Customer Reviews

McNally's Dilemma: (Archy McNally Novels)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

I was initially exhilarated to read that there would be a last novel forthcoming from one of my favorite authors, Lawrence Sanders, and his terrific and entertaining "Discreet Inquiries" sleuth, Archy. The book is actually authored by Vincent Lardo.

This book is a tremendous disappointment. After reading it, I would rather the Archy McNally series was left alone as Lawrence Sanders' legacy to millions of spellbound, laughing readers.

I'm sure that Vincent Lardo found the offer to continue Sanders' very lucrative McNally series more than he could resist. At the same time, though, the writing isn't anywhere near the level of Sanders'. Mr. Sanders' obvious love for the nutty characters that populate McNally novels (and his painstaking descriptions of Archy's culinary feasts and sartorial misdeeds,) isn't anywhere to be found. The endearing personality traits of our hero Archy are gone, along with the man who created them.

If you want a fantastic read, pick up any of the McNally series, but don't bother with this one.

I throughly enjoyed McNally's Dilemma, even if it wasn't written by the great Lawrence Sanders. Maybe it was the fact that I was looking forward to more of Sanders' work since I first read 'The First Deadly Sin', in high school, circa 1973. I do agree that the publisher (G.P Putnam's Sons) should have used Vincent Lardo's name on the cover as one reviewer suggested, with characters created by Lawrence Sanders or similar wording. I did not feel cheated, as I closely read all credits and acknowledgements before I start to read any book anyway. I thought Mr. Lardo captured the free-spirit of Archy beautifully. Like all of the Archy series, it was a fun read. I do hope Putnam publishes more in the series, but give the real author, Vincent Lardo, the credit. Hopefully, there is a final book of Mr. Sanders still waiting to be published! Lawrence Sanders, you will be missed! Buy McNally's Dilemma, it's worth it. Many thanks to Amazon.com, your service is outstanding! Three days after placing my order, McNally's Dilemma was at my doorstep, packaged perfectly, and in mint condition! Hollywood types: cast Ryan Stiles as Archy McNally & Danny Bonaduce as Binky Watrous!

When I bought & read "McNally's Dilemma" (the hard copy version) I didn't even know that Lawrence Sanders hadn't written the story. I snatched it up as past as I could and immediately started reading. Like Julierb, I enjoyed Archy's suave silliness and all the quirky characters in the series' previous books. To that end, I found Vincent Lardo's story much in keeping with Sanders' legacy.

It wasn't until many months after I'd finished "McNally's Dilemma" and then read about Sanders' death that I picked up the book again and noticed Lardo's name on the cover. I am not usually so unobservant so I think it illustrates the point that a hard core McNally fan simply couldn't tell the difference. Maybe if I had known it wasn't written by Lawrence Sanders I might not have enjoyed the story because I knew it wasn't Sanders and I would have felt disloyal somehow.

I think it is the mark of a brave and talented author who can pick up another's characters and turn them into his own. Vincent Lardo will allow the series to grow and evolve while being faithful to the original stories. Everyone has to change and grow - even Archy McNally.

I liked "McNally's Dilemma" so much that I have picked up the latest Sanders/Lardo collaboration "McNally's Folly: An Archy McNally Novel by Vincent Lardo" - in hard copy because I just couldn't wait to read it. I think that shows that Vincent Lardo is succeeding in keeping Archy McNally and Lawrence Sanders alive in the hearts of their fans.

Another good example of a series continued by another author after the original author's death is "Perchance to Dream" started by Raymond Chandler as the sequel to "The Big Sleep" and finished by Robert B. Parker. Chandler was about 4 chapters into it when he died. Parker picked it up after almost 40 years and seamlessly slipped his pen into the story.

Like reviewer Aimeeh, I saw this book prominently displayed inthe bookstore (sorry, Amazon, but as much as I love you, it's a great place to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.) with the familiar Lawrence Sanders byline above the title. I grabbed it with joy. Got home; settled in and, about 30 pages into it began to have a vague, "What the heck happened to Archy?" feeling. Then I noticed the small print mentioning Mr. Lardo and, I assure you, my dis was most thorougly gruntled. Shame on Penguin Putnam and Berkley Publishing Group, and something called "Lawrence Sanders Enterprises, Inc." for this petty rip off. I am sad to learn Mr. Sanders has gone to that great Pelican Club in the sky.

I persevered with the book, perhaps because Archy would have. It turns out, however, that Archy McNally isn't in this book. This Archy has lost his sparkle, his depth, his wisdom and his self-deprecating silliness. Most of the wonderful world that Sanders created for us in South Florida, on Royal Palm Way, at "the manse", and at the Pelican Club is simply gone. Lardo's world is gray and featureless, his characters without depth or charm ... or even much individuality.

The Pelican Club is reduced to an Applebees. He milked that steak-tartare-medium-rare joke to death, and since when does Mr. Pettibone engage in gossip? I missed the repartee with the beautiful Priscilla. Lolly Spindrift becomes just another dishonest reporter. Al Rogoff is rendered charmless and the tug-of-war between him and Archy is gone. The stunning Consuela had neither her usual glow, or her sharp edges. Binky is a cardboard cutout on crutches. Even the grand senior McNally has become featureless and simply boring. They are all gone. And the plot was dumb. I am 200 pages in and I'll take bets that I know who the "Mystery Woman" is. Sanders would never have allowed that.

I could wax eloquent on the demise of this great character and his friends, but, for the nonce, this will have to suffice.

I'm sad, but I must say goodbye. Goodbye, Archy. Goodbye to that wonderful world along the South Florida beach. Goodbye to the Pelican Club, and the fabulous food, and the many grand and silly and horrible characters Lawrence Sanders created for us. And goodbye Mr. Sanders. We'll miss you.

I knew Lawrence Sanders had passed away and expected that Archy McNally had died with him. Needless to say, I was extremely excited when I found McNally's Dilemma penned by Vincent Lardo. From the first chapter you can definitely sense this is not the same Archy McNally. I sensed that Archy McNally had developed a mean streak after his many dealings with the Palm Beach underworld. However after continuing on, we are again exposed to our loved Archy McNally, his enjoyable meals, his eloquent speech,and his constant philandering! True fans of Lawrence Sanders will enjoy the book, especially since many who knew of his death did not expect to ever again join Archy McNally in another adventure.

When I began reading this book, I had no idea that it was not written by Sanders himself. As I read, I grew increasingly more disturbed--familiar characters were using unfamiliar diction, and performing uncharacteristic actions. Preston McNally had been transformed from an honorable man with a weakness for grandeur into a sleazy ambulance chaser. Archy's beloved mother was now fully in the throes of senile dementia. I was so disturbed that I turned to the publication data page to see if anything could explain how such a skilled master of such such contrasting genres as noir fiction (the incomparable Sin series) and the comic satire of the McNally series (extremely difficult to pull off, contrary to what many believe) could produce such a flatfooted failure. I found the answer: he didn't. My advice to all readers: read nothing more produced under the name of Lawrence Sanders. He is not a dress designer; knockoffs are in no way a satisfying as the real thing (not to mention that you don't get a break in price).

I agree with the other reviewers who state that the book cover should show the real author of this book and note that it is based on the McNally character created by Sanders. But that being said, I still found the book both entertaining and enjoyable! I have read all of the McNally books and while you can note some differences with the new author, it is still McNally, the characters we have all grown to love still live on, and the book is still fun! The McNally books were not "great thinkers" but were light, amusing and entertaining and this book follows that tradition. I hope the series continues. Sanders, sadly, is no longer with us but McNally can and should continue.

As a huge fan of the whole McNally series, I was saddened that Lawrence Sanders had passed away and disappointed to discover that another "ghost writer" had written this book based on Sanders' series. However, I think we as fans should be happy that at least we have some semblance of the McNally series continuing on after Sanders' death. To be honest, this new book was almost, but not quite, as entertaining as the previous McNally books. The new author has captured most of Archie's wit and personality and gives us a pretty entertaining read. It was distracting, however, to learn that Archie is suddenly engaged to Connie Garcia, yet there is no mention of a wedding or true commitment to her on Archie's part. I think the author threw the readers a real curve ball with that one, which was really quite inexcusable. But for the most part, I don't see how anyone can be anything other than happy that there will continue to be novels published about our favorite man about town, Archie McNally.

today i learned that lawrence sanders died. i only found out because i was searching to see if he had written any new books. as a very big fan of his books, i am deeply saddened by his death. i'm even more saddened by the publisher's attempt to replace lawrence sanders by having a ghost writer mimic(unsuccessfully)the essense of the archie books. when i first started reading this book, i sensed it was very different from the past books. the archie character had turned from eccentric to wierd. the author's mimicry of colorful words was overdone and was annoying more than it was interesting. i think it is only best to honor lawrence sander's talent by discontinuing any future archie books written by any other authors. no one can ever capture the essense and spirit of the characters in the archie books and i think it best to leave well enough alone. in summary, the new book was predictable, boring, disappointing, and a short read- i read 50 pages and put it away.the two stars was for giving the readers a final romp with archie and the gang.

Sorry, but without Sanders special wit, Arch is too flat... what happened to his pre and post prandrial drinks? - loved those words - his making up with Connie whenever he was bad? - his having to bribe the housekeeper and her husband to get him info? - Vincent you gave it your best shot but this one just doesn't have the cutting edge or drag you into Palm Beach society the way Lawrence used to ...Lawrence's descriptions of Palm Beach and south Florida in general were so good you felt as if you were there, especially for those who are familiar with the local. I'd really hate to see Archy go but it might be time to marry him off on Connie and move him somewhere else and start over where his eccentricities can evolve..