McNally's Dare (Archy McNally) [Unabridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Lawrence Sanders (Author), Richard M. Davidson (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2003

The Tennis Everyone! fundraiser is one of Palm Beach's most coveted events. The food is fabulous, the guests are well-heeled, adn the oceanfront setting is pure bliss. This year everyone is gossiping about Lance Talbot. Just in from Switzerland, Lance has inherited a huge fortune from his grandmother. When a young waiter is murdered, and Archy makes discrete inquiries into the crime, he's soon wondering why Lance's name keeps popping up.

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Recorded Books; Unabridged edition (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402559267
• ISBN-13: 978-1402559266
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,286,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read, July 22, 2003

By 

nobizinfla "nobizinfla" (Windermere, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McNally's Dare (Hardcover)

"McHally's Dare" by Vincent Lardo is yet another pleasant romp amongst the rich and infamous on the island of Palm Beach by Discrete Inquirer Archy McNally.

The twelfth installment contains a more complex plot as Archy attempts to solve a murder and determine if an apparent heir to a fortune is an imposter, all the while lunching in fashionable bistros and attending parties and benefits.

The eclectic supporting cast is terrific as usual...lending color, intrigue, witty dialog and interesting sidebars.

Archy has no shortage of suspects and eventually brings the truth to light...but not before a couple of reversals, amusing detours and romantic interludes.

"McNally's Dare" is not hard boiled noir...rather a mystery in the wry...easy to enjoy...a weekend diversion...a book for the beach...a guilty pleasure.

Big time fun!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nailed It!, September 1, 2003

By 

john j. hunter (devon, pa United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McNally's Dare (Hardcover)

Vince really nailed it with Dare! Writing, plots, and character exposure were right on the money. Unlike some of the earlier efforts, there were no dead spots in this story.

The other reviewers have done a good job in describing the overall plot, so I won't waste your time with more of the same. Having read all of the MaNally series, I'd say this one ranks among the best. All of the usual characters are there, and are given enough exposure that you don't tire of them. I'd like to see Bunky disappear, since he's become more annoying than fun.

The Archy character is more hard edged, and some readers may not like the way he treats people in this story. I've always enjoyed Archy and his dad's chats in the home study, and these did not disappoint. I've also enjoyed Archy's late-evening reflections in his third-floor apartment, and was disappointed that in this story they lacked detail.

The story has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, but some the clues were so obvious that I thought they were intentional curves. They weren't! As a result, the ending was a bit of a letdown, but that doesn't distract from a very good book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and human, July 20, 2003

By 

booksforabuck "BooksForABuck" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: McNally's Dare (Hardcover)

When a waiter is found dead in the swimming pool during a millionaire-intense tennis fund raiser, Archie McNally, all-around investigator to the rich and snobby, is called into action. Clients come quickly and Archie isn't too proud to take them all. But does everyone really want him to find the killer, or is someone hiding a deadly secret?

Archie moves through Palm Beach society, sipping martinis with muckraking authors, exchanging bon-mots with billionaires, and dating beautiful Georgia while still lusting after the lost Connie. Archie making a charming character. He is fixated with his own appearance, sexist to the extreme, frequently contemptuous of those around him (especially of Binky who returns Archie's scorn with love and disloyalty), yet manages to stay sympathetic. Author Vincent Lardo humanizes Archie in McNALLY'S DARE by making Georgia feisty, by a cute scene when Archie's trunks are too large for hunky billionaire Lance Talbot, and by reminding the reader that Archie does still live with his parents.

Those seeking a quick-witted private investigator with an attitude, a way with women (if not quite as much so as he would like to believe) and a clever setting amongst the billionaires of Palm Beach will definitely want to pick up the latest in the McNally series.