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Julia Lives in a Van #1-3
Julia Lives in a Van Mystery Series: Books #1-3
About the Series
A year after her divorce, 48-year-old Julia Ross sells everything and heads out to become a nomad, camping her way across Florida and the Southeastern United States. Julia has no real plan in mind, and her only goal is to focus on herself and have fun hiking, biking, and exploring nature. Unfortunately, every time she moves to a new campground, there's a murder that Julia unwillingly gets dragged into.
Early on in her travels, Julia rescues an adorable pup named Toby, who becomes her traveling and sleuthing companion. Also, she meets two older women who quickly become her best friends. Nature, an adorable dog, three best friends, and, of course, murders to solve…what more could you want in a cozy mystery series?
Here's a Rundown of the First Three Books
Book 1: The Case of the Fugitive Flamingo
The Case of the Fugitive Flamingo is the first book in the Julia Lives in a Van series. It's a light-hearted, cozy murder mystery with a delightful cast of characters, including Julia and her two new camping friends, Dottie and Penelope. The story takes place in an idyllic state park in the Florida Panhandle outside of Panama City. This book is safe for anyone at any age to read. It has no swearing, no explicit content, and no gore. Yes, there's a murder to solve, but this is all done against a backdrop of exquisite natural beauty, budding friendships, and of course, birdwatching.
Book 2: The Case of the Cautious Crow
Julia's cousin, Clarice, asks her to housesit the family's beachfront mansion in the ultra-tony enclave of SeaBreeze, Florida. Clarice's mother, who recently passed away, has a fortune of artwork in the house, and the family is worried contractors might "sticky finger" some of the priceless treasures. Julia happily agrees to spend the next few weeks living at Aunt Samantha's to watch over things. Unbeknownst to Julia, a hurricane is brewing off of the Yucatan Peninsula, and it's headed directly toward SeaBreeze. Not only that, but two people die under mysterious circumstances. As usual, the authorities have everything balled up, leaving Julia and her friends to solve the murder and locate the real killer.
Book 3: The Case of the Pernicious Parrot
During Christmas break, Julia and her daughter, Becky, head to the Florida Keys for a month of birdwatching, snorkeling, boating, and fun. On the first day of the Annual Florida Keys Birding Competition, the head of a rival birding club is found dead on a small island near Big Pine Key, and Julia is thrown into yet another murder investigation. As usual, the authorities are entirely off base, and it's up to Julia and her friends to solve the murder. Nothing is straightforward, though. Things quickly go from bad to worse, and Julia's daughter becomes a potential victim of a psychopathic killer.
The Julia Lives in a Van cozy mystery murder series is safe for anyone of any age to read and enjoy. All of the books in the series are fun and quirky. There is no cursing. Yes, there's romance, but it's lightly touched on. Also, there is no gore. There are plenty of murders to keep you entertained, but detailed descriptions are tactfully left out. Get the first three books in the series today, and follow Julia and her friends as they travel, solving murders at every stop.
A year after her divorce, 48-year-old Julia Ross sells everything and heads out to become a nomad, camping her way across Florida and the Southeastern United States. Julia has no real plan in mind, and her only goal is to focus on herself and have fun hiking, biking, and exploring nature. Unfortunately, every time she moves to a new campground, there's a murder that Julia unwillingly gets dragged into.
Early on in her travels, Julia rescues an adorable pup named Toby, who becomes her traveling and sleuthing companion. Also, she meets two older women who quickly become her best friends. Nature, an adorable dog, three best friends, and, of course, murders to solve…what more could you want in a cozy mystery series?
Here's a Rundown of the First Three Books
Book 1: The Case of the Fugitive Flamingo
The Case of the Fugitive Flamingo is the first book in the Julia Lives in a Van series. It's a light-hearted, cozy murder mystery with a delightful cast of characters, including Julia and her two new camping friends, Dottie and Penelope. The story takes place in an idyllic state park in the Florida Panhandle outside of Panama City. This book is safe for anyone at any age to read. It has no swearing, no explicit content, and no gore. Yes, there's a murder to solve, but this is all done against a backdrop of exquisite natural beauty, budding friendships, and of course, birdwatching.
Book 2: The Case of the Cautious Crow
Julia's cousin, Clarice, asks her to housesit the family's beachfront mansion in the ultra-tony enclave of SeaBreeze, Florida. Clarice's mother, who recently passed away, has a fortune of artwork in the house, and the family is worried contractors might "sticky finger" some of the priceless treasures. Julia happily agrees to spend the next few weeks living at Aunt Samantha's to watch over things. Unbeknownst to Julia, a hurricane is brewing off of the Yucatan Peninsula, and it's headed directly toward SeaBreeze. Not only that, but two people die under mysterious circumstances. As usual, the authorities have everything balled up, leaving Julia and her friends to solve the murder and locate the real killer.
Book 3: The Case of the Pernicious Parrot
During Christmas break, Julia and her daughter, Becky, head to the Florida Keys for a month of birdwatching, snorkeling, boating, and fun. On the first day of the Annual Florida Keys Birding Competition, the head of a rival birding club is found dead on a small island near Big Pine Key, and Julia is thrown into yet another murder investigation. As usual, the authorities are entirely off base, and it's up to Julia and her friends to solve the murder. Nothing is straightforward, though. Things quickly go from bad to worse, and Julia's daughter becomes a potential victim of a psychopathic killer.
The Julia Lives in a Van cozy mystery murder series is safe for anyone of any age to read and enjoy. All of the books in the series are fun and quirky. There is no cursing. Yes, there's romance, but it's lightly touched on. Also, there is no gore. There are plenty of murders to keep you entertained, but detailed descriptions are tactfully left out. Get the first three books in the series today, and follow Julia and her friends as they travel, solving murders at every stop.
- GenresCozy Mystery
557 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2021
189 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 30, 2023
Started out great, then got outlandish. SPOILERS
Like the first book, getting to know the characters. By the third book it felt like the author was just writing to write. In all the books the police are barely involved. Okay, in number two we meet an detective who actually, sort of works the cases Julia has gotten embroiled in. Book three? No cops but retired Vincent, a judge that allows civilians to take a key piece of evidence out of a lock box, A mom that gets her teenaged daughter caught in the middle of an unsolved murder, Julia getting hit so hard in the head she loses consciousness, but no one bothers to take her to a hospital, A public dock where the fishermen clean fish and leave the guts laying around, blatant inconsistencies with the skewed passage of time. I finished just because I was invested, but it was hard not just skipping to the end. Won't be reading any more of this author's tripe.
Like the first book, getting to know the characters. By the third book it felt like the author was just writing to write. In all the books the police are barely involved. Okay, in number two we meet an detective who actually, sort of works the cases Julia has gotten embroiled in. Book three? No cops but retired Vincent, a judge that allows civilians to take a key piece of evidence out of a lock box, A mom that gets her teenaged daughter caught in the middle of an unsolved murder, Julia getting hit so hard in the head she loses consciousness, but no one bothers to take her to a hospital, A public dock where the fishermen clean fish and leave the guts laying around, blatant inconsistencies with the skewed passage of time. I finished just because I was invested, but it was hard not just skipping to the end. Won't be reading any more of this author's tripe.
November 28, 2021
Loved These Books
There are many cozy mysteries available, but many just aren't captivating and I quickly lose interest. These 3 books, however were very good and I can't wait until the next one is available!
There are many cozy mysteries available, but many just aren't captivating and I quickly lose interest. These 3 books, however were very good and I can't wait until the next one is available!
March 31, 2023
Love this series!
I enjoyed all three books in this set of books. I am a bird watcher, and have traveled to the MS and AL gulf coast for migration seasons. A good clean mystery is always a delight, too!
I enjoyed all three books in this set of books. I am a bird watcher, and have traveled to the MS and AL gulf coast for migration seasons. A good clean mystery is always a delight, too!
April 14, 2023
Julia and Gang
This series has grabbed my attention and hasn’t let go. A fun read with lots of plot twists and turns. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a fun read!
This series has grabbed my attention and hasn’t let go. A fun read with lots of plot twists and turns. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes a fun read!
June 19, 2023
Just light enough!
The book before this one was quite intense, so I needed a light read. Little did I know, this book is about single campers who travel around and birdwatch! On the side they try to solve a mystery in each of these campgrounds. Good weekend bing!
The book before this one was quite intense, so I needed a light read. Little did I know, this book is about single campers who travel around and birdwatch! On the side they try to solve a mystery in each of these campgrounds. Good weekend bing!
June 28, 2023
Julia lives in a van cozy Mystery box set .
I liked everything about this van cozy mystery box set series , easy to follow , very enjoyable, felt like was there with them . Loved them .will be looking forward to more !
I liked everything about this van cozy mystery box set series , easy to follow , very enjoyable, felt like was there with them . Loved them .will be looking forward to more !
September 13, 2023
#3 of the Julie Lives in a Van series.....
So far all have been fun! I like mysteries without a lot of Gore and fun characters involved. Try one and you will want to read all of them.
So far all have been fun! I like mysteries without a lot of Gore and fun characters involved. Try one and you will want to read all of them.
December 23, 2023
SO fun!
Just enough sleuthing, just enough birding and just enough romance! A great combination for me. An easy read, but always wanting not to have to put it down to see what happened next! I vote a big YES for you to read!!
Just enough sleuthing, just enough birding and just enough romance! A great combination for me. An easy read, but always wanting not to have to put it down to see what happened next! I vote a big YES for you to read!!
February 23, 2022
Great read
I am really enjoying this series with its quirky characters and totally different settings. I've never read about people who were nomads in retirement. Interesting!
I am really enjoying this series with its quirky characters and totally different settings. I've never read about people who were nomads in retirement. Interesting!
October 2, 2022
Great read
Loved all the books!!! Almost made me wish for doing something like her, but don't think I could do it!! But it's nice to dream along with the books!!!
Loved all the books!!! Almost made me wish for doing something like her, but don't think I could do it!! But it's nice to dream along with the books!!!
December 28, 2023
ReadThem!!
I loved these books and will be reading the rest of them.The characters are a hoot and I wish I was Julia!
I loved these books and will be reading the rest of them.The characters are a hoot and I wish I was Julia!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews