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Archy McNally #11
McNally's Alibi
Hired to locate the complete text of Truman Capote's Answered Prayers, Archy McNally encounters a series of dead ends involving a pair of scorned lovers and a shady antiques dealer before finding the manuscript's owner murdered in a sleazy motel. 150,000 first printing.
309 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 26, 2017
A deficit of plot starves out the usual Archy McNally fun...
We'll start by admitting we have immensely enjoyed the ten prior novels in the Archy McNally series - including the seven written by (or at least during the lifetime of) Lawrence Sanders, and the three prior to this one by Vincent Lardo for the Sanders' estate. We'll also acknowledge up front we think Lardo has done a most credible job carrying on the qualities and personalities of the characters, as well as the tone and setting of these mysteries.
Our trouble with this fourth Lardo outing is that all the action takes place in the first 40 and the last 40 pages of the book - leaving over 200 in between as pretty dry going. Once the initial crime takes place - a murder that occurs while Archy is playing delivery boy and getting mugged for his efforts - and the three suspects and their version of the "facts" get aired, nothing advances the solution of the crime until near the end when it all gets wrapped up. A weak and almost useless sub-plot involving a long unoccupied mansion that has ghostly overtones was a pretty silly attempt to use up ink. And the "romance" with Archy's girlfriend Connie Garcia, who has been actively dating a Miami Cuban, also tires as Archy tosses all book-long with what to do about her.
The usual cast of supporting characters - cop friend Al Rogoff; law firm mail boy Binky Watrous; Father's secretary Mrs. Trelawney, and Father himself - did little more than add conversational filler to that long stretch in the books mid-section. In many of the chapters, some competition to Connie (for Archy) in the form of state trooper Georgy O'Hara was about the only entertainment at hand.
McNally is a character who continues to make for fun reading - had this been a 100-page novella, we'd rate this right up with the best. But either much sharper editing, or a plot with more complexity or more sustained action, was needed to salvage this book from being anything but an also-ran in the series.
We'll start by admitting we have immensely enjoyed the ten prior novels in the Archy McNally series - including the seven written by (or at least during the lifetime of) Lawrence Sanders, and the three prior to this one by Vincent Lardo for the Sanders' estate. We'll also acknowledge up front we think Lardo has done a most credible job carrying on the qualities and personalities of the characters, as well as the tone and setting of these mysteries.
Our trouble with this fourth Lardo outing is that all the action takes place in the first 40 and the last 40 pages of the book - leaving over 200 in between as pretty dry going. Once the initial crime takes place - a murder that occurs while Archy is playing delivery boy and getting mugged for his efforts - and the three suspects and their version of the "facts" get aired, nothing advances the solution of the crime until near the end when it all gets wrapped up. A weak and almost useless sub-plot involving a long unoccupied mansion that has ghostly overtones was a pretty silly attempt to use up ink. And the "romance" with Archy's girlfriend Connie Garcia, who has been actively dating a Miami Cuban, also tires as Archy tosses all book-long with what to do about her.
The usual cast of supporting characters - cop friend Al Rogoff; law firm mail boy Binky Watrous; Father's secretary Mrs. Trelawney, and Father himself - did little more than add conversational filler to that long stretch in the books mid-section. In many of the chapters, some competition to Connie (for Archy) in the form of state trooper Georgy O'Hara was about the only entertainment at hand.
McNally is a character who continues to make for fun reading - had this been a 100-page novella, we'd rate this right up with the best. But either much sharper editing, or a plot with more complexity or more sustained action, was needed to salvage this book from being anything but an also-ran in the series.
February 14, 2010
Archy McNally is hired to be the go-between for the wealthy collector Fortesque and the seller of Truman Capote's original manuscript of Answered Prayers. The problem is Archy is conked on the head and loses both the manuscript and the money and furthermore a man is found dead in the room where he had just concluded the deal.
Enter Georgia O'Hara, the beautiful cop in charge of the murder investigation. Archy has no trouble in securing a date, of course only to discuss the case. At the same time he hopes to make Connie his long-time girlfriend jealous. Connie has been dating a dashing Cuban and seems to be losing interest in Archy.
At the same time the abandoned Beaumont house has been seen to have lights flickering in the windows. Ty Beaumont wants Archy to see if it is really his dead twin's ghost.
The McNally stories are always over the top but I think this time it is a bit much. Archy dates the cop who is investigating him as a suspect. Come-on! Also the stories seem to be very convoluted. The Beaumont case seems to just a bit of added fluff in case the main story was not enough. Archy this time appears to be a bit desperate instead of being the cad he is
Enter Georgia O'Hara, the beautiful cop in charge of the murder investigation. Archy has no trouble in securing a date, of course only to discuss the case. At the same time he hopes to make Connie his long-time girlfriend jealous. Connie has been dating a dashing Cuban and seems to be losing interest in Archy.
At the same time the abandoned Beaumont house has been seen to have lights flickering in the windows. Ty Beaumont wants Archy to see if it is really his dead twin's ghost.
The McNally stories are always over the top but I think this time it is a bit much. Archy dates the cop who is investigating him as a suspect. Come-on! Also the stories seem to be very convoluted. The Beaumont case seems to just a bit of added fluff in case the main story was not enough. Archy this time appears to be a bit desperate instead of being the cad he is
July 23, 2018
Good story, Poor editing
Archy is a self-centered, sometimes no rush cad, especially when it comes to Connie. In "Alibi" he gets his comeuppance, but still manages to leave us with uncertainty about his love life future. On the other hand, Archy organized his investigations with expert insights and an ability to handle the inquiries for his rich and famous clients. This time he gets mixed up in a murder as one of the prime suspects. He beats the rap by exposing the real murderer and ends up with a new possible love interest.
I enjoyed the story and would have rated it 5-stars but the editing was terrible. It reads like a transcription that was poorly edited. I don't remember other Lawrence Sanders books being this shoddy. I hope the remaining books in this series are more fastidious edited.
Archy is a self-centered, sometimes no rush cad, especially when it comes to Connie. In "Alibi" he gets his comeuppance, but still manages to leave us with uncertainty about his love life future. On the other hand, Archy organized his investigations with expert insights and an ability to handle the inquiries for his rich and famous clients. This time he gets mixed up in a murder as one of the prime suspects. He beats the rap by exposing the real murderer and ends up with a new possible love interest.
I enjoyed the story and would have rated it 5-stars but the editing was terrible. It reads like a transcription that was poorly edited. I don't remember other Lawrence Sanders books being this shoddy. I hope the remaining books in this series are more fastidious edited.
October 12, 2020
Sad, Sad, Sad. Vincent Lardo is not Lawrence Sanders and poor Archy suffers as a consequence. Mother stays pretty much the same. She reminds me of a dear friend of mine - genteel, kind, warm, a true lady. Father is sort of okay, as are the servants. The dog and Connie are pretty much absent. But poor Archy. His vocabulary has been reduced to common and ordinary. His sartorial comments are diminished. The food is still good, though. Once again Archy risks his neck to help solve the case but the thrill of the chase is not the same as in Sanders' book.
September 3, 2021
I really enjoy Archy books. This one was a little different. Connie was fighting with Archy the whole time which is ok because it let him goof around. The main crime though didn’t have a lot of levels. Just one. Pretty easy one so not a who done it type. However it still have Archy’s awesome humor and inner monologue which was what I enjoy. Only 2 more to go until the end…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2017
Not the best
The Grand old Sting has too many players and that makes the story line a bit muddled. Not as enjoyable as most of the McNally books.
The Grand old Sting has too many players and that makes the story line a bit muddled. Not as enjoyable as most of the McNally books.
April 7, 2024
What an enjoyable read. I love the author's use of the English language - his descriptions are hilarious to me.
The story is intriguing, there weren't too many characters to keep track of, and solving the mystery was not obvious. Connie and Georgy - 2 women in McNally's life that enjoyably provide a little bit of "female spice" to the story. I liked them both. Actually, there weren't any characters that I didn't like.
I was a sponge for Lawrence Sanders books when he was alive and was surprised when I realized that this was written by someone else - Vincent Lardo, who gratefully kept the Sanders books coming after his death. I recently noticed this one on my bookshelf, which I must have purchased many years ago - and I'm glad I did.
The story is intriguing, there weren't too many characters to keep track of, and solving the mystery was not obvious. Connie and Georgy - 2 women in McNally's life that enjoyably provide a little bit of "female spice" to the story. I liked them both. Actually, there weren't any characters that I didn't like.
I was a sponge for Lawrence Sanders books when he was alive and was surprised when I realized that this was written by someone else - Vincent Lardo, who gratefully kept the Sanders books coming after his death. I recently noticed this one on my bookshelf, which I must have purchased many years ago - and I'm glad I did.
October 14, 2018
The first disappointment for me in the series so far . A boring convoluted double cross involving numerous characters and a long lost manuscript. The endless repetition of the double cross almost seemed like the author needed to get it straight in his own head what had transpired and in what order. It was dull,which has never been the case previously. I think two more books remain in the series and I will read them with hope that they are a return to form and this was a blip.
March 25, 2022
Love the whole Archy McNally series. Very well written and well plotted. Very believable. Some of the books are too expensive for me, unfortunately, and I have to wait to see if they will come down in price below $3. I may be waiting a long time, but that's what you have to do when you have to count your pennies in life.
November 7, 2023
A will written mystery
A will written mystery with interesting well developed characters. Once again the usual characters enter into an entertaining fast moving mystery which Archy manages too bring too a successful conclusion. I would recommend this novel and the series too anyone who enjoys an old fashion mystery. Enjoy reading 2016
I read this as an e-book from the local library
A will written mystery with interesting well developed characters. Once again the usual characters enter into an entertaining fast moving mystery which Archy manages too bring too a successful conclusion. I would recommend this novel and the series too anyone who enjoys an old fashion mystery. Enjoy reading 2016
I read this as an e-book from the local library
September 28, 2019
I love Lawrence Sanders books . . . and apparently Vincent Lardo has taken over after Sanders left this life. An imitation is a compliment to the original, but unfortunately for me, Lardo is an inadequate imitation of Sanders writing style.
November 27, 2019
Very Good; Continuing character: Archy McNally; Archy is involved in a trade of cash for a package, but when he is attacked afterwards it leads to him getting friendly with the trooper assigned to the case
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January 22, 2021I read Lawrence Sanders book way back when. I recall enjoying them.
This not so much. I found the main character Archy McNally sophomoric and pretentious. Maybe if I had read some of the previous McNally series I would have warmed to this story more...
This not so much. I found the main character Archy McNally sophomoric and pretentious. Maybe if I had read some of the previous McNally series I would have warmed to this story more...
May 7, 2017
Easy read with a fun character. Told only thru Archy's voice, you learn facts as he does but don't read his mind, so there are still plot lines that we learn along the way.
August 9, 2017
Listened to this on audio. Make the mistake of downloading an abridged version. I still like Archie McNally, but it was hard to get immersed in the abridged reading.
September 19, 2017
The adventures of Archy is always a fun read
July 19, 2019
I started out very enthusiastic about the vernacular in this book, but then it got annoying. A lot of the plot was repetitious. I was surprised by the ending of who done it, tho.
November 15, 2022
Read 10-20 years ago. Just updating my Goodreads.
February 28, 2024
Excellent….
March 1, 2025
Archy is always entertaining.
June 25, 2025
I thought this one of the better ones in the series.
January 22, 2015
Irascible Arcy McNally just about got in trouble. Again. He's always "just about in trouble." Luck, perhaps more than skill gets him a pass with the local Miami cops as he works with the Highway Patrol to solve the mystery of a murder, a stolen Truman Capote manuscript and a bundle of missing money -- $50,000. He has enough clumsy help from friends and associates to figure out how he lost the money, how he got cold-conked and who murdered the man in the motel.
Lawrence Sander's McNally series of mystery capers are fully seasoned with tongue in cheek, color, satire, humor and mystery. This book, McNally's Alibi doesn't measure up -- perhaps because it is written by Vincent Lardo and not the late Lawrence Sanders. It's pointed in the right direction, but just doesn't hit the mark. Instead of sharp snaps and cracks, it's like dull knuckle pops. If you've not read one of the Sander's stories of Archy McNally, you won't know what you're missing. So go ahead and check it out, it's an easy read. Then read one of the original by Sanders and you'll find even more enjoyment.
Lawrence Sander's McNally series of mystery capers are fully seasoned with tongue in cheek, color, satire, humor and mystery. This book, McNally's Alibi doesn't measure up -- perhaps because it is written by Vincent Lardo and not the late Lawrence Sanders. It's pointed in the right direction, but just doesn't hit the mark. Instead of sharp snaps and cracks, it's like dull knuckle pops. If you've not read one of the Sander's stories of Archy McNally, you won't know what you're missing. So go ahead and check it out, it's an easy read. Then read one of the original by Sanders and you'll find even more enjoyment.
June 8, 2014
While, McNally's Alibi is the easily the most densely plotted of the eleven in the series, it still retains its mystery-lite quality and is great fun. It is a tongue-in-cheeky romp amongst the rich and infamous in Palm Beach. Highway Patrol Lt. Georgia O'Hara is introduced. She is a much better paramour for Archy then the tedious Connie Garcia. Double dealing, double crossing, a sting operation as well as a counter sting revolve around the whereabouts of the original manuscript of a Truman Capote novel that an ardent rich collector desires. Archy and his excellent supporting cast sort out the truth and lies and save the day. A good time to be had for the reader. Worth the time for you to read and enjoy.
October 8, 2015
#11 in the Archy McNally series, #4 by Vincent Lardo after the death of Lawrence Sanders who started the series.
Archy McNally series - Archy McNally is hired by Decimus Fortesque to locate Truman Capote's manuscript Unanswered Prayers and along the way finds scandals and scalawags. Archy discovers that Claudia Lester had the work, but her lover, Matthew Harrigan, took it; Matthew then accuses Claudia of lying. Later the supposed owner of the manuscript is found dead in a hotel, and the detective on that murder, Georgia O'Hara, suspects Archy is withholding information. Archy declines to disclose anything that may interfere with his completing the investigation and receiving his fee.
Archy McNally series - Archy McNally is hired by Decimus Fortesque to locate Truman Capote's manuscript Unanswered Prayers and along the way finds scandals and scalawags. Archy discovers that Claudia Lester had the work, but her lover, Matthew Harrigan, took it; Matthew then accuses Claudia of lying. Later the supposed owner of the manuscript is found dead in a hotel, and the detective on that murder, Georgia O'Hara, suspects Archy is withholding information. Archy declines to disclose anything that may interfere with his completing the investigation and receiving his fee.
May 28, 2016
The plot where our detective hero is suspected of murder has gotten very tired - in fact, it's always been a pet peeve of mine. Fortunately, once he has floated it in McNALLY'S ALIBI, the author has the sense to sink it very quickly. After that, readers can expect the usual entertaining Archy McNally adventure.
A set of con artists keep changing their stories while trying to sell a rich collector a manuscript purported to be an unpublished Truman Capote expose of High Society behavior. My favorite characters are the wealthy collector and his philosophical butler. I might even reread it sometime to re-experience them.
A set of con artists keep changing their stories while trying to sell a rich collector a manuscript purported to be an unpublished Truman Capote expose of High Society behavior. My favorite characters are the wealthy collector and his philosophical butler. I might even reread it sometime to re-experience them.
September 13, 2016
I can't help but feel a little sad knowing that the next Archy installment will be the last. And this one really makes me wait to pick it up and read it right away. But I'll wait. Another twisty-turny plot (not very elaborate but still twisty) has Archy chasing after a long lost manuscript, the money put up to acquire it and the three people trying to swindle the collector. And of course along the way there is a dead body.
Running along the side lines is a mysterious light that sometimes appears in the window of an abandoned mansion that was the site of a child's death many years ago.
But, the story line that really has me is the one with Connie and Archy. One never knows, do one?
Running along the side lines is a mysterious light that sometimes appears in the window of an abandoned mansion that was the site of a child's death many years ago.
But, the story line that really has me is the one with Connie and Archy. One never knows, do one?
March 30, 2009
Oh what a tiresome book. Boring, arrogant, tiresome characters. Tiresome setting, Palm Beach is just not that interesting. I got to page 121 and was still thinking, "who really cares?" So, I just put it down which I might add is a rarity for me with a mystery. If I could give this a minus 1, I would. I do realize it is sort of that Dragnet style of "tough uninvolved guy" but really, this was just too terrible to pull that off. I have better things to read not to mention do with my time than read this drivel.
August 24, 2011
Nothing about this book was suspenseful. It was quite predictable. And the author's wording seemed to be straight out of How to Write a Book 101.
The main character was colorful enough to keep me reading but that was about it.
The main character was colorful enough to keep me reading but that was about it.
August 1, 2012
Archy McNally is awesome. From his sartorial splendor to his epicurean descriptions he solves crimes and tries to keep his nebbishy friend (his words) Binky Watrous out of trouble. highly recommended.
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December 1, 2008LP San
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews