The penultimate in the Dales Detectives series sees our favourite characters under pressure. Samson O’Brien is pressurised at work, to return full-time to his Met position in London. His romantic partner – so he hopes – Delilah Metcalfe is under pressure to keep the business afloat, while trying to ensure that her brother, Will, isn’t charged with the murder of an ecologist. It appears an open and shut case but neither Delilah nor Samson believe Will is responsible. Cue the Dales Detective Agency springing into life, with a few new additions, along with many from the Bruncliffe community. Heartwarming and charming, the community is one that you’ll take to your hearts.

This is such a fun, well-written and entertaining series.

A new book is just like visiting old and faithful friends.

I highly recommend these books for any fans of the cosy crime genre, or like me, just anyone who likes a good murder mystery with a whole bunch of quirky and colourful locals thrown in.

4.5 stars rounded up
Another fantastic story from what has quickly become my favourite crime series. I love the fact that the mystery remains until the very end, and these stories are made so much more rewarding by featuring the characters we know and love from the previous 8 installments. I'm heartbroken there will only be one more though - I would read these books until the end of time!

After the explosive storyline from the previous book in the series I was unsure where this book would take us but I need not have worried, the series is as strong as ever with its strong sense of community, suspense, characterisation and dynamic between Deliah and Samson. It has everything, danger, romance and characters to love.
I'm distraught to discover this is the penultimate book.

I loved reading this 9th instalment of the Dales Detective Agency. It is a gentle read, like a warm cup of Cocoa, a perfect holiday read. It is fine as a stand alone book but it’s like meeting old friends again if you have read some or all of the previous books.

Samson, Delilah and the team are investigating the murder of an ecologist, where the evidence points to Will, Delilah’s brother as the murder suspect. Is he really the culprit? And will they find out who keeps burgling the bakery?

If you are looking for a gentle and enjoyable read, this is your book.

Thank you NetGalley and PanAm for allowing me to read in advance.

"Date with Justice," the penultimate instalment in this series, delivers a captivating continuation of Samson's journey. Returning to London with his reputation intact, Samson grapples with the persistent pull of Bruncliffe and memories of Delilah. The narrative unfolds with a murder at a wedding celebration, turning friends and family into potential suspects and setting off a frantic race against time to uncover the killer.

A recurring sentiment that echoes in each book of the series is the unwavering need to protect Ida Capstick at all costs. Her sleuthing skills and charming way with words consistently bring a smile to my face, making her a standout character that I thoroughly enjoy reading about.

One of the highlights of "Date with Justice" is the ensemble of characters who each get their own chapters, providing a deeper connection to the community. Even the pets have a voice, contributing to the warm and cozy atmosphere of Bruncliffe as they work together to solve crimes.

The narrative is rich with twists and turns, and each chapter concludes with its own cliffhangers, leaving me eager to unravel the mysteries that lie ahead. I particularly appreciated the incorporation of ecology into the storyline, shedding light on the intricate planning and research involved in farming—an aspect that added an intriguing layer to the plot.

As the story unfolds, the town of Bruncliffe showcases its strength in collaboration, emphasizing a sense of unity in solving crimes. This collective effort contributes to the overall cosy ambience of the book.

The culmination of "Date with Justice" is nothing short of perfect. The emotional ending left me with tears of joy streaming down my face, creating a satisfying conclusion to this instalment. Now, the anticipation builds as I must patiently await another year to rejoin the charming community of Bruncliffe in the next chapter of their adventures.

Samson and Delilah are back and this time they are drawn into investigating the murder of an ecologist when Delilah’s brother Will is suspected.
I love the Dales Detective Series, a real cosy mystery but also some fabulous characters I just adore.
Quite a few twists in this one especially on the cake thief that Ida investigates.
This hook leaves you with a big smile on your face even though you don’t want the story to end you have to keep going to find out what happens.
Thank you to Pan and NetGalley for a copy of this book it was fantastic

Samson O’Brien is back with The Met working undercover. It’s a job he used to love but this time something is different. He can’t get Delilah Metcalf out of his mind.
Delilah is busy in Bruncliffe juggling the Dales Detective Agency and the Dales Dating Agency but she is missing Samson as much as he is missing her.
Samson is given some time off and travels home to Delilah.
When an ecologist is found dead on the dale side, the police arrest Delilah’s brother, Will. Samson and the rest of the Dales Detective agency swing into action, with Delilah, to prove Will’s innocence.
As they work to find the real killer, they all know that whoever it is, it must be someone in the close-knit community.
With great characters, a beautiful setting and lots of Yorkshire wit and charm, these stories are cosy crime at its very best.