What a glorious way to finish a series of books! This had everything I have come to expect from a Dales Detective story and so much more!
As always, spending time with Samson and Delilah has been an absolute pleasure. The story this time was more layered and stretched back into the past for one of the new characters, to us readers, and the revelations about past romances and the histories of them worked so well alongside the finale of Samson and Delilah’s own story..
This was a beautifully written story with a fair few twists and turns on our way to the last page. It was full of rich, vibrant characters who made the pages turn fast as I needed to learn the truths and most importantly, who was going to win the wager at the pub!
Although this is most definitely a book in a series, it could easily also be read as a standalone as there is enough information included about who everyone is and was but not so much that it would put off those who have read them all, it was just nice little reminders of things that may have been forgotten.

This is the tenth book in the series, following Samson and Delilah (who run the Dales Detective Agency) and their cast of family and friends. I have only read one book in the series previously, the first one – Read my review of that book by Clicking here

I had obviously missed out on a great deal. One thing that remained the same, however, was the warmth and affection for people and places within Yorkshire.

As for the plot – well, it took plenty of turns, as with the previous book I read in the series, there was never a dull moment.

Yes, I did guess “whodunnit,” but I still enjoyed going along for the ride. The plot developed nicely, although I could have been more strongly drawn away from my guesses. Or maybe that’s because I have read so many cosy crime books now!

I enjoyed catching up with the characters – including some I hadn’t met before. It probably would have been better if I’d read the whole series to get more up to date on character back story.

This is a community led investigation rather than a traditional ameteur sleuth – but that offered a lot of different perspectives which was refreshing.

I have to say it was a lovely fitting ending for the main characters, and Tolpuddle stole the show for me, such a sweet natured and brave dog.

I’d happily go back and read the previous books on a cosy afternoon as it was easy to lose yourself in this world.

It started with a punch. A mean right-hook from his late best friend's younger sister Delilah Metcalfe floored Samson O'Brien in front of a watching judgemental village. That's where the story began in Date with Death, the first novel that introduced us to the Yorkshire village of Bruncliffe and its larger than life inhabitants.

10 novels later, will we get a happy ever after?

When a former TV star and former Bruncliffer Vinny King moves into the retirement home at Fellside Court, the long memories of the residents don't all take too kindly to his return. While some are charmed by his tales from the stage and screen, others are discomforted by his presence.

And then his celebrity fashion designer nephew, now going by the name of Tyke, arrives in town, along with his own drama. He wants to launch his new collection with a fashion show in his home village, but along with his vibrant clothing and personality, he also brings danger to the village. He's been receiving mysterious death threats, and hires the Dales Detective Agency to provide security and surveillance.

Stress levels around the village are at an all-time high, with the upcoming court case of the man behind so much of Bruncliffe's recent misfortune, and then there's the pressures of the upcoming O'Brien-Metcalfe wedding. Nothing in the village can go off without a hitch so when there's a death at Fellside Court, priorities get reshuffled, pushing many of the villagers to breaking point.

Date with Destiny is the final novel in the Dales Detectives series, and the series ends in dramatic style. This is no farewell tour for our favourite characters. While almost everyone gets a mention or a brief cameo, it's business as usual and the plot and drama takes centre stage.

Bruncliffe has been a safe place for me to retreat to in recent years (although not so much for the villagers), and any return to the village is like visiting old friends.

Date with Destiny is a fitting farewell to characters we've grown to known and adore, and while any series finale has a sadness, it's a great excuse to start again at book 1!

I've had a bit of a love-hate relationship with Julia Chapman's Dales Detective series. At points I felt that it was being drawn out for no particular reason. And Delilah had immense capacity to irritate me. However, through it all I've loved reading about the community and scenery of Bruncliffe. Reading Date with Destiny, the final book in the series, both these emotions got an outing. Delilah's inability to communicate with those closest to her continued to annoy me even though I could understand her dilemma. And I felt that I was returning to a much-loved town full of memorable characters. The mystery element is not that complex and is more of a backdrop to the community aspect of the books. I was glad to read it, though, to tie up loose ends and leave Samson, Delilah and the rest of them in good order.

This has been my favourite cosy crime series and I couldn't wait to read this instalment but I also wanted to delay it because I'd be letting Delilah and Samson go at the end. With each novel getting more complex and the characterisation stronger, I had high expectations and it didn't disappoint.
A new case for the crime fighting duo to solve and more complex emotions for them to wade through. It was slower than others but after the high tension ending of the previous book, it was understandable. With Delilah having doubts about her upcoming wedding and even Ida feeling the strain, I wanted to reach in and solve everything for them. As always there was a strong sense of Bruncliffe community, danger in unexpected places and a good dose of Yorkshire humour. It was a worthy conclusion to the much loved series and they will be missed.

The Dales Detective Agency are asked by local fashion designer Tyke to investigate who is sending him death threats. Initally turning him down, they have a change of heart once they hear that an attempt was made on his life in broad daylight.
This was a fitting end to a brilliantly written series of books, and am sad to see it end. What makes this series so great is that it doesn't just focus on the current DDA case, but also on the lives of everyone in the "sleepy" village of Bruncliffe, which is a great depiction of what village life is like! From the worries of the elderly residents of Fellside Court, to the stress of the upcoming wedding of main characters Samson and Delilah, you feel like you know everyone there is to know in Bruncliffe! This makes for great storytelling, as it's a series of discoveries by different characters that reveals the final "whodunnit".
I have recommended this series to a lot of my friends and family. Well done Julia Chapman on such a great series!

I have loved every book in this series and this last book ties everything together nicely.

A fun and clever mix of Midsommer Murders and Murder She Wrote with a bit of All Creatures Great and Small thrown in! I look forward to see where Julia goes from here.

A gentle start cup this cosy detective story in the Yorkshire dales. It really gained momentum halfway through then kept me riveted . This is the final book in the series and having come to the party at the finale I want to go back and read the rest

Date with Destiny was another brilliantly plotted mystery from Julia Chapman and was a fitting end to this great series.
Local boy made good, fashion designer Tyke returns to his home village to stage a huge show. However, he has been receiving death threats and seeks the help of Delilah’s detective agency. Initially, they turn his business down but when he is nearly killed in the market place, they take on the job of protecting him. At the same time, Delilah and Samson should be getting ready for their wedding in a few weeks. However, Delilah is strangely reluctant to discuss the arrangements and Samson is getting worried.
I love this series and definitely feel that it has got better with each book. The books have all the elements of a cosy crime novel but they often have a very dark edge to them. Date with Destiny isn’t as dark as a couple of the previous books but is still an intriguing mystery.
There were plenty of twists in the plot to keep things moving along nicely and as always, the Dales themselves play a part in the story. The ending is the perfect conclusion to the series and although I’m sad that we won’t be seeing these characters any more, I look forward to reading whatever Julia Chapman writes next.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Pan Macmillan, for my ARC.

When local celebrity fashion designer Tyke turns up at the Dales Detective Agency asking for protection after receiving death threats, Samsons initial reaction is to say no. Not that they don’t need the money, but something doesn’t feel right. Not least because of how Delilah looks at Tyke.
Then deciding not to let jealousy get in the way of business Samsons agrees that they should take on the case. After all Tyke is a local boy made good, and they can’t let one of their own come to harm.
But that’s not all Samson and Delilah have to worry about. There is the small matter of their upcoming wedding, which they both seem reluctant to talk about.
Can they work together to save the business and their relationship or is it too late for both?
This final instalment in the series brings things to a head in more ways than one. It’s unmissable reading if you have read the previous ones, and if you haven’t I would strongly recommend you read the series from start to finish, they are all brilliant reads.

The same characters are back and the same places. We should be waiting for Samson and Delilah’s big day but there are lots of other things going on which mean their path is not smooth.
Can the murder at Fellside Court really have been committed by a trusty resident?

Sob, it’s the last in the Dales Detective Series and for fans, it’s a good ‘un. Samson and Delilah are gearing up to their wedding… ish. Life should be going well, until an old friend – and super-duper celebrity – needs their help. Samson is less than keen, but Delilah accepts swiftly. All is busy until there’s a murder at Fellside Court and the duo are called in to help catch a killer (again). In this final investigation however, things are definitely not going to go according to plan and will require all of the duo’s skills (and we do mean, all) to ensure a resolution is discovered. We’ll miss you, S&D.

Yet another excellent cosy crime novel by Julia Chapman - the final instalment in what has become one of my favourite series. Just like the previous books, Date with Destiny is fast paced, witty, features all the characters we know and love and paints a beautiful pictures of the Dales. The start of this story was maybe a bit slow, but overall it was just as enjoyable as the rest of the series, and I'm very sad there won't be any further books featuring Samson, Delilah and Bruncliffe. I can only recommend this series to anyone! 4.5 stars rounded up

Knowing this was the last in the series, I was torn between greedily reading it all in one sitting, or rationing it, treating myself to a few pages each day like a literary advent calendar. I’m glad I stretched it out though as I needed to come to terms with the loss of the Fellside court crew, and more importantly, Ida. A romping great story and the perfect ending. I sincerely hope to see a few cameos in whatever the author is working on next as I will definitely be reading it.

As the last book in the series this lives up to expectations. It would be difficult to read this book without having read some of the previous ones in the series. The characters are consistent with their previous personnas, the setting of Bruncliffe is wonderful and the light hearted humour is gentle. There was jeopardy in abundance with a number of the plot lines and many false leads which ended in dead ends. An excellent book.

For the last time, we head to the Dales, and Samson and Delilah's detective agency, as their wedding approaches.

Following a celebrity seekign the agency's services, there's a murder at Fellside Court. And with one of their friends under suspicion, the pair need to resolve this quickly.

Excellent