McNally's Dilemma

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't disagree with Julierb more!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: NOT QUITE SAUNDERS
Review: I bought this book not knowing that Saunders had died however felt something lacking as I went along. So looked it up with Amazon and now I know what is wrong with the wonderful "Archy". He is not as funny and flamboyant as in the past -- ok but no cigar! Haven't finished the book yet but find no mention of the fact that Archy is beautifully attired except no sox. For some reason I found that amusing. Maybe as I hate to wear sox myself and don't once the weather goes about 55 degrees. Also his Father is not quite as crusty and mother is not so ditsy. Maybe our new author will reread some of the past books and pick up more of Archy's funny ways.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: I too, am distressed to learn of Mr. Sander's death. I have read most of the Archy McNally series, and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. This who-done-it keeps the reader engaged and guessing. Archy is a colorful character and I enjoy his style of relaxed and creative sleuthing. Other charcters are also descript and engaging: The gruff but soft Seargent Al Rogoff, Archy's pal, bumbling Binky Watrous, the proper and stuffy Prescott McNally, esq., the deceptively beautiful Veronica Manning and The outrageously wealthy Mr. and Mrs. Fairhurst, to name a few. As the sole propieter of "Discreet Inquiries", Archy investigates two concurrent cases in high society Palm Beach---blackmail and murder. Dilemas abound! A page turner!

Rating:
Summary: Not the real Archy
Review: While the plotting of the latest edition of Archy's adventures closely matches the previous novels, I knew well before reading the jacket cover that Lawrence Sanders was not the writer. True, I should have looked at the jacket cover first; however, I would have read it anyway. I always anticipate the latest McNally book.

The Archy in this novel isn't nearly as charming or endearing as in previous ones. He often boarders on being uncivil, and, even when dealing with the lowest of skum, this isn't something Sanders' Archy would ever do. The dialogue between the various characters isn't nearly as snappy as Mr. Sanders' writing. In addition, the way the ghost writer characterizes Archy's father and household staff don't really bear much in common with Sanders' creations.

Good book, though, despite all of the above. The plotting certainly equals previous McNally books. I just miss the light touch that Lawrence Sanders brought to the extremely likable Archy McNally.

Rating:
Summary: Archie is alive and well!
Review: If a person lives on paper - he is Archie McNally. Yes, there are some subtle differences between the "Vincent Lardo" Archie and the lovable Archie described by Mr. Sanders, however, the persona lives on. I'll be entertained by Archie in any form and hope there are more series to follow. "One never knows, do one?" (P.S. To Mr. Lardo - I missed hearing Archie recite the aforementioned quote in "McNally's Dilemma".)

Rating:
Summary: It's not that bad
Review: This book is a little off, as others have noted, but is still a worthy effort. I was amazed to find Archy seriously pondering the ultimate commitment of Holy Matrimony. mmm, I don't think so..not unless Connie is willing to move into the 3rd floor with him! Like other folks, I did guess the killer very early. My love for Archy is so great and boundless that I will continue to follow his adventures, but Lawrence, we miss ya very much.

Rating:
Summary: A Cheap Imitation of the Real Thing
Review: 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).

Rating:
Summary: Not Lawrence Sanders, but still enjoyable ...
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: PLEASE MR. LARDO KEEP WRITING THESE BOOKS!
Review: I HAVE READ EVERY BOOK I COULD EVER GET MY HANDS ON BY LAWRENCESANDERS. I WAS DEVASTED WHEN HE DIED. TO MY SURPRISE, WHEN READING"CONSUMER REPORTS MAGAZINE" ONE DAY, I FOUND OUT THATMR. LARDO HAD "GHOST-WRITTEN" ANOTHER ARCHIE MC NALLY BOOK. I HAD TO READ IT! I BOUGHT IT RIGHT HERE FROM AMAZON. I HAD READ MANY OF THE READER REVIEWS FIRST, AND ALTHOUGH SOME WERE NOT FLATTERING, IT COULD NOT STOP MY CUROSITY! WELL, FOLKS, YOU MUST READ IT! IF I HAD NOT KNOWN THAT MR. SANDERS HAD PASSED AWAY, I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT IT WAS NOT THE "REAL MC COY"! I AM QUITE SINCERE WHEN I SAY, "PLEASE MR. LARDO, DO NOT LET ARCHIE MC NALLY GO AWAY!"

Rating:
Summary: It's still McNally
Review: 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.