Rating: 
Summary: Sanders' style is something you can count on . . .
Review: After two false starts with other authors, I needed someone I could bank on to give me a quick suspense-novel fix. But as entertaining as "Puzzle" was, Lawrence Sanders seems pretty much on autopilot with this one, and there was zero suspense in it as far as I am concerned. But I like the Archie McNally formula, and generally enjoyed the book!
Rating: 
Summary: McNally's Puzzle
Review: An Archy McNally novel is always a lot of fun to read. Interesting characters and a strong plot are the 2 strongest elements in all of these novels. Lawrence Sanders was a master of suspense, and "McNally's Puzzle" is one of the best of the series. Hiram Gottschalk, owner of Parrots Unlimited, a parrot store, believes that his life is in danger, and Archy McNally is called in to make his discreet inquiries. When Gottschalk is murdered, Archy continues his investigation. The list of suspects is long: Peter Gottschalk, Hiram's son, who is a manic-depressive; Gottschalk's twin daughters, Judith and Julia; Hiram's housekeeper and lover, Yvonne Chrisling, and her stepson Ricardo, who manages Parrots Unlmited. Binky Watrous plays a big role as he goes undercover at Parrots Unlimited, and Archy gets a canine friend, Hobo. This is an excellent and fun read!
Rating:
Summary: McNally's Puzzle
Review: An Archy McNally novel is always a lot of fun to read. Interesting characters and a strong plot are the 2 strongest elements in all of these novels. Lawrence Sanders was a master of suspense, and "McNally's Puzzle" is one of the best of the series. Hiram Gottschalk, owner of Parrots Unlimited, a parrot store, believes that his life is in danger, and Archy McNally is called in to make his discreet inquiries. When Gottschalk is murdered, Archy continues his investigation. The list of suspects is long: Peter Gottschalk, Hiram's son, who is a manic-depressive; Gottschalk's twin daughters, Judith and Julia; Hiram's housekeeper and lover, Yvonne Chrisling, and her stepson Ricardo, who manages Parrots Unlmited. Binky Watrous plays a big role as he goes undercover at Parrots Unlimited, and Archy gets a canine friend, Hobo. This is an excellent and fun read!
Rating: 
Summary: What an odd story told in an odd way by an odd character...
Review: I am reviewing this from the perspective of having heard it as a book-on-tape.
Archy McNally, the self-proclaimed 'Bon vivant' narrates an odd story that is made all the more odd by his continual need to turn a clever expression - nearly in every sentence! It gets to the point where it is distracting! The characters are pretty two-dimensional. Some seem like they were stolen right out of a high school production of "The Great Gatsby" - stereotypes of what we might suspect the rich and famous might be like. Heck, the only rich guy I liked in the book was killed! (on the other hand, I liked the cop and the dog.)
If it were not for the absolutely great voice work of Boyd Gaines it probably would not have been palatable for me. If I could give a seperate star for voice work,his would be a 5.
Rating:
Summary: substandard, but good comical caper
Review: I say substandard only because Lawrence Sanders' standards are very high. This caper involving the death of a bird shop owner is not terribly intriguing. Too much effort is made to describe gourmet meals, and not enough crime drama is presented in this tale. Silly Binky Watrous gets a girlfriend and a new career entertaining geriatrics, while Archy deals with airhead twins, a pothead son, and a very shady pet shop manager. I found this the most burdensome of several McNally books to read.
Rating:
Summary: substandard, but good comical caper
Review: I say substandard only because Lawrence Sanders' standards are very high. This caper involving the death of a bird shop owner is not terribly intriguing. Too much effort is made to describe gourmet meals, and not enough crime drama is presented in this tale. Silly Binky Watrous gets a girlfriend and a new career entertaining geriatrics, while Archy deals with airhead twins, a pothead son, and a very shady pet shop manager. I found this the most burdensome of several McNally books to read.
Rating: 
Summary: Intreging
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Sanders latest Archie McNally mystery.
Although not quite as good as his previous McNally mysteries he
still was able to weave a spellbinding and factual story. I say not quite as good because, although I never try to solve the mystery,
the answer jumped right out at me. I hope he and the McNally family never run out of tales to tell
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Investigation by Binky Watrous on Archy's Behalf
Review: If you've read the Archy McNally books, you know he has a slightly daft friend who does bird calls, Binky Watrous. In this wonderful installment, Binky goes undercover at a bird store called Parrots Unlimited to find out who is threatening the store's owner, Hiram Gottschalk. Sancho Panza is a motivational consultant compared to Binky, and the complications are hilarious. You'll laugh until it hurts!Before long, bodies are piling up in all directions. Who did it? Here's a clue. The book's cover has a parrot on it. If you pay attention to the parrot, you'll get some important leads on who the guilty parties are. Archy McNally is at his usual prissy best, more concerned about his wardrobe than the mystery. The ladies find him irresistible, and he feels obliged to help out. This gets him into trouble, as usual, with his main squeeze, Connie. The actual plot is full despicable double-dealing. You'll be glad when the bad guys get it. Great fun!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Investigation by Binky Watrous on Archy's Behalf
Review: If you've read the Archy McNally books, you know he has a slightly daft friend who does bird calls, Binky Watrous. In this wonderful installment, Binky goes undercover at a bird store called Parrots Unlimited to find out who is threatening the store's owner, Hiram Gottschalk. Sancho Panza is a motivational consultant compared to Binky, and the complications are hilarious. You'll laugh until it hurts! Before long, bodies are piling up in all directions. Who did it? Here's a clue. The book's cover has a parrot on it. If you pay attention to the parrot, you'll get some important leads on who the guilty parties are. Archy McNally is at his usual prissy best, more concerned about his wardrobe than the mystery. The ladies find him irresistible, and he feels obliged to help out. This gets him into trouble, as usual, with his main squeeze, Connie. The actual plot is full despicable double-dealing. You'll be glad when the bad guys get it. Great fun!
Rating:
Summary: Sanders' style is something you can count on . . .
Review: Lawrence Sanders continues to make Archy McNally one of the best detectives in fiction. I loved this book- the characters are hilarious and the action is entertaining. The pace of the mystery is quick and the clues keep coming. In the end everything comes to a satisfying conclusion, with Archy on top once again. A great Summer read!!
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