McNally's Gamble

"McNally's Gamble" is the last Archie McNally novel written by Lawrence Sanders, who died in February 1998. Archie makes discreet inquiries into the purchase of a Faberge egg by a client of his father's law firm, Edythe Westmore. It becomes clear that Mrs. Westmore may become the victim of a con. Edythe's children, Walter and Natalie are especially opposed to their mother's spending $500,000 on the egg. Archie is taken by Natalie, and despite his relationship with Connie Garcia, he partakes in Natalie's sexual favors. I have read all the Archie McNally novels by Lawrence Sanders, and plan to read the Vincent Lardo novels soon. An Archie McNally novel is always a lot of fun to read.

i have been a fan of archy for awhile now, and this latest just makes me want the next book come as soon as possible.The talking between archy and al rogoff is great, as well as when archy describes all the food he eats. The overall text of the book was great,i read the whole thing in about 7 hours it was hard to put down.

Lawrence Sanders has a unique ability to convey the lifestyles of the rich to paper in a believeable fashion. His vivid descriptions of meals and wines, with just a hint of snobbery, are superb and have me wishing I were partaking of the victuals along with the characters. The story itself is up to the usual outstanding plot that Sanders (and McNally) fans have come to expect. I've read every one of the McNally series books and always look forward to the next. (The included vocabulary lessons in the stories are a plus). Don't miss reading the series and include this one.

This is my favorite in the long line of Archy McNally books. While Sanders has given us more profound writing, the McNally series is fun and fast reading. Who doesn't envy Archy's cushy lifestyle, and relish in sharing it through Sanders's witty narrative. Sanders's use regular characters in the McNally series, for me, makes for a familiar and comfortable return to a juicy new mystery in West Palm Beach. I find comfort in and always depend on Archy's weak-kneed response to women, and his lack of willpower where hedonism in any form is concerned. I was impressed with how Sanders was able to ignite some real feelings throughout the story, such as the guilt Archy felt with Sydney Smythe's death. For me, this lends some authenticity to the storyline. McNally's and Rogoff's collaboration was better developed in this effort, and the interesting twist concering the contents of Mrs. Westmore's Faberge Egg helped endear this story to me. Though sometimes predictable, I would recommend McNally's Gamble to any Sanders fan, and highly recommend it as a first read for someone who has not read a McNally mystery.

So these aren't deep. Who cares. I go for fun where I can find it; and Archy is a fun dude. I wish there was a Pelican Club nearby. Just the other day I met a Consuela that goes by the nick "Connie." She was enchanting.