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Archy McNally #4
McNally's Caper
In a low-down, high-society caper, sleuth Archie McNally investigates a family that is as mysterious as the House of Usher--and twice as twisted.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
252 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Sanders
160 books373 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 104 reviews
July 5, 2021
Wonderful!
Once again, Archie is putting his investigation skills to work, when he’s on the lookout to discover who’s stealing priceless relics from the Forsythes.
As usual, his libido is more active than his brain.
Once again, Archie is putting his investigation skills to work, when he’s on the lookout to discover who’s stealing priceless relics from the Forsythes.
As usual, his libido is more active than his brain.
September 24, 2014
One of the greatest joys of reading is when you pick up a book that you have no idea who the author is and have no idea what the story is about. That was the circumstance here when I picked up this book off the shelf at a thrift store for less than a dollar and started to read. This book is a mystery, but includes the gift of having a very funny and clever author. The plot is a fairly typical whodunnit out of a group of many potentially guilty parties. But the imaginative behavior and the clever dialogue made this book fun and special. I will look for more of Lawrence Sanders titles.
March 13, 2023
Archy McNally, Palm Beach’s most fashionable and erudite “discreet investigator,” is at it again in this fourth installment of Lawrence Sanders’s very entertaining series. When the McNally law firm’s client Griswold Forsythe II suspects someone in his large household of stealing a number of valuable items from him, Archy goes undercover to try to identify the thief. He tells Forsythe’s family members and household staff that he’s been employed to catalog the books in Forsythe’s large library.
Although Archy’s sometime girlfriend, Connie Garcia, had described the Forsythes as “dull, dull, dull,” Archy soon finds them all turning out to be “actors in an amateur production of Animal Crackers.” Unfortunately, one of these eccentric characters had apparently “adopted stealing as a hobby.” Not only have some of the father’s valuables gone missing, but daughter Geraldine also confides to Archy that some of her jewelry has disappeared.
Things take a more ominous tone when daughter-in-law Sylvia is almost strangled to death. Again, it appears from the circumstances that the perpetrator could only be someone in the household. And he or she strikes another family member a few days later, but this time the result is murder.
There is no shortage of suspects—including the women in the household—in what is now a robbery and homicide investigation. But Archy being Archy, he doesn’t let that get in the way of enjoying himself with more than one of the women. As he acknowledges, “A man would be a fool to become involved with a woman like that. I’m a fool.” He claims he wants to be faithful to Connie, “but fate conspires against me; I am constantly offered opportunities to betray her trust and I did not have a resolve strong enough to resist.” He recalls a Mickey Rooney line from an Andy Hardy movie: “Why should I marry and make one woman miserable when I can stay single and make so many women happy?”
Despite his unorthodox methods, Archy manages to solve the case. But he’s honest with himself when he evaluates his success: “No, it was not sharp intelligence, reason, and logic that enabled me to discover what the dotty old Forsythes were up to. If the truth be told—and I must tell it—the only reason I have achieved a modicum of success in my discreet inquiries is that I am just as loopy as the miscreants I investigate. There’s an affinity, no doubt about it. I think, feel, and act as they do.”
And that’s what makes Archy such a great character, and what makes McNally’s Caper, like the rest of the books in the series, such a fun book to read.
Although Archy’s sometime girlfriend, Connie Garcia, had described the Forsythes as “dull, dull, dull,” Archy soon finds them all turning out to be “actors in an amateur production of Animal Crackers.” Unfortunately, one of these eccentric characters had apparently “adopted stealing as a hobby.” Not only have some of the father’s valuables gone missing, but daughter Geraldine also confides to Archy that some of her jewelry has disappeared.
Things take a more ominous tone when daughter-in-law Sylvia is almost strangled to death. Again, it appears from the circumstances that the perpetrator could only be someone in the household. And he or she strikes another family member a few days later, but this time the result is murder.
There is no shortage of suspects—including the women in the household—in what is now a robbery and homicide investigation. But Archy being Archy, he doesn’t let that get in the way of enjoying himself with more than one of the women. As he acknowledges, “A man would be a fool to become involved with a woman like that. I’m a fool.” He claims he wants to be faithful to Connie, “but fate conspires against me; I am constantly offered opportunities to betray her trust and I did not have a resolve strong enough to resist.” He recalls a Mickey Rooney line from an Andy Hardy movie: “Why should I marry and make one woman miserable when I can stay single and make so many women happy?”
Despite his unorthodox methods, Archy manages to solve the case. But he’s honest with himself when he evaluates his success: “No, it was not sharp intelligence, reason, and logic that enabled me to discover what the dotty old Forsythes were up to. If the truth be told—and I must tell it—the only reason I have achieved a modicum of success in my discreet inquiries is that I am just as loopy as the miscreants I investigate. There’s an affinity, no doubt about it. I think, feel, and act as they do.”
And that’s what makes Archy such a great character, and what makes McNally’s Caper, like the rest of the books in the series, such a fun book to read.
December 3, 2024
Right now, I cannot imagine a McNally book that isn’t five stars. Every one has led me down Google rabbit holes when I look up one of his references. I am low-key so in love with Archy McNally.
In real life, by the way, I could never love this man. He is in his thirties and lives with his parents. He cannot commit to one woman. However, he is an amazing character! Give me more Archy! I love the advanced vocabulary he uses. I love his crazy wardrobe! I have an iTunes playlist of the songs he references. I cannot get enough.
This particular mystery case involves a wealthy family and their crazy issues. Archy must figure out who is responsible for the murder of the patriarch. Good luck! Getting to the answer is a wild ride! And I enjoyed every mile of the ride.
No surprise there.
In real life, by the way, I could never love this man. He is in his thirties and lives with his parents. He cannot commit to one woman. However, he is an amazing character! Give me more Archy! I love the advanced vocabulary he uses. I love his crazy wardrobe! I have an iTunes playlist of the songs he references. I cannot get enough.
This particular mystery case involves a wealthy family and their crazy issues. Archy must figure out who is responsible for the murder of the patriarch. Good luck! Getting to the answer is a wild ride! And I enjoyed every mile of the ride.
No surprise there.
November 2, 2019
There's a hotel I stay at in Victoria, British Columbia. They have a laundry room for guests to use - washers and dryers for $2 each. There's a bookshelf in the laundry room for guests to use. It works on an honor system of sorts - you can take a book if you leave a book. I was staying there recently and had finished the book that I took along. I brought it down to the bookshelf in the laundry area. Sanders' McNally's Caper was on the shelf. I chose this book because there were no other books I was interested in. I've never read any of the McNally books so I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into. I'm glad that I chose this book. It was a delightful surprise. I love when surprises like this happen. I love the humor in it. I'll be reading more McNally books.
November 13, 2009
Archy McNally rocks! I love the way this series has been written - the wit is super and the language pretty darn good.
March 1, 2020
I was passed this book by a friend. Unfortunately great friends don’t necessarily mean great books.
It certainly was a jumble of a mystery, light hearted and very cheesy vocabulary.
Maybe this character is loved by many because of his gratuitous descriptions of his wardrobe choices but with Archy selecting which hat he was going to don, I’d nearly nodded of with the plot.
I can’t see the appeal of this series personally. He plays dumb, dresses loudly and lives in one of my favourite places Palm Beach in Florida - that got my attention BUT Archy McNally was a little slow in this who did it caper.. some bad soap opera scenes and scattered humor throughout.
Sorry not my cup of tea.
It certainly was a jumble of a mystery, light hearted and very cheesy vocabulary.
Maybe this character is loved by many because of his gratuitous descriptions of his wardrobe choices but with Archy selecting which hat he was going to don, I’d nearly nodded of with the plot.
I can’t see the appeal of this series personally. He plays dumb, dresses loudly and lives in one of my favourite places Palm Beach in Florida - that got my attention BUT Archy McNally was a little slow in this who did it caper.. some bad soap opera scenes and scattered humor throughout.
Sorry not my cup of tea.
February 3, 2020
Wonderful!
The Archy McNally series is full of suspense and mystery. The books are also full of great humor and fun. For a wonderful time, spend some time with these books!
The Archy McNally series is full of suspense and mystery. The books are also full of great humor and fun. For a wonderful time, spend some time with these books!
October 30, 2018
Typically McNally book. Funny, fun, and just plain good. Looking forward to the next in the series!
April 19, 2013
I listened to "McNally's Caper", read by Adam Henderson and laughed my way through the who-done-it! Yes, it is silly, fun and enjoyable. I've read many of Lawrence Sanders' novels and enjoyed them at different degrees. The narrator in this caper brought personalities into colorful life. I didn't figure out the villain as quite a few of the could-have-done-it were high on my list. I got lost in their wickedness as equally in the suave, sex driven sleuth Archy McNally. Will look for more on audio of this series. Hopefully by the same delightful storyteller, Mr. Henderson.
July 6, 2016
My second Archy McNally book and another enjoyable one. Archy investigates the theft of items at the Forsythe manse in his usual breezy style, becomes involved its odd collection of inhabitants (one of them an insatiable woman) and solves a murder and the thefts. All good fun.
October 16, 2016
The writing feels effortless and light as a feather. I love the way Sanders writes,like a modern day Wodehouse.The caper of the title is a routine affair but the prose and the characterization make it a great fun read.
January 7, 2008
I adore all of the McNally books that were written by Lawrence Sanders. I believe I almost own all of them and I re-read them every year!
January 7, 2010
Amateur sleuth Archie McNally loose again in Palm Beach
January 26, 2010
I learned AGAIN that Lawrence Sanders is one of my favorite authors. His Archy character is great. Wit and turn of phrase keeps the reader smiling. Sounds like someone you could actually know.
February 4, 2011
Great read to escape into another time and place. Humorous and philosophical look at class structure, what money creates and relationships.
April 26, 2013
Enjoyable quick read. Great prose with a fantastic vocabulary.
September 14, 2016
Not up to the standards of the rest of the series, Archie seems a bit slow in solving the crimes, maybe if He did not sleep with every female in the book, He would do better. The plot was weak too.
July 25, 2018
What a guy
Another Sanders masterpiece. He writes so fluidly,so tongue in cheek,birCh belly series is a joy to read.On to my next one.
Another Sanders masterpiece. He writes so fluidly,so tongue in cheek,birCh belly series is a joy to read.On to my next one.
June 28, 2020
Sometimes a book feels like a guilty pleasure.
February 23, 2019
"As the French say, when there's no alternative a man must sleep with his wife."
McNally's Caper (1994) is the fourth out of seven installments in Lawrence Sanders' series starring Archy McNally, "the chief (and sole member) of the Discreet Inquiries Department of McNally & Son," a law firm that represents prestigious - and rich - clients in Palm Beach, Florida. This is the sixth McNally novel that I have read and while I have been frequently disappointed by Mr. Sanders' other novels this series always delivers. Not in terms of plot, about which I don't much care, but because of the wonderfully ornate language that never fails to amuse me.
We meet Archy - who has just successfully solved a case of thefts in a jewelry store - as he accepts a new discreet inquiry task from his father, the head of the law firm. Mr. Forsythe, a client of the firm, suspects that someone in his family or maybe a staff member is a thief: several items of value have recently disappeared from his home, including a Picasso lithograph and a first edition Edgar Allan Poe. Archy commences the investigation in the guise of cataloguing books in the library of the Forsythe mansion.
Very soon Archy learns that the Forsythes, despite reputation of being dull, are in fact "a fascinating and perplexing family of crotchety individuals." There is a strangulation attempt, naked pictures of household staff and a family member emerge, blackmail is suspected. Not only does Archy have his hands full with the investigation but also, as expected, he gets involved in affairs of the flesh with one of the Forsythe women. The scenes of amorous conquests and sexually charged asides are - as usual for McNally series - tactfully written and funny:
I am happy with the light, breezy, often whimsical prose with clever puns and word plays. How not to like phrases like "Seductio Ad Absurdum" or the "that's offal" pun? The novel is a total trifle, guaranteed to be forgotten in a day or two, but I had some fun while reading. A marginal recommendation, and - maybe because I like Archy or maybe for no reason at all - I am rounding the number of stars up.
Two-and-a-half-stars.
McNally's Caper (1994) is the fourth out of seven installments in Lawrence Sanders' series starring Archy McNally, "the chief (and sole member) of the Discreet Inquiries Department of McNally & Son," a law firm that represents prestigious - and rich - clients in Palm Beach, Florida. This is the sixth McNally novel that I have read and while I have been frequently disappointed by Mr. Sanders' other novels this series always delivers. Not in terms of plot, about which I don't much care, but because of the wonderfully ornate language that never fails to amuse me.
We meet Archy - who has just successfully solved a case of thefts in a jewelry store - as he accepts a new discreet inquiry task from his father, the head of the law firm. Mr. Forsythe, a client of the firm, suspects that someone in his family or maybe a staff member is a thief: several items of value have recently disappeared from his home, including a Picasso lithograph and a first edition Edgar Allan Poe. Archy commences the investigation in the guise of cataloguing books in the library of the Forsythe mansion.
Very soon Archy learns that the Forsythes, despite reputation of being dull, are in fact "a fascinating and perplexing family of crotchety individuals." There is a strangulation attempt, naked pictures of household staff and a family member emerge, blackmail is suspected. Not only does Archy have his hands full with the investigation but also, as expected, he gets involved in affairs of the flesh with one of the Forsythe women. The scenes of amorous conquests and sexually charged asides are - as usual for McNally series - tactfully written and funny:
"A woman, perched high on the wheeled ladder, was reaching up to select a volume from the top shelf. She was wearing an extremely short denim skirt.The atmosphere momentarily darkens when the obligatory murder occurs. Archy works hand-in-hand with the police and, obviously, manages to be instrumental in solving the case and in making sure that the guilty parties will face the consequences.
Her position in this literary setting forced me to recall Browning's apt observation: 'Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?'"
I am happy with the light, breezy, often whimsical prose with clever puns and word plays. How not to like phrases like "Seductio Ad Absurdum" or the "that's offal" pun? The novel is a total trifle, guaranteed to be forgotten in a day or two, but I had some fun while reading. A marginal recommendation, and - maybe because I like Archy or maybe for no reason at all - I am rounding the number of stars up.
Two-and-a-half-stars.
December 29, 2019
Easily the most formulaic of the McNally series so far.
Watch McNally indulge a bunch of rich food and spirits. Watch McNally judge the morals and etiquette of the wealthy client he is investigating while projecting his old-young-implacable decade man charm. Watch McNally fuck a bunch of thirsty, hot privileged women in the most formal purple prose. Watch McNally give you a cringy dad joke play by play of his banal journaling, seaside workout, cocktail hour and nightly smoke with a side of boozy jazz routine until the book is finally over.
Even the ending is literally a half ass turnout. I really hope the next one is willing to be a little less rushed telling style composition and more meaty, funny, charming adventure that I remember from early on in the series.
Watch McNally indulge a bunch of rich food and spirits. Watch McNally judge the morals and etiquette of the wealthy client he is investigating while projecting his old-young-implacable decade man charm. Watch McNally fuck a bunch of thirsty, hot privileged women in the most formal purple prose. Watch McNally give you a cringy dad joke play by play of his banal journaling, seaside workout, cocktail hour and nightly smoke with a side of boozy jazz routine until the book is finally over.
Even the ending is literally a half ass turnout. I really hope the next one is willing to be a little less rushed telling style composition and more meaty, funny, charming adventure that I remember from early on in the series.
November 16, 2017
Archy McNally works as an investigator in his father's law office. The firm's clients often need help, and in this book he is looking into thefts of valuables. As is always the case, this evolves into a much more complicated situation involving a murder. And, as usual, Archy remains very interested in women despite his relationship with his "steady" Connie.
This is the fourth book I've read in this series by Lawrence Sanders, and I've enjoyed all of them. I like to read investigator-type stories, but Archy's upper-class upbringing and vocabulary and humor are very different and very entertaining.
This is the fourth book I've read in this series by Lawrence Sanders, and I've enjoyed all of them. I like to read investigator-type stories, but Archy's upper-class upbringing and vocabulary and humor are very different and very entertaining.
July 20, 2018
I don't really like mysteries much. They pass the time and good ones make you want to keep reading to find out the ending, but for me, so often, I don't find the endings satisfying. I picked this up in the take-a-book/leave-a-book section of a campground rec center, because the blurb on the jacket made it seem like it might be something like a cross between authors Rex Stout and Carl Hiaasen. Well, it *is* set in Florida and the characters are kind of wacky, but not Hiaasen-level wacky. And I didn't particularly care for the "detective", and the ending seemed arbitrary, and I didn't really care who did it.
December 26, 2023
The author sent me to the dictionary several times to look up words. Other than the thumbing through the dictionary I found the novel very entertaining. The author mentioned that his main character was proud of his education and had a word for that. Of course, I have forgotten the word but will perhaps remember it if I see it again.
The novel describes a rich, reclusive family in which the patriarch is murdered. As I think back the murder mystery is kind of predictable. But, the sexy, snide, tongue in cheek point of view of the detective kept me entertained and turning pages.
If you would like your vocabulary stretched and your mind entertained, you might pick this one up.
The novel describes a rich, reclusive family in which the patriarch is murdered. As I think back the murder mystery is kind of predictable. But, the sexy, snide, tongue in cheek point of view of the detective kept me entertained and turning pages.
If you would like your vocabulary stretched and your mind entertained, you might pick this one up.
February 11, 2024
This is the second book I've read from Lawrence Sanders. I enjoy his writing style, mysteries, and outlandish vocabulary.
The main character, Archy, is someone I love and hate at the same time. I love his sense of humor but hate the way he leads poor Connie Garcia on. Quite honestly, Archy seems like a major dork.
I did notice that when Archy had his picnic with Lucy, he first described the pizza as half cheese and half pepperoni. Then somehow it magically changed to sausage. That detail bothered me. I guess I'm as dorky as Archy.
The main character, Archy, is someone I love and hate at the same time. I love his sense of humor but hate the way he leads poor Connie Garcia on. Quite honestly, Archy seems like a major dork.
I did notice that when Archy had his picnic with Lucy, he first described the pizza as half cheese and half pepperoni. Then somehow it magically changed to sausage. That detail bothered me. I guess I'm as dorky as Archy.
January 2, 2021
The McNally series by Lawrence Sanders is light and sometimes funny reading. You will see words that aren’t commonly used, because one of Archy McNally’s characteristics is a highbrow vocabulary. This book was three stars for me because the up and down relationship with Archy and his lady friend, Connie Garcia, got dull. Sanders also kept referring to married women in the book as “Mrs. Constance” or “Mrs. Sylvia”. Using their first names would have been fine. The Palm Beach setting is a plus.
October 5, 2024
In some ways, Archie McNally is like Stone Barrington. Both went to law school, both investigate murders and unsavory characters. Both like the ladies, perhaps a little too much. While Stone is a better dresser, Archie is so much more learned, erudite and sarcastic -- which makes him so much more entertaining.
In CAPER, Archie is asked by his father to investigate a string of thefts at the home of a client. Things soon devolve from larceny to murder.
In CAPER, Archie is asked by his father to investigate a string of thefts at the home of a client. Things soon devolve from larceny to murder.
December 10, 2018
What a treat, just finished re-reading this more than 20 years after the first time! Still just as good, ya gotta love Archie. A delightful spoof on posh old Palm Beach, no one does it better than Lawrence Sanders. Since I now live in Florida I think I enjoyed this even more the second time around. Guess now I’ll have to re-read the rest of the series!!❤️💕
January 24, 2021
A good mystery for sure. Archy Mcnally never fails to entertain.
A good, easy read. Enjoyed the yarn and learned many new words ( thank goodness for the kindle feature of Dictionary. 😂). If you like a character full of life and it's roboust living you will enjoy Archy Mcnally.
A good, easy read. Enjoyed the yarn and learned many new words ( thank goodness for the kindle feature of Dictionary. 😂). If you like a character full of life and it's roboust living you will enjoy Archy Mcnally.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews