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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this one slightly more than the first in the series, [b:Date with Death|34303357|Date with Death (The Dales Detective, #1)|Julia Chapman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487076377l/34303357._SY75_.jpg|50329914], and realistically would give this 3.5 stars (hurry up and add half stars, Goodreads!). A cosy crime murder mystery brimming with interesting characters, this is great for a snowy day to listen to in front of the fire, or radiator.
I wasn't really very fond of Samson in the first book, but he really grows on me here, especially as we see a lot more of his relationship with his father. Delilah I still love, but I had hoped to see more of her with her family in this one, so was a little disappointed on that score, but maybe in future books. I hope.
Based at a retirement complex, this mystery isn't what I expected, as the characters came to life so easily, though at times I thought the plot was a little lacking in substance and could have been more concise as some things that happened seemed to have no purpose at all.
Nevertheless a lovely easy read and I've got the others reserved on the library app and looking forward to delving into more of the adventures of Delilah and Samson and seeing how their relationship develops.
I wasn't really very fond of Samson in the first book, but he really grows on me here, especially as we see a lot more of his relationship with his father. Delilah I still love, but I had hoped to see more of her with her family in this one, so was a little disappointed on that score, but maybe in future books. I hope.
Based at a retirement complex, this mystery isn't what I expected, as the characters came to life so easily, though at times I thought the plot was a little lacking in substance and could have been more concise as some things that happened seemed to have no purpose at all.
Nevertheless a lovely easy read and I've got the others reserved on the library app and looking forward to delving into more of the adventures of Delilah and Samson and seeing how their relationship develops.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
There is quite the murdering going on in the town huh
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, Murder
challenging
funny
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Samson O'Brien, suspended from the London police force, has returned to his hometown in Yorkshire and is currently working as a private detective. He is at first dismissive of his newest potential cases - a local farmer who thinks his prize sheep has been stolen and an elderly resident of a retirement home reports thefts and thinks she's in danger. The case of the missing sheep seems like a joke and poor Alice Shepherd is easily confused about the events taking place at the Fellside Court retirement complex, so Samson isn't sure anything suspicious is going on. However, there is more to meet the eye on both cases and Samson enlists the help of Delilah Metcalfe, the sister of Samson's childhood best friend who is now deceased.
Samson and Delilah are likeable main characters and they play a game of cat and mouse throughout the book fighting their obvious attraction for each other. They work well together investigating the unusual things going on in the area, but can't see to admit their feelings for each other and each keep secrets from the other. The cases themselves are interesting and these two main characters, along with the residents of the Fellside Court retirement home, help keep the book entertaining even during the slower parts of the story.
I was sometimes confused over details about both Samson and Delilah's lives, and that could be because I didn't read the first book in this series. The cases themselves were more clear-cut with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader in suspense. Everything is resolved in both cases by the end of the book, although several loose ends remain in regard to Samson and Delilah as a potential couple and individual problems they are each dealing with. I am interested to see what happens next with the two characters. I enjoyed the book and think it would appeal to fans of Ann Purser or M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series.
I received this book through the courtesy of Minotaur Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Samson and Delilah are likeable main characters and they play a game of cat and mouse throughout the book fighting their obvious attraction for each other. They work well together investigating the unusual things going on in the area, but can't see to admit their feelings for each other and each keep secrets from the other. The cases themselves are interesting and these two main characters, along with the residents of the Fellside Court retirement home, help keep the book entertaining even during the slower parts of the story.
I was sometimes confused over details about both Samson and Delilah's lives, and that could be because I didn't read the first book in this series. The cases themselves were more clear-cut with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader in suspense. Everything is resolved in both cases by the end of the book, although several loose ends remain in regard to Samson and Delilah as a potential couple and individual problems they are each dealing with. I am interested to see what happens next with the two characters. I enjoyed the book and think it would appeal to fans of Ann Purser or M.C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series.
I received this book through the courtesy of Minotaur Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Visit the locations in the novel Welcome to Bruncliffe, Yorkshire
Despite the calamities and strange old people who live in Bruncliffe, oh and despite the fact it’s a fictional setting, I really want to live there! Delilah and Samson are the funniest twosome I’ve come across in fiction for a long while. All wrapped up with witty Yorkshire asides and a pot of Yorkshire tea brewing over the page…
Samson has a sense of humour to rival the next man – He wants to move on , away from Bruncliffe, back to London, where there sill be “No more old ladies making wild accusations and no more smelly farmers”
A series of crimes involving an old age people’s home might not sound exciting, but in the hands of Julia Chapman it is! Funny, dark and quite poignant in places, no character is your cliched typical old person but they have some very interesting characters there! Samson knows the place well as he has connections there himself…a nice interesting thread to the story.
There’s a strong sense of Yorkshire’s charms all the way through the story- humour, landscape, farming history and more but it’s the characters who shine – each delicately crafted and ruffed up before appearing on the pages. I could see them all clearly, scowls and all, and it’s a cracking mystery in this one – go Samson!
With the Christmas overtones, it’s a nice one to read when the nights get even chillier and if it snows like in the book – so much the better!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes