Tales of the Wolf

by Lawrence Sanders

Introduces the intriguing Wolf Lannihan, a tough anti-hero investigator, as he embarks on a series of action-packed adventures

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

234 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1986

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.

Reviews

[RJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I had read the whole Lawrence Sanders collection until I came across this album of short stories at a church bazaar. Each one features NY insurance investigator, Wolf Lannihan, who comes across as the crude prototype for Archy McNally. At times, Wolf shows glimpses of the down and out financial district detective, Timothy Cone, that Sanders featured in a couple of novels in the mid-80s. While nowhere near as powerful or morally circumspect as Edward X. Delaney, Wolf reminds us of Sanders' ability to create truly unique characters. Stumbling across this book was like finding a batch of old letters from a beloved grandfather. Clearly not his best work, but hearing that voice once again was a pure pleasure.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I liked about this book was that you could read a chapter and then take a pause because the short story ended. Wolf Lannihan easily solves every case, drinks lots of Jim Beam and beds down more women than Stone Barrington.

[Mukesh Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

No nonsense, crisp and real suspense with even nicer revelations. Looking forward to other works of Lawrence Sanders. Experiment paid off.

[Bill Yarbrough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories and fun read.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1986. A collection of short stories.

[Sergio Jimenez · Rating 3 out of 5]

fue un libro entretenido que en varias ocasiones me hizo reir por lo inverosímil de sus desenlaces, fue un buen acercamiento a la novela policíaca.

[John C. Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wolf Lannigan is a pretty cool guy. I enjoyed this collection.

[greatgrayprairie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Custom crafted Noir sketches for the most exacting in this genre's standards. The sketches come across like lengthy reads would come across.

[Jailan El-Rafie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of good old detective stories. Easy to read and very enjoyable.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirteen short stories about New York insurance fraud investigator Wolf Lannihan, most of which are straight forward, fairly easily solved scams. A couple of the stories have some small twists but generally these are nice simple stories that are fun to read. Each one has the obligatory beautiful babe and amazingly, Wolf always finds himself in a position to take advantage. That and his penchant for Jim Beam are his two primary character traits.

I've heard that Wolf Lannihan may be a crude forerunner of the author's Arch McNally character and if so I will need to check those books out. I read one years ago but don't remember it well. Still searching for the next Edward X. Delaney though, whom I believe is one of crime fiction's best all-time characters.

[Donald Harwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are multiple detective short stories written in the "hard boiled " voice. Wolf Lanihan is the central character. He works as an insurance investigator. All the stories are quick and fun reads. There is not always continuity of thought in the solution other than Wolf's "instinct". Each story carries a provocative, non-vulgar sexual scene. This was a little surprising until I discovered they were written for "SWANK" magazine.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of very short stories all about an insurance investigator. These were originally published in the sixties. The sexism is gargantuan and almost comic. They are not Sanders' best work but, they are entertaining in a low brow sort of way.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favourite mystery writers. A collection of 13 short stories culled to form a mini-novel.

[Lori Hockin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, and I am not usually interested in insurance fraud stories.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories of the insurance investigator who leads a very dangerous life.