McNally's Bluff

Archy McNally #13

by Vincent Lardo

Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here

When self-styled impresario and former human cannonball Matthew Hayes rents a luxury villa on Palm Beach's famed South Ocean Boulevard, the locals roll their eyes. But when he scuttles the traditional backyard accoutrements of swimming pool and tennis court in favor of a grand garden hedge maze modeled after the one at Hampton Court, the South Florida smart set can't wait for their invitations to the gala opening of the Amazin' Maze of Matthew Hayes.

The big night arrives and gasps of wonder and delight are replaced by those of horror, as Hayes's ladylove, Marlena Marvel, in the role of Venus, is discovered at the center of the maze, very dead indeed. The authorities are stumped, as Hayes's carnival background gives rise to a number of possible suspects - and the huge crowd at the unveiling included its fair share of questionable characters. Or are there other forces - and more devious minds - at work? And Hayes's flair for the dramatic only complicates a mystery that has more false leads than his Amazin' Maze. It's up to Archy McNally to see through the scam and catch a killer.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Detective

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 26, 2004

Reviews

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather weak outing -- has Archy run his course ??

We've enjoyed the entire Archy McNally series, including the seven by Sanders and the now six by Vincent Pardo writing for the estate. However, we have to agree with those feeling this is the lightest of the light. Most of these books have us hobnobbing with the rich (if not famous) in Palm Beach and the various happenings, sometimes including murder, that cause them to seek McNally's "discrete" private eye services. While solving a mystery that is usually not too violent and not too enigmatic, we get steady doses of Archy's love life, his lavish wardrobe, his gossip sessions at the family manse, his sparring with his father's secretary and the mailroom attendant (Binky) at work, and his sumptuous meals at the Pelican Club and other hangouts.

All of these elements resurface in "Bluff"; but the underlying mystery is so light, and its conclusion so direct, that the book seems little more than an assembly of past storylines and character interactions. While using now rich ex-carny entertainers as the principals wasn't a bad idea, the plot, centering on the murdered "Venus", Marlena Marvel, found in a literal maze of bushes, otherwise just generated little or no suspense to carry off the 300-page hunt for a close-at-hand killer.

Sometimes these continuing series novels run out of steam, especially after a dozen or so entries. We'd hope for a much better effort next outing, or else we'd recommend early retirement for our pal Archy.

[Nadine Guirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Lawrence Sanders books, but am sorry to say that I find Vincent Lardo to be a poor substitute. The plot in this book is unlikely and tortured. It is longer than necessary, characters are inconsistently developed so that the reading process just became tedious.

[Clint Mccoy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Someone abandoned this book at the airport and I can see why.

This book was alright, not bad, but not great. The whole murder storyline was very iffy.

The random facts about England were annoying.

A character from the United States said "arse" one too many times, which I found odd. If I met a guy, born and raised in New York and he said "arse" I would beat his ASS to a pulp.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

So i really like the Archy McNally character. The books always make me chuckle.
I hadn't realized that Lawrence Sanders was dead. I could tell this was different. While it is always a difficult task to continue writing a series after the original author has died, Lardo does an ok job.
I did find it more wordy than usual. Also, the humor wasn't as strong.

But I'm glad that further cases of McNally & Son are being told. I do enjoy the stories.

it was also a good mystery to try & figure out.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to pass the time but the later books by Vincent Lardo don't have quite the same charm as the ones written by Sanders. I also didn't have need to look up a word in my dictionary or google a literary or pop culture reference once, which is something I enjoy while reading the Archy McNally series written by Lawrence Sanders.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like a game of Clue just in book form. I really liked the book the mystery, the snorky jokes, the sarcasm loved it all. The only problem is everyone in the book acted like rich snobs, which is understand able the book is based in the rich side of Palm Beach but still I just didn't like their attitude that comes with money.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A will written mystery

A will written mystery with interesting well developed characters. Once again the usual characters enter into an entertaining fast moving mystery which Archy manages too bring too a successful conclusion. I would recommend this novel and the series too anyone who enjoys an old fashion mystery. Enjoy reading 2016

I read this as an e-book from the local library

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good; Continuing character: Archy McNally; when a murder occurs in the midst of a party and maze hunt, Archy reluctantly takes the case and attempts to unravel, with the help of some of his Palm Beach associates, the seeming magic behind the mystery

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still not crazy about the main character Archy McNally. His personal style, his attitude toward women is chauvinistic even while being aware of it... making fun of himself...

The story is rather light, the mystery is a magic trick which no one seemed to investigate...

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

McNally’s Bluff is a well designed story that held my interest to the end. However, the many spelling errors again really detract from the enjoyment of reading the book. Are there no longer proof readers used to find errors?

[MichaelPlayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

saving the best for last.

This book is so well written and has sa magnificent plot that doesn’t reveal the killer until the end. Additionally, the ending is so appropriate for Archy given he gets his revenge on Connie.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I used to really enjoy reading the Archie McNally series and picked this up dirt cheap. Still fun but I wasn't all that interested in this story.

[Larry Sill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vincent Lardo took over the series after Lawrence Sanders death. Though his narratives are similar, no one can keep up with Sanders.

[Nancy Thormann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good old Archy McNally and his light-hearted humor. I love these books. I'm finished with this series now, but I'll be starting over again when I need a good book to read.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

GOOD BOOK

This book had a decent storyline with the usual interesting characters. The action was uneventful and made the book just an average one in this very good series.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A palate cleanser, but a good one. I've been reading McNally books for a long time, and they're all very entertaining. Lardo isn't quite up to Sanders's level, but I really enjoyed this one.

[Kim Young-kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

keeping archy

Vincent Laredo did a nice job of keeping the series alive. Thank you. I have missed Archy and his antics.

[Lupita Krueger · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great book.

This was short and sweet, very entertaining with numerous humorous bits. Archly is funny and so well spoken. Can’t wait to read another of Sander’s books.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent…

[Cathy Nunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vincent Lardo writes a good Lawrence Sanders.

[Jamie Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, it was a lighthearted romp but pretty superficial. It’s the last of the series but they could have stopped a few back. But still an entertaining read.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry to see the end of the series!

[Squeaky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this pretty amazing!
The ending leaves one hanging, though. Sad that there are no more books.

[Wambeeno · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty lame. The one thing it had going for it, a fairly novel murder mystery involving a carnival madame winding up dead in the middle of a hedge maze, is pretty much nullified by all of its weaker aspects, especially the plotting. My case in point: When I read a mystery, I want to read about the mystery. Period. I don't want to read paragraph after paragraph about what they had for dinner, or what scandalousness the sexy young man in the pool was wearing, which seemed to make up about one fourth of the book's content. Another three fourths or so consisted of scenes and character interactions that didn't have anything to do with anything, mystery or otherwise. For instance, in about the last twenty pages or so we accompany the character on a boat ride into the Caribbean so he and his friends can discuss rescuing a Cuban political activist. Spoiler? Nah. It has nothing to do with anything. Even if they had actually rescued said activist instead of just blabbing about it, it still wouldn't have had any bearing on the plot. I get the feeling that Vincent Lardo wrote this scene for a separate book and ended up cutting it out, but gosh darn it, he went to the trouble to write it, so he'd better use it somewhere. There are dozens of other scenes like this, including various character interactions that only serve to reinforce the fact that the characters are snots. In case, you know, you couldn't tell from the dinner descriptions.

Which brings me to the characters. Almost every single one of them was an insufferable snot, including the main guy. Beyond that, I couldn't really tell one from another. There are, like, SIX wealthy, beautiful women in the story, not one of whom seemed to have any kind of distinct personality. I kind of found myself hoping for a Murder on the Orient Express-style ending where everyone, including the protagonist, was involved in the murder so they would all get put away. Sadly, this is not the case.

[Giuseppe Alioto · Rating 4 out of 5]

McNally's Bluff is about a private detective that gets caught up in a murder of a rich carny and is found in the center of a maze during a party at the diseased house. It does not give a date but by the evidence in the book im guessing its more modern and takes place in a rich area on the west cost. Archy McNally is the main character in the book he is hired on the spot by the carnies husband to investigate the murder of his wife. He is an smart man, you get the feeling he comes from a rich family and he's maybe in his thirties or forties and is well liked.
I thought it was a good book the story line was good and it had lots of twist and always left the reader with a question up to the end. The reason I gave it only 4 starts was because it didn't give much info about the main character but this book is part of a seres that i have not read yet so it is possible that it does give more background info in previous books. I would defiantly read another book by this author he keeps you on your tows witch makes you actually want to read more of the book.
I think i would recommend this book to others i personality made the mistake of not realizing it was part of a seres and would tell them to read what ever books came before first. If the person like mysteries then this is a great book for them but if not then this book would be terrible because every thing that happens in this book is a mystery from the murder to the main characters personal life.

[Stephen Levesque · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of Palm Beach society is gathered at the home of a new arrival--former carnival owner Matthew Hayes. The party, a first look at a huge maze the carney built on his expensive property. But the prize turns out to be something none of the party-goers expected--a dead body at the center of the maze. Private Investigator (and man about town) Archy McNally was at the party and now Matt is asking for Archy's help in finding his wife's killer. Archy resists at first--but the case just might tie into another one that his father has been asked to provide legal services to. As always, Archy finds himself swimming through a sea of beautiful women. There's his longtime-but-no-longer lover, Consuela. There's new love interest, Georgie. But there's also the beautiful and rich widow of a Florida billionaire--who just might have killed that very billionaire. And Archy can't help being attracted to the T.V. star--despite her being quite married. With his erstwhile sidekick, Binky, off providing services to a muckraking reporter, Archy is on his own in trying to find a killer. A fairly good read it will grab your attention and hold it. Worth your time.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archy McNally, Discreet Inquirer, is attending the party of Palm Beach newcomer and former carnival owner, Matthew Hayes. The party involves finding one's way to the center of a maze.

The goal in the center yields an unwelcome surprise in the form of Matt's dead wife, Marlena Marvel. It is almost impossible that she appeared as a performer and without anyone seeing a thing turns up dead in the centre of the maze.

No one seems to have a motive but when more dead bodies turn up McNally must sift through the possible suspects and find the killer.

A light-hearted read that is just pure fun. I love McNally's joie de vivre

[John Grazide · Rating 4 out of 5]

And we've come to the end of Archy McNally. I really enjoyed the series and the characters. But now that's it's done I figured out one of the differences with the two McNally's. It's like watching your favorite TV show and ha;f way through the season the lead actor is replaced. And no one says anything about it. Sure they dress the same, act the same and even get into the same trouble. But they are different. Still good but different.

I would have liked to have a little more resolution with Archy's personal side. Especially how it ended. What of Connie and Alex? What about him and Georgy? Does he move full time to Juno? Well, we will never know, and that is a bummer...

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really would like to know who thought that Vincent Lardo writes in the same manner as Lawrence Sanders...I get that they wanted to carry on the McNally franchise after Sanders death, but they should have let it die with it's creator. It isn't that Lardo is awful, he just gives a different vibe to Archy McNally. It's no longer like climbing into bed with an old friend, it's more like getting to know someone after they've made some kind of major life change. (And not necessarily a life change you agree with)

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archy is unwillingly roped into working for the obnoxious impresario Matthew Hayes, who can't bring himself to retire from the illusion business even though he has sold his carnival. To Archy's familiar friends are added rich people from the genteel to the crass, all with secrets to keep; and all so vividly painted that I already miss them.

I read McNALLY'S BLUFF with delight and dismay, because it is so much fun and it is the last of the series.