These books are a perfect break from the stresses of life, and a reminder that there is much good in this world.
I just love this series. Each book gives us a glimpse of all the good – and not so good – in human nature, but with the hope that the good will outweigh the bad. There are several laugh-out-loud moments (Dale’s Furnace Committee members telling him that his secret is safe with them, for example), and a few tender scenes that simply lift my heart. While Sam is a minister, he is never preachy when imparting wisdom.
These books are a perfect break from the stresses of life, and a reminder that there is much good in this world.
March 28, 2015
Laughed aloud quite a few times during this book! Great series if you are looking for a bit of comic relief.
September 25, 2018
Very funny stories, as in previous books in the series. But this book turns into too much agenda-pushing, veering away from biblical truth. Probably will not continue the series.
October 31, 2025
Years ago I read the first two books in this series and I recall that one of those had quite an amusing story about Scripture Eggs, so when I discovered that the Brookings Library had the whole series, I decided to check out book #3. As I vaguely remember, it takes an in-depth look into small town life, centering on a Quaker minister in Harmony, Indiana. It has its super self-righteous zealot convinced that he once again has the perfect plan to save the souls of all those who don’t think like him (but don’t worry, because he gets his comeuppance when his card playing friends turn the tables on him after tiring of his constant judgement of others). And then we hear of the squabble between the minister Sam and his wife, Barbara when it comes time for their vacation as he wants to take a tour of the round barns and she wants to go to Chicago. There’s the story of the yearly Chicken and Noodles dinner sponsored each year by Harmony Friends Meeting and while some people may think these stories are a bit trivial, I do think they had their place in time, especially in the smaller towns, where life’s problems were a bit different than those in a city and where people’s lives are more interconnected. Each chapter in this book contains a small story that presents a fun little escape from reality for the reader and in the year 2025, in the United States, a fun little escapism is a good thing to have.
January 3, 2022
This book series is humorous and sobering. Humorous because it perfectly depicts the dichotomy of small town living: the great joy of everyone knowing each other, and the giant pain in the butt that creates. I read it and laughed that I could imagine each character in my own church. And then I wanted to weep, because if some random Quaker pastor wrote recognizable characters, that means that this is just how every small town is and there's no hope of ever changing that.
Basically, great book for entertainment. No where near as good as the first. You have to get over the fact that the pastor lies to people in order to enjoy it, which in itself is not enjoyable. Otherwise, a good before-bed read.
Basically, great book for entertainment. No where near as good as the first. You have to get over the fact that the pastor lies to people in order to enjoy it, which in itself is not enjoyable. Otherwise, a good before-bed read.
April 4, 2022
I've been enjoying these books, which are light, easy feel-good type fiction exploring the good in (most) people...which is something we definitely don't have enough of in this world. I grew up in a small (well, not so much anymore) Indiana town with a large Quaker history and presence, and I will say that I have a difficult time reconciling the common-sense approach at life expressed in these books with the people from this community that I witnessed growing up. I'd have given this book 4 stars, but killing a cat (even if it's Dale's and even though it's fiction) ruined it for me.
December 16, 2018
I suppose this was meant to be humorous, but for my taste the people of Harmony Meeting House were so exaggeratedly cantankerous and opinionated they were hard to like. And the long-suffering pastor seems unable to do anything about it.
February 3, 2020
Ruth W. recommended this series because I like the Mitford books, but this book was not as rich in character development or plot or writing style. Also lacked the scriptural aspects that I love in the Mitford books.
December 20, 2024
And here I am back in Harmony once again. This third book in Harmony is titled Signs and Wonders and everyone is back again. Sam is still the pastor, Dale is still annoyingly crazy, Fern and the Friendly Women's Circle are again busy making noodles. This time though, Sam's wife Barbara manages to win a trip to the Caribbean and thinks she might just go without her workaholic husband.
Dale's chickens have all died, so no one is receiving his Scripture eggs anymore, but don't worry he has come up with Salvation balloons. He is releasing them hoping to save all the democrats in Chicago, I guess democrats in other cities are safe. But he receives a call from a very unhappy zookeeper in Pittsburgh who reports that the first recipient of one of his balloons was a rare trumpeter swan, who choked on the balloon and died. Good old Dale.
When the church finds they must have a new stove this happens:
They visited three stove stores before finding one that offered a discount to churches, which in the end wouldn't have mattered anyway. No matter how much they paid, someone was sure to stand at the next monthly business meeting and say, "Well, I just wished I'd known about this. I got a cousin in Ohio who can get these stoves for next to nothin'. I just wished someone woulda told me."
That would have led to a two-hour discussion on the business procedures of the meeting, examining whether they were doing everything they could to keep people informed. They'd end up forming a new committee to evaluate and, if necessary, modify the church's decision-making process. The committee would never meet, but a year later they'd have the same problem and someone would say, "I thought we formed a committee to look at this." Then they would argue whether a committee had actually been formed and if so, why hadn't it met, and someone would suggest maybe it was time to form a committee to find out what had happened. They would nod their heads sagely, agree it was a fine idea, and appoint a committee. Tired, though pleased to be of service to the Lord, they would adjourn the meeting, go home, and eat pot roast.
I know these people. I'm sure I know these people. On to the next book.
Dale's chickens have all died, so no one is receiving his Scripture eggs anymore, but don't worry he has come up with Salvation balloons. He is releasing them hoping to save all the democrats in Chicago, I guess democrats in other cities are safe. But he receives a call from a very unhappy zookeeper in Pittsburgh who reports that the first recipient of one of his balloons was a rare trumpeter swan, who choked on the balloon and died. Good old Dale.
When the church finds they must have a new stove this happens:
They visited three stove stores before finding one that offered a discount to churches, which in the end wouldn't have mattered anyway. No matter how much they paid, someone was sure to stand at the next monthly business meeting and say, "Well, I just wished I'd known about this. I got a cousin in Ohio who can get these stoves for next to nothin'. I just wished someone woulda told me."
That would have led to a two-hour discussion on the business procedures of the meeting, examining whether they were doing everything they could to keep people informed. They'd end up forming a new committee to evaluate and, if necessary, modify the church's decision-making process. The committee would never meet, but a year later they'd have the same problem and someone would say, "I thought we formed a committee to look at this." Then they would argue whether a committee had actually been formed and if so, why hadn't it met, and someone would suggest maybe it was time to form a committee to find out what had happened. They would nod their heads sagely, agree it was a fine idea, and appoint a committee. Tired, though pleased to be of service to the Lord, they would adjourn the meeting, go home, and eat pot roast.
I know these people. I'm sure I know these people. On to the next book.
February 25, 2020
Have the latest foibles of self-righteous folks set your teeth a-grinding? Get ready to un-grit your teeth and laugh out loud. Philip Gulley's Harmony Novel, Signs and Wonders, is hilarious. The good people of Harmony, Indiana, are just as messed up as all of us, and it seems the ones sincerely trying to please God are just as blind to their hypocrisy as the rest of us, too. Poor Sam Gardner, pastor of Harmony's Quaker congregation, tries to keep the peace among his overzealous flock members.
Some foibles are stereotypical ridiculous church issues such as divisions over what color seat cushions should be. Others are simply laugh-out-loud outrageous interpersonal fiascos, such as fixing up the church's only single woman, a lawyer, with the small town's simple-minded supervisor of manhole covers, and banding together to separate the antique car that fell on top of a modern car. The novel includes many tender, poignant moments as well.
Some foibles are stereotypical ridiculous church issues such as divisions over what color seat cushions should be. Others are simply laugh-out-loud outrageous interpersonal fiascos, such as fixing up the church's only single woman, a lawyer, with the small town's simple-minded supervisor of manhole covers, and banding together to separate the antique car that fell on top of a modern car. The novel includes many tender, poignant moments as well.
September 25, 2022
So continues this quirky small-town series (narrated in third person, thankfully, which makes more sense than the first-person way the series got started).
In Harmonious fashion, there's an engrossing mix of the laughable and the serious as the townsfolk deal with their individual challenges, successes, tragedies, and joys. And though some of the characters' downright hilarious (and sometimes downright frustrating!) attributes and doings tend toward the outrageous, they're based on recognizable reality—which is what makes these novels compelling.
Granted, this story's narration gets rather blatant and heavy-handed in its commentary at times. But at least it remains consistent with the characters.
I've thought about trying to space out my reading of these books more than I have so far, to prolong the enjoyment. But, um—humph. Oh well. I can always read the series over again sometime after I finish it.
In Harmonious fashion, there's an engrossing mix of the laughable and the serious as the townsfolk deal with their individual challenges, successes, tragedies, and joys. And though some of the characters' downright hilarious (and sometimes downright frustrating!) attributes and doings tend toward the outrageous, they're based on recognizable reality—which is what makes these novels compelling.
Granted, this story's narration gets rather blatant and heavy-handed in its commentary at times. But at least it remains consistent with the characters.
I've thought about trying to space out my reading of these books more than I have so far, to prolong the enjoyment. But, um—humph. Oh well. I can always read the series over again sometime after I finish it.
February 15, 2023
Another great book in the Harmony series
Philip Gulley yet again brings another tale from Harmony, Indiana that is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Pastor Sam at Harmony Friends Quaker Meetinghouse certainly has his hands full with his quirky, opinionated, oftentimes addled, and nuttier than a pecan pancake parishioners. The predicaments that people in Harmony get into are hilarious but things always work out somehow in the end. Another really enjoyable read and visit with those who you've come to know so well if you've read the other books in the series. I can't wait for the next book!
Philip Gulley yet again brings another tale from Harmony, Indiana that is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Pastor Sam at Harmony Friends Quaker Meetinghouse certainly has his hands full with his quirky, opinionated, oftentimes addled, and nuttier than a pecan pancake parishioners. The predicaments that people in Harmony get into are hilarious but things always work out somehow in the end. Another really enjoyable read and visit with those who you've come to know so well if you've read the other books in the series. I can't wait for the next book!
March 26, 2022
I really love this series. It's like a magnifying glass on a small Quaker town and church. The problems they face are what signatures to get on a quilt to raffle off, why Deena is single and how to "match make her", how to spread the word of the Lord (balloons with scripture inside? have hens eat tiny papers with scripture and lay a "scripture egg"? ) It is quite interesting to see the quirky things that happen here. But, nothing tops how obnoxious Dale Hinshaw is! Drives me nuts that no one puts him in his place. Drives them nuts too. But, just country-style, down home life to enjoy.
October 19, 2023
So far, my favorite volume in this series. Gulley delves deeper into characters besides the minister at the heart of Harmony, with the result that we are drawn a bit further afield from him, and learn more of his supporting cast. A small plot point that runs through this book relates to treatment of gay people, and one chapter drew a tear for its beautiful acknowledgment of a gay person and his parents. And while this series can be a mix of Lake Woebegone and Mitford, it can also shine in its own special ways.
December 28, 2023
Frankly, I was disappointed. Having thoroughly enjoyed the first two "Harmony" books, I was expecting more of the same delightful small-town, Andy Griffith-type humor--and for the most part, it was. My problem came when the author introduced a popular woke topic into the plot, which for me, ruined the innocence of Harmony's Americana image established in the previous books. But, that's just my opinion. Overall, I enjoy Philip Gulley's writing. I just think he made a bad choice in this one.
October 15, 2024
Wonderful!
This is the third Philip Gulley book I have read. Each one has been an inspiration, uplifting, wise and a blessing in the chaos that reigns in the US right now. The clean good humor is a balm to the spirit. Such a talented author is hard to find nowadays and his characters are like our neighbors from years ago in simpler times. Reading the last page of his books made me sad, as if I were leaving family and friends. Yes, they are that good.
This is the third Philip Gulley book I have read. Each one has been an inspiration, uplifting, wise and a blessing in the chaos that reigns in the US right now. The clean good humor is a balm to the spirit. Such a talented author is hard to find nowadays and his characters are like our neighbors from years ago in simpler times. Reading the last page of his books made me sad, as if I were leaving family and friends. Yes, they are that good.
June 13, 2017
Home to all manner of quirky characters and the occasional everyday miracle, to know tiny Harmony, Indiana, is to love it -- as minister Sam Gardner does and always has. Even crackpot, high-flying salvation schemes cannot lessen Harmony's appeal -- a place as near to heaven as seekers of the simple life are likely to find.
March 28, 2018
Heck breaks out in Harmony
In book 3 of the Harmony series, author Philip Gulley writes some of the funniest stories I have read about the idiosyncrasies of the church family. In my own experience I have met some of these folks, I'm sure of it. That kept me laughing out loud. I highly recommend this entire series, which reminds me somewhat of the Mitford books.
In book 3 of the Harmony series, author Philip Gulley writes some of the funniest stories I have read about the idiosyncrasies of the church family. In my own experience I have met some of these folks, I'm sure of it. That kept me laughing out loud. I highly recommend this entire series, which reminds me somewhat of the Mitford books.
January 13, 2019
It's always interesting and kind of soothing to read about a year in Sam Gardner's life in Harmony, along with his congregation. This one got a little more contentious than most - too much emphasis on what people objected to, but he also focused on what made them forgive each other. It's light, it's an easy read, and yet it makes a person think a little.
April 23, 2018
This was the sweetest, cutest book I have read in a long time. I laughed out loud at the activities of the church elders. I brought back so many memories of my childhood and the antics of those in charge of the church. I think it had a very positive view of the true meaning of Gods love.
May 29, 2018
Another enjoyable and funny book about the town of Harmony, its members and the preacher Sam. Some of the events are so believable and can imagine them happening at small churches. The book is full of humor but also some good life lessons are in it too.
March 28, 2020
This book is cute. Quirky characters and really clever writing. No real connection among the characters except they all belong to the Quaker congregation in Harmony, Indiana. Enjoyable, funny, and light.
August 5, 2025
With all the chaos and horrors going on in our world today, Phillip Gulley's books bring a smile to my face and there's lots of laughing out loud too! They remind me of the small town I grew up in and his stories warm my heart. Thank you, Phillip!
August 15, 2017
Small town Harmony has its own list of characters and they all are a part of a small congregation.
August 21, 2017
I'm quite fond of this author and the way he tells stories.
July 15, 2018
I love this series !
September 1, 2018
Love the humor, being a church girl my entire life, I can really relate! 🤣
October 29, 2019
Another delightful Harmony book. Easy to read, every page enjoyable.
December 22, 2019
Hilarious!
December 22, 2019
Hilarious!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews