Dismayed by developer plans to bulldoze a historic courthouse, Miss Julia launches a plan to expose the community's eccentric characters in order to scare off investors, but her investigation is challenged by the disappearances of several of her friends'husbands.

Miss Julia, a recently beraved and newly wealthy widow, is confronted by Hazel Marie Puckett with a youngster in tow and announces it is the bastard son of Miss Julia's late husband. When Hazel Marie does not return from a dinner date, Miss Julia hires J.D. Pickens to investigate. She and Little Loyd help search for Hazel and run into many adventures.

Miss Julia's own home is not immune to shock waves--the arrival of Latisha, housekeeper Lillian's five-year-old pistol of a great-granddaughter, sets off sparks in Miss Julia's household. But what could shake them all up even more is if anyone finds out the most troubling gossip of all--more tall tales about Miss Julia's late husband. Can Miss Julia turn the town's attention away from herself before she becomes the center of scandal? Can her cool-as-a-cucumber...

Miss Julia -- that proper lady of a certain age with a backbone of iron and perfect Steel Magnolia poise, not to mention the sharpest tongue south of the Mason-Dixon Line-always like to nip any little problems in the bud. Not this time. Miss Julia is increasingly concerned about hergentleman friend, Sam, who has suddenly started wearing cowboy boots, sending flowers, and writing bad poetry. When he shows up on a Harley-Davidson one day, she's convinced...

Abbotsville finds itself the scene of a heist; and Miss Julia knows there's only one man who can solve the crime. It's J. D. Pickens, P.I., renowned investigator and Hazel Marie's wayward love. When he's summoned, one thing becomes clear: Miss Julia must help set things right between them or find herself the only one who can, quite literally, deliver the goods.

Miss Julia ignores her husband Sam's request for her to mind her own business, and while figuring out who has been passing bad checks in her name and waiting for arrival of Hazel Marie's twins, she begins to investigate the possible murder of a person whose dead body is found in a tool shed six blocks from her house.

"As the women in the North Carolina town of Comfort come together for the annual craft fair, the intricacies of their knitting and lace-making echo the complexities of their lives"--Provided by publisher.

Following the end of the Civil War, three young women flee a vindictive uncle, as they encounter a young pregnant slave who is looking for freedom, a Cherokee Scout who finds a place of refuge for them, and a group of war-weary soldiers who rescue them from a cotton field fire.