McNally's Chance

Archy McNally #10

by Vincent Lardo, Lawrence Sanders

When bestselling romance author Sabrina Wright asks for Archy McNally's help in finding her missing husband, Archy is quick to write it off as a simple domestic case. But this one's a page-turner of the first order: Sabrina's daughter ran off, she sent her husband to find her, and now they're both missing in action. If only Sabrina hadn't told her adopted daughter that she really is her natural mother. That sent daughter looking for father, a Palm Beach blueblood who paid Sabrina handsomely for his anonymity. So it's up to Archy to find the fugitive family members before local gossips get wind of the story-and start pointing fingers at some of Palm Beach's most prestigious names.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Humor, Adventure

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Joan Schrock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these very light Archy McNally mysterys that are sprinkled with delicious descriptions of food,fashion and upper class digs . No bad language, descriprions of violence etc. The main characters, Archy, his mom,dad,cook,handiman,police detective,girl friend are all usually present . Easy read

[Bill Muganda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Palms Beach Florida gossip has never been so tantalizing, The feel of the waves and the setting of the book was so refreshing. Lawrence Sanders's writing was so fun and rich with a touch of sass, most characters were playful especially Archy McNally , he brought a light wit with his eccentric personality and i freaking loved it.

The mystery aspects of the book was odd to me by the first half of the book, but the author manged to bring it together in funny way, I was obsessed with it. It had me thinking and interested in the out come but in a fun and whimsical way.



The Characters were eccentric to say the least, the main character is always in a colorful attire, fine taste in whine and a very loud convertible car. The book honestly surprised me and really loved it

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I took a chance and looked at the hand I drew. Three kings, a queen, and yrs. truly, the joker."

Archy McNally is a the sleuthing scion of the McNally family in these delightful send-ups of life in the “upstairs/downstairs” world of Palm Beach, Florida. Yes, this is the famous playground of old money that looks down their collective nose at the nouveau riche (including a recently discharged President). There is a dirty little secret behind the McNally wealth and Archy describes it as follows:

"(W)e lead a privileged lifestyle due not to my father’s flourishing law practice but to the man who greased the way to Father’s success—his sire, Freddy McNally. Freddy was a bulb-nosed, pratfalling burlesque comic on the Minsky circuit who worked with such headliners as the exotic dancer Trixie Forganza and Her Little Bag of Tricks. Grandpa Freddy invested not in the stock market but, on his many visits to Florida in the Roaring Twenties, put his money into Gold Coast real estate at a dime an acre. When Wall Street laid that egg, Freddy’s act soared."…The lord of the manor would prefer to have it believed that the McNally dynasty began with him and, based on my expectations, will no doubt end with him."

Archy is not without ambition and drive, but he can shelve it for long periods of time. “The family” invested in an Ivy League education so that he could follow in his father’s footsteps, but when his antics got him kicked out, he had to slink back home and serve his father's needs. He couldn’t be a lawyer but he could be the firm’s dogsbody. It was then he hit his stride as a confidential investigator for the firm’s clients when the firm did not want to be known for doing “whatever it took.”

Vincent Lardo has taken over for Sanders, preserving the “nod and wink” attitude toward Palm Beach society while crafting further perils for Archy’s endeavor. This “case” involves a famous author of “bodice ripper” best sellers who is trying to re-establish her relationship with her daughter, who has possibly run-away with a questionable boyfriend.

All the “regulars” make appearances: Al Rogoff, Binky, Simon Pettibone, and, of course, the beautiful ‘Connie’ Garcia. The mystery isn’t profound but adequate. The plot is the serving tray for plenty of satire and laughs at the characters’ expense.

Definitely (without disparagement) a beach read. 3.5*

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have read too many of these in a row - even though I read other books in between finishing this. I think Lardo is tiring too hard with Archie- Sanders was more of a Palm Beach insider and Lardo sounds like a wannabe!! It was more about fashion, cars and food than mystery - I’ll finish the series, just not very soon.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read with an old fashioned feel to it. Sort of. That's partly because our hero, Archy, evidently doesn't use modern technology such as computers and cell phones.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this story interesting mostly because of what I think it did wrong rather than what it did right. The plot was fairly interesting, dealing with a woman who convinced three different men that they were the father of her child and essentially blackmailed child support out of all three. But the plot was lost in the background trivia and at least 1 silly subplot. The author tried so hard to be cute and funny that he lost sight of the fact that the book was supposed to be a mystery. The murder itself did not happen until near the end of the book and was solved almost immediately. The book was about the murder but not about solving the murder. Which leads to the second problem with the story; it started way too early. Maybe I'm being old-fashioned, but I think the book should have started just before the murder and the sleuth should have found out about the background info while investigating.

One thing I did like about the story, apparently the seeds for the next story have been set up in this one. I like that idea. It makes the transition more seamless and the stories more interconnected.

These stories have been taken over by Mr. Lardo (from Laurence Sanders) much like Goldsborough took over the Nero Wolfe stories. I think they have lost a lot.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Have you ever gone back to your home town, back to the street where you grew up only to find that the beautiful old house where you spent the best years of your childhood is now a meth house? If you have, you know something of the feeling I got from what little bit of this piece of junk I managed to read. I think I only got to about 15% before I had to either stop reading or seek the advice of a mental health professional.

Lawrence Sanders’ McNally books are fun, irrevent, and a perfect way to spend a rainy day. Lardo’s abominations are painfully bad with none of what makes the originals work.

If you have never read a McNally book, stay away from these.

If you are a McNally fan, run away from these!

[Bruce Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too glib Archie

Half of this book spent considerable time convincing the reader that Archie is the same glib guy as in the previous nine books. He's not evolving, and Connie should give him the brand-new if she's really serious about wanting a family life - or is she putting on an act?

The last half of the book gets in with the story, and Archie reaffirms his lack of independence from his parents. But the story gets around to the tension that managed to break through the farcical build-up to the murder. Archie puts on his big boy hat, consults his father for advice, and puts the story together about how and by whom Sabrina was murdered.

Regardless, I enjoyed reading another Archie McNally story. Only three more to go.

[Glenn & · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder mystery with little focus on the actual murder. Well thought-out characters in a Palm Beach Florida community with a private investigator Archy McNally who works for his lawyer father. Good story line leading up to the murder and how it was solved. Almost no violence represented. Light reading and funny at times. A book that doesn't take itself too seriously. A look at how the rich and famous live, including mouth watering descriptions of food.

[Kenneth J Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never a dull moment with Archy

Arch McNally never , never stops being amusing, from his wild assortment of clothing his lavish lifestyle and his never ending pursuit of beautiful women. Fort Lauderdale digs and the rousing adventures into the realm of murder. Auction never ceases and mysteries abound. Great read.
Thanks. KenB

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good; Continuing character: Archy McNally; a famous author enlists McNally to find her husband and daughter, which is quickly accomplished; however, the plot thickens as the daughter attempts to find her birth father - of whom there appear to be multiple candidate - all of whom prefer to remain in the shadows

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Shannon McColgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a struggle to get through. It switches from being written in either 3rd person or as if there is a narrator to being written in 1st person all in a matter of sentences.
The main character speaks as someone who is privileged explaining the higher society life to the reader.
There were too many story lines all trying to lead up to get you to buy the next book in the series.

[J. Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archy McNally dresses with flare and has a bent for fine cuisine. In this book his detective skills are not on display as the plot seems to come to him until the very end of the book. A good read. I will read more of Archy's escapades.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say. I love Archy books. I know it is not Sanders but the setting is familiar and so are the characters. The wit and inner monologue are what I love most. I just wish he kept writing more. Looks like I'm in my final 3 books.

[Sully Augustine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3. stars out of 5 - I re-read a paperback that's been around for many years. A near perfect seashore read - light, fluffy, and witty. The ending was a bit abrupt and even more contrived than the main plot.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT STORYLINE

This book had a great storyline and several interesting characters. The plot had some twists and turns that kept one guessing how it would all turn out. A fun read.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved all of the books that I've read so far in the Archy McNally series. Lawrence Sanders is a terrific and inventive writer. I wish that I could afford to get all of the Archy McNalloy series, but I have to wait until they are lower in cost for a Kindle. I can't spend anything over $3.

[Racquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried very hard to get into the "spirit" of the book and only succeeded in the second half. There was something magical in Lawrence Sander's writing that is missing in the Vincent Lardo ones. Still, because of the humor and likeability of Archie, I gave this book four stars.

[Gabbiadini · Rating 4 out of 5]

another mad cap crime caper in the land of the obscenely rich and famous with a host of grotesque immoral characters for archy mcnally to wade through before he saves the day . great holiday fun read

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archy gets into trouble without knowing who recommened him while trying to stay free from Connie's attempt to get a marriage with him.

[Liz V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new-to-me series, this book is authorized by the estate of the original author. Need to backtrack to the first in the series.

[John Sturges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not part of the original McNally series but still a good read . 3.5 /5.

[Richard Federline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the first time I read but love going back and enjoy it again.

[Phillip III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read 10-20 years ago. Just updating my Goodreads.

[Erin Hennigan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely not my style. Read about 60 pages and could NOT get into this book. I rarely give up on a book but this one was terrible.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent..

[Squeaky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone else had a cell phone in this one, but not our Archy!

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Michele Connelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vincent Lardo did a good job of honoring Lawrence Sander and writing a traditional McNally caper. As with all in the series, it's a nice, easy, enjoyable read.