Miss Julia Paints the Town by Ann B. Ross

Miss Julia hears that the historic Abbottsville courthouse is to be torn down to make way for condominiums. 

Helen Stroud’s husband seems to have disappeared with a good deal of money that was given to him for investing.  Miss Julia enlists the aid of her friends to dissuade the developer from tearing down the courthouse.  This is the ninth book in the humorous mystery series, full of southern charm and colorful local characters.