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Lawrence Sanders
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McNally's Secret (The Archy McNally Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Lawrence Sanders (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,523 ratings
First in the series starring the sleuthing Palm Beach playboy from the #1 New York Times–bestselling and Edgar Award–winning author.
 Inveterate playboy Archy McNally gets paid to make discreet inquiries for Palm Beach’s power elite. But keeping their dirty little secrets buried will take some fancy footwork in McNally’s latest case. A block of priceless 1918 US airmail stamps has gone missing from a high-society matron’s wall safe. Lady Cynthia Horowitz, now on her sixth husband, is a nasty piece of work who lives in a mansion that looks like Gone With the Wind’s Tara transplanted to southern Florida. McNally’s search takes him into a thickening maze of sex, lies, scandal, and blackmail. When passion erupts into murder and McNally must dig even deeper to uncover the truth, he unearths a shocking secret that could expose his own family’s skeletons.   
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  1. Book 1 of 13
    The Archy McNally Series
  2. Print length
    352 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller
  5. Publication date
    March 12, 2013
  6. File size
    6.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Investigator Archy McNally agrees to handle a burglary case involving the theft of four valuable stamps for a Palm Beach society matron; from there he is led into a web of lies, sex, and blackmail. Murder is also involved, and Archy, who narrates the tale, has to sort out the scandal from the truth. A subplot involving Archy's affair with a beautiful antiques dealer may indicate his playboy days are over; he is suave and jaded but still capable of dropping names and bits of humor. Adam Henderson's pleasant voice helps the listener make it through to the end. Recommended for larger collections.
Denise A. Garofalo, Astor Home for Children, Rhinebeck, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“[McNally is] as amusing and rich as Dorothy Sayers’ great creation, Lord Peter Wimsey.” —Cosmopolitan
 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BI9VZAQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller (March 12, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 12, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,523 ratings

About the author

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Lawrence Sanders

Lawrence Sanders

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Lawrence Sanders (1920–1998) was the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty mystery and suspense novels including the Edward X. Delaney, Archy McNally, and Timothy Cone series, as well as the acclaimed Commandment books. The Anderson Tapes received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,523 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a good summer read with a thoroughly entertaining protagonist and great humor that makes it a laugh-out-loud kind of experience. Moreover, they appreciate the easy-to-read style, with one customer highlighting the colorful outfits worn by the main character. The plot receives mixed reactions - while customers enjoy the twists and turns, some find the storyline weak.

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148 customers mention "Enjoyment"138 positive10 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as a good spring/summer read, and one customer mentions it serves as great escapism from everyday life.

"...The result is delightful read in its own right that keeps us turning the pages and yearning for more...." Read more

"...books in the McNally series are charming piffle, just great for totally escapist reading...." Read more

"...I'm re-reading this book from many years ago. It's a fun read" Read more

"...This one is about Archy McNally of McNally & Sons and is a pleasure to read as are all Lawrence Sanders books." Read more

54 customers mention "Readability"48 positive6 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and entertaining, with one customer noting it's more intimate than other writing styles.

"...structure is exquisite for a change; accordingly, the authors' use of extensive vocabulary as well as many literary references are a delight..." Read more

"I hadn't read a McNally book in some time. This series is always an easy read, kind of like mind candy. This one was average...." Read more

"I love reading Lawrence Sanders. His books are always well written and entertaining...." Read more

"...I adored this man’s sense of humor, his turning of phrase, the elegant manner of describing his louche behavior and view of life, but dammit, this..." Read more

52 customers mention "Character development"45 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book, finding the protagonist thoroughly entertaining with a cast of funny supporting characters, and one customer compares Archy to Bertie Wooster.

"...Our hero, Archibald McNally, is just as delightful as Bertie Wooster -- albeit, less of a lost soul having been saved by an actual job: head of &#..." Read more

"...He loves food, he loves women, and he loves dressing to the nines. Peter Pan in PB, perhaps, but charming...." Read more

"...The characters are wonderful, and Sanders got his Palm Beach of early 1990’s right...." Read more

"...Archie and the other characters are well-developed, thanks to Lawrence Sanders' skills...." Read more

40 customers mention "Humor"40 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, describing it as a laugh-out-loud read with clever dialogue.

"...It is worth mentioning that the sentence structure is exquisite for a change; accordingly, the authors' use of extensive vocabulary as well as many..." Read more

"...The humor keeps the story moving, and keeps it light...." Read more

"...I almost stopped reading the book about 15% into it. I adored this man’s sense of humor, his turning of phrase, the elegant manner of describing his..." Read more

"...The narrator's voice really brings Archie to life. If you have a Kindle Fire I strongly suggest that you buy the narration with the Kindle book." Read more

22 customers mention "Series quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers love the Archy McNally series, describing it as delightful and awesome, with one customer particularly appreciating the characters.

"I love the Archie McNally series. He is a great guy and I love his interaction with his matter and patter! He is a real hoot - I used..." Read more

"I read this book a long time ago in paper back and really enjoyed the Archy series...." Read more

"...Archie McNally is interesting, quirky, and loveable ( except maybe to his father). Enjoy!" Read more

"I have enjoyed all the McNally books. This is the second time reading this one, and it was as entertaining the second time, also." Read more

14 customers mention "Style"14 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the style of the book, particularly appreciating Archy's wardrobe choices and colorful characters.

"The first seven books in the McNally series are charming piffle, just great for totally escapist reading...." Read more

"...McNally is a wonderful, endearing, foppish man-child living a dream. The manner of his sleuthing in this caper was lovely...." Read more

"...Archie McNally likes women, good food and clothes that make a statement (perhaps not in this order, only Archie knows)...." Read more

"...He wears colorful outfits and belongs to the Pelican club. A very enjoyable series" Read more

8 customers mention "Ease of reading"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with one customer noting it's a simple read, while another mentions it keeps readers engaged until the very last pages.

"...Archy is an easy going investigator that uses intuition as well as a a close acquaintance in the police department, to help solve his current..." Read more

"...Some unexpected twists. Hopefully this will provide some basic for the next book. Interesting enough to encourage me to read the next book." Read more

"...The series of books are fun to read and a challenge to figure out until the very last pages. Enjoy them!!" Read more

"Enjoying and simple- a entertaining speed read. I'd recommend it to a friend and I fancy how it picks up from where the story left off every chapter" Read more

73 customers mention "Plot twists"50 positive23 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the plot twists in the book, with some finding them interesting and full of suspense, while others find the storyline weak and the ending boring.

"...Of course, some the mysteries are craftily constructed and we want to get to the bottom of the case; but at the end of the day, it is Archie and his..." Read more

"...This one was average. Good enough story, but left me a little blah at the end." Read more

"...The first part works, the second one not so well. The plot itself is a bit thin, and sometimes I wished there were a bit less of sandwiches and bit..." Read more

"A dated but charming tale about Archy McNally, the son in the "McNally and Son" law firm in Miami, Florida...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Greg M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Palm Beach Meets Blandings Castle -- And Drives A Red Miata
    Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    For all those who have enjoyed P G Whorehouse's "Jeeves" and "Blandings Castle" novels & short stories, here a refreshing American equivalent, sans Jeeves and sans the London drizzle: the stories are set at sunny Palm Beech instead. Our hero, Archibald McNally, is just as delightful as Bertie Wooster -- albeit, less of a lost soul having been saved by an actual job: head of "discreet investigations" at his father's law firm. The stories are set in the late 90s (presumably) and Archie does not have the support of an inimitable Jeeves in his search for the truth lying beneath the convoluted detection path that is riddled with adventure: young ladies (galore), culinary quests, drinking, and sartorial disasters...

    Archie's friends are the usual good natured, good-for-nothing-but-drinking-and-flirting/ swinging wastrels, just as ready to fall in love as Bertie's. But here, the intrigue derives from the mysteries and not the characters' blunders and love aches. In the McNally books, the mystery provides the backbone to keep you reading on about the character: it is Archie & Co we are following rather than the mystery intself. Of course, some the mysteries are craftily constructed and we want to get to the bottom of the case; but at the end of the day, it is Archie and his friends and the surrounding society that inspire us to keep on coming back for more.

    It is worth mentioning that the sentence structure is exquisite for a change; accordingly, the authors' use of extensive vocabulary as well as many literary references are a delight (as well as a lesson!). The Archie dialogues are generally very good and very funny; at times, a masterpiece!

    A final note lest I be misunderstood: in comparing & contrasting the Wodehouse stories with the McNally series, I do not wish to imply that the latter lacks originality or is a rehash; not in the least. As far as I am concerned the series successfully transposes the Wodehouse setting and characters at another age, society, and culture, and adds zest to the stories with the whodunnit.
    The result is delightful read in its own right that keeps us turning the pages and yearning for more.

    Thoroughly recommended for a happy, lightweight escape from reality and a laugh or two.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Anne Mills
    4.0 out of 5 stars Catnip for the Light Minded
    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    The first seven books in the McNally series are charming piffle, just great for totally escapist reading. I discovered them when I was going through a difficult (and time consuming) time, when all I wanted out of a book was diversion and distraction, and McNally provided it.

    This is Archie McNally's second starring role, and he remains just as he was in book one -- the son of a Palm Beach lawyer, but not himself a lawyer, having been kicked out of Yale Law for streaking. Instead of lawyering, he works with his father as the "Discreet Enquiries" department of the family law firm. The enquiries involve the socially and financially well fixed population of Palm Beach, where Archie is social butterfly. He is definitely an eccentric, living (quite happily) with Mum and Dad, and untroubled by his lack of worldly sucess. He loves food, he loves women, and he loves dressing to the nines. Peter Pan in PB, perhaps, but charming.

    This second novel involves a catnapped Persian cat, which is shortly followed by the murder of a Palm Beach hostess. Archie detects a connection, and the plot proceeds from there.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Mary S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's a fun read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    It arrived on time. I'm re-reading this book from many years ago. It's a fun read
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  • RJ
    3.0 out of 5 stars Average McNaally
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I hadn't read a McNally book in some time. This series is always an easy read, kind of like mind candy. This one was average. Good enough story, but left me a little blah at the end.
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  • AnFL2992
    4.0 out of 5 stars Humor and charm
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    First book in the series and introducing Archy McNally, a tribute to Rex Stout’s Archie Goodwin. Archy, a Palm Beach playboy of undeniable charm, has similar irreverent voice and critical detachment from his surrounding but attempts to take upon the role of a Great Detective as well. The first part works, the second one not so well. The plot itself is a bit thin, and sometimes I wished there were a bit less of sandwiches and bit more of an action. Forgoing a tight mystery plot however, is a small price to pay for several hours spent in Archy’s company. The characters are wonderful, and Sanders got his Palm Beach of early 1990’s right. Not only gilded little snobs inhabiting lavish mansions, but also colorful characters of South Florida less glamorous parts and even a certain type of a prim and proper Boston lady with an amazing capacity for sherry. Also, I really liked the loving depiction of Archy’s parents. The narrator’s voice is often mocking but never jeering, and there is a great deal of kindness and compassion that make these books true cozy mysteries.
    19 people found this helpful
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  • gonzo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Lawrence Sanders hit
    Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2024
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    I love reading Lawrence Sanders. His books are always well written and entertaining. This one is about Archy McNally of McNally & Sons and is a pleasure to read as are all Lawrence Sanders books.
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  • SweetCaroline
    5.0 out of 5 stars McNallys Secret
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Archie is a detective in his father's law office in Palm Beach. They deal with high end clients. Archie likes the ladies, his Miata convertible and a drink at the Pelican Club which he and some friends started. His father brings him cases. This time he has a series of postage stamps embossed upside down and supposedly worth between $1/2-1 million dollars. They seem to have been stolen. Archie is to find them with as little publicity as possible. As he is looking, a stamp shop owner whom Archie consults is killed. Archie is sure it in relation to his inquiries.

    The police must get involved in the murder. It is complicated by Archie seeing a woman whose ex just got out of prison fraud from stealing money after he was gambling. He has promised her he has stopped gambling, but Archie knows better. He doesn't tell her as he would appear to be acting in his own interest. He hopes he was. Involved in the theft. The story has a bit of a different ending. I really enjoy this series and think you will as well. Good reading.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Julie P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars All the McNally books are fun!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Sometimes it just takes a good book to turn a kid into a reader. I think this might have helped "hook" our grand-daughter!
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  • Belinda.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Palm Beach and Gimlets
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A friend told me about the Mcnally series of books..I really enjoyed it...its just an easy pleasant read..with a little insight to Palm Beach life...I loved the early evening drinks with his parents and now I drink a gin gimlet.
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  • Denise Jacobs
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
    Reviewed in Canada on August 16, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Lighted hearted but entertaining. A quick summer read. I am reading more of the series and enjoying it so far.
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