McNally's Dilemma: An Archy McNally Novel

Written by Lawrence Sanders

Narrated by Boyd Gaines

Palm Beach private investigator Archy McNally takes on the murder of a socialite and uncovers a thorny tangle of blackmail and deceit, south Florida style.
Playboy Geoffrey Williams is dead. But it's not a search for the killer that brings Archy McNally to the case; the lovely Melva Williams readily admits to the crime passionnel. After finding Geoff in a precarious position with an attractive young lady, she pulled the trigger on husband number two. It sounds like an open-and-shut case for McNally & Sons' Department of Discreet Inquiries until Melva asks Archy to shield her daughter, Veronica, from the press and paparazzi. Gallant Archy takes the case -- and escorts grown-up and gorgeous Veronica home to the McNally manse. Rumors fly, and some of them may be true.
Veronica is no damsel in distress though, and she's certainly not sorry her stepfather is in the grave. When her story doesn't match Melva's, which doesn't match Geoff's, Archy realizes he does indeed have a dilemma on his hands. Someone's lying, and the one person who knows the truth -- Geoff's perky playmate -- has gotten away.
A delectable combination of high society and high jinks, and featuring some of the most eccentric characters to populate Florida's Gold Coast, McNally's Dilemma is as witty and charming as Archy McNally himself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jul 1, 1999
• ISBN: 9780743540735

Lawrence Sanders

Lawrence Sanders, one of America's most popular novelists, was the author of more than thirty-five bestsellers, including the original McNally novels. Vincent Lardo is the author of The Hampton Affair and The Hampton Connection, as well as five McNally novels. He lives on the East End of Long Island.

Reviews for McNally's Dilemma

[catsandcherrypie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyable read. I couldn’t put the book down ! Loved the author’s humorous statements about the people living in the Palm Beach community .

[chazzifrazz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It has been quite a while since I've read one of the McNally books and I'd forgotten that I get a giggle and enjoy them.This time 'round, Archy McNally is called on by Melva, an old friend. She is claiming to have murdered her husband. There is the dead body in the house and the story is she found him in disarray with another woman. He does have a reputation as a philanderer and she knows it, but this time it was in their house, so boom! The lady wants Archy to keep her stunning daughter away from the press and away from it all.The 'child' is a stunning blue-eyed blonde of about 20 named Veronica. She is quite the temptation to Archy, but she is a friend's daughter and he is to keep her from the media circus. Meanwhile, Archy feels that there is more to this murder. That Melva didn't kill her husband, but she is covering up someone. Who? Little things keep bugging.Archy's snappy combacks, unusual wardrobe, and ability to mingle with the Palm Beach elite keeps the pace going and the surprising revelations of family secrets coming. A light read buy with some good twists and turns!

[annbury_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the 8th novel in the Archie McNally series, and -- far more important -- the first that was not written by Lawrence Sanders. This isn't immediately clear when you look at the ocver. Great big letters: "Lawrence Sanders". Little tiny letters: "Vincent Lardo". Unfortunately, it is clear when you read the book. The central character is still Archie McNally, but it's Archie McNally in slightly bolder type, a little less fey, a little less preoccupied with the niceties of food, clothing, and other ephemera. The story is actually pretty good, and a good bit of the old Sanders humor remains. Given that, I decided to proceed to Lardo's next effort.

[maureen61_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A light hearted mystery set in ultra-rich Palm Bead involving a murdered bigamist, a mother-daughter conspiracy and the son sleuth who solves the dilemma.

[lynn_barker_14 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Vincent Lardo, writing as Lawrence Sanders, produces a story that doesn't fail to please fans of Sanders' Archie McNally. An old friend phones Archie at midnight to ask for help--she has just shot her no-good husband, who is now lying naked on the floor of the solarium. Archie is prevailed upon to help shield the woman's lovely young daughter from the harsh investigation and the vicious publicity resulting from the killing. Archie's wit and the hilarious dialogues kept me entertained through to the surprising, twisted end.

[michaeldeavers · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So So McNally story It was only by reading the fine print that I learned that this novel was Not by Lawrence Sanders. For me Archy McNally will always remain the creation of Mr. Sanders, but I wanted to read another story about one of my favorite characters. The attempt by Vincent Lardo gave an interesting slant to McNally, but his style of writing wasn't the same as Mr. Sanders. For the first time, it was clear how the story would evolve, and that's another indication that Lawrence Sanders did not write this book. In my opinion, Mr. Sanders name should not be on the cover, for it's a total disservice to the legacy of this great writer.