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The Dales Detective #7
Date with Betrayal
In the seventh novel in Julia Chapman’s Dales Detective series, Date with Betrayal, betrayal is rife in the idyllic Yorkshire Dales as Samson O’Brien, owner of the Dales Detective Agency, is targeted by a hitman. Can Bruncliffe save him? A brilliantly engaging and witty mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club and M. C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series.Death is coming to its target is Samson O’Brien.Oblivious to his impending date with fate, Samson is busy juggling a number of cases at the Dales Detective Agency. Too busy, in fact, to notice his partner behaving oddly.Because Delilah Metcalfe knows what is coming. A hitman. Sent from London with one to finally silence the troublesome O’Brien before his corruption case can make it to court.With Samson’s life in peril, and betrayal around every corner, Delilah has no choice but to call in favours from all of her Bruncliffe connections in order to counteract the menace threatening to engulf the Dales town.The only trouble is the townsfolk have long memories and deep grievances when it comes to Samson O’Brien. Trust must be earned and they will take some convincing before they put themselves in danger in order to save him.And even then, it might not prove enough . . .Full of charm, wit and characters that will capture your heart, the series begins with Date With Death. Have you read them all?Praise for The Dales Detective 'Enlivened with numerous subplots, the story moves at a cracking pace' – Daily Mail'Bags of Yorkshire charm and wit' – Northern Echo'A classic whodunnit' – Cath Staincliffe, author of Blue Murder'Full of dry wit and clever plotting' – Countryside'Chapman delivers on every level' – Lancashire Evening Post‘As village murder mysteries go, this clever, witty and realistic series is quite out of the ordinary and strongly recommended’ – Crime Review
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2022
63 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Julia Chapman
30 books425 followersJulia Chapman has led a nomadic existence, spending most of her adult life abroad. Having published a series of novels set in the idyllic French Pyrenees, she has now turned her hand to crime. Currently writing the Dales Detective Series, she lives and writes in the stunning Yorkshire Dales where her books are set. The first in the series, Date with Death, makes its debut in March 2017.
Contact her on facebook (Julia Stagg or Dales Detective) or on Twitter @DalesWriter
Pseudonym for author Julia Stagg
Contact her on facebook (Julia Stagg or Dales Detective) or on Twitter @DalesWriter
Pseudonym for author Julia Stagg
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 13, 2024
4,5✨
DAMN.
Beaucoup d’émotions, beaucoup de suspens, beaucoup de surprises.
Une surprise qui n’en était peut-être pas suffisamment une en revanche donc -0,5.
Pour le reste, c’était un tome EXCEPTIONNEL, qui a su me tenir en haleine !
J’ai hâte de voir ce que la suite nous réserve maintenant que pas mal de choses se sont décantées 👀
DAMN.
Beaucoup d’émotions, beaucoup de suspens, beaucoup de surprises.
Une surprise qui n’en était peut-être pas suffisamment une en revanche donc -0,5.
Pour le reste, c’était un tome EXCEPTIONNEL, qui a su me tenir en haleine !
J’ai hâte de voir ce que la suite nous réserve maintenant que pas mal de choses se sont décantées 👀
December 1, 2021
Sûrement le meilleur tome de la série à ce jour. L'intrigue se déroule sur une journée, durant laquelle Delilah, aidée des habitants de Bruncliffe, va tout faire pour sauver Samson de la mortelle menace qui pèse sur lui. Un tome rythmée avec beaucoup de suspens, de nombreux rebondissements et SURTOUT de plein réponses aux questions soulevées depuis le premier opus ! Mais tout n'est pas pour autant réglé et c'est avec plaisir que je retrouverai Delilah, Samson et Caliméro.
February 12, 2022
Le meilleur tome de la série, ce septième opus répond enfin à quelques questions soulevées tout au long de la série tout en proposant une vraie intrigue, pleine de suspense. Plus que jamais, Bruncliff tremble et il faut bien toute l’entraide de ses habitants pour déjouer les plans les plus sombres. Le lecteur retrouve une fois de plus ce qui fait le charme des Détectives … et ses personnages hauts en couleur. J’ai adoré et j’ai déjà hâte de découvrir la suite.
December 29, 2023
4.25⭐️
Ohlala mais queeeeeee de révélations dans ce tome ! Enfin plutôt de résolutions qu'on attendait depuis des lustres ! Enfin ça fait plaisir !
J'ai adoré encore une fois cette ambiance de petit village où tous les habitants sont soudés les uns et aux autres. Quelle joie de les voir venir tous ensemble à la rescousse d'un personnage sans même que ce dernier s'en rende compte. L'intrigue est toute en tension et rythmée à la manière d'une montre qui passe les minutes, faisant accélérer notre rythme cardiaque.
J'ai été assez surprise du dénouement et j'avoue que j'ai eu peur pour bien des perso. Mon coeur fond pour Samson et Delilah et je suis si heureuse que leurs aventures continuent car même si un gros morceau de l'intrigue de fond est résolu il reste encore quelques mystères 👀
Ohlala mais queeeeeee de révélations dans ce tome ! Enfin plutôt de résolutions qu'on attendait depuis des lustres ! Enfin ça fait plaisir !
J'ai adoré encore une fois cette ambiance de petit village où tous les habitants sont soudés les uns et aux autres. Quelle joie de les voir venir tous ensemble à la rescousse d'un personnage sans même que ce dernier s'en rende compte. L'intrigue est toute en tension et rythmée à la manière d'une montre qui passe les minutes, faisant accélérer notre rythme cardiaque.
J'ai été assez surprise du dénouement et j'avoue que j'ai eu peur pour bien des perso. Mon coeur fond pour Samson et Delilah et je suis si heureuse que leurs aventures continuent car même si un gros morceau de l'intrigue de fond est résolu il reste encore quelques mystères 👀
May 24, 2022
As a devoted fan of Julia Chapman’s Dales Detective series, I was waiting with baited breath for the latest instalment and after being unable to put Date with Betrayal down, I think it’s safe to say that I was not the slightest bit disappointed.
Trouble is coming to the Yorkshire Dales and it’s got its eye on Samson O’Brien. With a busy schedule and plenty of cases demanding his attention, Samson is unaware of the fact that danger and jeopardy are snapping at his heels. So intent is Samson on his work and his ever-increasing caseload, that he hasn’t noticed the fact that his partner Delilah Metcalfe is not her usual self. She is behaving rather strangely lately and seems to have something on her mind. Something that could directly impact Samson’s life…
Delilah is well aware of what’s coming. She knows that a hitman from London is coming all the way to the Dales with one deadly objective: to silence Samson once and for all. With a corruption case looming and with Samson’s testimony the key that could send down some very dangerous people, her fellow detective has got a target on his back – unless she manages to save him from certain death. As Delilah calls in favour after favour, will she manage to stop the threat coming from a ruthless enemy willing to do whatever it takes to shut Samson up for good?
The people of Bruncliffe have got their own reasons for not wanting to get involved. Where Samson O’Brien is involved, trouble always seems to follow and the local community has got long memories and deep grievances concerning the maverick detective.
With the odds stacked against her, can Delilah manage to keep Samson alive? Or is she fighting a losing battle?
Julia Chapman’s Dales Detectives series is absolutely superb and Date with Betrayal is a wonderful Yorkshire set mystery where the pages simply turn themselves. I was unable to put this book down as I was immediately caught up in this charming, witty, tense, suspenseful and wholly captivating mystery where I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page.
Samson and Delilah are wonderful characters. They are both strong, intelligent, shrewd, courageous and willing to do whatever it takes in the name of justice. Readers cannot help but enjoy every single moment they spend in their company.
A first class British mystery that will delight devotees of the series and newcomers alike, miss Julia Chapman’s Date with Betrayal at your peril.
Trouble is coming to the Yorkshire Dales and it’s got its eye on Samson O’Brien. With a busy schedule and plenty of cases demanding his attention, Samson is unaware of the fact that danger and jeopardy are snapping at his heels. So intent is Samson on his work and his ever-increasing caseload, that he hasn’t noticed the fact that his partner Delilah Metcalfe is not her usual self. She is behaving rather strangely lately and seems to have something on her mind. Something that could directly impact Samson’s life…
Delilah is well aware of what’s coming. She knows that a hitman from London is coming all the way to the Dales with one deadly objective: to silence Samson once and for all. With a corruption case looming and with Samson’s testimony the key that could send down some very dangerous people, her fellow detective has got a target on his back – unless she manages to save him from certain death. As Delilah calls in favour after favour, will she manage to stop the threat coming from a ruthless enemy willing to do whatever it takes to shut Samson up for good?
The people of Bruncliffe have got their own reasons for not wanting to get involved. Where Samson O’Brien is involved, trouble always seems to follow and the local community has got long memories and deep grievances concerning the maverick detective.
With the odds stacked against her, can Delilah manage to keep Samson alive? Or is she fighting a losing battle?
Julia Chapman’s Dales Detectives series is absolutely superb and Date with Betrayal is a wonderful Yorkshire set mystery where the pages simply turn themselves. I was unable to put this book down as I was immediately caught up in this charming, witty, tense, suspenseful and wholly captivating mystery where I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page.
Samson and Delilah are wonderful characters. They are both strong, intelligent, shrewd, courageous and willing to do whatever it takes in the name of justice. Readers cannot help but enjoy every single moment they spend in their company.
A first class British mystery that will delight devotees of the series and newcomers alike, miss Julia Chapman’s Date with Betrayal at your peril.
December 2, 2023
An entertaining cosy mystery set in the Yorkshire Dales with lots of colourful characters. It probably would have been better if I'd read the first books in this series.
May 20, 2022
What happens when a community acts together? In this instalment of the Dales Detective Series lots of activity, some humour and a terrific amount of excitement. This book is actually the seventh in the series, but I can confirm that it works as an exciting standalone novel which is how I read it. In fact, having started it, I found it nearly impossible to put down even though it was my first visit to Bruncliffe and my introduction to Delilah, Samson and the rest of the memorable inhabitants. There is gentle humour, some touching moments and some twists and turns which are well handled by this experienced and talented author. The style is friendly, with descriptions as necessary and never laboured, with enough to go on even for someone completely new to this series. The characters are well drawn and realistic, reacting as genuine people. The countryside setting, with errant sheep, challenging walks and narrow roads, is so well described that it becomes almost visible. There are some wonderful set pieces as the most unlikely characters discover new sides to their characters when the pressure is on. Altogether this is a really enjoyable book, and I was so pleased to have the opportunity to read and review it.
The book opens with a kidnap. The woman is not named, but it soon becomes obvious that it is a local who has a shrewd idea of what is happening, even if the revelation was not what she expected. Samson is a private detective, a local but who has spent time away after leaving the area in dubious circumstances. His business partner Delilah seemed to be on the edge of becoming another sort of partner, when she begins to act strangely. She has been told that Samson is in imminent danger of being killed as a result of his past work, and she is challenged by the thought that she has no time to waste in working out how to protect him. Realising that she cannot hope to do everything herself, she has to secretly enlist the help of the community. That is not straightforward, as the manner of Samson’s departure from the area left several people with severe doubts about him. Also what Deliah is asking is actually quite risky, with forces outside the village that very few have experience of in terms of actual danger. Deliah has to come up with a fail safe series of schemes that will protect the man she is falling in love with, in the knowledge that even if many people cooperate she will still have to trust in luck. Everything must also be achieved without Samson discovering that anyone locally knows that his life is in extreme danger.
This is a fast moving book with plenty to enjoy in terms of characters, setting and plot. As from what I can see the entire series so far has taken place over only a few months, so it is perfectly possible to pick up what is going on without needing to have read all the previous novels. Delilah and Samson are brilliant characters, this is an exciting and enthralling book, and I recommend it as a great contemporary mystery novel in an English village setting.
The book opens with a kidnap. The woman is not named, but it soon becomes obvious that it is a local who has a shrewd idea of what is happening, even if the revelation was not what she expected. Samson is a private detective, a local but who has spent time away after leaving the area in dubious circumstances. His business partner Delilah seemed to be on the edge of becoming another sort of partner, when she begins to act strangely. She has been told that Samson is in imminent danger of being killed as a result of his past work, and she is challenged by the thought that she has no time to waste in working out how to protect him. Realising that she cannot hope to do everything herself, she has to secretly enlist the help of the community. That is not straightforward, as the manner of Samson’s departure from the area left several people with severe doubts about him. Also what Deliah is asking is actually quite risky, with forces outside the village that very few have experience of in terms of actual danger. Deliah has to come up with a fail safe series of schemes that will protect the man she is falling in love with, in the knowledge that even if many people cooperate she will still have to trust in luck. Everything must also be achieved without Samson discovering that anyone locally knows that his life is in extreme danger.
This is a fast moving book with plenty to enjoy in terms of characters, setting and plot. As from what I can see the entire series so far has taken place over only a few months, so it is perfectly possible to pick up what is going on without needing to have read all the previous novels. Delilah and Samson are brilliant characters, this is an exciting and enthralling book, and I recommend it as a great contemporary mystery novel in an English village setting.
April 8, 2022
Date with betrayal by Julia Chapman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 out of 5)
#datewithbetrayal
I’m angry ! This book has made me so mad . Apparently it is the seventh book in this series ! How has a book this enjoyable and fantastic completely slipped under the radar like this . I’m now going to have to buy 6 books ! And im poor so @juliachapmanauthor don’t do this to me again ! 6 books at once is going to be an expensive book buy 🤦🏼♀️
Also the cover does not in any way do justice to this book ! When I received this by @randomthingstours I sighed and thought this would be a slow plodding country read based on the cover image and not the exciting, fun, entertaining quick paced read it turned out to be.
Thank you so much to Julia Chapman for this unexpectedly fabulous read .
My recent tour I disliked the book and was not even able to finish / review it so this was a breathe of fresh air !
I’ve never read a book which manages to keep so much drama whilst only being set in 3 days.
It only didn’t get five star from me because I had to keep reminding myself that this scenario couldn’t happen in real life (especially the mop 🤣) and it referred a lot to prior incidents that I wanted to know more about (again I need those earlier books) but I found myself constantly swept up in the beautiful writing and fantastic plot. Where has this author been?
For anyone who enjoyed the thursday murder club and Agatha raisin books buy this ! You won’t be disappointed in this story about a mad town and an incredible community.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5 out of 5)
#datewithbetrayal
I’m angry ! This book has made me so mad . Apparently it is the seventh book in this series ! How has a book this enjoyable and fantastic completely slipped under the radar like this . I’m now going to have to buy 6 books ! And im poor so @juliachapmanauthor don’t do this to me again ! 6 books at once is going to be an expensive book buy 🤦🏼♀️
Also the cover does not in any way do justice to this book ! When I received this by @randomthingstours I sighed and thought this would be a slow plodding country read based on the cover image and not the exciting, fun, entertaining quick paced read it turned out to be.
Thank you so much to Julia Chapman for this unexpectedly fabulous read .
My recent tour I disliked the book and was not even able to finish / review it so this was a breathe of fresh air !
I’ve never read a book which manages to keep so much drama whilst only being set in 3 days.
It only didn’t get five star from me because I had to keep reminding myself that this scenario couldn’t happen in real life (especially the mop 🤣) and it referred a lot to prior incidents that I wanted to know more about (again I need those earlier books) but I found myself constantly swept up in the beautiful writing and fantastic plot. Where has this author been?
For anyone who enjoyed the thursday murder club and Agatha raisin books buy this ! You won’t be disappointed in this story about a mad town and an incredible community.
April 13, 2022
The writing was engaging and fast paced. The chapters were fairly long, but cleverly split to control the pace at different points of the story.
The chapters at the beginning were labelled and taking us to different points back in time. It was clearly done so I didn't feel lost at any point. The chapters gradually got longer, but were split (as mentioned above) into separate chunks and headed with a time. This kept my interest and allowed the pace of the story to be controlled.
The characters were great and I never knew who to trust. The sub chapters in the chapters allowed for different character points of view which was interesting and also added to the mystery of what was going on.
I loved the relationships between the characters. There was a lot of love and support for one another and I loved how they all worked together to solve the case.
Lastly I loved the village setting and all that comes with that ie the characters and their unique traits. The settings were well described and I was transported to where the characters were.
Overall I really enjoyed this book with all it's twists and turns. I highly recommend it to murder mystery fans.
✨For a longer review see my book blog✨ https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com
The chapters at the beginning were labelled and taking us to different points back in time. It was clearly done so I didn't feel lost at any point. The chapters gradually got longer, but were split (as mentioned above) into separate chunks and headed with a time. This kept my interest and allowed the pace of the story to be controlled.
The characters were great and I never knew who to trust. The sub chapters in the chapters allowed for different character points of view which was interesting and also added to the mystery of what was going on.
I loved the relationships between the characters. There was a lot of love and support for one another and I loved how they all worked together to solve the case.
Lastly I loved the village setting and all that comes with that ie the characters and their unique traits. The settings were well described and I was transported to where the characters were.
Overall I really enjoyed this book with all it's twists and turns. I highly recommend it to murder mystery fans.
✨For a longer review see my book blog✨ https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com
May 14, 2022
I love, love, LOVE (!!) everything about this series. Why has this not been optioned for television and a (couple of) miniseries yet? I'd love a new book every month, but sadly have to now wait until next year, again, for the next installment.
June 7, 2024
Best one in the series. Julia Chapman is a genius writer. I love her style. I love these characters. Amazing job! I was freaking out with this latest installment in the series. Can't wait for the next one!
August 23, 2024
I love it when a village gets together to protect their own! This one was brilliant!
February 2, 2022
Mlle Alice, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre rencontre avec Rendez-Vous avec la Menace ?
"Septième tome des aventures de Samson et Delilah, il ne pouvait manquer de m'attirer dans ses filets. J'ai beau avoir quelques réserves quant à l'intrigue, j'aime trop les personnages pour les laisser tomber !"
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Le procès de Samson approche à grands pas et la menace se rapproche tout autant. Certaines personnes sont bien décidées à ne pas le voir se présenter au tribunal. Delilah, aidée de tout Bruncliffe ou presque, décide qu'il est temps d'intervenir..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Il y a deux éléments que j'ai particulièrement aimé dans ce tome-ci : que l'on avance enfin dans l'intrigue et, vraiment, 'enfin' n'est pas un vain mot, et l'esprit de communauté. Julia Chapman a bâti toute une ville et ses habitants au fil des romans et, en plus de donner de l'épaisseur à ses récits, cela lui fournit ici le matériau nécessaire à une très belle histoire d'entraide et de soutien. D'ailleurs, j'ai trouvé plusieurs scènes, au début comme à la fin du roman, très émouvantes.
Ce que j'ai un peu moins aimé : ce découpage minute par minute, ou presque, qui rend le récit haché. C'est un peu long et ça manque de fluidité. Et puis bon, même si je ne lis pas les aventures des détectives du Yorkshire pour leur réalisme, là ça part quand même un petit peu dans tous les sens."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"Avec enfin quelques noeuds dénoués mais toujours du suspense pour la suite."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
"Septième tome des aventures de Samson et Delilah, il ne pouvait manquer de m'attirer dans ses filets. J'ai beau avoir quelques réserves quant à l'intrigue, j'aime trop les personnages pour les laisser tomber !"
Dites-nous en un peu plus sur son histoire...
"Le procès de Samson approche à grands pas et la menace se rapproche tout autant. Certaines personnes sont bien décidées à ne pas le voir se présenter au tribunal. Delilah, aidée de tout Bruncliffe ou presque, décide qu'il est temps d'intervenir..."
Mais que s'est-il exactement passé entre vous ?
"Il y a deux éléments que j'ai particulièrement aimé dans ce tome-ci : que l'on avance enfin dans l'intrigue et, vraiment, 'enfin' n'est pas un vain mot, et l'esprit de communauté. Julia Chapman a bâti toute une ville et ses habitants au fil des romans et, en plus de donner de l'épaisseur à ses récits, cela lui fournit ici le matériau nécessaire à une très belle histoire d'entraide et de soutien. D'ailleurs, j'ai trouvé plusieurs scènes, au début comme à la fin du roman, très émouvantes.
Ce que j'ai un peu moins aimé : ce découpage minute par minute, ou presque, qui rend le récit haché. C'est un peu long et ça manque de fluidité. Et puis bon, même si je ne lis pas les aventures des détectives du Yorkshire pour leur réalisme, là ça part quand même un petit peu dans tous les sens."
Et comment cela s'est-il fini ?
"Avec enfin quelques noeuds dénoués mais toujours du suspense pour la suite."
http://booksaremywonderland.hautetfor...
March 27, 2022
On retrouve Delilah 2 jours avant le début du roman. Elle est kidnappée par l’inspectrice Jess Green et doit passer un étrange marché avec celle-ci.
On apprend enfin pourquoi Samson a quitté précipitamment le village quelques années plus tôt et est devenu la bête noire du village. L’explication de la dispute avec son père est très émouvante et ouvre les yeux à tout un village sur la personnalité de Samson.
L’auteur nous offre les pensées de Caliméro, nous apportant ainsi une touche à la fois tendre et drôle.
On découvre tout un village qui s’unit pour aider l’un des leurs en grande difficulté, laissant de côté tous leurs a priori et différences, dévoilant une grande humanité et solidarité dans ce petit village.
Les personnages sont toujours aussi attachants, l’auteur dévoilant un peu plus dans chaque tome leurs caractères et secrets.
Ce tome de la série nous permet de faire une énorme avancée dans l’intrigue.
Pour moi, ce roman est le meilleur de toute la série.
On apprend enfin pourquoi Samson a quitté précipitamment le village quelques années plus tôt et est devenu la bête noire du village. L’explication de la dispute avec son père est très émouvante et ouvre les yeux à tout un village sur la personnalité de Samson.
L’auteur nous offre les pensées de Caliméro, nous apportant ainsi une touche à la fois tendre et drôle.
On découvre tout un village qui s’unit pour aider l’un des leurs en grande difficulté, laissant de côté tous leurs a priori et différences, dévoilant une grande humanité et solidarité dans ce petit village.
Les personnages sont toujours aussi attachants, l’auteur dévoilant un peu plus dans chaque tome leurs caractères et secrets.
Ce tome de la série nous permet de faire une énorme avancée dans l’intrigue.
Pour moi, ce roman est le meilleur de toute la série.
November 2, 2022
I think this is my favourite so far within this series. The concept with the time stamps was an interesting change and worked splendidly with the plot, and also made the imminent danger perceptible. And the romance, it was high time it delivered . Nevertheless, bloody good read, but now I will have to wait until next year to get that cliffhanger resolved *sigh in frustration*.
June 19, 2023
À mes yeux, un des meilleurs de la saga 🥰
May 22, 2024
Waouw, trépidant! Vivement le tome 8!
July 31, 2024
Encore un bon roman de cette série des Détectives du Yorkshire. Celui-ci est basé principalement sur le passé de Samson. J’ai aimé voir les habitants de Bruncliffe se plier en quatre pour mettre un plan en place, et bien sûr il y a des surprises, des imprévus et un dénouement avec du mystère pour continuer la saga.
September 16, 2024
The best one yet - everything coming to a head! The community spirit 🥹
March 15, 2025
These books are wonderful. I can't wait for the next one.
August 24, 2025
J’ai dévoré ce tome en moins de 24 heures! Tout un changement de rythme! On est dans l’action, dans le suspense, dans les revirements! Mon préféré de la série jusqu’à maintenant.
December 28, 2025
The coming together of the village for this instalment made me chuckle. It was far fetched yet the plot stayed relatively believable. Cozy crime at its most enjoyable.
February 23, 2024
4.25⭐️
Que d’aventures et de révélations dans ce tome !
Que d’aventures et de révélations dans ce tome !
May 18, 2022
Ce septième tome est vraiment excellent et répond à des questions qui nous trottent dans la tête depuis les premiers tomes. Vivement la suite!
November 22, 2022
I just loved this book. It was really gripping - loved the way it was set mainly over 1 day. It was funny but also tense. I can’t wait for the next instalment next year 😊
April 24, 2022
Enfin une intrigue résolue et enfin un Caliméro entouré de gens heureux!
March 29, 2022
A fast-paced mystery with 24, Magnificent 7, and coffee-and-cake vibes!
Loved this! For anyone who hasn't read the previous Dales Detective Agency books, I recommend reading at least a few of those first, all of the relationships and back stories build and intertwine, and this book is a culmination of that. The story is an understandable and self-contained mystery in itself, but the satisfaction comes from having come to know the characters and their journeys, it is kind of the whole central focus of the book.
Julia Chapman manages to do something a little bit different with every mystery, keeping the setting and the village feel the same in each book with running through-stories that extend across the series, but still mixing up the tension with different mystery styles and motives, and always with a little twist, this felt both familiar and refreshingly different from the other stories. This time, the action and whodunnit (or who's-gonna-do-it' is confined to one short frantic day, I really loved this format, and loved that one of the running side stories, which I was getting a bit tired of, was dropped in order to keep the focus on Samson and Delilah. Also, normally I don't like cliched or jokey name pairings, but I kinda like it here, especially given that it's Delilah who has the 'mean right hook'.
The only thing I don't really love in the series as a whole is that quite a few descriptions, and expositional phrases are pretty much used again and again word-for-word throughout the series, and often multiple times in the same book. For anyone coming fresh to any of the books, they're good descriptions, but for someone like me, who's read the series (and in a fairly short amount of time), I start saying the sentences aloud before I've read them, wishing desperately that Samson wasn't always 'the black sheep of Bruncliffe', or a 'reprobate' or that Delilah's 'mean right hook' wasn't mentioned in every book. Maybe now that a few more things have been resolved, at least some of those repetitive descriptions can be dispensed with.
Doesn't stop me loving it though, and really pleased that Delilah managed to come to the fore so much despite her complete lack of guile or subterfuge skills!
Loved this! For anyone who hasn't read the previous Dales Detective Agency books, I recommend reading at least a few of those first, all of the relationships and back stories build and intertwine, and this book is a culmination of that. The story is an understandable and self-contained mystery in itself, but the satisfaction comes from having come to know the characters and their journeys, it is kind of the whole central focus of the book.
Julia Chapman manages to do something a little bit different with every mystery, keeping the setting and the village feel the same in each book with running through-stories that extend across the series, but still mixing up the tension with different mystery styles and motives, and always with a little twist, this felt both familiar and refreshingly different from the other stories. This time, the action and whodunnit (or who's-gonna-do-it' is confined to one short frantic day, I really loved this format, and loved that one of the running side stories, which I was getting a bit tired of, was dropped in order to keep the focus on Samson and Delilah. Also, normally I don't like cliched or jokey name pairings, but I kinda like it here, especially given that it's Delilah who has the 'mean right hook'.
The only thing I don't really love in the series as a whole is that quite a few descriptions, and expositional phrases are pretty much used again and again word-for-word throughout the series, and often multiple times in the same book. For anyone coming fresh to any of the books, they're good descriptions, but for someone like me, who's read the series (and in a fairly short amount of time), I start saying the sentences aloud before I've read them, wishing desperately that Samson wasn't always 'the black sheep of Bruncliffe', or a 'reprobate' or that Delilah's 'mean right hook' wasn't mentioned in every book. Maybe now that a few more things have been resolved, at least some of those repetitive descriptions can be dispensed with.
Doesn't stop me loving it though, and really pleased that Delilah managed to come to the fore so much despite her complete lack of guile or subterfuge skills!
March 31, 2022
The danger that has been following Bruncliffe black sheep, Samson O’Brien since his return from London has just got closer to home and his business partner Delilah must work out who can be trusted as she attempts to protect him. In the time she has been around the disgraced Met detective, Delilah has picked up a few tips and by playing on the strengths of those around her, prepares the townsfolk to do their best against an invisible threat. What they lack in skills and experience, they make up for in grit, determination and enthusiasm.
I tried to take my time when reading this book, to savour every Yorkshire nuance and enjoy every twist and turn in the plot. I wanted to keep a clear head so I could draw my own conclusions and work out where it was taking me. However, from the first page, time took on a life of its own as I devoured chapter after chapter, barely having time to breathe.
As the events of an extraordinary day in Bruncliffe slowly play out, each minute ticking by only adding to the drama, the suspense was palpable. It is a cruel pen that makes the reader suffer alongside characters they have come to love. A small victory for the community is followed by another twist, and my heartrate rose once more, and then the next minute, I’m laughing - being in Bruncliffe has this effect on me. The combination of the attention to detail in the mannerisms and complexity of the characters and the storyline make me believe I’m there, in the pub, at the allotment or over at the Dales Detective Agency, with Tolpuddle the dog carefully keeping watch.
It was great to start to see a few loose ends and suspicions that have been with me for a few of the books begin to be explained and tied up, but this book has left plenty of questions that will play in my mind as I patiently await book eight.
This book raised my hopes, dashed them, and had me holding my breath more often than is healthy. Despite the seriousness of the threat to life, it is also hilarious in places and made me smile a lot when I was reading it. It is pure escapism from life, but be warned, if you read one book, you will want to read them all.
I tried to take my time when reading this book, to savour every Yorkshire nuance and enjoy every twist and turn in the plot. I wanted to keep a clear head so I could draw my own conclusions and work out where it was taking me. However, from the first page, time took on a life of its own as I devoured chapter after chapter, barely having time to breathe.
As the events of an extraordinary day in Bruncliffe slowly play out, each minute ticking by only adding to the drama, the suspense was palpable. It is a cruel pen that makes the reader suffer alongside characters they have come to love. A small victory for the community is followed by another twist, and my heartrate rose once more, and then the next minute, I’m laughing - being in Bruncliffe has this effect on me. The combination of the attention to detail in the mannerisms and complexity of the characters and the storyline make me believe I’m there, in the pub, at the allotment or over at the Dales Detective Agency, with Tolpuddle the dog carefully keeping watch.
It was great to start to see a few loose ends and suspicions that have been with me for a few of the books begin to be explained and tied up, but this book has left plenty of questions that will play in my mind as I patiently await book eight.
This book raised my hopes, dashed them, and had me holding my breath more often than is healthy. Despite the seriousness of the threat to life, it is also hilarious in places and made me smile a lot when I was reading it. It is pure escapism from life, but be warned, if you read one book, you will want to read them all.
April 13, 2022
Not having read the first six novels in the series, it took me a while to work out who was who apart from the dog, Tolpuddle, a Weimaraner with separation anxiety issues. So I’ll never know where the name came from. Maybe he’s a ‘martyr’ to his issues!
Not my usual feast of bloody serial killings awash with gore and body parts, and sacrificial murder with religious undertones, Date With Betrayal is more of a cosy mystery. It involves the targeting of our hero, ex-cop Samson O’Brien, by a hitman, due to his time in the Met when he worked undercover. Obviously if I’d read the other books, I would know more about this, but I know he came home to the village of Bruncliffe in the Yorkshire Dales and started the Dales Detective Agency with Delilah Metcalfe.
Samson adores the delectable Delilah, (yes the names made me hoot) and she adores him, but they struggle to get together on a personal level, and I’m guessing this has been going on for some time.
But who is the hitman and who hired him? This is all part of the ‘mystery’ and there is a hilarious scene in the pub when landlord Troy is trying to work out which of three customers is the culprit.
We also have numerous other quirky and eccentric characters who have been involved since the beginning I’m guessing – Samson’s father Joseph, the inscrutable Ida Capstick, glamorous Hannah and her horse, DCI Frank Thistlethwaite and the elderly residents of Fell Lane, including Eric who walks around with a portable oxygen cylinder (how’s he going to go after the hitman unless he hits him with it?). Together with Delilah, they set out to stop the hitman killing Samson and their antics are hilarious.
Date With Betrayal is full of charm, warmth and humour and I absolutely loved it even though I was, at times, as confused as the residents of Fell Lane. Actually that’s not true – they are all as sharp as the members of The Thursday Murder Club.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours.
Not my usual feast of bloody serial killings awash with gore and body parts, and sacrificial murder with religious undertones, Date With Betrayal is more of a cosy mystery. It involves the targeting of our hero, ex-cop Samson O’Brien, by a hitman, due to his time in the Met when he worked undercover. Obviously if I’d read the other books, I would know more about this, but I know he came home to the village of Bruncliffe in the Yorkshire Dales and started the Dales Detective Agency with Delilah Metcalfe.
Samson adores the delectable Delilah, (yes the names made me hoot) and she adores him, but they struggle to get together on a personal level, and I’m guessing this has been going on for some time.
But who is the hitman and who hired him? This is all part of the ‘mystery’ and there is a hilarious scene in the pub when landlord Troy is trying to work out which of three customers is the culprit.
We also have numerous other quirky and eccentric characters who have been involved since the beginning I’m guessing – Samson’s father Joseph, the inscrutable Ida Capstick, glamorous Hannah and her horse, DCI Frank Thistlethwaite and the elderly residents of Fell Lane, including Eric who walks around with a portable oxygen cylinder (how’s he going to go after the hitman unless he hits him with it?). Together with Delilah, they set out to stop the hitman killing Samson and their antics are hilarious.
Date With Betrayal is full of charm, warmth and humour and I absolutely loved it even though I was, at times, as confused as the residents of Fell Lane. Actually that’s not true – they are all as sharp as the members of The Thursday Murder Club.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours.
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