The Mystery of the American Slug

A Lady Darriby-Jones Mystery #2

by C.M. Rawlins

Darriby Hall is famous for entertaining second-tier aristocrats, tales from distant lands and a dead body... every now and then.

England, 1926

When an American party of intellectuals, who boast of knowledge of a rare slug species, ask Lady Darriby-Jones to stay at Darriby Hall, she hesitantly agrees.

She is in for a rude awakening when one of them is found dead with a gunshot wound. She thought it would be a matter that might be swept under the carpet until she's identified as a suspect. It leads her to wonder:

Who's the trigger-happy culprit?

When did they turn into a slug-slayer?

How on earth did they pull off this shocking slug-icide?

And...

Why, oh why, would anyone shoot a slug savant?

With her reputation teetering on the brink of disgrace, Lady Darriby-Jones must reluctantly embrace her inner detective and ask more uncomfortable questions if she is to prove her innocence and find a cunning killer.

Failure to do so will lead to her good name being tarnished and a bumbling police chief dragging her behind bars.

Join Lady Darriby-Jones in this 1920s cozy mystery, a whimsical, laughter-inducing adventure where witty sleuthing meets eccentricity galore.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery

155 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2024

Reviews

[Ka · Rating 3 out of 5]

After going through 10 of these books, I have to tell you: if you don't like them now, just stop; I think you're unlikely to change your mind, because they're all much of a muchness. In fact, in many ways they get more ridiculous over time and make even less sense. However, although it took me a bit to get used to the style, ultimately I enjoyed these silly mysteries. They are all quite short -- about 3-4 hours long (as audiobooks) -- so they end at about the time when you're tired of the nonsense of that particular mystery.

In this book there are some noisy Americans and people get murdered and ultimately the murder gets solved although the resolution isn't quite what I expected! On to the next book.

[Laurie J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book#1 wasn’t available at the library, so I started with this second in the series. I feel like I’ve missed the plot of who’s who and why. It starts with the Lady of the manor in need of a drink and then later bad mouthing the police from a prior case (spoilers).

I do love the MC, her background, genuine affection towards her husband, and the trials of her daughter. The mystery was clever, but we didn’t get to solve it. The clues were hidden then revealed. Plus there were times when the even jumped without notice. Maybe in the writing, there was some clue, but not in the narration.

Even so, it’s short and fun to immerse in for a few hours. I’ll check out the next ones.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an American party of intellectuals, who boast of knowledge of a rare slug species, ask Lady Darriby-Jones to stay at Darriby Hall, she hesitantly agrees. She is in for a rude awakening when one of them is found dead with a gunshot wound. She thought it would be a matter that might be swept under the carpet until she's identified as a suspect. It leads her to wonder:
She is initially accused of the murder. Who is the culprit? I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable read. This time some Americans have decided they just have to stay on at the Darriby-Jones mansion after the great Slug Convention. They manage to wrangle an invitation & then the PhD student gets shot. So f course Lady D-J hops in to help investigate. The very rude DCI naturally gets it all wrong. I love the fact that Lady D-J calls the bullet “a slug” with all the slugs around the place. Then another, double attack, gets things really moving in the right direction.

[Big Fat Hairy Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Darriby-Jones begrudgingly hosts the members of a slug symposium at her home. Shortly thereafter, one of them is discovered dead. After she's put on the suspect list, she has to jump in and sleuth the truth out of the remaining sluggists before she ends up taking the fall for the murder. This is an interesting cozy mystery based in the 1920s that held my attention.

I'm a member of the ARC team and have left an honest review voluntarily.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would a murder mystery be called with lots of comedy mixed in? All I know is that it would make a great comedic mystery series on TV. The characters are hilarious, including the bumbling DCI Manners, his arch nemesis Lady Darriby Jones. The plot is easily followed and the premise is finding out who killed one of the American persons who wiggled their way into staying for two weeks in the Darriby household. I highly recommend this book.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Lady Darriby-Jones cozy mystery. This story was hardly sluggish when Lady Darriby-Jones and gang work together to clear her name of a murder she didn't commit. I listened to the audiobook which had a charming narrator who brought the characters to life. I still would love this to be made into a television series. This can be read (or listened to) as a standalone.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Darriby-Jones hosts a party for American slug lovers. Someone gets shot. Up to her to find the culprit.
A nice setting (1920s), enjoyable to read. I hope there will be no more slugs in the next book.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Darriby-Jones reluctantly host a group of American scientists whose speciality in slugs. She gets more than she bargains in this cozy read.

She’ll have to use her sleuthing skills to save her reputation from sluggish ruin. You will be charmed by her sensibilities.

[MRS T J CHIVERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very English murder with manners

Lady Darriby-Jones solves a murder that has as many trails as a wandering slug. Who would have expected a houseful of visits American slug enthusiasts would be so problematic?

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who's the Villain Again?

A little slow and discombulating at first. It did get better. I was beginning to think that Inspector Mallory from Father Brown had been written with a new name, Inspector Manners. I will read another. Sure hope the 3rd book will be the charm.

[Lesley Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful cozy mystery

Lady Darriby-Jones solves another mystery, these books are a bit funny, I did laugh at some bits. Her husband is mad on slugs, slimy horrible things. Her daughter is mad for horses and all three are just completely mad. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun mystery, though the ending seemed a bit rushed. I hope that there's romance brewing for Alice and Alfie because they're fun together, I especially love the way they are willing to go with Lady Darriby-Jones' shenanigans. And the double meaning of "slug" was quite funny here.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed him and why??? Land?? I agree that DUST is indeed better than STINK!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Deirdre E Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny (-:

[Patricia Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

As mysteries go it was not particularly challenging. It was an interesting, also enjoyable and at times funny historical mystery