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Cozy Reader Questions

February 14, 2024

It’s been some time since I put up a post like this, so I’ve gotten a number of questions that have come up that I don’t have a quick answer for…

From Tina:

I am looking for a book that is about a man who passes away and comes back as a ghost and haunts his wife. All I can remember about it is that the man is an architect and their house is built around trees. The family names the trees names like Longfellow and their Gardner, I think, puts little balls of herbs maybe around the house to keep the ghost out. Any help in finding this book would be appreciated. I’ve been trying to find it for years and can’t.

EDIT: Aunty suggested this could be The Overstory by Richard Powers…

From Anita:

There is a series, rich widow, finds out her husband had an illegitimate son, feels sorry for mistress, has a black housekeeper who helps her, she winds up taking the boy and his mother in. Maybe takes place in Birmingham.

EDIT: Many readers have suggested that this is likely the Miss Julia Series by Ann B. Ross. Thanks everyone!

From AC:

Hello! I am looking for a book I read as a kid. It has a leading female character, young, and she is an archaeologist or an egyptologist. She travels to Egypt for a reason I do not recall, and she gets herself in a lot of problems, deadly ones (people trying to kill her, she gets locked up inside a chamber in a pyramid). I believe that the novel is set in the 1980s, or maybe the 1970s. Do you have any information that can help my research?
PS: it is not the Amelia Peabody series.
Thank you so much.

EDIT: I have had several suggestions for this one… Nancy and Aunty suggested it could be the Vicky Bliss series, by Elizabeth Peters…  JC suggested The Jackal’s Head, also by Elizabeth Peters… Teresa and V thought it could be The Sphinx, by Robin Cook…

Thank you in advance for any possible answers! As I get potential answers, I’ll update the post with them…

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87 Comments - Click Here to Read the Comments or to Add Another

Comments

  1. Diane says

    February 14, 2024 at 9:26 am

    I google “which cozy mystery has….(characters) and is set in…..
    I have found a few titles I was looking for
    Good luck

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:28 pm

      Diane, thanks for the suggestion – I usually do this as well, though the large number of responses make me wonder if I forgot to check Anita’s!

      Reply
  2. Dee says

    February 14, 2024 at 9:26 am

    For Anita’s question on the series about a rich widow – the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:54 pm

      Dee, thanks! I’ll put that up as a very likely possibility.

      Reply
  3. Rosemary P. says

    February 14, 2024 at 9:30 am

    The series of books that Anita is searching for are the Miss Julia Novels by Ann B. Ross. I recognized the description right away because they are some of my favorites. I’ve read the entire series several times but sadly Ms. Ross closed out the series just a few years ago.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:54 pm

      Roesmary, thanks! I’ll put that up as a very likely possibility.

      Reply
  4. Colleen says

    February 14, 2024 at 9:30 am

    Anita — I think you are talking about the Miss Julia books by Ann Ross. 22 books in the series now. –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.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:28 pm

      Colleen, thanks for both the probable answer and the series description!

      Reply
  5. Lynn A. Smith says

    February 14, 2024 at 9:35 am

    The series Anita is looking for sounds like the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross. The first in the series is Miss Julia speaks her mind.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:27 pm

      Lynn, thank you, I have listed this as a likely answer.

      Reply
  6. Aunty says

    February 14, 2024 at 9:37 am

    Tina: is it The Overstory by Richard Powers (https://search.worldcat.org/title/1028736643)?

    AC: might be the Vicky Bliss series–still by Elizabeth Peters but set later in time and with a different tone (https://search.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3D%22Peters%2C+Elizabeth%22+kw%3D%22vicky+bliss%22&offset=1)?

    Not sure about the other one, sorry!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:50 pm

      Aunty, thank you – I have put both of these up as possible solutions!

      Reply
    • Paula says

      February 15, 2024 at 11:38 am

      Could you be looking for The Egypt Game? I remember reading this in grade school. It was about a group of children who loved Egypt and would meet and play games centered around it until strange thiiggs began to happen.

      Reply
  7. Ginger says

    February 14, 2024 at 9:48 am

    The answer to the second question is the Miss Julia books by Ann B Ross

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:00 pm

      Ginger, thank you very much! I have suggested this as a solution.

      Reply
  8. Susan Kirby says

    February 14, 2024 at 10:11 am

    Anita, you want the Miss Julia books by Ann B. Ross. They are so fun!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:59 pm

      Susan, that’s quite likely – thank you very much!

      Reply
  9. JC says

    February 14, 2024 at 10:28 am

    AC,

    I think the book you are looking for is The Jackel’s Head by Elizabeth Peters

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:44 pm

      JC, thanks, I’ll put that down as a possible solution!

      Reply
  10. Maureen says

    February 14, 2024 at 10:30 am

    This is for Anita: the series you are looking for is the Miss Julia series written by Ann B. Ross. There are 22 books in series and last book in series “Miss Julia Happily Ever After” was published in 2021. The books are warm, funny
    & very entertaining. The series starts with her louse of a husband dying & she discovers out about his mistress & illegitimate son & confronts the woman. In the 1st book Miss Julia is very uptight, religious, rigid in her ways, prickly & I was not certain if I wanted to continue with series but B & N book store had some special discounts at time & I had purchased 1st 3 books in series & so glad I had to continue reading. Miss Julia starts to enjoy life & her new found “family” & her development (& remarriage) & other characters development are just warm & delightful. I’ve read all 22 books (& have started rereading them) & have enjoyed every one of them. I think you will be very happy reading this series & see how all the main characters grow & their lives develop/change for the better. HAPPY READING.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:59 pm

      Maureen, thank you, I have put this down as a likely solution, and thank you for the series description and recommendation!

      Reply
  11. Marie says

    February 14, 2024 at 10:32 am

    I imagine lots of readers will get Anita’s answer for her. It’s Ann B. Ross’ Miss Julia series. A fun read for sure.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:58 pm

      Marie, thank you! And yes, many people have indeed suggested Miss Julia!

      Reply
  12. Harold says

    February 14, 2024 at 10:37 am

    Answer for Anita: The Miss Julia series, by Ann B. Ross.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:58 pm

      Harold, thank you! I have listed this as a likely solution.

      Reply
  13. Lynn DuChene says

    February 14, 2024 at 10:39 am

    The series about the rich widow is by Ann B. Ros, the ‘Miss Julia’ books. There are many books and I enjoyed every one. She decided to end the series a few years ago.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:58 pm

      Lynn, thank you! I have put this down as a likely solution.

      Reply
  14. Debbie says

    February 14, 2024 at 11:15 am

    I think the second one is the Miss Julia series by Ann B Ross. Been on my to read list for a long time. 🙂

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:57 pm

      Debbie, thank you! I have put this down as a likely solution.

      Reply
  15. Barbara Westhoven says

    February 14, 2024 at 11:24 am

    Anita’s book request sounds like the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross. The first book is titled “Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind”.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:57 pm

      Barbara, thank you! i have listed this as a likely solution.

      Reply
  16. Nichole says

    February 14, 2024 at 11:44 am

    Anita,
    I believe you are looking for the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross. The first book is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. Wonderful series!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:57 pm

      Nichole, thank you! I have listed this as a probable solution.

      Reply
  17. Tania Parker says

    February 14, 2024 at 11:46 am

    Hi, I think Anita is looking for the “Miss Julia” series by Ann B. Ross. Really like them myself!

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:57 pm

      Tania, thank you! I have listed this as a likely solution.

      Reply
  18. Sherri says

    February 14, 2024 at 11:54 am

    The series about the rich widow are the Miss Julia books by Ann Ross.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:56 pm

      Sherri, thank you! I have put this up as a likely solution.

      Reply
  19. Pamela L Parrish says

    February 14, 2024 at 11:54 am

    For Anita – Ann B Ross writes the Miss Julia series

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:56 pm

      Pamela, thanks! I’ve put this up as a possible solution.

      Reply
  20. Sue N says

    February 14, 2024 at 12:14 pm

    I think Anita may be thinking of the Miss Julia series by Ann Ross. They are not murder mysteries but are quite cozy.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:56 pm

      Sue, thank you! I’ve put this up as a solution.

      Reply
  21. V says

    February 14, 2024 at 12:25 pm

    I think you are looking for The Sphinx by Robin Cook…1970-something, I think. A movie was made, too, with Leslye Anne Downe.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:50 pm

      V, thank you, I have listed this as a potential solution!

      Reply
    • V says

      February 20, 2024 at 9:02 am

      It was the description of the main character getting trapped–I think Cook’s description of her fear will stick in my head forever…”vivid” is the word!

      Reply
  22. Joyce J. says

    February 14, 2024 at 12:27 pm

    For Anita – The series you are thinking of is the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross. All of the titles begin with “Miss Julia”

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:54 pm

      Joyce, thank you! I’ve put this up as a very likely solution.

      Reply
  23. Donna McCallum says

    February 14, 2024 at 12:42 pm

    There is a series, rich widow, finds out her husband had an illegitimate son, feels sorry for mistress, has a black housekeeper who helps her, she winds up taking the boy and his mother in. Maybe takes place in Birmingham.

    Not Birmingham – maybe NC or SC. The series is Miss Julia and it’s finished.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 6:54 pm

      Donna, thank you! This seems very likely – I’m putting it up as a very probable solution.

      Reply
  24. Teresa S says

    February 14, 2024 at 1:25 pm

    For Anita, the series you reference may be the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross. The situation you reference reminds me of the first book in the series titled Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. This is a great series by the way.

    For AC, the book may be Sphinx by Robin Cook. It was published in 1983.

    Hope this helps!

    I love this blog by the way. It allows me to keep up with new releases and introduces me to older series as well.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:51 pm

      Teresa, thank you – I have put these up as possible solutions! And thank you for the kind words about the blog as well!

      Reply
      • Teresa S says

        February 14, 2024 at 8:09 pm

        You’re welcome but the words are the truth!😁

        Reply
  25. ginger says

    February 14, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    Miss Julia by Ann Ross is what you are looking for.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:09 pm

      Ginger, that seems very likely, thank you!

      Reply
  26. Gayle McMurria-Bachik says

    February 14, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    I would like to know the answers to those questions as well. All three sound like they would be fun to read.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:29 pm

      Gayle, they certainly do sound fun!

      Reply
  27. Cathy May says

    February 14, 2024 at 1:54 pm

    Anita, Those are the “Miss Julia” boos written by Ann B. Ross. There are over 20 of them. I hope you love as much as I have.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:27 pm

      Cathy, thank you – I have listed this as a probable answer.

      Reply
  28. Deb B says

    February 14, 2024 at 1:59 pm

    To Anita,

    I believe the book you may be looking is by Ann B. Ross, the Miss Julia series. There are 22 books in the series and the first one is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind.

    Hope this helps.
    deb

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:18 pm

      Deb, thank you very much! I have listed this as a likely solution!

      Reply
  29. Robin says

    February 14, 2024 at 2:27 pm

    For Anita’s question, those are the Miss Julia series. Takes place in North Carolina if I remember correctly.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:26 pm

      Robin, thank you, I have listed this as a probable answer.

      Reply
  30. Annette says

    February 14, 2024 at 2:48 pm

    I think Anita is talking about the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:16 pm

      Annette, thank you very much – that does seem like the likely solution.

      Reply
  31. R says

    February 14, 2024 at 2:59 pm

    Answer for Anita I think is the Miss Julia series by Ann Ross

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:26 pm

      R, thank you! That seems very likely.

      Reply
  32. Ann says

    February 14, 2024 at 3:11 pm

    I believe the series Anita may be thinking of is by Ann B. Ross. The first book in the series is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. I haven’t read all of them but the ones I did read I enjoyed.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:16 pm

      Ann, thank you, that does seem like a likely solution.

      Reply
  33. Robin says

    February 14, 2024 at 3:22 pm

    For Anita, the book series is the Miss Julia series by Ann Ross. They take place in North Carolina, I think.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:16 pm

      Robin, thank you, that does seem like the likely solution.

      Reply
  34. Susan Bearden says

    February 14, 2024 at 3:50 pm

    For Anita’s question, that sounds like the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross…

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      Susan, that does seem likely, thank you!

      Reply
  35. Julie F. says

    February 14, 2024 at 3:56 pm

    Anita, I believe that is the Miss Julia series by Ann Ross.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:15 pm

      Julie, thank you, that does seem likely.

      Reply
  36. Maureen says

    February 14, 2024 at 4:22 pm

    For Anita: Ann B. Ross & The Miss Julia series.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:09 pm

      Maureen, thank you! That seems very likely.

      Reply
  37. Plain Vanilla Grandma says

    February 14, 2024 at 4:45 pm

    Anita, That series would be the Miss Julia books by Ann B. Ross. There are at least 22 in the series and all of the titles start with “Miss Julia.”

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      Plain Vanilla, that seems very likely, thank you!

      Reply
  38. Tullita says

    February 14, 2024 at 5:06 pm

    Anita,
    I’m wondering if your series is the Miss Julia series by Ann B Ross.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:04 pm

      Thanks Tullita, I’ve put this up as a likely solution.

      Reply
  39. Sara Kreps says

    February 14, 2024 at 5:13 pm

    The rich widow one sounds a bit like the Miss Julia series.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:03 pm

      Sara, thank you! I have listed this as a likely suggestion.

      Reply
  40. Nancy says

    February 14, 2024 at 5:41 pm

    Could the anthropologist be Vicky Bliss by Elizabeth Peters?

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:51 pm

      Nancy, thanks! I have put this up as a possible solution!

      Reply
  41. Sprite says

    February 14, 2024 at 6:09 pm

    Anita is looking for the Miss Julia books by Ann B Ross. The first one is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind.

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      Sprite, thank you – I have listed this as a likely suggestion.

      Reply
  42. Becky V says

    February 14, 2024 at 6:43 pm

    The second one sounds like the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross

    Reply
    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      February 14, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      Becky, thank you! That seems very likely.

      Reply

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