McNally's Dilemma [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Lawrence Sanders (Author), Vincent Lardo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000

Geoffrey Williams is dead. It sounds like an open-and-shut case for McNally and Son's Department of Discreet Inquiries, and all the widow asks is that Archy shield her daughter from the press. Taking the case Archy soon realizes someone is lying, and the one person who knows the truth got away.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Private investigator Archy McNally has real problems. His friend Melva Williams has confessed to the murder of her husband, Geoffrey, after finding him with another woman. She asks Archy to take care of her daughter, a chore that leaves him in hot water with his fianc?e. Meanwhile, Archy must also find the person who is blackmailing another family friend. While investigating this case, Archy finds clues that link both of these crimes together. Listeners will truly enjoy this whodunit. It is full of twists and turns as well as hilarious dialog. The story is well written and will hold one's interest until the bitter end, leaving you wanting more. Tony Award nominee Boyd Gaines is an extremely gifted reader and does a masterful job interpreting this novel. A wonderful addition for all libraries.ADanna Bell-Russell, Library of Congress
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Lawrence Sanders, one of America's most popular novelists, was the author of more than twenty-two bestsellers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786222468
• ISBN-13: 978-0786222469
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,589,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Close, but no Archy McNally, July 11, 2000

By 

Movie Maven "julierb" (Duvall, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: McNally's Dilemma: (Archy McNally Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Archy's Cake Sans Icing, January 8, 2000

By 

Ed "Ed" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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

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!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't disagree with Julierb more!, July 26, 2000

By 

AKH2001 "akh2001" (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: McNally's Dilemma: (Archy McNally Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.