Ann B. Ross wrote the Miss Julia book series, consisting of over 20 books. The author was a literature professor at North Carolina University.
Miss Julia, the main character, is an elderly lady from Abbotsville, North Carolina. Her narrative is thrilling, comical, and breathtaking. Her personality develops throughout her interactions with others. In the first book, ‘Miss Julia Takes Over’, she inherits a large sum of money from her late husband. When he died, she discovered he had a mistress and a young son, whom she proceeds to find and take under her roof.
Miss Julia is portrayed as a fun-loving character in all her books. Her lines are mostly comedic. In most of the books in the series, Miss Julia illustrates a religious tradition. There is some romance, particularly in Miss Julia’s early books, but it’s her strong and determined spirit that continues to shape the storyline. It is seen when she attempts to defend the judicial process. All of the books in the series contain intriguing riddles, yet manage to create a relaxed atmosphere through the humorous things Miss Julia does or says.
Miss Julia Series in order
Miss Julia
- Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind (1990)
- Miss Julia Takes Over (2001)
- Miss Julia Throws A Wedding (2002)
- Miss Julia Hits the Road (2003)
- Miss Julia Meets Her Match (2004)
- Miss Julia’s School of Beauty (2005)
- Miss Julia Stands Her Ground (2006)
- Miss Julia Strikes Back (2007)
- Miss Julia Paints the Town (2008)
- Miss Julia Delivers the Goods (2009)
- Miss Julia Renews Her Vows (2010)
- Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle (2011)
- Miss Julia to the Rescue (2012)
- Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble (2013)
- Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover (2014)
- Miss Julia Lays Down the Law (2015)
- Miss Julia Inherits a Mess (2016)
- Miss Julia Weathers the Storm (2017)
- Miss Julia Raises the Roof (2018)
- Miss Julia Takes the Wheel (2019)
- Miss Julia Knows a Thing or Two (2020)
- Miss Julia Happily Ever After (2021)
- Miss Julia’s Gift (2013)
Similar authors
- Philip Gulley’s Harmony series features a cast of quirky and endearing characters. They live in the fictitious town of Harmony, Indiana, and go through different adventures together.
- Vicki Delany’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery follows Gemma Doyle and her friend Jayne Wilson. They work together to solve mysteries around their Sherlock Holmes-themed bookshop.
See also: Mary Alice Monroe Books in Order.
Most recommended books
- Miss Julia Delivers the Goods (Miss Julia, #10) (4.11 Goodreads score)
- Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle (Miss Julia #12) (4.11 Goodreads score)
- Miss Julia Renews Her Vows (Miss Julia, #11) (4.10 Goodreads score)
- Miss Julia Stands Her Ground (Miss Julia, #7) (4.10 Goodreads score)
- Miss Julia Weathers the Storm (Miss Julia #19) (4.08 Goodreads score)
Latest releases
The final Miss Julia book, titled Miss Julia Happily Ever After, was published on April 6th, 2021. It was the 22nd book in the series.
Book summaries
Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind (1990)
Miss Julia, a recently bereaved and newly wealthy widow, is only slightly bemused when one Hazel Marie Puckett appears at her door with a youngster in tow and unceremoniously announces that the child is the bastard son of Miss Julia’s late husband. Suddenly, this longtime church member and pillar of her small Southern community finds herself in the center of an unseemly scandal-and the guardian of a wan nine-year-old whose mere presence turns her life upside down.With razor-sharp wit and perfect “Steel Magnolia” poise, Miss Julia speaks her mind indeed-about a robbery, a kidnapping, and the other disgraceful events precipitated by her husband’s death.
Miss Julia Takes Over (2001)
When Miss Julia burst on the scene in her fictional debut, Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, this proper lady of a certain age found her orderly world turned upside down when Hazel Marie Puckett appeared with her nine-year-old son, Little Lloyd, who looked disturbingly similar to Miss Julia’s late husband. Now, in Miss Julia Takes Over, with her sharp tongue and iron backbone intact, Miss Julia must tackle another disruption when Hazel Marie doesn’t return from a dinner date with a fund-raiser who, in Miss Julia’s opinion, wears his shorts too tight. Frantic and unable to persuade the local police that Hazel Marie is in danger, Miss Julia hires J. D. Pickens to investigate, despite her reservations about his taste for beer and women. She and Little Lloyd help search for Hazel Marie, running into adventures ranging from a most indelicate display of fisticuffs to a high-speed car chase on the track of a NASCAR Speedway, all the while standing strong …because if Miss Julia doesn’t take care of things, who will?Fast paced, funny, and full of colorful characters you’ll want to meet again and again, Miss Julia Takes Over is a zany race through the South you’ll not soon forget.
Miss Julia Throws A Wedding (2002)
In Miss Julia Throws a Wedding, we find her feeling a little wistful when Hazel Marie, once her late husband’s paramour and now her best friend, prepares to move out and live in sin with that marriage-shy Mr. Pickens. Suddenly, to Miss Julia’s delight, a wedding is in the offing: Handsome Deputy Coleman Bates and attorney Binkie Enloe announce their plans to run down to the courthouse and tie the knot. But Miss Julia insists they have a real wedding ceremony and vows to make it happen. When a missing preacher, a crowd of uninvited guests, and a queasy bride threaten the happy event, Miss Julia is there to restore order, confirming her undying motto: if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!
Miss Julia Hits the Road (2003)
In Miss Julia Hits the Road, she is becoming increasingly concerned about her gentleman friend, Sam, who has suddenly started wearing cowboy boots, sending her flowers, and writing bad poetry. And when he shows up on a Harley-Davidson Road King and asks her to hop on, she’s convinced he’s lost his mind. Meanwhile, her invaluable housekeeper, Lillian, has been evicted from her home by her greedy landlord. Deciding that Lillian’s need is greater than her own fear (not to mention loss of dignity), Miss Julia takes Sam up on his offer and sets off on a motorcycle Poker Run to raise some fast cash. She’s ready to risk life and limb in Sam’s sidecar to save Lillian’s home from the bulldozer, but will Miss Julia’s scheme work?
Miss Julia Meets Her Match (2004)
With devoted fans across the country, Miss Julia—that endearingly sharp-tongued southern belle of a certain age—has no shortage of admirers. But in Miss Julia Meets Her Match, our feisty heroine must come to terms with her most ardent admirer of all: longtime beau Sam Murdoch, who wants to tie the knot. While it’s hard to resist Sam’s charm, Miss Julia isn’t about to give up her independence so easily. After all, there are plenty of other matters that require her attention, including a Holy Land theme park to be built on her property, a possible affair between the mayor and the preacher’s secretary, and the arrival of her housekeeper Lillian’s five-year-old pistol of a great-granddaughter. In the midst of all the commotion, can her cool-as-a-cucumber head help her heart make the decision of a lifetime?
Miss Julia’s School of Beauty (2005)
In her latest romp, Miss Julia—now Mrs. Sam Murdoch—returns from her whirlwind elopement, only to find herself roped into Hazel Marie’s scheme to raise money by throwing a beauty pageant. Though it all seems a tad distasteful, it’s nothing compared to the revelation that Pigeon Forge, the marriage mill across the state line that wedded Julia and Sam, might not be legitimate. And a flustered Julia can’t help wondering whether she and Sam can keep up appearances before the town finds out they might be living in sin.
Miss Julia Stands Her Ground (2006)
Miss Julia has charmed and captivated fans of humorous Southern tales through six rollicking novels, and now, in Miss Julia Stands Her Ground, she faces her most daunting challenge yet. Hazel Marie’s troublemaking uncle, Brother Vernon Puckett, has just swept into town and questioned Little Lloyd’s paternity. Suddenly Miss Julia’s late husband’s estate is up for grabs, and it’s up to her to prove that the boy’s claim is legitimate. In another hilarious and heartwarming caper, Ann B. Ross proves that a little spunk and Southern charm go a long way.
Miss Julia Strikes Back (2007)
Having earned a devoted following for her rollicking antics and unshakable poise, Miss Julia’s eighth outing begins with an unfortunate discovery. Her cherished engagement ring-an exact replica of Princess Di’s-turns up missing after a party, making her the latest target of a Florida- based gang who, according to Sergeant Coleman Bates, has been denuding Dixie of its jewelry. Incensed, Miss Julia packs Little Lloyd into the car and heads south to claim what is rightfully hers-and to show the feds that there’s more than one way to do reconnaissance: selling the Good Book!
Miss Julia Paints the Town (2008)
The sleepy town of Abbotsville is abuzz over the mayor’s plans to replace the old courthouse with luxury retirement condos. On top of that, several of the town’s husbands seem to have flown the coop. As usual, it falls to Miss Julia to save the day-and the courthouse- even if she has to expose a few of the town’s not-so- well-kept secrets.Fans simply can’t get enough of Ann B. Ross. Her author events consistently draw crowds of readers craving another book featuring her feisty, white-haired heroine. Miss Julia Paints the Town is certain to satisfy their craving and draw new fans to this hilarious and heartwarming series.
Miss Julia Delivers the Goods (2009)
Miss Julia’s iron will and kind heart have assured her a spot among the most beloved characters of Southern literature. In her latest adventure, Miss Julia whisks Hazel Marie off to the doctor when the latter admits she’s been feeling poorly. The news floors them both: Hazel Marie is pregnant with twins. Unfortunately, she’s also just sent her beau, Mr. Pickens, packing. Miss Julia needs a plan-and fast. So when Sam’s house is robbed, Miss Julia declares that only J. D. Pickins, P.I., can get his things back. Playing Cupid and solving the crime might seem like a tall order but readers everywhere know that Miss Julia always delivers the goods.
Miss Julia Renews Her Vows (2010)
Every one loves the irrepressible Miss Julia. Her latest triumph is getting Hazel Marie and J. D. Pickens to the altar before it becomes too obvious that they’re expecting twins! But why has Sam agreed that he and Julia will attend the odious Dr. Fowler’s marital enrichment sessions? Could Sam feel their flames need fanning? Meanwhile, this lady of a certain age must spring Etta Mae from jail when she’s wrongly accused of attacking Francie Pitts. With a fragrant felon to be caught- plus a wedding, babies, and a heaping dose of mischief-it’s fortunate for all that Miss Julia’s on the case.Look out for Ann Ross’s newest, Miss Julia Weathers The Storm, coming April 2017 from Viking.
Miss Julia Rocks the Cradle (2011)
Miss Julia has promised her adoring husband, Sam, to mind her own business. What a relief! Instead of trying to figure out why that dead body was found in Miss Petty’s toolshed, Miss Julia can concentrate on taking care of just-in-time newlywed Hazel Marie as she prepares for her impending due date. But then Miss Julia-who has always balanced her checkbook down to the penny-suddenly finds her checks bouncing all over town. Just this once (as she tells herself), Miss Julia starts investigating and so begin the antics that have made her one of the most beloved and irrepressible ladies-of-a-certain-age in today’s fiction.
Miss Julia to the Rescue (2012)
Miss Julia simply can’t abide sitting idle. And with young Lloyd moving out and husband Sam off to the Holy Land, everybody’s favorite steel magnolia is feeling restless. Maybe it’s time for that long-delayed home makeover. But before Miss Julia can even pick a color swatch, Hazel Marie’s new husband, private eye J.D. Pickens, goes missing—and police in West Virginia have detained an injured man fitting his description. Meanwhile, a religious cult is out to convert the locals—and Miss Julia must pick up the pace to free J.D. and get back in time to stop them.
Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble (2013)
Autumn’s crisp bite is in the air, but Miss Julia soon discovers that, alas, leaves aren’t the only things falling. James, Hazel Marie’s housekeeper, has taken a nasty tumble down some stairs. How can Hazel Marie feed and take care of him—not to mention a husband, son, and twin baby girls—when she barely knows how to boil water? Miss Julia promptly organizes the ladies of Abbotsville to give Hazel Marie cooking lessons. But before she can relax, Hazel Marie’s shady preacher-uncle turns up—just as Miss Julia learns that James has roped young Lloyd into an Internet scam!Filled with mayhem, delicious recipes, and plenty of steel-magnolia-style action, Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble is a feast from cover to cover.
Miss Julia’s Marvelous Makeover (2014)
But everyone’s favorite steel magnolia isn’t one to rest on her laurels. It’s summer in Abbotsville, and Miss Julia’s cousin Elsie calls in an old family debt, asking Miss Julia to teach her granddaughter how to be a lady. When the rude and unkempt Trixie arrives, it’s clear Miss Julia has her work cut out for her. Meanwhile, Sam’s campaign for state senate is in trouble. Miss Julia enlists Lillian, Latisha, Lloyd, and Hazel Marie to whip Trixie and the campaign into shape!
Miss Julia Lays Down the Law (2015)
Miss Julia fans both new and old will be especially keen to get their hands on the sixteenth in the series, Miss Julia Lays Down the Law, guaranteed to be the steel magnolia’s most exciting adventure yet.It’s November and Miss Julia is looking forward to some quiet time before the holidays. That is until snobby Connie Clayborn and her rich husband move to town. At first, Miss Julia and the other ladies are pleased to be invited over for coffee, but the afternoon turns into a slap in the face when their hostess spouts nonstop criticism about Abbotsville. Why, how dare she? Days later, Miss Julia decides to confront Connie woman to woman, but when she arrives, Connie is lying on the kitchen floor—lifeless in a pool of blood. Who could have done this? Miss Julia will need to find out fast—particularly because her fingerprints are now all over the crime scene. . . .
Miss Julia Inherits a Mess (2016)
When Miss Julia hears that Miss Mattie Freeman has taken a fall and is in the hospital, she wishes she’d spent more time getting to know the woman–and not just because she’s last to hear about the accident! So when the tumble proves fatal, the last thing Miss Julia expects is a phone call from Ernest Sitton, Attorney at Law. Suddenly Miss Julia finds herself the executrix of Miss Mattie’s estate, and from what Ernest has to say, Miss Mattie’s coffers weren’t exactly full. Determined to find something of value for Miss Mattie’s beneficiaries, Miss Julia is faced with a room full of clutter that’s now hers to disperse. With the lovelorn caretaker Etta Mae Wiggins working overtime, her good friend Mildred Allen on bed rest, and Helen Stroud cataloging Miss Mattie’s furniture, Miss Julia soon realizes she’s got a blue-million things to do to honor her friend’s last wishes. Thank goodness for Miss Mattie’s handsome young neighbor, Nate Wheeler, who’s ever ready to help out, and of course for Sam, who’s always willing to lend an ear.But when a young man claiming to be Miss Mattie’s great-nephew turns up, demanding to live in her apartment while he writes a family history, Miss Julia will find herself closer to Mattie Freeman and her mysterious family than ever before. In this seventeenth installment in the Miss Julia series, Ann B. Ross delivers another hilarious and big-hearted novel celebrating the South’s favorite steel magnolia and the unforgettable residents of Abottsville.
Miss Julia Weathers the Storm (2017)
Miss Julia’s sweet and generous husband, Sam, has decided to take a big group trip to the beach, inviting family and friends. While Miss Julia prepares for the big trip, her longtime friend LuAnne comes to her with a horrifying discovery–her husband may be cheating on her. Julia invites LuAnne along to the beach to get away and clear her head–and to keep from doing anything rash.Everyone settles into the rental house and six-year-old Latisha, their beloved housekeeper Lillian’s great-grandaughter, is having a blast searching for seashells when she discovers some much more valuable treasures that have washed up from a strong storm off the coast. As the storm nears, the crew packs up to head back to Abbotsville, and it appears that the three strangers they met on the beach–who seemed a bit too interested in little Latisha’s treasures–have followed them back to their sleepy town.
Miss Julia Raises the Roof (2018)
With her husband Sam off on a trip to Europe, Miss Julia reckons it’s about time to roll up her sleeves and be of some use to her community. It’s then that she hears that the nosy do-gooder Madge Taylor and the new pastor Rucker are embarking on a mission to buy up the vacant house next door to Hazel Marie and establish a group home for wayward teenagers. No stranger to taking in the down-and-out herself, Miss Julia is shocked to learn Madge and the pastor are keeping the project a secret. When Miss Julia and Hazel Marie start investigating, though, they uncover a far less philanthropic plot for the house that even Madge doesn’t know about–one that could change the quiet, peaceful neighborhood forever.Miss Julia must band together with friends and neighbors to take on nosy Madge and her steamrolling plans, while still being helpful to those in need in another entertaining installment of Ann B. Ross’s bestselling series.
Miss Julia Takes the Wheel (2019)
When Miss Julia’s regular doctor goes on vacation with his wife, leaving a replacement in his stead, Miss Julia is immediately concerned. Never one to miss an opportunity to entertain–or size up–a newcomer, she invites the charming Dr. Don Crawford, and his painfully shy wife, Lauren, to dinner. While Miss Julia and Sam both note Lauren’s obvious lack of social skills, it’s her friends Hazel Marie and Binkie that pick up on some of Dr. Crawford’s less palatable qualities.Meanwhile, Lloyd has gotten his first car, and LuAnne, fresh off her divorce, has started a job at the local funeral home and is in urgent need of an occupation-appropriate makeover–Miss Julia has enough on her plate. Yet there is just something she can’t place about the Crawfords, and she won’t rest until she gets to the bottom of it.
Miss Julia Knows a Thing or Two (2020)
Miss Julia has decided to turn over a new leaf. It’s time to stop meddling in other peoples’ lives, she thinks–but her hands are full before long! Her neighbor Mildred is sent into a tizzy when a grandchild she’s never met shows up on her doorstep. And Mildred’s husband keeps forgetting who she is, so she’s all on her own. Meanwhile, Etta Mae is worried about losing her job now that the Handy Home Helpers is up for sale. Luckily, Miss Julia has experience dealingwith children dropped on doorsteps, and sweeps in to lend a hand. But there’s something missing in that child’s life, and Miss Julia knows exactly what it is.
Miss Julia Happily Ever After (2021)
Wedding fever hits Abbotsville and several of Miss Julia’s friends have plans to tie the knot. But, as usual, nothing is so simple. Christy Hargrove suddenly gives up a lifelong dream and drops out of medical school to marry, Helen Stroud and Thurlow Jones decide to change their commercial arrangement into a marital one, and, to Miss Julia’s consternation, Lillian, her housekeeper and closest companion, is considering a less-than-romantic offer to wed a local businessman who turns courting into a job interview. And then there’s LuAnne who just wants to be married, and Janelle who doesn’t.Miss Julia wants to properly celebrate each ceremony, insofar as anyone will let her. But Helen wants a private, even secretive, wedding; Christy’s fiancé wants a destination wedding, and Lillian can’t decide if she wants a wedding at all. In the middle of it all, a strange figure keeps showing up in town, streaking across lawns and vandalizing the gardens of Miss Julia’s neighbors. Abbotsville’s liveliest resident finds herself trying to solve it all—matters of the heart and petty crime alike—and once again save the day.
Miss Julia’s Gift (2013)
Miss Julia finds herself reminiscing about her first year of marriage to Sam Murdoch. Everything seemed perfect—alarmingly so. Miss Julia feared that Sam would morph from a sweet and loveable man into a replica of her loathsome first husband, the boring and deceitful Wesley Lloyd Springer. Even Sam’s adorable habit of giving her gifts for all holidays and occasions—no matter how minor—caused Miss Julia anxiety. When will the other shoe drop, she wondered? After some soul-searching and valuable advice from her friends, Miss Julia comes to understand that Sam is nothing like Wesley—and never will be. Then, just in time for Valentine’s Day, she thinks up the perfect romantic gift for her husband and realizes which gift she values most of all.
