Miss Julia Lays Down the Law

As my quarterly “cleansing of the palate” delight, I read the next book in the Miss Julia series by Ann Ross. I’m now on the sixteenth installment Miss Julia Lays Down the Law. I could not be happier after consuming this wonderful book. This time around, the crusty, small-town Southern matriarch Miss Julia, ever so-refined and conscious of all social constraints and rules, is involved in a full-out investigation of a suspicious death. Miss Julia is pretty much on her own as she navigates her involvement and testimony in the crime. She is virtually without her regular cohorts—her husband Sam is out of town, her nearest and dearest almost-daughter Hazel Marie is battling twin babies with colds, her usual partner in crime-solving Etta Mae is nowhere to be seen, her one-time boarder sheriff’s Sgt Coleman Bates is atop a highway sign for charity, and her long-suffering housekeeper and confidant Lillian can’t be confided in because of a promise Miss Julia makes to her pastor Rev. Ledbetter. And thus it is up to Miss Julia to solve the case almost alone. Through no efforts of her own, she acquires a partner, Lamar Owens, a vagrant from the previous novel in the series. Lamar is hilarious! The book is charming, fast-moving, very funny, and once again, satirizes small-town Southern women of a “certain age.” Highly recommended, whether one has read the series from the beginning or is just picking up this single installment.

The "Miss Julia" book series is very entertaining! I have purchased and enjoyed every single book of this series and will buy each new book as soon as they are available in the future. I have passed the book series on to several different people and each of them enjoyed the reading as much as I did. I recommend that readers start from Book 1 and make your way through the entire series.

When I need to come up for air from the heated political news to which I am addicted, I turn to Miss Julia. There I find comfort. Great writing from an intelligent, gracious, southern perspective (I'm an older southern woman, too, and a Democrat). The characters are familiar and well developed -- I think this is at least the 16th Miss Julia book I've read. Like chicken soup for my starving soul, I lap them up. I can always count on a clever meshing of mystery, southern charm, and just enough suspense to be my perfect escape hatch. At least temporarily. When I do return to current campaign coverage, I do so with a much clearer mind. I'm looking forward to many future Miss Julia books!

Another in the Miss Julia series of about 23 books written by Ann B. Ross. Miss Julia finds herself in so many unuaual predicaments, some funny and some frightening but all amusing at times. Wonderful series about a widow, newly married, in her 60s and all of her dear friends and family. Most characters carry thru the series.

Cooler temperatures are not the only thing November brings to Abbotsville - a newcomer has decided to take the town by storm. Wealthy Connie Clayborn is a northern transplant and finds that the town is just not up to her standards, and she's not shy about doling out the criticism.I think you can imagine how well that went over with Miss Julia.Miss Julia has every intention of putting the uppity interloper in her place, but instead of delivering a well-deserved dressing down to Mrs. Clayborn, Miss Julia finds herself at the center of a criminal investigation. Really, who has time for such a thing when she's in the middle of planning her annual Christmas "soiree"?I'm a big fan of this series and I've faithfully read all the installments, enjoying each and every one. That said, I was a tad underwhelmed by this storyline. The humor in these books is usually more understated, relying on Miss J's clever musings about human nature and changing social mores. There's less of that in this story and a lot more silliness. I still enjoyed it - time spent in the company of these wonderful characters is never wasted! - but I felt like it was missing something. Normally I have a few favorite quotes from each book and this time...nothing stands out.Now lest I start sounding too cranky, there's a lot to like about this book. The author has created an absolutely charming cast of characters and just reading the dialog alone is a joy for me. She really captures the natural sound of a conversation and she's able to convey dialect that comes off as pitch-perfect. This book is full of warmth and humor. It left me feeling uplifted and optimistic, and as far as I'm concerned that's worth the price of admission.If you're new to the series then the 16th installment is not the place to start! Do yourself a huge favor and begin at book one, Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind  . You won't be sorry. There's no swearing/strong language or sexual content.

Miss Julia is one of my favorite southern characters.In this novel, Miss Julia finds herself in the uncomfortable middle of the mystery of what happened to Connie Clayborn, an unlikable newcomer to Abbottsville,Her efforts to solve the mystery only land her deeper in trouble. A promise innocently made complicates the situation.If you like Miss Julia and her friends, you'll like Miss Julia Lays Down the Law, another fun read from Ann B. Ross.

As always, Ann B. Ross delivers! I can't put Miss Julia books down! What an entertaining character Miss Julia is! Wouldn't it be wonderful to know her and have her as a friend? I've only had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Ross once and I still think she is Miss Julia! Only teasing Mrs. Ross! I love everything I have read by Ann! Keep them coming! And thank you so much for writing Miss Julia books!

Another adventure in the Miss Julia series! It provides a look into the life of Mrs. Sam (Julia) Murdoch and the mysteries of the genteel ladies of Abbotsville, N.C. After enduring a grueling morning coffee with a newcomer who lets them know what is wrong with their small town, the ladies of Abbotsville, especially Mrs. Ledbetter, are very upset and distressed. When Miss Julia discovers this new woman in town dead, well, the adventure begins! This book will not disappoint all Miss Julia fans, such as myself!

Oh Miss Julia! Your're at it again & we love it!

Can't get enough of the Miss Julia books.