I hate to admit, but these are finally beginning to wear on me, as Ann Ross veers into political discourse that I don't really agree with (have my guard up ever since one of the recent books that mentioned Fox News favorably), and this one felt a little formulaic.

Still, Miss Julia & Co. offer a pleasant escape, which is just what the doctor ordered for this dreadful year. And I do like the characters, including Sam Murdoch, who is forever Hal Holbrook in my mind for some reason. ( )

Miss Julia's longtime neighbor Mildred Allen has her hands full. Her husband Horace is succumbing to signs of dementia and daughter Tonya has sent a previously unknown granddaughter to live with them. Thanks goodness for Miss Julia. I liked how this came full circle, everything began with a surprise child that entered Miss Julia's life and how enriched that life became. Penelope may do the same for all of them again. Side story with Etta Mae and Miss Julia scheming to buy Handy Home Helpers before a local lawyer, the Dollar store or owner Lurline becomes any wiser. ( )

For long time readers, this book might satisfy you...for the time being. I am a long time reader, though I have not read every book by Ms. Ross. This book entertained me but I had issues that had me skimming certain parts. Yes, this book is about Mildred and her woes, (and I sure did want to smack her and repeatedly smack Tonya) however, it was even more about Etta Mae and the possible purchase of a business - so there were pages and pages of Etta Mae whining and Miss Julia finagling a deal. No mystery in this book. so don't expect one. I did happen to think that there was a mystery going on with Mildred and her husband, but...

The Miss Julia series is ranked on Amazon:

#244 in Women's Detective Fiction
#412 in Women's Crime Fiction

This is also a holiday book (Christmas) though it didn't seem too Christmasy.

We still had Miss Julia's hidden snark, her bustling essential goodness, and her very astute brain -so all is well.

*ARC supplied by the publisher. ( )