Guest Review: Date With Death by Julia Chapman

Samson O'Brien has been dismissed from the police force, and returns to his hometown of Bruncliffe in the Yorkshire Dales to set up the Dales Detective Agency while he fights to clear his name. However, the people of Bruncliffe aren't that welcoming to a man they see as trouble.

Delilah Metcalfe, meanwhile, is struggling to keep her business, the Dales Dating Agency, afloat - as well as trying to control her wayward Weimaraner dog, Tolpuddle. Then when Samson gets his first case, investigating the supposed suicide of a local man, things take an unexpected turn, and soon he discovers a trail of deaths that lead back to the door of Delilah's agency.

With suspicion hanging over someone they both care for, the two feuding neighbours soon realize that they need to work together to solve the mystery of the dating deaths. But working together is easier said than done . . .

Review: This book is the first in the Dales Detective Series, by Julia Chapman, an author new to me. It appealed to me as a lover of detective stories, and also someone familiar with the Yorkshire Dales, where the action is set. The book has an extremely eye-catching and colourful cover, featuring some items and scenery typical of the area. The story drew me in from page one and was a quick and easy read. 

The story revolves around Samson O'Brien, returning to his home town of Bruncliffe after a long absence, and Delilah Metcalfe, a member of a well established local family and proprietor of the Dales Dating Agency. After having left under a cloud, Samson isn't welcomed back with open arms by many of the townspeople, but he and Delilah soon find their paths crossing as he establishes the Dales Detective Agency and sets out to investigate some suspicious goings-on. Although these are the central characters in the story, there is also a full cast of interesting and amusing people typical of those you might find in such a community. It would be wrong not to mention Delilah's lovely and ever present Weimaraner dog, Tolpuddle, a big softie. 

I really enjoyed this story, with its tense moments and sprinkling of humour. The characters were genuine and believable, while the plot was clever and kept me guessing for quite a while. Even once I'd guessed 'whodunnit' there were still some surprises round the corner. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bit of mystery and adventure. I'm certainly looking forward to reading the next book in the series, due out later in the year. 

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