Nibbled to Death by Ducks

Jimmy Flannery #6

by Robert Wright Campbell

Jimmy Flannery is deeply disturbed when his old friend Chip Devlin is put in a nursing home by a relative Jimmy has never met

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

A screenwriter who turned to writing novels. Many of his earlier books were published as by R. Wright Campbell but later works were credited to Robert W. Campbell or simply Robert Campbell. He also published one book as F.G. Clinton. For more, see his obituary in the Los Angeles Times.

Reviews

[Elaine Nickolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this story about a man named Jimmy Flannery trying to help out an old friend. Jimmy is away on vacation when his good friend, Chip, suffers a loss and is taken to a nursing home. Jimmy tries to see Chip, but the nursing home won't allow him to visit until late in the afternoon. Jimmy finds a way into the home undetected and sees that it is a hellhole. However, when he returns later for a visit everything looks pristine and clean. What is going on? Jimmy starts to suspect shady dealings going on there but in his neck of the woods, one hand washes the other, and no one wants to make waves. How will Jimmy help Chip? Why have other residents died under some questionable circumstances?
This was a good story with the author throwing in some red herrings for the reader.

[Canavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

✭✭✭½

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nibbled To Death By Ducks is quite a visual title and is the sixth book in the Jimmy Flannery series, a precinct captain in machine politics Chicago. This series focuses on an old Chicago of neighborhoods and fiefdoms and backslapping, dealmaking politicians who think the whole world operates on the principle of favor-for-favor. The story, as all the books in this series, is told from Flannery’s perspective and the narration is pitch perfect catching the down-home vernacular.

This particular story has Flannery returning from a vacation in New Orleans to find his old political boss, Chips Delvin, shut up in a bare bones nursing home and doped to the gills. Flannery sets out to find out what happened, what put him there, and how he can get him out or if that’s even feasible. Meanwhile, he keeps spotting strange goings on at the home and can’t get rid of the nagging suspicion that something is underfoot- something not quite kosher.

This is a terrific, well-told story that should have wide appeal. Despite a corpse or more, it is not gory and not risqué. It also avoids the hot-button political issues that crop up in some of the earlier books in this series.

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

5-star title / 3 or 4 star story - Of all the books I've read in at least a few years, this one stands out. Sometimes you judge a book by the cover, but in a case like this, it's more fun to judge it by the title.

Unfortunately, I'm probably reading the series a little too quickly, so by this 6th Jimmy Flannery book, the author starts to recycle a few bits (e.g. James/Jim/Jimmy/Jimbo). It makes sense as a short-hand for someone who is new to the series, but starts to turn something that was once very clever into background noise. The central mystery in this volume drags at a couple points. The fun is in the cast of characters and the other great stuff around the edges of the main plot.

One quick quote: "Any questions you ask these people, the detectives are going to ask them all over again, and I don't feel like listening to cabbage being chewed twice."

[Steven Norrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An irrestible title and a thouroghly enjoyable read. A murder mystery written in a very noir-esque style, which really brought to life the gritty Chigaco where the story is set. I absolutely did not expect to enjoy this, as it is such a departure from my usual reading, but taking a chance on such a quirky title has proved hugely rewarding. Great story, characterisation and a pace which is fast enough to keep you engaged, without being impossible to follow. My only criticism is that the ending was not quite as fleshed-out as I would have liked - it was tied together in a satisfactory manner, but another 10.. maybe 15 pages feels like it would have been a bit more balanced. Certainly makes me want to go and read the other books by this author, and strongly recommended.

[SusanCope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about nursing home murders. Set in Chicago, this story offered an interesting slice of life and insight into city politics.

[Hugh Heinsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and characters. Well written. Well paced. Terrific dialog.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I really liked it. The main character is great, sometimes a little naïve, but has good intentions. The plot and storyline was good. It was a hard book to put down. Some suspense. Highly recommend.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, okay.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

i don't remember this book that well because i read it a long time ago; i do remember that i liked it pretty much; but the main thing is that i think the title is quite funny; and i am VERY into titles : )

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my attempt to read a mystery book for once (one of my least favoirite genres). I trudged through it in an afternoon. The attempts at humor were weak, the plot uninteresting, the solving of the murder unexciting. No more mysteries for me if I can help it.

[Toesnorth's mom]

good

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoy the Jimmy Flannery series. The titles are great, and the Chicago politics are humorous. The mysteries are pretty good too. 3 and a half stars.