McNally's Gamble

Rating:
Summary: Lawrence Sanders does it again. Another great Archy story.
Review: Lawrence Sanders has a unique ability to convey the lifestyles of the rich to paper in a believeable fashion. His vivid descriptions of meals and wines, with just a hint of snobbery, are superb and have me wishing I were partaking of the victuals along with the characters. The story itself is up to the usual outstanding plot that Sanders (and McNally) fans have come to expect. I've read every one of the McNally series books and always look forward to the next. (The included vocabulary lessons in the stories are a plus). Don't miss reading the series and include this one.

Rating:
Summary: A B-List Jeeves
Review: The late Mr. Sanders owes a great deal to P.G. Wodehouse whose Jeeves stories are the style source for Archie McNally, Palm Beach playboy and scion in a stuffy law office. Sanders enjoys the same deft wordplay and skewed insights that make Jeeves and Bertie such a pleasure to follow. This novel has a colorful set of characters ranging from louche to larcenous and a nimble plot. It even has a Pelicans (read: Drones) Club where, as expected, the staff is brighter than the membership. A fast read and diverting.

Rating:
Summary: A bit pedestrian but still ok.
Review: The trick here is not to emulate Travis McGee who is far too free-wheeling with his sex drives. There is still hope for McNally. Except for his petty weaknesses McNally did ok in this novel. The trick is taking him with a grain of salt. If you can't do that read some other sleuth.