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McNally's Dilemma

McNally's Dilemma

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.19
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Well Done Vincent Lardo!
Review: I put off reading this book for a long time because I felt that by putting Lawrence Sanders name on the cover (Hard Cover Edition) and not Vincent Lardo's name that the publisher was not being completely honest. I finally did read it and was rewarded with a very well written Arhcy McNally story. I look forward to reading more form Mr. Lardo.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not the best, but good.
Review: Archie McNally, once again, finds himself in the thick of things in Palm Beach. A beautiful woman, a murder, and a whole lot of money are the usual fair. The twists in this book are not as twisty as other McNally stories, and this one is unusually predictable. Even so, it is a fun trip into a world few of us know intimately.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Archy has seen better days
Review: I tried to ignore the fact that Lawrence Sanders didn't write this book, but couldn't. Something was missing. This episode in the McNally series has a little more of the conventional mystery element to it, but regretfully less of the Archy characteristic flair. If you want a decent mystery, you will probably like this book, but if you are looking for more of the "Archy, have you been behaving yourself?", "No, have you?", "Of course not," humor, several of the previous books in the series are much better, my favorites being McNally's Luck and McNally's Puzzle.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: It's Archie, Re-incarnated!
Review: Lawrence Sanders he ain't, but Vincent Lardo has kept Archie McNally, Connie Garcia and Lolly Spindrift alive. The book doesn't have the Sanders crispness. It's like seeing Archie and his view of the world through tissue paper; he's in there somewhere, without some of his color.

Lardo's sense of humor isn't Sanders' either. It just lacks that tone and color that only Lawrence Sanders had.

OK, Mr. Lardo, it's an acceptable substitute. Keep 'em coming. I love Archie and can't wait to read the next one!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: mcnally's Dilemma
Review: I am a new reader to Mr. Sanders and loved all the Mcnally series! Alas Mcnally's Dilemma was a great disappointment. Not only was the trivia portion overplayed, but some were not accurate!! Too much was wasted on trivia and the clothes worn by the characters. It was a poor substitute for the real thing!!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Close. No cigar (or even an English Oval.)
Review: 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.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: fun but no Sanders...
Review: Though the characters from the Sanders series exist in this book, they are in no way as entertaining as those written by Sanders himself. Unfortunately, Lardo, by continuing the McNally legacy, is forced into a bind. That is, he is forced to imitate a "Sander-esque" style, a prose that I find smooth and witty - an Elmore Leonard with a little more panache. Lardo falls a bit short and some of his attempts produced a grimace rather than a smile.

This novel fits well in a carry on and will provide some distraction on a long flight or drive... much like a Time magazine from a few months ago.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: McNally's lost his wit
Review: 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..

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: "One does not attempt to copy Sander's.......Do One...!"
Review: Plz....Vincent..you have butchered the McNally's...even Hobo! .....there is no style, charm, nor remote link to Archy' panache'.... Readers beware....this is in no way close as to what you might desire from L. Sanders.....

This gentleman (current author) is not a part of our, "PBR"....his copy attempt is a, "PBF:...poor.

Tis a sad day,....our McNally friends (even Hobo), have passed with their master....Rest in Peace.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Missed It By That Much
Review: Vincent Lardo tried, but he couldn't do it. Archie's wit and sartorial splendor, his father's dry personality, the atmosphere at the Pelican Club were sorta there, but everything was out of focus. I have enjoyed Lawrence Sanders for years, from the Deadly Sin and Commandment books through the McNally series, but I believe I have bought my last one.


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