McNally's Folly

Archy McNally #9

by Lawrence Sanders, Vincent Lardo

As a local theater group prepares its production of Arsenic and Old Lace, a tense off-stage drama threatens to bury the play before opening night., and it is up to suave sleuth Archy McNally to uncover the culprit. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Adult Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Ebooks

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 17, 2000

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Lawrence Sanders was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels. The Anderson Tapes, completed when he was fifty years old, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel. His prodigious oeuvre encompasses the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, along with his acclaimed Commandment books. Stand-alone novels include Sullivan's Sting and Caper. Sanders remains one of America’s most popular novelists, with more than fifty million copies of his books in print. Also published as Mark Upton.

Reviews

[Zain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Predict a Killing.

With a swanky outfit from the top of his head to the bottom of his toes, Archy McNally is ready to take on a case.

A psychic is in town and he’s got all the women in Palm Beach eating out of his hands.

McNally is hired by a husband to help determine if the psychic is a fake, but it’s proving difficult to find out. So far, he seems to be the real deal. The women are all flabbergasted and believe in him wholeheartedly.

Archy is going to have a great time with this job.

Five flabbergasted stars. 💫💫💫💫💫

[Anne Patkau · Rating 2 out of 5]

McNally lives at home, in a separate garage apartment, shares cocktail hour with mater and pater, tries to be faithful but falls for buxom beauties, enjoys the specialties at his local yacht club/ bar. His fashion sense would match a striped lime green beret to cherry red polkadot tie over lilac checkered golf knickers. He savors the finest cognac, aromatic cheroot, and onion bedecked burger. I read the series more for his eccentricities and hot Florida sun than adulterous greedy socialite soap opera leading to murders.

Read many McNallys, but forgotten which. This cover I do remember. The emphasis on sex seems outdated now, 1960s - 1970s feel. Character portrayal suffered when Lawrence Sanders series taken over by Vincent Lardo. Hope these notes give enough of flavor, better than empty rating.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vincent Lardo is no Lawrence Sanders. I gave this one a chance because I just love the McNally books...but there was something about the writing style of the book that seemed stilted. I imagine it is very difficult to try to write story using someone else's characters and style; but perhaps there is a lesson there: don't try.

[Randy Golomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still light and enjoyable even with the different author.

[Jeremy Kirkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book with some memorable one liners. Solid whodunnit, without being brilliant

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 2 out of 5]

this one is a bit of a step back for the series, but it won't discourage me from reading them all.

[Kathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, campy listen.

This is my first McNally story, and I picked up the audio book because of Lawrence Sander's name being prominently displayed on the cover. I liked his "Deadly Sins" series in the 70's/80's and thought that I'd try something "new". I didn't realize it was written by another person.

As I was listening, I tied to pin down the era the story is set in. So many contradictory clues. The clothing (jodhpurs, mumus), archaic language (calling Father "sir", a male friend named Binky), references to "old Hollywood and talkies" by living alumni and music tastes (Sinatra) lean towards the 50's or 60's. But there are CDs and computers mentioned. Has to be later. Mentioned cars: Miata (timeless), VW BEETLE -- not Bug (90's) and the cars that don't stand out and are used for surveillance? A Ford Escort and a "station wagon" (70's or 80's). Lack of cell phones (last century) I give up!

Archie is "ageless" until the very end when we learn that Kate is in her 50s. He is probably the same or slightly older.

Will I read other McNally stories? Probably -- at least the first one to see if any of my questions are answered!

[Nancy Thormann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second McNally book that I read. The first was McNally's Caper which I thoroughly enjoyed. I didn't enjoy McNally’s Folly as much. Lawrence Sanders passed away in 1998 and his estate commissioned Vincent Lardo to continue writing the Archy McNally books. Lardo's writing style leaves a lot to be desired. He is definitely is no Lawrence Sanders. He understands the main characters fairly well, but their voices don't quite sound the same as when Lawrence Sanders wrote the books. He's forcing himself to sound like Sanders, but it doesn't work for me. I'm not giving up on the series completely. I'll go back to reading the books that Sanders wrote himself.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh do I love this silly series. If Lardo had his tongue any further in his cheek he could lick the A1A !! This is so reminiscent of the 50’s, only with cell phones and computers thrown in. Archie is such a goofball I’d like to see him meet up with Serge Storms at the Pelican Club. Hard to tell who would come out on top. I think Lawrence Sanders would give the continuation of his hero a thumbs up 👍

[Phyllis Adler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had forgotten all about this entertaining series until I saw this book on someone's list of overlooked classics. It's a good old-fashioned who-done-it with a likeable cad as a main character. There's not much suspense here, and some of the plot twists are a little too obvious for seasoned readers to miss, but I liked the book anyway. I may request a few of the other titles from this series from the library whenever I feel like I've spent too much on books

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook version narrated by Boyd Gaines came in at 3hr./21 minutes at normal speed. A terrific quick read, a "deliciously daffy caper" per the Audible description which is perfectly fair.

If more publishers and editors understood how popular was the escapist fiction of Lawrence Sanders, perhaps today's mysteries would be so humorless and pessimistic. A pure delight, set in the Palm Beach of a few decades ago.

[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 2010

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

[Gabbiadini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may be in the minority in saying that I have thoroughly enjoyed Vincent lardo’s continuation of the Archy mcnally series. This one was as farcically funny as sanders books and a great little mystery to boot. Only a few more in the series😢and I have them in my amazon basket.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Archy books. Even with the new author they are just so fun. I am really glad that someone has picked up the series. Nothing surprising just plain fun. I wish they would make them into a TV movie/show.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first of the Archy McNally series. I found it quite enjoyable. Starts with the mystery of how a seer knows so much stuff in advance and ends with a couple of murders.

I liked the author's style, especially as he weaves quotes from movies throughout the novel.

[Kaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Can’t tell you much about this one. Didn’t have much of an impact. But praise for Lawrence sanders himself. The book was alright. Especially for a tween starting off reading her dad’s collection of books.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another Lardo mess. These should come with a warning!

(Or maybe I should just learn to read the cover of books before I download them, huh?)

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archy gets caught up with the local theater and a charlatan preying on rich women in his area.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite Mr. Sanders, but a lot of the flavor.

[Douglas Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3 to 3.5 rating for this enjoyable book. Not in a rush to read more but happy to read another if and when a find a cheap one.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 2001. After Lawrence Sanders death Vincent Lardo took over his McNally series. I don't usually stick with a series when the original author dies.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine. But changing authors took out the spirit of fun, and left the characters all less filled out than before so it feels kind of sad.

[Phillip III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read 10-20 years ago. Just updating my Goodreads.

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy visiting Archie. Another fun episode.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another murder solved by Archie….a favorite series of mine….

[Ursula Liechti · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was an amusing good little short read. Detective style in Palm beach. Pleasant and uncomplicated , no swearing or nasty scenes.

[Andrea Twombly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic caper, Lawrence Sanders style.

[Squeaky · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, Lolly has a cell phone. Why not Archy?

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable who done it. Archy McNally is a very tongue in cheek character. Quite fun reading. I hope to pick up another Archy McNally novel soon.

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute - sometimes too cutesy...lavender suede loafers? Really?