by Ann B. Ross
Part of Miss Julia, book 21
First published 2001
Miss Julia's new friend Hazel vanishes without a trace. The last anyone saw of her, she was heading out for an evening with a respected member of their church congregation. When Hazel fails to return home, Miss Julia grows increasingly worried. Something feels wrong about the whole situation. The man Hazel went to meet seemed trustworthy enough, but his sterling reputation in the community doesn't ease Miss Julia's concerns. She decides she cannot simply wait and hope for the best. Miss Julia recruits young Lloyd to help her investigate. Together they begin tracking down leads and following Hazel's trail. The search takes them through their small Southern town as they piece together what might have happened. Miss Julia refuses to give up on her friend, even when others suggest Hazel may have simply left town of her own accord. The investigation becomes personal for Miss Julia, who feels responsible for Hazel's safety and determined to bring her home.
Genres: american-fiction, adult-fiction, cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family
Setting: Southern Town
Period: Contemporary
309 pages · Hardcover · Viking