The Loves of Harry Dancer

by Lawrence Sanders

What happens when a brilliant financier and grieving widower unknowingly becomes the coveted prize in a savage war between two rival undercover organizations? And what happens when both organizations decided to tempt him not with money or with power, but with the “perfect” woman?

This is the story of Harry Dancer, a man who believes that no one can take the place of his late wife, Sylvia. Until he meets Sally, the blonde specialist in erotica whose assignment is to enslave Harry’s senses with every trick she knows. And Evelyn. She looks, sounds and acts so much like Harry’s late wife that it’s uncanny. But the resemblance is no accident…

Sally and Evelyn. Two top-level female agents who have been carefully selected and meticulously trained by opposing organizations. What exactly do they want from Harry Dancer?

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

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

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

An odd but clever book by Sanders that left me scratching my head at the end. For starters, the prose Sanders employs makes Hemingway look loquacious and he just drops you into the story. Harry Dancer successfully manages money down by Miami and his wife of many years recently passed, leaving him heartbroken. For some reason never disclosed, two rival clandestine organizations, referred to as 'the company' and 'the department' are out to 'recruit' Harry and each sends out a field agent in a honey trap. One agent Harry meets at a sleazy strip club and seems to play on his hedonistic impulses. The other agent is managed to look and act like his dead wife and at first plays on his need for life having meaning and suggests faith.

So, Harry becomes the centerpiece of the rival groups, the focus of increasingly expensive and sophisticated networks, including the 'operators' of the field agents and their support staff. It quickly becomes apparent to both groups that the other 'side' wants Harry and all kinds of cloak and dagger hijinks evolves.

Who are these mysterious organizations? Sanders never really answers that one, but hints rather strongly that one represents 'evil' and the other 'good', and the author drops in some supernatural aspects occasionally, like one enforcer's 'special powers'. Also, Sanders along the way suggests that the field agents have been doing their honey traps for a long, long time, even though both of Harry's new lovers seem to be around 30 or so. Do we have the latest installment here of an ancient battle between Heaven and Hell? Are the agents on either side angels and devils? Again, this is suggested, but never made explicit. Ultimately, however, the story centers not on Harry and the two mysterious organizations, but on the meaning of love.

All in all, a fun read, but one that left too many questions unanswered for my taste. Who are these organizations? Why do they want Harry Dancer and what do they want from him? Still, some very good cloak and dagger stuff and I liked the setting in South Florida. 3 mixed stars.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Mish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely what I was expecting, and in a really great way. The hint of something more sinister and supernatural in the book, leading to the culmination was really well written. It's a book that will have you questioning what's really happening, and coming up with different theories until you're nearer to the end. I love the idea I have on what the book is supposed to be about.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1986. Another suspenseful thriller from Sanders.

[Sridharan]

Nice but a little confusing

[Feliks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even from a novelist as incredible as Lawrence Sanders--the man who gave us the 'Deadly Sin' series; all of which are so thoroughly enjoyable--this odd, one-off title probably remains my favorite work from him. Its just sublimely done. Sanders was adroit at infusing thrillers with realistic psychology, romance, and sex. But this one stands off on its own from his other titles; he achieves something here which he didn't attempt in his more prosaic thrillers. This title transcends. I can't really explain more without giving it away but the novel --at the very end--transforms itself and elevates itself into something quite startling; something Kafka-esque and dada. Right on the very last page. Something you can't even see coming--unpredictable; something which has been apparent but well-hidden all throughout the read up to that point. Its not just a plot twist; its a change of plot structure/theme. You don't often see a writer able to pull that off; especially in the espionage field. Very highly recommended.

[Shehroze Ameen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit, it was nice when I first read it, but looking at it from the perspective of the content, it does lack in certain qualities.

Character development is one part. Some of the characters in this work were weakly designed (Briscoe, the Director - the secondary characters frankly speaking) and rushed through the second act. The conclusion seemed anti-climatic in my honest opinion, and the progress of the story did feel strained as the ending proceeded, which didn't help this work so much.

To be fair though, I gave it a four for the simple reason that even with all that is said, I like going back to this little nugget. Its a guilty pleasure - the descriptions are crisp and sharp, and it has a melancholic erotica element which appeals to my well-developed humble nature. It does have its moments when you feel for Harry Dancer.

Good stuff.

[venkatesh r · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novel gets interested with Harry dancer suspension but at the 80% suspension dies. and highly interesting Briscoe character is just simply dies that's bully. overall story is JUSK OK.