McNally's Chance

Rating:
Summary: Vincent Lardo is Getting into the Groove with Archie!
Review: Bought the book and read it cover to cover in one sitting! I had mixed feelings that the Archie McNally series was taking a turn for the worse after reading the last Vincent Lardo book but he's getting more into the character. I can't give it five stars but four is hi praise from this avid series admirer.

Rating:
Summary: Another Winner
Review: I had loved the McNALLY books when their creator, Lawrence Sanders, died. Vincent Lardo, who took over this series at the behest of the Sanders' estate, has done the impossible. He has inhabited another author's characters without a missed beat.

The new, Lardo-penned McNALLY books are every bit as good as the Sanders originals, and that's saying a lot.

McNALLY'S CHANCE is another face-paced, gripping romp, set in Palm Beach among the beau monde. Reading it is as good as week's vacation in Florida.

Rating:
Summary: McNally's Meaner
Review: I have enjoyed Mr. Lardo's continuation of the McNally series. This one did not let me down either. The sub-plot of Binky moving into a trailer was right on target as vintage Sanders. And the perils of the rich and famous in Palm Beach are fun to digest as usual. I wish Penguin would publish two or three of these books a year. Thanks and keep it up.

Rating:
Summary: Not a True Archy McNally Book
Review: I have very mixed feelings about this book. Although it was an enjoyable read, I think it very unfair to call this an Archy McNally book. So many of our favorite traps that create the mood were missing-- Archy rarely wrote in his diary; he never went for an ocean swim; he did not wear berets or tassled pink loafers; he did not settle down in the evening in a kimono for a marc and a recording of Ella Fitzgerald; he did not sing while he drove; the vivid descriptions of food and clothing were missing; the usual flirting between Archy and Mrs. Trelawny became snide insults; and I could go on and on. In the past women have always flocked to Archy, but here his pursuit of Bianca seemed lecherous. He was nasty to Binky, who in the past Archy has affectionately tolerated. Also I found it annoying the way Mr. Lardo felt it necessary to casually mention things from other books- Dr. Gussie Pearlberg, Hobo-- that had no place here, but show that Mr. Lardo has read the other books. The story was interesting, but the end was a cop out. I had to re-read the last 20 pages twice because it didn't make sense. This book is in no way an Archy McNally novel. I suggest Mr. Lardo re-read all the Lawrence Sanders' Archy novels in one sitting and then try again.

Rating:
Summary: The best yet inspite of its faults.
Review: I, for one, am very thankful that Mr. Lardo has continued the McNally series. I love the characters and while this was not my favorite McNally book it was still McNally and still a fun read. With a few more twists than normal this book requires a little more attention than others in the series. A fun summertime book.

Rating:
Summary: McNally is still fun
Review: I, for one, am very thankful that Mr. Lardo has continued the McNally series. I love the characters and while this was not my favorite McNally book it was still McNally and still a fun read. With a few more twists than normal this book requires a little more attention than others in the series. A fun summertime book.

Rating:
Summary: A fun mystery to read
Review: In Florida, popular romance writer Sabrina Wright hires Palm Beach�s private investigator Arch McNally to find her missing husband. The experienced Arch figures this to be a relatively easy case until he uncovers Sabrina�s real agenda. Apparently her daughter Gillian recently learned that her mother�s husband is not her biological father. Gillian seeks her �real� dad.

When the news leaks out among the rich and richer, three males try to �hire� Arch to keep a lid on the story. Sabrina had affairs with all three at about the time she became pregnant and each one has since been paying under the table child support to keep the author quiet. Now that the story is becoming public, someone kills Arch�s client. This leaves the sleuth to wonder how far an individual would go to keep a lid on the secret and will that include potentially murdering a detective who is close to figuring out the full truth.

McNALLY�S CHANCE is much more complicated than the above two paragraphs reveals or the confusing title that has Lawrence Sanders name in big print while crediting Vincent Lardo in much smaller type. The story line is exciting due to Arch�s demeanor as the convoluted case keeps him bewildered yet making progress even after the homicide of his client. Mr. Lardo provides a strong tale that would have pleased the late great Mr. Sanders, creator of Arch.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: BEST MC'NALLY YET!
Review: Outrageously entertaining! One of the best Mc'nally's I've read. Lardo keeps you grinning right from the gun... His analogies are remarkable to say the least. How clever, three lovers, one mommy and one thirty year old offspring trying to discover just who her papa is. Don't miss this one, I couldn't put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Not Up to Par
Review: This is the only McNally book I almost stopped reading. The story started off strong, but got bogged down fast. Too much inane stuff like Binky moving into a trailer court, and the house warming gift tedium. It only distracted from the story. I thought the Bianca subplot could have been interesting, but it fell flat too. It left me wondering why Lardo devoted so much space to it.

I was better than half-way through the book, and still asking "what's the point?" The story kept jumping around with no clear path. I realize authors will intentially throw you a curve to keep you guessing, but this stuff fell flat.

I found Archie out of character. Our old hero would never disclose so much to Lolly, or show his cards to so many people. He is also less suave. The last 80 or so pages are the most interesting part of the book, but many people will never get there. Lardo ends it with a cliff hanger. I doubt anyone will care.

I read Lardo's other efforts and thought he had great promise. This book is, I'm sad to say, a big let down. I get the feeling Archie will be going to California to help out his Pelican Club buddies the Pettibones. If that's where the series is headed, Goodbye.

Rating:
Summary: The best yet inspite of its faults.
Review: This one is probably the best read in the entire McNally series to date. The ending is a bit weak in one or two places, Archie is a little too taken by Bianca Courtney, and I doubt we will hear much more about Henry Peavy, but the book is still a great read. Read, enjoy and savor.