Miss Julia Knows a Thing or Two

Bestseller Ross’s enticing 21st mystery set in the small North Carolina town of Abbotsville (after 2019’s Miss Julia Takes the Wheel) finds Miss Julia Murdoch’s next-door neighbor, Mildred Allen, dealing with the declining mental faculties of her husband, Horace; the self-imposed estrangement of her daughter, Tonya, who until recently was her son, Tony; and the sudden appearance of an unknown grandchild. Naturally, Mildred turns to her friend Miss Julia for advice. Though Miss Julia has been trying lately to be less of a busybody, she can’t resist lending a hand, and it doesn’t take her long to realize that something about Mildred’s grandchild is more than a little suspicious. Meanwhile, Miss Julia sees what she can do to help Etta Mae Wiggins, who’s in danger of losing her Handy Home Helper job. Miss Julia, who has vowed to be less judgmental and opinionated, decides in the end that maybe her meddling is warranted. Never mind the minimal crime element. This amusing tale will please cozy fans. [em]Agent: Deborah Schneider, Gelfman Schneider Literary. (Apr.) [/em]