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Miss Julia #12
Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle
In the latest installment of this bestselling series Miss Julia vows to mind her own business-but can she succeed?
Miss Julia has promised her husband, Sam, to mind her own business. What a relief! She doesn't have to spring into action when a dead body is found in a toolshed six blocks from her house. Instead, she can concentrate on what's really important-like figuring out who's been passing bad checks in her name and, most important, preparing for Hazel Marie's impending due date.
Then again, who else can figure out why that awful Thurlow Jones is trying to cast suspicion on someone Miss Julia feels certain is innocent? And, after all, what Sam doesn't know won't hurt him, right?
Miss Julia's investigative work on the possible murders-of her financial reputation and of the person in the toolshed-keeps her buzzing. But the sudden arrival of Hazel Marie's twins during a fierce blizzard brings a whole new set of challenges and a double helping of trouble for Ann B. Ross's indomitable southern heroine.
Miss Julia has promised her husband, Sam, to mind her own business. What a relief! She doesn't have to spring into action when a dead body is found in a toolshed six blocks from her house. Instead, she can concentrate on what's really important-like figuring out who's been passing bad checks in her name and, most important, preparing for Hazel Marie's impending due date.
Then again, who else can figure out why that awful Thurlow Jones is trying to cast suspicion on someone Miss Julia feels certain is innocent? And, after all, what Sam doesn't know won't hurt him, right?
Miss Julia's investigative work on the possible murders-of her financial reputation and of the person in the toolshed-keeps her buzzing. But the sudden arrival of Hazel Marie's twins during a fierce blizzard brings a whole new set of challenges and a double helping of trouble for Ann B. Ross's indomitable southern heroine.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
149 people are currently reading
1075 people want to read
About the author
Ann B. Ross
61 books937 followersAnn B. Ross, who taught literature at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, is the author of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, one of the most popular Southern debut novels in years, Miss Julia Takes Over, Miss Julia Throws a Wedding, and Miss Julia Hits the Road. She lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
January 26, 2022
Book number twelve in the Miss Julia series, featuring a woman of a certain age who cannot help but get involved in the goings on in her North Carolina town.
It’s not as if she doesn’t have enough going on at home. Hazel Marie is hugely pregnant with twins, Lloyd comes home from school with a story that his teacher was taken away by police, Lilian reports that the grocer complained about a bounced check, and then they learn of a body found in Miss Petty’s toolshed.
Well, of course, Miss Julia needs to get to the bottom of this. She can’t have people thinking she’s a scofflaw or worse that she’s losing her marbles writing bad checks all over town.
What I love about this series is Miss Julia, herself. She’s a real firecracker of a woman. She has her standards but seems unable to help herself when it comes to gossip or getting involved in things that are really none of her business. Her chief exercise seems to be jumping to conclusions, which lead to some rather humorous situations and conversations.
The supporting cast of characters are wonderful as well. From her long-time cook, Lillian, to her late husband’s mistress, Hazel Marie, to the ever -patient Sam, they help, caution, support and love Miss Julia through all her many adventures.
A fast, fun, comfort read.
It’s not as if she doesn’t have enough going on at home. Hazel Marie is hugely pregnant with twins, Lloyd comes home from school with a story that his teacher was taken away by police, Lilian reports that the grocer complained about a bounced check, and then they learn of a body found in Miss Petty’s toolshed.
Well, of course, Miss Julia needs to get to the bottom of this. She can’t have people thinking she’s a scofflaw or worse that she’s losing her marbles writing bad checks all over town.
What I love about this series is Miss Julia, herself. She’s a real firecracker of a woman. She has her standards but seems unable to help herself when it comes to gossip or getting involved in things that are really none of her business. Her chief exercise seems to be jumping to conclusions, which lead to some rather humorous situations and conversations.
The supporting cast of characters are wonderful as well. From her long-time cook, Lillian, to her late husband’s mistress, Hazel Marie, to the ever -patient Sam, they help, caution, support and love Miss Julia through all her many adventures.
A fast, fun, comfort read.
May 19, 2018
In Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle by Ann B. Ross, Lloyd comes home from school full of news that they have found a dead body in the tool shed that belongs to his social studies teacher. The police came to school and took away the teacher to question her. Miss Julia has decided to stay out of things, so she doesn’t join the throng following the police in curiosity. But soon she finds something much more personal to focus on. Her housekeeper, Lillian, tells her that the grocery store manager sent a message that her check bounced. But Julia never wrote a check to the grocery store. As she looks further into the situation, she learns that someone has drained her bank account and written more checks on her behalf.
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
January 16, 2016
ust a little history of this series:
When Hazel Marie Puckett and her nine-year-old son, Little Lloyd, show up on Julia Springer's doorstep in Abbotsford, North Carolina, Miss Julia receives the shock of her long and proper life. After 44 years of marriage to pillar-of-church-and-community Wesley Lloyd Springer, she discovers that while she had assumed he was working late at the family bank, he was engaged in other, more carnal, pursuits. For, as Hazel Marie shyly explains, Little Lloyd is Miss Julia's late husband's son.
In this book (#12) Hazel Marie twins are due at any time, a big snowstorm is headed for Abbottsville, Julia and her husband Sam have a tiff about Miss Julia keeping secrets from him and Miss Julia is hauled to the police station after she starts bouncing checks all over town. If that isn't enough a dead body is found in a shed on the property of one of Lloyd's teachers. Miss Julia has her hands full in this one!
I have loved this series from the very first book. Ann B. Ross' writes this series in such away that you become part of the family. It really tackled a dicey issue from the start, how many widows would take in their husband's mistress and their son and handle it with such grace? It takes the terms "extended family" to a whole new level and the reader is included every step of the way.
Each book has a new hurdle and each one is a true joy to read. The mystery part, while the driving force to each new story, is just one part of the puzzle, the development and interaction of the characters are really what makes these stories entertaining. Miss Julia's dry wit can only come from the author herself. All the other characters are true to life, people from any neighborhood with a little bit of southern flair,including the eccentric Mr. Thurlow Jones.
This series needs to be read in order so if you haven't been drawn into this wonderful series before start with Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. If you are already a fan you will love this book, including the birth of Hazel Marie's twins. You can pre-order yours today.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Viking, A Division of the Penguin Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
When Hazel Marie Puckett and her nine-year-old son, Little Lloyd, show up on Julia Springer's doorstep in Abbotsford, North Carolina, Miss Julia receives the shock of her long and proper life. After 44 years of marriage to pillar-of-church-and-community Wesley Lloyd Springer, she discovers that while she had assumed he was working late at the family bank, he was engaged in other, more carnal, pursuits. For, as Hazel Marie shyly explains, Little Lloyd is Miss Julia's late husband's son.
In this book (#12) Hazel Marie twins are due at any time, a big snowstorm is headed for Abbottsville, Julia and her husband Sam have a tiff about Miss Julia keeping secrets from him and Miss Julia is hauled to the police station after she starts bouncing checks all over town. If that isn't enough a dead body is found in a shed on the property of one of Lloyd's teachers. Miss Julia has her hands full in this one!
I have loved this series from the very first book. Ann B. Ross' writes this series in such away that you become part of the family. It really tackled a dicey issue from the start, how many widows would take in their husband's mistress and their son and handle it with such grace? It takes the terms "extended family" to a whole new level and the reader is included every step of the way.
Each book has a new hurdle and each one is a true joy to read. The mystery part, while the driving force to each new story, is just one part of the puzzle, the development and interaction of the characters are really what makes these stories entertaining. Miss Julia's dry wit can only come from the author herself. All the other characters are true to life, people from any neighborhood with a little bit of southern flair,including the eccentric Mr. Thurlow Jones.
This series needs to be read in order so if you haven't been drawn into this wonderful series before start with Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. If you are already a fan you will love this book, including the birth of Hazel Marie's twins. You can pre-order yours today.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Viking, A Division of the Penguin Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
March 2, 2024
I think it’s time to abandon this series.
September 25, 2021
Second Read: It's been over four years since I've read this book, and I found it delightful to read yet again. Miss Julia has many a challenge confronting her as she tries to maintain her status as an upright lady in her small Southern town. After all, it's not easy to keep your head high when you've got the illegitimate son of your late husband living with you - even if you do adore him - not to mention his mama who is now pregnant with twins and married to a private investigator who you wish was just a wee bit more focused on putting reputable bread on the table in a regular way. Fortunately you have a best friend/housekeeper, and lovely steady second husband to help.
Or do you? No sooner is a dead body discovered in a tool shed six blocks away, and the telephones start ringing, then that second husband starts looking a little miserable and saying he needs some time to himself. And Miss Julia is missing checks in her checkbook and it sounds like someone - and the bank says it's HER (Oh, I don't think so!) - wrote some bad checks. And what about those pending twins? This is a fine mess, and Miss Julia is once again in the middle of it and thinking about ways to make it better in her own - bound to be worse before it gets much better - way.
I do like Miss Julia. She's not one to let grass grow under her feet; neither is she one to put up with rudeness or be rude herself. I didn't find "Rocks the Cradle" laugh out loud fun, like I did "Hits the Road," and I still think "Speaks Her Mind" was the best - but "Rocks the Cradle" was never boring. Miss Julia puts a little snap into the tired mint julep of jokes about southern traditions like religion, gardening, and change. You leave Miss Julia glad you ran into her, and looking forward to another visit.
Third Read: New York Times best-selling author Ann B. Ross has captivated countless readers with her Miss Julia tales. In this 11th entry, America's favorite senior citizen wants to stay hidden under the bed covers. It's bad enough her husband Sam wants them to attend marriage enrichment classes. But when she hears Dr. Fred Fowler will lead the sessions, she's mortified. Yet she can't hide forever, especially when someone knocks Francie Pitts in the noggin and sends her to the hospital.
First read: really am enjoying this series. It's about a middle plus aged woman from the south that is fairly well to do and is very loving to her family. This book is fun, and the twists and turns it takes with their family. Her adopted (?) daughter has twins, and all the craziness that revolves around that, and her wonderful husband, wish I had one like him, seems like a REAL jewel. Mine's close!!!
Or do you? No sooner is a dead body discovered in a tool shed six blocks away, and the telephones start ringing, then that second husband starts looking a little miserable and saying he needs some time to himself. And Miss Julia is missing checks in her checkbook and it sounds like someone - and the bank says it's HER (Oh, I don't think so!) - wrote some bad checks. And what about those pending twins? This is a fine mess, and Miss Julia is once again in the middle of it and thinking about ways to make it better in her own - bound to be worse before it gets much better - way.
I do like Miss Julia. She's not one to let grass grow under her feet; neither is she one to put up with rudeness or be rude herself. I didn't find "Rocks the Cradle" laugh out loud fun, like I did "Hits the Road," and I still think "Speaks Her Mind" was the best - but "Rocks the Cradle" was never boring. Miss Julia puts a little snap into the tired mint julep of jokes about southern traditions like religion, gardening, and change. You leave Miss Julia glad you ran into her, and looking forward to another visit.
Third Read: New York Times best-selling author Ann B. Ross has captivated countless readers with her Miss Julia tales. In this 11th entry, America's favorite senior citizen wants to stay hidden under the bed covers. It's bad enough her husband Sam wants them to attend marriage enrichment classes. But when she hears Dr. Fred Fowler will lead the sessions, she's mortified. Yet she can't hide forever, especially when someone knocks Francie Pitts in the noggin and sends her to the hospital.
First read: really am enjoying this series. It's about a middle plus aged woman from the south that is fairly well to do and is very loving to her family. This book is fun, and the twists and turns it takes with their family. Her adopted (?) daughter has twins, and all the craziness that revolves around that, and her wonderful husband, wish I had one like him, seems like a REAL jewel. Mine's close!!!
September 22, 2013
Even though I like the Miss Julia series quite a bit, as evidenced by the prior reviews of 1-11 of this series, this one gets the lowest rating. There was a laugh-out-loud moment, and I liked her “queenly” bit as she lied to the young sheriff who saw her a few hours earlier as a tattered crazy old lady, but the flaws outweighed the highlights. An unresolved “loose end” was the banking problem and umbrage not properly smoothed and resolved. As in other volumes, unbelievable actions contrary to law or common knowledge grate. In this story, any reader could predict that the twins would be born early, at home, when both Sam and Mr. Pickens are far away, during a snowstorm that knocks out power, phones, and causes a tree branch to fall across their cars. Underappreciated Lillian saves the day, er, night. The added subplot of Sam and Miss Julia’s latest falling out was also expected and rather dull, but it allowed for some of the best scenes while Ms. Julia snooped. Oh, and one more thing! Helen coupling with Thurlow Jones is purely impossible to believe!
March 17, 2020
I love reading these Miss Julia books. They make me laugh. Miss Julia is as hilarious as ever as Hazel Marie discovers that she is expecting.
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Just did a reread. The Miss Julia books are wonderful when one is under the weather. The storyline is uncomplicated and amusing, while the characters are very endearing.
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Just did a reread. The Miss Julia books are wonderful when one is under the weather. The storyline is uncomplicated and amusing, while the characters are very endearing.
May 30, 2021
One of my favs! Babies in the living room; prowling around in the dead of night; Sam leaving; Thurlow and Helen? Who knew?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2025
Miss Julia is a hot mess express as usual, but I enjoyed this next installment. I hadn't read it in years, but the characters came flooding back. Intrigue, deception, wild rumors and new twin babies. A riot.
March 24, 2019
I so love these characters! This was a mystery that kind of keeps you guessing, but easy enough to figure out. My favorite kind! I laughed right out loud at certain parts. So fun!
May 12, 2022
This installment of the Miss Julia series focuses more on catching up on the characters’ lives than it does on the mystery element usually involved in the books but I still thought it was fun. If you’re not familiar with the series, this probably isn’t the book to start with because there isn’t that much backstory to catch readers up.
September 28, 2018
I'm enjoying the Miss Julia series, but I wouldn't call them mysteries as many people seem to do. This one does have an actual dead body in it, which is mysterious for a few hours when Lloyd comes home from school to say his teacher found one (dead body, that is) in her wood shed. However, identity and cause of death are established in no time. Still, Miss Julia has good reason to snoop around wood sheds and catch Thurlow Jones up to something. And meanwhile, somebody has been forging her signature on cheques.
Most of this was great, but the ending left something to be desired. Some of the plot had been carried over from the last book, so maybe some loose ends have been left for the next one?
Most of this was great, but the ending left something to be desired. Some of the plot had been carried over from the last book, so maybe some loose ends have been left for the next one?
May 11, 2011
The feisty senior citizen is back again, this time determined to mind her own business and learn to focus on her own problems rather than those of her friends and neighbors. Her resolution is immediately challenged, however, when Lloyd announces the discovery of a body in his schoolteacher's shed and raises a slew of questions about the possible identity and activities of the dead person. To complicate matters, Miss Julia is faced with check fraud and with a husband who refuses to believe in her innocence. Not to mention taking part in the accidental home delivery of twins for Hazel Marie and J.D.! What's a Southern lady to do but get to the root of all the trouble so that she can restore her matrimonial harmony as well as her reputation! With the unwilling help of her housekeeper Lillian, Miss Julia sets out to do exactly that, learning some surprising things about her neighbors in the process.
Reading a Miss Julia book is always so refreshing and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. Ms. Ross' writing is just as fresh and lively as it was at the beginning of the series! I found myself smiling through the entire book...a sure sign of a good read!
Reading a Miss Julia book is always so refreshing and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. Ms. Ross' writing is just as fresh and lively as it was at the beginning of the series! I found myself smiling through the entire book...a sure sign of a good read!
May 4, 2015
Another good but not quite as good as previous Miss Julia books. The books put me in the mind of Murder She Wrote, not gory and graphic but just good clean books. Enjoy all the antics that she gets into.
June 7, 2018
Awww, the babies came! This series is a delight, and I'll be sad when I actually catch up on all the books. Hope the next one won't be long in coming!
August 10, 2017
Miss Julia has many a challenge confronting her as she tries to maintain her status as an upright lady in her small Southern town. After all, it's not easy to keep your head high when you've got the illegitimate son of your late husband living with you - even if you do adore him - not to mention his mama who is now pregnant with twins and married to a private investigator who you wish was just a wee bit more focused on putting reputable bread on the table in a regular way. Fortunately you have a best friend/housekeeper, and lovely steady second husband to help.
Or do you? No sooner is a dead body discovered in a tool shed six blocks away, and the telephones start ringing, then that second husband starts looking a little miserable and saying he needs some time to himself. And Miss Julia is missing checks in her checkbook and it sounds like someone - and the bank says it's HER (Oh, I don't think so!) - wrote some bad checks. And what about those pending twins? This is a fine mess, and Miss Julia is once again in the middle of it and thinking about ways to make it better in her own - bound to be worse before it gets much better - way.
I do like Miss Julia. She's not one to let grass grow under her feet; neither is she one to put up with rudeness or be rude herself. I didn't find "Rocks the Cradle" laugh out loud fun, like I did "Hits the Road," and I still think "Speaks Her Mind" was the best - but "Rocks the Cradle" was never boring. Miss Julia puts a little snap into the tired mint julep of jokes about southern traditions like religion, gardening, and change. You leave Miss Julia glad you ran into her, and looking forward to another visit.
Or do you? No sooner is a dead body discovered in a tool shed six blocks away, and the telephones start ringing, then that second husband starts looking a little miserable and saying he needs some time to himself. And Miss Julia is missing checks in her checkbook and it sounds like someone - and the bank says it's HER (Oh, I don't think so!) - wrote some bad checks. And what about those pending twins? This is a fine mess, and Miss Julia is once again in the middle of it and thinking about ways to make it better in her own - bound to be worse before it gets much better - way.
I do like Miss Julia. She's not one to let grass grow under her feet; neither is she one to put up with rudeness or be rude herself. I didn't find "Rocks the Cradle" laugh out loud fun, like I did "Hits the Road," and I still think "Speaks Her Mind" was the best - but "Rocks the Cradle" was never boring. Miss Julia puts a little snap into the tired mint julep of jokes about southern traditions like religion, gardening, and change. You leave Miss Julia glad you ran into her, and looking forward to another visit.
May 2, 2018
When last we saw Hazel Marie, she was pregnant with twins and Miss Julia was her usual lovably meddling self. Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle picks up there, and half the joy, half the book, is about the impending and subsequent birth of the babies. After that, not a whole lot happens. But that’s one thing that makes Ann B. Ross’s Miss Julia series enjoyable. We are treated to life in a tiny North Carolina town where the crimes often are not big ones and mostly Miss Julia, who seems to get involved in any crimes big or small, gets entangled and must find a way out. All of Ross’s beloved characters are here, although Deputy, now Sergeant, Coleman and his wife Binky only make a cameo appearance. Since the earlier books in the series featured Coleman, I’m still hoping that Ross brings him back for a featured role in at least one more of her books. But meanwhile, we can delight in Miss Julia herself, a woman who is very much like another Miss Julia, Julia Sugarbaker of the TV series Designing Women, both indomitable, opinionated, and extremely likeable Southern women.
February 11, 2022
While I do enjoy this series, there are a few storylines that get regurgitated that I don’t really care for. The one that comes up repeatedly is the marital insecurities between Miss Julia and Sam. Usually it’s Julia freaking out over something dumb that makes her think her marriage is in trouble. Her normal course of action is to panic and refuse to communicate anything with Sam. In this book, the situation is flipped and it’s Sam who has hurt feelings and mistrust, which he handles by moving back to his old house instead of staying and working things out with his wife. It’s about the most juvenile thing I can imagine from a couple in their retirement years. And frankly, it’s frustrating and just no fun to read.
I did like a few things about this book, such as the birth of JD & Hazel Marie’s twins at home during a snow storm. I also liked that we get closure to the embezzlement story from an early book in the series, which allows Helen to finally move on with her life. I was glad to see that story come full circle.
I did like a few things about this book, such as the birth of JD & Hazel Marie’s twins at home during a snow storm. I also liked that we get closure to the embezzlement story from an early book in the series, which allows Helen to finally move on with her life. I was glad to see that story come full circle.
December 7, 2022
this was the 2nd favorite of the 3 i did read. read on there below ...of my reviews ...etc.
i read 3 of Ann's books through my local library leaning program. so fun!! enjoyed them all. i will be kind of silly because why not ...when rating them i mean ...like picking a favorite book cover. this and that. just having fun. nothing being mean or whatnot. i can't wait to read more ...such fun. cozy and warm. they will warm your kindle right on up. lol. just kidding. get to reading. laters.
1. book 11 "Miss Julia Renews Her Vows" of the 3 this is my favorite when it comes to the book covers. but that was a hard pick. so cute!!
2. book 12 "Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle" this would be the 2nd in that book cover contest i am having. i am kidding but calling it that because i can.
3. book 20 "Miss Julia Raises the Roof"
i read 3 of Ann's books through my local library leaning program. so fun!! enjoyed them all. i will be kind of silly because why not ...when rating them i mean ...like picking a favorite book cover. this and that. just having fun. nothing being mean or whatnot. i can't wait to read more ...such fun. cozy and warm. they will warm your kindle right on up. lol. just kidding. get to reading. laters.
1. book 11 "Miss Julia Renews Her Vows" of the 3 this is my favorite when it comes to the book covers. but that was a hard pick. so cute!!
2. book 12 "Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle" this would be the 2nd in that book cover contest i am having. i am kidding but calling it that because i can.
3. book 20 "Miss Julia Raises the Roof"
January 11, 2019
In this volume of the Miss Julia series, our favorite Southern lady of a certain age answers for a lot of past sins. And mostly they're sins of omission for things she's kept from her tolerant and patient second husband, Sam. He leaves her temporarily which sets up the funniest scene in the book when Miss Julia unwittingly spends the night in bed with Ronnie, a gentlemanly Great Dane owned by a disreputable neighbor who figures in the flimsy mystery that sets up the other capers.
The arrival of Hazel Marie's twins and the resulting chaos take up a good part of the book. The nice thing about this besides showing the growth of the character we get to see another facet of the capable Lillian who shines in her role as the midwife.
The arrival of Hazel Marie's twins and the resulting chaos take up a good part of the book. The nice thing about this besides showing the growth of the character we get to see another facet of the capable Lillian who shines in her role as the midwife.
October 5, 2017
After this series caught my eye in my local library several times, I decided to read one. Miss Julia is an older woman from North Carolina who just cant stand to not know what is going on.
Her new 2nd husband Sam is feeling neglected because her previous husbands mistress and her husband and son live in their house. The Mistress Hazel Marie is expecting twins. There is also a housekeeper and her grandaughter and a nurses aid to help with the babies when they arrive.
After there is a murder in the neighborhood, Miss Julia cannot resist playing detective to find out what happened especially since the dead man stole blank checks out of her checkbook.
Her new 2nd husband Sam is feeling neglected because her previous husbands mistress and her husband and son live in their house. The Mistress Hazel Marie is expecting twins. There is also a housekeeper and her grandaughter and a nurses aid to help with the babies when they arrive.
After there is a murder in the neighborhood, Miss Julia cannot resist playing detective to find out what happened especially since the dead man stole blank checks out of her checkbook.
December 30, 2018
A sweet little mystery in this cozy series but not the best I've read of hers. I picked it because it seemed Christmas-y but ended up being just after the season. While I enjoyed indulging in a novel placed in my geographic area, I did get a little uncomfortable with her use of vernacular speech for the housekeeper. I didn't remember that part of the books, and found myself struggling between disappointment and trying to figure out how I would make the distinction in the character without using vernacular speech. So, that made it an interesting read. *sigh* I always liked Miss Julia, and she isn't racist but now I'm torn about this series.
August 30, 2020
The Miss Julia Series is tied with The Southern Sisters Mysteries by Anne George and The Cat Who Series by Lilian Jackson Braun for my all time favorite series!! The characters are lovable and once you start reading the first one, you just can’t stop! You are on the edge of your seat dying to know what happens next until you get through every book! I searched for years for another great series like this and I couldn’t be happier to have found this one! A true treasure! There aren’t many great writers that can capture my attention like Ann B. Ross has in this series. Well worth the time! If you’re on audible, the narrator is amazing! They are just so fun and enjoyable!
August 18, 2017
Typical Miss Julia. Progress is made in the lives of the regular characters, Miss Julia concocts an unbelievable scenario to move the story forward (in this case, it's Sam getting upset at Julia "keeping things from him," when in the past he absolutely adores her and doesn't get upset by anything, at least not to this degree). But the antics continue and she never learns. And I love the audio version better than the print version because the voice in my head isn't as good as the woman who reads this!
April 26, 2019
Can't wait to finish this series. I started it and will finish it regardless of how ridiculous the books are.
Hazel Marie finally has her twin girls. She is staying at Miss Julia's with a nurse to care for them all. Along the way, a body is found in Miss Petty's shed (she is Little Lloyd's teacher), Miss Julia is accused of passing bad checks and Mildred's ex husband is out of prison. My main problems with this book:
1. Preemies weighing less than 5# go to the NICU and do not go home within a week.
2. The author did not consult any breastfeeding mother on her breastfeeding details.
3. Late night antics
These books are so absurd, but I will finish the series.
Hazel Marie finally has her twin girls. She is staying at Miss Julia's with a nurse to care for them all. Along the way, a body is found in Miss Petty's shed (she is Little Lloyd's teacher), Miss Julia is accused of passing bad checks and Mildred's ex husband is out of prison. My main problems with this book:
1. Preemies weighing less than 5# go to the NICU and do not go home within a week.
2. The author did not consult any breastfeeding mother on her breastfeeding details.
3. Late night antics
These books are so absurd, but I will finish the series.
June 13, 2021
Picked this up for vacation as all I wanted were easy, light-hearted books. It will be endearing, especially to older readers, as the quintessential Southern LADY gets into mischief. Even younger readers can probably relate to mothers grandmothers who still embrace the old manners and protocols for women. To say it’s an unenlightened book is an understatement. But…it was a sweet story and easy read with a little drama…which is exactly what I wanted. So…all in all not bad, but won’t be shouting from the rafters that someone NEEDS to read it.
September 4, 2021
Love all the Miss Julia books
I have read several of these books and enjoy them very much. This one was a little drawn out, but I still enjoyed it.Miss Julia is a lovable older lady with a very generous heart and cares deeply about family. When her ex husband has an affair which produces a child, then dies, she opens her heart and her home to mother and son. Their relationship evolves and expands to include romantic interests for both of them. Lots of action and suspense ensues. Recommend
I have read several of these books and enjoy them very much. This one was a little drawn out, but I still enjoyed it.Miss Julia is a lovable older lady with a very generous heart and cares deeply about family. When her ex husband has an affair which produces a child, then dies, she opens her heart and her home to mother and son. Their relationship evolves and expands to include romantic interests for both of them. Lots of action and suspense ensues. Recommend
June 17, 2023
Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle is another of the books in Ann B. Ross' Miss Julia series. When a dead body is found in a toolshed between Thurlow Jones' house and that of the schoolteacher, Miss Julia wants to know more. But when suspicion falls on Miss Julia, she is bound and determined to find out what really happened and clear her name. Her husband, Sam, moves out until he gets more information, and that's when Hazel Marie's twins decide to arrive (nevermind that there's a blizzard out there)! Can Miss Julia solve the mystery and win Sam back?
April 9, 2025
Hazel Marie has her twins during a snowstorm at Miss Julia's house. The emergency crew was able to safely transport them to the hospital. A dead body is found in a neighbor's shed. Why was he in there and how did he die. Miss Julia makes decisions without consulting or sharing with her husband. This causes some friction. How does she convince Sam she loves him and will include him in all areas of her life.
This has some serious, as well as, laugh out loud sections. I am enjoying this series, and this one gave me lots of laughs. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
This has some serious, as well as, laugh out loud sections. I am enjoying this series, and this one gave me lots of laughs. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
October 4, 2017
If this hadn't been for the Mystery Book Club I wouldn't have finished it. Miss Julia is a Southern American version of Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances, obsessed with how she appears to others and judgy of everyone in her community. She did become more likable through the book, mainly in her interactions with the people closest to her.
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