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Archy McNally #2
McNally's Luck
In the sequel to McNally's Secret, playboy Florida sleuth Archy McNally's search for a purloined cat turns deadly when a prominent woman is brutally murdered. 175,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo.
319 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
459 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Sanders
160 books372 followersThere 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
June 29, 2014
-Delicias e intrascendencias suelen marinar con el humor -.
Género. Novela.
Lo que nos cuenta. Archy McNally debe investigar el secuestro de la gata “Peaches”, mascota de una rica pareja de clientes (y amigos) del despacho de abogados de su padre. Pero, simultáneamente, otro de los clientes es asesinado, y las notas amenazantes que recibió antes de morir parecen impresas de la misma forma que la nota de rescate de “Peaches”. Segundo volumen de la serie de Archy McNally, cuyos libros pueden leerse de forma independiente.
¿Quiere saber más del libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Novela.
Lo que nos cuenta. Archy McNally debe investigar el secuestro de la gata “Peaches”, mascota de una rica pareja de clientes (y amigos) del despacho de abogados de su padre. Pero, simultáneamente, otro de los clientes es asesinado, y las notas amenazantes que recibió antes de morir parecen impresas de la misma forma que la nota de rescate de “Peaches”. Segundo volumen de la serie de Archy McNally, cuyos libros pueden leerse de forma independiente.
¿Quiere saber más del libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
June 22, 2022
Although Archy McNally is living the good life as a bachelor in Palm Beach, he does have to work (more or less) for a living. His newest case as an investigator for his father’s law firm: locate a kidnapped cat for an especially disagreeable client. On the surface, it’s not exactly a high-stakes assignment, but for Palm Beach’s wealthy and entitled denizens, the stakes are always high.
Not long after Archy is on the case, the stakes get higher when a woman—also a client of the firm—is murdered. Unbelievable as it sounds, Archy finds circumstantial evidence that leads him to suspect that the two crimes are connected. Not wishing to be thought a fool, Archy is reluctant to share this idea with either his father or his pal Al Rogoff, the police sergeant investigating the murder.
This book is a lot of fun. Archy is no slouch as a detective, but the fun (for me, anyway) derives more from Archy’s persona than from the difficulty of the solution to the crimes. That’s not to say that the mystery isn’t intriguing. For a while, no solution seems to be on the horizon. As Archy says at one point, “It made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. And that turned out to be a mistake. I was looking for rationality in a plot that might have been devised by the Three Stooges.”
Archy may be too sexist for some tastes. He’s an unabashed womanizer. “Like most men,” he says, “my life is often a contest between brains and glands. And you would do well to bet Grey Matter to place.” When a psychic predicts that the problem he’s having juggling two women will eventually be solved on its own, he admits it’s a “welcome thought. I had enough bad habits without adding chastity.”
But Archy is also a gentleman, at least as he defines the term. He’s honest, respectful, and kind. As I said, some may find him too sexist, but I have to confess that I think he’s amusing and I enjoy spending time with him in Palm Beach.
Not long after Archy is on the case, the stakes get higher when a woman—also a client of the firm—is murdered. Unbelievable as it sounds, Archy finds circumstantial evidence that leads him to suspect that the two crimes are connected. Not wishing to be thought a fool, Archy is reluctant to share this idea with either his father or his pal Al Rogoff, the police sergeant investigating the murder.
This book is a lot of fun. Archy is no slouch as a detective, but the fun (for me, anyway) derives more from Archy’s persona than from the difficulty of the solution to the crimes. That’s not to say that the mystery isn’t intriguing. For a while, no solution seems to be on the horizon. As Archy says at one point, “It made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. And that turned out to be a mistake. I was looking for rationality in a plot that might have been devised by the Three Stooges.”
Archy may be too sexist for some tastes. He’s an unabashed womanizer. “Like most men,” he says, “my life is often a contest between brains and glands. And you would do well to bet Grey Matter to place.” When a psychic predicts that the problem he’s having juggling two women will eventually be solved on its own, he admits it’s a “welcome thought. I had enough bad habits without adding chastity.”
But Archy is also a gentleman, at least as he defines the term. He’s honest, respectful, and kind. As I said, some may find him too sexist, but I have to confess that I think he’s amusing and I enjoy spending time with him in Palm Beach.
July 30, 2020
Smooth!
I really enjoy the smooth verbiage of the narrator, Archie McNally, private investigator of the rich and infamous!
Archie is now on the case of the missing Persian...cat, that is.
As usual, Archie resorts to chicanery and outsmarts the criminals. He always gets his man.
I really enjoy the smooth verbiage of the narrator, Archie McNally, private investigator of the rich and infamous!
Archie is now on the case of the missing Persian...cat, that is.
As usual, Archie resorts to chicanery and outsmarts the criminals. He always gets his man.
September 2, 2018
Another good Archy story, with our playboy/sleuth trying to find a purloined feline, amidst murder and romantic hijinks.
February 25, 2015
This book was even better than the first. I think I have found a new series that I like.
Archy McNally again is working for his father in the department of "discreet investigations". And he does his job well.
This time Archy has two cases to work on: the kidnapping of a client's cat with accompanying ransom letter and threatening letters regarding a client's wife. Are the two connected? Archy seems to think so.
Archy is discreet enough to keep his investigations "private", yet knows when to bring in the police and he works well with the police.
I continue to love this character although he is a philanderer and can't seem to settle on just one woman in his romantic life. He must be pretty attractive himself because even older women are throwing themselves at him. When I get to the end of one of Sanders' books I have that very satisfied feeling. Things have been tied up, the mystery was good and has the reader trying to figure out the complexities as well.
Archy McNally again is working for his father in the department of "discreet investigations". And he does his job well.
This time Archy has two cases to work on: the kidnapping of a client's cat with accompanying ransom letter and threatening letters regarding a client's wife. Are the two connected? Archy seems to think so.
Archy is discreet enough to keep his investigations "private", yet knows when to bring in the police and he works well with the police.
I continue to love this character although he is a philanderer and can't seem to settle on just one woman in his romantic life. He must be pretty attractive himself because even older women are throwing themselves at him. When I get to the end of one of Sanders' books I have that very satisfied feeling. Things have been tied up, the mystery was good and has the reader trying to figure out the complexities as well.
February 14, 2011
Another crack-me-up adventure for Archie McNally, Palm Beach's man-about-town, bon vivant charmer. Son of the staid Prescott McNally, esquire, Archy does discreet inquiries for the pater's firm, McNally and Son.
This time a grumpy rich man's cat, Peaches, has been catnapped and is being held for ransom. Archie, between romancing several woman simultaneously and tootling about town in his red miata, has also been asked to look into death threats to the local poet's
wealthy wife. Several simularities between the notes lead Archie in quite a few directions, most of them involving women, crazy antics, hysterical dialogue and include even a medium and a seance.
I love the Archie McNally series just because Archy is such a character filled with wit, joie de vivre and whose love of sartorial splendor is evident. The interactions between Archy and his Dickens- reading, wing-tip wearing, ever-so-correct father just make me laugh out loud. The cases are usually quirky but Archy manages to solve them in his own inimical, roundabout way with a little help from his pal, Sargeant Al Rogoff.
The series was started by Lawrence Sanders and finished by Vincent Lardo with nary a variation from the original. Lardo managed to get Archy down to perfection. Any reader would be hard pressed to know where Sanders left off and Lardo picked up. Some of the characterizations and scenarios could be termed cliched but still the series is always a fun read
This time a grumpy rich man's cat, Peaches, has been catnapped and is being held for ransom. Archie, between romancing several woman simultaneously and tootling about town in his red miata, has also been asked to look into death threats to the local poet's
wealthy wife. Several simularities between the notes lead Archie in quite a few directions, most of them involving women, crazy antics, hysterical dialogue and include even a medium and a seance.
I love the Archie McNally series just because Archy is such a character filled with wit, joie de vivre and whose love of sartorial splendor is evident. The interactions between Archy and his Dickens- reading, wing-tip wearing, ever-so-correct father just make me laugh out loud. The cases are usually quirky but Archy manages to solve them in his own inimical, roundabout way with a little help from his pal, Sargeant Al Rogoff.
The series was started by Lawrence Sanders and finished by Vincent Lardo with nary a variation from the original. Lardo managed to get Archy down to perfection. Any reader would be hard pressed to know where Sanders left off and Lardo picked up. Some of the characterizations and scenarios could be termed cliched but still the series is always a fun read
January 24, 2013
This is a big step above your usual fluffy who-dun-it. Not for the plot or denouement (which remains murky until the end) but for the joie de vivre and choice of language by the protagonist, Archy McNally. He is the son of an older, storied Palm Beach legal eagle and shares the family's status in "old" PB society. Unfortunately dismissed from Yale Law School for an unspecified prank, Archy does "discrete inquiries" for family firm. He is a wonderful character--sounds like Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster with the same elan, flair, shallow friends (names like Binky!) and ability to laugh at himself. Highly recommended for a light read. I will definitely be searching out the other 5 McNally books.
May 6, 2015
So enjoying this series. Archy is just a kick and the mystery was excellent. So many twists and turns and Archy gives a way nothing. His sartorial splendor is adorable, his description of his parents just perfect. I like how the sex is just imagined (although he does have trouble being faithful) Love the Palm Beach descriptions (I lived there for a summer) . Now to read #3
April 12, 2009
Murder mystery written the way I like--tasteful, funny, with twists. Originally from Florida and familiar with the Palm Beach flare, his poke at the folks and their lifestyle is enjoyable reading for me. I like his play with words too.
December 5, 2022
The second installment in this oh-so-delightful series about a thirty-something man who handles investigations (discreet inquiries) for his father’s law firm. In Palm Beach. Amongst the fabulously wealthy. He is literate almost to a fault, and his vocabulary and cultural references have me running eagerly to google. And suffering a major book crush.
The question I need to answer for myself is whether to reread the third installment now that I know Archy better (my mom introduced me to him with that book; that’s just how my mom does me), or to move excitedly onto the 4th in the series. Hmmm…
The question I need to answer for myself is whether to reread the third installment now that I know Archy better (my mom introduced me to him with that book; that’s just how my mom does me), or to move excitedly onto the 4th in the series. Hmmm…
October 5, 2017
McNALLY’S LUCK is the second book of “The Archie McNally Series”, (also included in the trilogy The Archy McNally Series Volume One: McNally's Secret, McNally's Luck, and McNally's Risk , and follows the further exploits of Archie, who is half of “McNally & Son”, his father’s law firm that caters to the rich and privileged who are often badly behaved.
McNally & Son, Attorney-at-Law is a firm well known for it’s ability to handle “discreet inquiries”, with Archie usually handling the investigation and other undercover or deceptive acts required to be performed to satisfy the clients needs, which in this case involves return of a kidnapped (or rather “catnapped”) feline that goes by the name of “Peaches”.
Archie’s investigation seems to be going nowhere fast, although he finds himself attracted to Meg, the sister of the client’s wife who is attractive, physically fit, and available leaving Archie unable to resist the opportunity presented.
“Peaches” abduction takes a backseat to threats made to the wife of another client of the firm via letters, which appear to be very similar to the ones sent to the cat’s owner, and Archie researches the possibility that the letters are being produced using the same word processor and the same person writing them.
Investigation of the threat investigations takes on an unexpected turn when a murder, and eventually a second murder take place adding to the leads Archie is required to follow in an attempt to solve all of the cases as evidence surfaces indicating that all of this might be tied together, thus required Archie’s increased reliance on his detective friend Al Rogoff’s ability to use resources not available to the firm.
Further adding to the complexity of the case, a spiritual adviser and her family seem to be tied in somehow requiring Archie to dig into their past and present to learn about what might involve them in one or both of the crimes.
Lawrence Sanders presents Archie as a rich & somewhat spoiled young man living a life of leisure, except when required to work on an assignment given to him by his father. Since Archie doesn’t fit the usual profile of an investigator, the books in this series are very enjoyable, and provide a window into both his lifestyle and the often odd behavior of the residents in the community that the firm serves.
Archie’s quick wit and off-beat humor add to the enjoyment provided in the books, and would appeal to some fans of the P.G. Wodehouse “Jeeves” books, as the humor is similar but toned down with an American influence, making this series easy for me to recommend as the stories presented are not overly serious considering the crimes committed in them.
4 stars.
McNally & Son, Attorney-at-Law is a firm well known for it’s ability to handle “discreet inquiries”, with Archie usually handling the investigation and other undercover or deceptive acts required to be performed to satisfy the clients needs, which in this case involves return of a kidnapped (or rather “catnapped”) feline that goes by the name of “Peaches”.
Archie’s investigation seems to be going nowhere fast, although he finds himself attracted to Meg, the sister of the client’s wife who is attractive, physically fit, and available leaving Archie unable to resist the opportunity presented.
“Peaches” abduction takes a backseat to threats made to the wife of another client of the firm via letters, which appear to be very similar to the ones sent to the cat’s owner, and Archie researches the possibility that the letters are being produced using the same word processor and the same person writing them.
Investigation of the threat investigations takes on an unexpected turn when a murder, and eventually a second murder take place adding to the leads Archie is required to follow in an attempt to solve all of the cases as evidence surfaces indicating that all of this might be tied together, thus required Archie’s increased reliance on his detective friend Al Rogoff’s ability to use resources not available to the firm.
Further adding to the complexity of the case, a spiritual adviser and her family seem to be tied in somehow requiring Archie to dig into their past and present to learn about what might involve them in one or both of the crimes.
Lawrence Sanders presents Archie as a rich & somewhat spoiled young man living a life of leisure, except when required to work on an assignment given to him by his father. Since Archie doesn’t fit the usual profile of an investigator, the books in this series are very enjoyable, and provide a window into both his lifestyle and the often odd behavior of the residents in the community that the firm serves.
Archie’s quick wit and off-beat humor add to the enjoyment provided in the books, and would appeal to some fans of the P.G. Wodehouse “Jeeves” books, as the humor is similar but toned down with an American influence, making this series easy for me to recommend as the stories presented are not overly serious considering the crimes committed in them.
4 stars.
October 13, 2017
Archy McNally works for his father's legal firm as an investigator, and in this story he is asked to find a catnapper for one client and to investigate threats written to another client. As usual, he is also finding attractive women in spite of his relationship to another. As you might expect, there are murders that Archy and his police sergeant Al Rogoff must solve while trying to retrieve the cat and expose who has written the notes.
I'm really enjoying this series of books by Lawrence Sanders. There is humor, the plots are very good, and the writing style is excellent. It's a shame that he died in 1998, but there are still five more books in the series to be read; and another author, Vincent Lardo, has continued writing Archy McNally books, first with Mr. Sanders and then by himself; I'll withhold comments on the continuations since I haven't read any of them yet. Hopefully the spirit of Archy will remain in the ones written by Mr. Lardo.
I'm really enjoying this series of books by Lawrence Sanders. There is humor, the plots are very good, and the writing style is excellent. It's a shame that he died in 1998, but there are still five more books in the series to be read; and another author, Vincent Lardo, has continued writing Archy McNally books, first with Mr. Sanders and then by himself; I'll withhold comments on the continuations since I haven't read any of them yet. Hopefully the spirit of Archy will remain in the ones written by Mr. Lardo.
November 7, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This is a kindle e-book from the local library
Archy McNally is working for his father as an investigator. He is asked to find a kidnapped cat 🐱 from client of the law firm. There is a threat to another client which leads to murder of the wife then the husband. Archy is in the middle of the investigation leads to the arrest of killer and kidnappers.
I am cleaning up ☝ series from my local library. This is one of many I skipped.
I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒😡🏡🍸
I first read this book in 2007
This is a kindle e-book from the local library
Archy McNally is working for his father as an investigator. He is asked to find a kidnapped cat 🐱 from client of the law firm. There is a threat to another client which leads to murder of the wife then the husband. Archy is in the middle of the investigation leads to the arrest of killer and kidnappers.
I am cleaning up ☝ series from my local library. This is one of many I skipped.
I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒😡🏡🍸
I first read this book in 2007
March 13, 2021
Set in Palm Beach, South Florida, a client of McNally & Son, Attorney-at-Law has asked Archy to look into his missing cat. The cat 🐈 in question was kidnapped and the catnappers have left a ransom note demanding the sum of fifty thousand dollars and instructing Archy’s client not to go to the police or they’d kill the cat.
Soon after another client, a poet named Roderick Gillsworth hires Archy to look into a mysterious letter that was sent to his wife Mrs. Lydia Gillsworth
As Archy investigates he discovers similarities between the letters and realizes that the letters may have been likely written by the same.
He suspects that the catnapping and the threats against Mrs. Gillsworth are connected. So he sets out to identify the sender and find out why his clients are being targeted.
Shortly after, Archy learns that his client's wife has been murdered by an antique staff she bought during her trip.
Humorous PI story. Would recommend
Soon after another client, a poet named Roderick Gillsworth hires Archy to look into a mysterious letter that was sent to his wife Mrs. Lydia Gillsworth
As Archy investigates he discovers similarities between the letters and realizes that the letters may have been likely written by the same.
He suspects that the catnapping and the threats against Mrs. Gillsworth are connected. So he sets out to identify the sender and find out why his clients are being targeted.
Shortly after, Archy learns that his client's wife has been murdered by an antique staff she bought during her trip.
Humorous PI story. Would recommend
February 8, 2018
Fun light hearted mystery
October 19, 2024
Me gusta la forma en la que Lawrence narra las secuencias y maneja bien el misterio.
August 18, 2018
I enjoy these books: they are light, fun, funny, and diverting. Of course, they are also murder mysteries, but infuse enough humor that they are still more fun than many!
December 7, 2021
Strangely enough this is Sander’s second masterpiece. This is such a heady book!
September 5, 2017
"Recently I had written to a custom hat maker [...] and had ordered three linen berets in white, puce, and emerald green. They arrived on Monday morning, and I was highly pleased. They were soft enough to roll up and tuck in a hip pocket, yet when they were donned and the fullness pulled rakishly over to one side, I felt they gave me a certain devil-may-care look."
Having just read a Supreme Court book followed by a Chandler's noir classic and then by a book about human cadavers, my brain told me to select something purely recreational, a totally thought-free read. So Lawrence Sanders comes to the rescue and the always reliable Archy McNally, the head of discreet enquiries department at McNally & Son, Palm Beach, Florida. And Mr. Sanders delivers! McNally's Luck (1992) has been precisely what I needed - a relaxing read before I tackle the 1939 Irish precursor of post-modern metafiction, At Swim-Two-Birds.
Peaches, the Willigans' feline has been catnapped and the note from the captors indicates that a ransom may be required. Since Mr. Willigan is an important client of McNally & Son, Archy is instructed to locate the missing cat. Soon after that another client wants to hire McNally's help: his wife has been receiving threatening, nasty anonymous messages. Archy quickly establishes that the messages have most likely been composed on the same word processor as the catnappers' note. As usual, the case grows rapidly and soon two murders occur. It is beneficial for the reader that Archy is a friend of Sergeant Rogoff of the Palm Beach Police Department: this way we can learn a lot of background of the two connected cases. It is Archy, also as usual, who finally untangles the entire mess.
Quite implausible, sure, but a wonderfully uncomplicated and fast read that does not engage the brain. And again (see my review of MacNally's Risk ) I must complement Mr. Sanders for the exquisitely florid and circuitous language that provides reading pleasure enhanced by clever puns and word plays. For instance, one of the main characters in a story is a medium, a psychic advisor, and the author calls her "a very rare medium," which made me giggle for quite some time. She is later called a "very physical spiritualist," which is a tastier while less obvious wordplay.
Archy gets infatuated with another character and the couple manages to consume their mutual passion in a really well-written scene that uses neat metaphors instead of awkward physicalities. Archy is a bit of a dandy which lets the author have fun with the puce beret motif. Cat vomit happens to be another motif. Speaking about motives spelled with a "v", the author manages to create a clever twist concerning the killer's motive, a twist that will ensure the triumph of justice.
I am unable to bring myself to rate a piece of pure entertainment fluff, a weightless literary trifle with four stars, but this installment of McNally series comes as close as it can. Big thumbs up and
Three and a half stars.
Having just read a Supreme Court book followed by a Chandler's noir classic and then by a book about human cadavers, my brain told me to select something purely recreational, a totally thought-free read. So Lawrence Sanders comes to the rescue and the always reliable Archy McNally, the head of discreet enquiries department at McNally & Son, Palm Beach, Florida. And Mr. Sanders delivers! McNally's Luck (1992) has been precisely what I needed - a relaxing read before I tackle the 1939 Irish precursor of post-modern metafiction, At Swim-Two-Birds.
Peaches, the Willigans' feline has been catnapped and the note from the captors indicates that a ransom may be required. Since Mr. Willigan is an important client of McNally & Son, Archy is instructed to locate the missing cat. Soon after that another client wants to hire McNally's help: his wife has been receiving threatening, nasty anonymous messages. Archy quickly establishes that the messages have most likely been composed on the same word processor as the catnappers' note. As usual, the case grows rapidly and soon two murders occur. It is beneficial for the reader that Archy is a friend of Sergeant Rogoff of the Palm Beach Police Department: this way we can learn a lot of background of the two connected cases. It is Archy, also as usual, who finally untangles the entire mess.
Quite implausible, sure, but a wonderfully uncomplicated and fast read that does not engage the brain. And again (see my review of MacNally's Risk ) I must complement Mr. Sanders for the exquisitely florid and circuitous language that provides reading pleasure enhanced by clever puns and word plays. For instance, one of the main characters in a story is a medium, a psychic advisor, and the author calls her "a very rare medium," which made me giggle for quite some time. She is later called a "very physical spiritualist," which is a tastier while less obvious wordplay.
Archy gets infatuated with another character and the couple manages to consume their mutual passion in a really well-written scene that uses neat metaphors instead of awkward physicalities. Archy is a bit of a dandy which lets the author have fun with the puce beret motif. Cat vomit happens to be another motif. Speaking about motives spelled with a "v", the author manages to create a clever twist concerning the killer's motive, a twist that will ensure the triumph of justice.
I am unable to bring myself to rate a piece of pure entertainment fluff, a weightless literary trifle with four stars, but this installment of McNally series comes as close as it can. Big thumbs up and
Three and a half stars.
December 16, 2013
I really like the crime-in-funny-doses by Lawrence Sanders. Inspite of his obvious faults, the bon vivant, witty, and dilettantish Palm Beach detective, Archy McNally can have you rooting for him. He'll wear white tie and tails to Pizza Hut and woo you with his amazing vocabulary - you might want to have a dictionary on hand when reading a McNally (having a smart phone helps).
As with the other books in the series, McNally's Luck is a funny and light read with entertaining characters. It's not a great mystery from the suspense point of view, but if you like McNally, enjoy his humor, and don't mind expanding your word power, you'll enjoy this one too.
As with the other books in the series, McNally's Luck is a funny and light read with entertaining characters. It's not a great mystery from the suspense point of view, but if you like McNally, enjoy his humor, and don't mind expanding your word power, you'll enjoy this one too.
December 23, 2014
"Nutrition nuts are the world's most boring dining companions. They make every bite a guilt trip, which forces me to gorge to prove my disdain for calories. I mean, if God had wanted us to nibble, He wouldn't have created veal cordon bleu" (167).
"But that, I realized, was occupational stereotyping. Most of us are guilty of it.
"For instance, librarians are generally thought to be sexless, dried-up biddies who affect a pince-nez and don rubber gloves before shaking hands with a man. I know from personal experience that this image is totally, totally false. (I wonder what Nancy is doing now?)" (302).
"But that, I realized, was occupational stereotyping. Most of us are guilty of it.
"For instance, librarians are generally thought to be sexless, dried-up biddies who affect a pince-nez and don rubber gloves before shaking hands with a man. I know from personal experience that this image is totally, totally false. (I wonder what Nancy is doing now?)" (302).
August 12, 2012
All of his books are light reads, but fun.
March 12, 2022
Es un libro entretenido... si no te distraen ciertas cosas (como a mi).
Por empezar: no hay riesgos, SIEMPRE hablamos de ir a lo seguro.
¿Un personaje recibe cartas de amenaza explicitas? no va a dar detalles. ¿Un personaje responde "desagradablemente"? (p.139, p.142) no va a dar detalles. ¿Un personaje dice información que, en su momento no parece valiosa, pero que lo sería si el protagonista hubiera prestado atención? Sabemos que hubiese sido importante, pero ni el qué ni el cómo.
¿Podrían estos detalles haber dado pistas al lector o al protagonista sobre el estado mental de la persona detrás del homicidio? no sabemos.
Además, he de confesar que no podía concentrarme en el misterio en sí mismo gracias a las descripciones ofrecidas por el autor:
En este universo ficticio, al parecer existen solo dos tipos de mujeres: las "buenas" y las "malas". El primer grupo se conforma por OBVIAMENTE la madre del protagonista + las mujeres mayores que no le son atractivas pero pueden identificarse como señoras tradicionales + las mujeres que sí le son atractivas (usualmente recatadas y "decentes" pero sensuales, dispuestas a tener una relación abierta aún cuando no quieren). Las mujeres "malas" serían el estereotipo de femme fatale, se saben atractivas y lo usan a su favor, son descaradas y no temen ser vocales/abiertas respecto a su atracción con otros.
Claro que, si una mujer es joven y atractiva, sea buena o mala, vamos a obtener una descripción bastante (demasiado) detallada de su cuerpo, como la forma en que les cuelgan los pechos (y las fantasías del protagonista al respecto; p.149, p.152, por ejemplo).
De los hombres en nuestra historia no sabemos casi nada (físicamente), y podría agregar que hay una complicidad a la hora de no juzgarlos de forma temprana o muy duramente.
Pero, fuera de la grotesca forma de objetificar a las mujeres a su alrededor ¿el personaje tiene alguna otra característica objetable?
Por supuesto que si.
Nuestro querido McNally es un idiota.
Inesperado ¿huh?
Pero ¿a que me refiero? a que toma decisiones estúpidas. Decisiones que, un investigador privado con experiencia (y el hijo de un abogado experimentado) NO TOMARÍAN, y que muchas veces solo resultan a su favor porque el autor así lo desea, ¿ejemplos?: p.162 estas espiando un poco y ves llegar a alguien a la escena del crimen, es la empleada de la casa, así que es una sospechosa ¿no? como está el auto de la policía afuera, te vas porque asumís que la citó el sargento; el personaje es consciente de que se deja guiar por su libido, el problema llega cuando esto obstaculiza tus capacidades de resolver el asesinato de una amiga; revelar detalles nuevos sobre un caso abierto a una desconocida (ej p.68-p.108) de la que no va a sospechar ni por un momento, aún cuando es obvio que ella trabaja con los sospechosos (y esto de revelar datos no pasa solo una vez); (p.178) encuentra la excusa perfecta para visitar veterinarias y hacer preguntas sin levantar demasiadas sospechas, no la aprovecha porque ni se da cuenta; ¿el veterinario no puede dar detalles del estado de salud de un gato paciente? seguramente va a darte la dirección de sus dueños si lo pedís (spoiler: literalmente le da la dirección); tiene información vital para una investigación donde ya hay dos muertes, le hace caso al sargento que lo interrumpe y manda a su casa. Llega a conclusiones randoms que están bien de suerte (p.202), asigna inocencia, culpabilidad, idiotez y otras características a personas incluso antes de darse el tiempo de conocerlas lo suficiente y actúa acorde a estas presunciones, ve comportamientos extraños en conocidos y no se cuestiona nada, y podría seguir, pero tengo mejores cosas que hacer.
El caso era genial, el misterio estaba buenísimo. Una lástima que el protagonista también sea el narrador.
Por empezar: no hay riesgos, SIEMPRE hablamos de ir a lo seguro.
¿Un personaje recibe cartas de amenaza explicitas? no va a dar detalles. ¿Un personaje responde "desagradablemente"? (p.139, p.142) no va a dar detalles. ¿Un personaje dice información que, en su momento no parece valiosa, pero que lo sería si el protagonista hubiera prestado atención? Sabemos que hubiese sido importante, pero ni el qué ni el cómo.
¿Podrían estos detalles haber dado pistas al lector o al protagonista sobre el estado mental de la persona detrás del homicidio? no sabemos.
Además, he de confesar que no podía concentrarme en el misterio en sí mismo gracias a las descripciones ofrecidas por el autor:
En este universo ficticio, al parecer existen solo dos tipos de mujeres: las "buenas" y las "malas". El primer grupo se conforma por OBVIAMENTE la madre del protagonista + las mujeres mayores que no le son atractivas pero pueden identificarse como señoras tradicionales + las mujeres que sí le son atractivas (usualmente recatadas y "decentes" pero sensuales, dispuestas a tener una relación abierta aún cuando no quieren). Las mujeres "malas" serían el estereotipo de femme fatale, se saben atractivas y lo usan a su favor, son descaradas y no temen ser vocales/abiertas respecto a su atracción con otros.
Claro que, si una mujer es joven y atractiva, sea buena o mala, vamos a obtener una descripción bastante (demasiado) detallada de su cuerpo, como la forma en que les cuelgan los pechos (y las fantasías del protagonista al respecto; p.149, p.152, por ejemplo).
De los hombres en nuestra historia no sabemos casi nada (físicamente), y podría agregar que hay una complicidad a la hora de no juzgarlos de forma temprana o muy duramente.
Pero, fuera de la grotesca forma de objetificar a las mujeres a su alrededor ¿el personaje tiene alguna otra característica objetable?
Por supuesto que si.
Nuestro querido McNally es un idiota.
Inesperado ¿huh?
Pero ¿a que me refiero? a que toma decisiones estúpidas. Decisiones que, un investigador privado con experiencia (y el hijo de un abogado experimentado) NO TOMARÍAN, y que muchas veces solo resultan a su favor porque el autor así lo desea, ¿ejemplos?: p.162 estas espiando un poco y ves llegar a alguien a la escena del crimen, es la empleada de la casa, así que es una sospechosa ¿no? como está el auto de la policía afuera, te vas porque asumís que la citó el sargento; el personaje es consciente de que se deja guiar por su libido, el problema llega cuando esto obstaculiza tus capacidades de resolver el asesinato de una amiga; revelar detalles nuevos sobre un caso abierto a una desconocida (ej p.68-p.108) de la que no va a sospechar ni por un momento, aún cuando es obvio que ella trabaja con los sospechosos (y esto de revelar datos no pasa solo una vez); (p.178) encuentra la excusa perfecta para visitar veterinarias y hacer preguntas sin levantar demasiadas sospechas, no la aprovecha porque ni se da cuenta; ¿el veterinario no puede dar detalles del estado de salud de un gato paciente? seguramente va a darte la dirección de sus dueños si lo pedís (spoiler: literalmente le da la dirección); tiene información vital para una investigación donde ya hay dos muertes, le hace caso al sargento que lo interrumpe y manda a su casa. Llega a conclusiones randoms que están bien de suerte (p.202), asigna inocencia, culpabilidad, idiotez y otras características a personas incluso antes de darse el tiempo de conocerlas lo suficiente y actúa acorde a estas presunciones, ve comportamientos extraños en conocidos y no se cuestiona nada, y podría seguir, pero tengo mejores cosas que hacer.
El caso era genial, el misterio estaba buenísimo. Una lástima que el protagonista también sea el narrador.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2023
Plot or Premise
What starts as a cat-napping morphs into poison letters, threats and murder.
What I Liked
There are some decent psychological elements, albeit not well-developed, and a wide cast of characters … a grieving husband vs. a trophy wife who doesn't care about the cat; a poor poet with a rich wife; and a gang of bunko artists ripping people off through astrology. The police partner has a larger role, including saving Archy's life near the end.
What I Didn't Like
The trophy wife and rich husband are complete caricatures with virtually no role in the case(s). They spend time talking about a specific model of word processor as the big clue to see who's involved, and it really doesn't stand up well 30 years later. Add in a woman "done wrong by a man" whom Archy gets to use as a playmate only to find out she's turned lesbian overnight and a showdown that reads like a bad action scene from a '70s TV show, and it isn't that great a read. However, what bothered me most is that there is a GIANT clue that both McNally and his dad miss, it's completely obvious to the reader, and it cracks the case wide open. Yet despite being glaringly obvious. Archy has to re-enact it to explain it to his father and the police detective, both of whom are amazed at his deductive skills. Sigh.
The Bottom Line
Love Archy, but not the best outing in the series
What starts as a cat-napping morphs into poison letters, threats and murder.
What I Liked
There are some decent psychological elements, albeit not well-developed, and a wide cast of characters … a grieving husband vs. a trophy wife who doesn't care about the cat; a poor poet with a rich wife; and a gang of bunko artists ripping people off through astrology. The police partner has a larger role, including saving Archy's life near the end.
What I Didn't Like
The trophy wife and rich husband are complete caricatures with virtually no role in the case(s). They spend time talking about a specific model of word processor as the big clue to see who's involved, and it really doesn't stand up well 30 years later. Add in a woman "done wrong by a man" whom Archy gets to use as a playmate only to find out she's turned lesbian overnight and a showdown that reads like a bad action scene from a '70s TV show, and it isn't that great a read. However, what bothered me most is that there is a GIANT clue that both McNally and his dad miss, it's completely obvious to the reader, and it cracks the case wide open. Yet despite being glaringly obvious. Archy has to re-enact it to explain it to his father and the police detective, both of whom are amazed at his deductive skills. Sigh.
The Bottom Line
Love Archy, but not the best outing in the series
April 18, 2020
Everyone’s favorite bon viveur Archy McNally is back in “McNally's Luck,” the second installment of Lawrence Sanders’ McNally series. Archy is the not so golden child, both semi-disreputable and semi-likable, of a well-to-do lawyerly family. Sadly, he did not quite finish his law studies as he was kicked out of Yale. I greatly enjoyed the playboy-detective main character Archy and his family dynamics.
As before, Archy is working for his lawyer-father in the department of "discreet investigations." In “McNally's Luck,” Archy has two cases to work on: (1) the kidnapping of a client's cat with accompanying ransom letter and (2) threatening letters directed to a client's wife. The plot was nicely crafted and kept me reading. Above all, Sanders has an excellent writing style, a good vocabulary, and there was not an over-reliance on profanity or foul language. His characters were simply well developed, often thought their actions. I know I am late to this series, but they are delightful. If you have never read Sanders and enjoy a nicely crafted mystery, then give Sanders and McNally a try.
As before, Archy is working for his lawyer-father in the department of "discreet investigations." In “McNally's Luck,” Archy has two cases to work on: (1) the kidnapping of a client's cat with accompanying ransom letter and (2) threatening letters directed to a client's wife. The plot was nicely crafted and kept me reading. Above all, Sanders has an excellent writing style, a good vocabulary, and there was not an over-reliance on profanity or foul language. His characters were simply well developed, often thought their actions. I know I am late to this series, but they are delightful. If you have never read Sanders and enjoy a nicely crafted mystery, then give Sanders and McNally a try.
February 10, 2022
I may have read this or one of the series previously. It reminds me of Bertie Wooster, the English series by PG.Wodehouse. Bertie was a ditzy aristocrat with the practical Jeeves as his man servant.
Archy is from Palm Beach, Florida the upper class son of a lawyer. Archy is his assistant and researcher, but he investigates on his own, privately.. He uses big words and is easy going, well dressed, and has several relationships with beautiful women at all times. He loves to eat and his meals are sumptuously described. He lives with his parents, rent free, and has a carefree lifestyle.
The case this time is about poison pal letters written to a woman who eventually was beaten to death in her home. There was also a similar random letter written after the kidnapping of a cat. A psychic is also involved.
Archy is from Palm Beach, Florida the upper class son of a lawyer. Archy is his assistant and researcher, but he investigates on his own, privately.. He uses big words and is easy going, well dressed, and has several relationships with beautiful women at all times. He loves to eat and his meals are sumptuously described. He lives with his parents, rent free, and has a carefree lifestyle.
The case this time is about poison pal letters written to a woman who eventually was beaten to death in her home. There was also a similar random letter written after the kidnapping of a cat. A psychic is also involved.
November 18, 2023
It is my conviction that solemnity is the curse of civilization. Think of all the earnest people who have sacrificed themselves for gods now forgotten or wasted their lives on causes no one remembers. Laughter is our only salvation. Pray with a giggle and mourn with a smile. And if you happen to believe, as I do, that women are nature's noblest work, know ye that long face ne'er won fair lady. Thus endeth the scripture according to St. Archy.
Archy is somehow even hornier in this one, I love a guy who works on self-improvement. He was so perplexed that the lesbians didn't want him around, absolutely hilarious. Not my favourite plot lines, but the world and its muchness is still just as delightful.
Archy is somehow even hornier in this one, I love a guy who works on self-improvement. He was so perplexed that the lesbians didn't want him around, absolutely hilarious. Not my favourite plot lines, but the world and its muchness is still just as delightful.
April 30, 2025
I know only one prolific obscure word bore - Lawrence Sanders. Archie McNally knows several. That's really poor character development. Archie also believes its okay to lie to his girlfriend about who else he's sleeping with and that is just a quirky detail about a guy who supposed to be a nice guy??? Archie is also respectful to women because it's "politically correct." McNally is the most pompous character I have ever read. After finding all that in the first 100 pages, I had to stop reading.
I recall enjoying a couple of Sander's Deadly Sins books and Commandment books in the 1980s. Was I too young to pick up on this language? Was I accostomed to it because it was the politically incorrect (sexist) 1980s? Or did Sanders change just that much?
I recall enjoying a couple of Sander's Deadly Sins books and Commandment books in the 1980s. Was I too young to pick up on this language? Was I accostomed to it because it was the politically incorrect (sexist) 1980s? Or did Sanders change just that much?
February 25, 2018
Archy reminds me of another gumshoe in Rex Stout's books by the same name and with a similar personality. As Archy in Sander's books is tangential to his father's legal business, so Archie in Stout's books is tangential to Nero Wolfe's business. The stories by each author revolve around the activities of these "tangential" employees. Whereas Archy's father in Sander's books is a high-powered, wealthy lawyer, Archie's employer in Stout's books is a reclusive high-powered detective. Both Archy and Archie enjoy women and carousing. Both are humorous, entertaining personalities that "make" the stories fun. "McNally's Luck," like the Stout books, is a perfect mood lifter.
June 29, 2020
When it’s hard to focus on anything this was a good book to read (or maybe re-read, sometimes I’m not sure). written at the dawn of time, 1992, It has so little tech and so much driving around I got dizzy. The murder is never the real focus here, it’s always Archie and his peccadilloes; a wandering eye, weakness for alcohol and sports cars. But father knows best and Archie does just fine unraveling the mystery of a kidnapped cat as well as the required murder. It’s all very tangled up and not every question is answered but it was fun at a time when I really miss browsing old books at the library.
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