Fun entry in McNally series, murder and imposters (?) galore...Vince Lardo is now up to his fifth in the 12-book Archy McNally --"Discreet Inquirer" to the rich and famous in Palm Beach -- series originated by Laurence Sanders. His mostly credible continuation of the lead character still pleases, as we witness Archy's usual sartorial splendor and wit, his gambols with new love interest, state trooper Georgia, and his drinks with Father and anybody else that comes along. Playing at a posh tennis benefit, Archy is on hand to help discover the drowning death of one of the waiters. The prime suspect, Lance Talbot, newly rich inheritor of his mom's fortune, is alibied by none other than McNally himself. Soon Archy has three employers to look into the matter, one of whom wants to find out if Lance is the real son or an imposter. A missing toe helps solve that puzzle, but many other twists and turns keep us in suspense til right near the end. As usual, our hero adds most of the crime solving initiatives, with just a little help from his pals on the police force. Fending off a writer working with Binky (a frequent foil) trying to imitate his escapades adds some comic relief through much of the tale. There's little to dislike in this entire set of stories: a reasonably fun leading man with good enough wits to catch the clever bad guys, the "lifestyles of the rich" themes, and the dining, drinking and bedding exploits of our hero, coupled with suspenseful mysteries, add up to unfailingly enjoyable reading. Have at it!
Archy McNally is Discreet Inquirer to the rich and famous in Palm Beach. Playing at a posh tennis benefit, Archy is on hand to help discover the drowning death of one of the waiters. The prime suspect is Lance Talbot but Archy is his alibi. Lance has recently inherited a fortune from his mother.Archy soon has three different clients wanting the same thing. Archy is to find the killer. This seems to hinge all on a missing toe. Archy gets help, of course from the police and finds his way through the twists and turns with wit and humour. Archy is also having a wonderful time with his new love interest, Georgina.This is a light-hearted mystery that is a quick read. Archy always brings a smile with his irreverent ways.
Do You like book McNally's Dare (2004)?
The dowager duchess of Palm Beach dies, leaving behind a fabulous fortune and a handsome young heir-though Archy McNally has his doubts about the boy's bona fides. — When a young waiter working Malcolm "Nifty" MacNiff's annual Tennis Everyone! benefit is found dead in Nifty's otherwise pristine swimming pool, it's Archy McNally, South Florida's most famous Discreet Inquirer, who rushes in to salvage the town's reputation and solve the un-fortunate crime. Palm Beach is already in a tizzy over the arrival of its newest millionaire, Lance Talbot, just in from Switzerland to claim his inheritance after the demise of his grandmother. There are those who believe Lance an imposter, and who he is-and was-becomes more of an enigma as Archy traces Lance's progress from the snowy Alps to the sands of Palm Beach. If he isn't the true heir, who is he? And who is the alluring Baroness Holga von Brecht, who is old enough to be his mother but claims to be his lover? When an old school chum of Holga's is made redundant, Archy must make some daring choices to snare a double murderer. "A madman thinks he has the perfect crime. He has done it before and no one has stopped him. He can do it again, or can he? Very good book. A real page turner". Worth the time.
—Stephen
