Celebrating The Dales Detective Series with Julia Chapman on Date With Destiny Publication Day

I often comment that I love being in at the start of a book’s life (and indeed I hosted a guest post here from Julia Chapman when the first book in her Dales Detective series, Date with Death, was released way back in 2017), but today’s post is somewhat different as Julia celebrates the release of the tenth and final book in the series, Date with Destiny. Julia has kindly provided a guest post looking at ten things she’s loved about writing ten books in a series. My huge thanks to Chloe Davies for putting us in touch with one another.

Date with Destiny is published by Pan Macmillan today, 27th March 2025, and is available for purchase through the publisher links here. 

Date with Destiny

From death to danger and malice to mystery, Samson and Delilah have weathered many storms. Finally, things should be going smoothly. Except life’s never that simple in Bruncliffe, is it?

As the couple are beset with worries about their upcoming wedding, a charismatic celebrity comes knocking on the Dales Detective Agency’s door, seeking their services. Samson is initially reluctant to help, for many reasons. But things quickly escalate following a shocking murder at Fellside Court and, as a friend comes under suspicion, Samson and Delilah must set aside their personal problems to catch a killer.

In a case that will bring so many of Bruncliffe’s secrets out into the open, this final investigation for the Dales Detectives may be the one that breaks them for ever . . .

Ten Things

A Guest Post by Julia Chapman

Writing the Dales Detective series has been an absolute joy. When I set out ten years ago, I didn’t dare dream that the series would span a decade (even though I was planning the plot lines around ten books from the start!). Like every author, I knew that a series’ longevity would be determined by success and, in publishing, success isn’t always easy to come by. Yet here I am! The tenth and final book Date with Destiny is hitting the shelves in the UK and the series is an international best seller. I feel proud. I feel sad at saying goodbye to a wonderful community I’ve loved creating. But I also feel excited about what I’m writing next!

Top Ten Things I’ve Loved about writing the Dales Detective series (cue your own Top of the Pops music!):

10. Sheep and vintage tractors – I never thought I’d become so knowledgeable about sheep breeds and old tractors! Yes I have favourites – Swaledale (Suffolk a close second) in the sheep category and the Ferguson TE20 tractor (or Little Grey). But it’s not just me. I now get sent photos of sheep (especially pink ones – if you know, you know!) and Little Greys from readers all over the world

9. Stumbling across things which are perfect for a plot… This is so hard to explain but on countless occasions, while mulling over a tricky plot, something will happen in the real world which just perfectly fits with the puzzle I’m working on. And on one notable occasion, a plot arrived long before the book was to be written. This was the case with Date with Justice (DD9), where I heard a radio programme about newts and had to sit on that knowledge for FOUR years! Its working title was Date with Newt!

8. The perfect excuse for riding – I love being out on my bike. Writing this series gave me an excuse to explore the Dales on two wheels, which included a lot of uphill riding! But it was worth it. Seeing the world I was writing about in that way really gave me a chance to take in the landscape.

7. Using the landscape as a character – when you’ve got rugged stone walls, steep fellsides, dramatic limestone pavement, all combined with a climate that is as capricious as Troy Murgatroyd’s moods, it’s an absolute gift for a writer.

6. Being able to Showcase the Yorkshire Dales – I’ve really enjoyed shining a spotlight on the bits of the Dales which are less well known. Things like the Hoffmann Kiln in Settle, or even a livestock auction, such a fundamental part of life here and yet an aspect few ‘offcumden’ know anything about.

5. Research – Some authors hate it. I ADORE it. Getting my teeth into a new subject and really digging deep is one of the greatest pleasures in writing. Whether it’s types of poison (there’s a dictionary full of them – who knew?!!), livestock auctions, electronic tags, the aforementioned newts or, in the latest book, the world of haute couture, there’s something fascinating about immersing myself in an area beyond my expertise. And talking to experts in those fields has also been a privilege.

4. Tolpuddle –  When I came across the fact that Weimaraners make excellent fell-running companions (like I said, I love research!!), I knew I’d found my companion for Delilah Metcalfe. The fact that they are also prone to anxiety attacks just made this grey shadow a perfect fit. I had no idea when I introduced him on the page that Tolpuddle would go on to become one of the most popular characters in the series. Even with his allergy to beer…

3. Fell Running – I took up fell running when I moved to the Dales fourteen years ago and I’m not exaggerating when I state that the majority of the Dales Detective series was ‘written’ while I was out running. There’s something about being up there all alone (except for the sheep and the larks!) that allows my creative energy to really flow.

2. Ida Capstick – Some readers might expect her to be in pole position. And I have to be honest, it was a tough call! Ida strode across the pages of the very first book and made it clear she wasn’t going to be the peripheral character I’d planned. She has been an absolute joy to write. Her pragmatism in a world that often doesn’t make sense. Her sharp humour which can take the pain out of a poignant scene. And her tea. Oh, her tea! I will miss her so much.

1. The Readers – I’ve been bowled over by the reaction to the series across the world. People have really taken Bruncliffe and its community to their hearts and, for me, that is just the best thing to have come out of writing these books. They also give me so much support, often in ways they don’t even realise. A photo of pink sheep here. A comment about Ida there. And the lovely messages I get through social media. Without the readers, there would be no Dale Detective series. So take a bow you lovely lot. You’re my No. 1.

 ****

How fabulous Julia. Thank you so much for providing an insight into the Dales Detectives series. I wish you every success with your next writing venture.

About Julia Chapman

Julia Chapman is the author of the Dales Detective series, which follows the adventures of Samson O’Brien and Delilah Metcalfe as they solve cases in the Yorkshire Dales. Born with a wanderlust that keeps her moving, Julia has followed her restless feet to Japan, Australia, the USA and France. She spent the majority of that time as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language but also dabbled in bookselling, pawnbroking, waitressing and was once ‘checkout-chick of the month’ at a supermarket in South Australia! Her first series of books, the Fogas Chronicles, were written while she was running an auberge in the French Pyrenees with her husband. Published under her real name, Julia Stagg, the novels are set in that spectacular mountain area. Now, having spent many years wandering, she is glad to call the Yorkshire Dales home, its distinctive landscape and way of life providing the setting for her cosy crime series.

For further information find Julia on Facebook The Dales Detective or follow her on Bluesky and Instagram.