I was given this brand new book, the first in the Dales Detective series, this afternoon at a Literary Tea with Julia Chapman in the Old Deanery, Ripon organised by the Little Ripon (independent) Bookshop. The talk was interesting and the cream tea was delicious . . . .

Amazon Editorial Review: "Samson O'Brien has been dismissed from the police force―quite unfairly, according to him. Now back in his home town of Bruncliffe in the Yorkshire Dales, Samson sets up the Dales Detective Agency while he fights to clear his name. However, the people of Bruncliffe aren't entirely welcoming to a man they see as trouble.
Delilah Metcalfe, meanwhile, is struggling to keep her business, the Dales Dating Agency, afloat. 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, Delilah and Samson soon realize that they need to work together to solve the mystery of the dating deaths. But working together is easier said than done, and the couple must find a way to kiss and make up before more villagers wind up dead."

The Yorkshire Dales re-invented as Midsomer Murder-land as clients of the Dales Dating Agency are being bumped off and the Dales Detective Agency investigates . . .
An OK mystery with nice Yorkshire people . . . There's some unfinished business so I'll probably continue with the next in the series, Date with Malice, due for publication in October!

In the hands of the Royal Mail, carrying Happy Christmas and New Year Greetings to a BookCrossing friend! Enjoy!

Well over a million people around the world give their books a unique BookCrossing IDentity number (BCID) before sending them out to find new readers. Since the start of the scheme in April 2001 over twelve million such books have been put into circulation. This is one of them!

Our hope is that we can track the progress of our books once they've left our hands - and that's possible if finders like you visit the website, key in the BCID and leave a comment, however long or short. It's fun, it doesn't have to cost anything, although the site always appreciates donations towards running costs, and you can remain anonymous if you wish. You don't have to join but if you do you'll be able to number and track your own books!

Ohh..this looks fun - thank you Nu-knees. If I'd have journalled it yesterday, I would spotted the "date" & could have started it to fit in with the "What to Read" theme of food ;o) Still I'm sure it will be read before too long.
Merry Christmas!

I must admit that my first impressions of this book was that it was a bit of an enigma. The prologue was very evocative of a cold damp Dales morning & I liked the opening chapter where the inevitable black sheep returns to the fold....but then it all seemed to take the tack of a gentle romance -of the Trisha Ashley/Judy Astley variety - & while there's absolutely nothing wrong that, I wasn't expecting that style with a murder mystery - albeit a cosy one! (And, if I'm honest, the fact the two main characters were named Samson & Delilah caused some muttering & eye-rolling, a little cheesy eh?)

However, it was really hard not to be charmed by this book. Okay, much of it followed a fairly predictable path but it was a pleasure to read & I'll happily follow it up. The only downside I can foresee is things becoming too samey after a few books & I wouldn't want another prolonged will-they-won't-they scenario.

Overall, a good read, likeable characters & set in a beautiful part of the world...what's not to like?


Reserved now as a possible book for my Yorkshire Day Exchange partner, when I find out who it is......

HAPPY YORKSHIRE DAY! :o)

Every 1st August, I make a point of partaking in Yorkshire Day Bookswap on Book Crossing. I was born in Yorkshire and I remain proud of that. Aww it’s lovely that this book initially started in the hands of Nu-Knees one of my BC friends.

Thank you Plum-Crazy for sending me your lovely package of Yorkshire goodies. Happy Yorkshire Day! x

Not my usual kind of read, but bizarrely found this book quite comforting from the evocative descriptions of the Yorkshire Dales. I think it’s a very genuine book with likeable characters. Will move on soon. Thank you Plum and Nu-Knees (the ticket is still inside) 🙂

Got given this yesterday. will probably take a while to read it.

Thank you.