“THE ARCHIE McNALLY SERIES VOLUME I” is a compilation of the first three books in the Archie McNally series, McNALLY’S SECRET, McNALLY’S LUCK, and McNALLY’S RISK.

Archie is the young playboy son of a well respected attorney in the Palm Beach, FL area who specializes in “Discreet Inquiries”, and Archie is the investigator in those cases assigned to him by his father.
Seemingly content to devote the majority of his time to a life of leisure and womanizing that his life of privilege makes possible, he occasionally is required to take time to investigate the above mentioned cases and report his findings to his father.

Successfully solving cases is often made possible by Archie utilizing the long list of acquaintances he’s known over the years, but most often relying on his friend Al Rogoff, the rough detective from the PBPD who overlooks the fact Archie is often a thorn in his side making his job more difficult.

Lovable and charming, Archie somehow maintains his relationship with the lovely Connie who has been able to forgive his dalliances with attractive women he comes in contact with in his investigations.

Humorous dialogue taking place with others along with quips by Archie really make these books a pleasure to read, and it’s surprising how light hearted these reads can be in the midst of the murders that take place.

Highly recommended to fans of humorous situations present in investigations by a lovable but hopelessly flawed leading character, the books in this series will not disappoint.

4 stars.

The first three books in the Archy McNally series - great fun!

In the grand pantheon of literary detectives Archy McNally falls closer to the realm of a Hercule Poirot or Ellery Queen rather than someone like a Sam Spade or Lew Archer. Which is to say that Archy is not really a rough and tumble "put up your dukes" type of guy. He's more a lover than a fighter who, while romancing the ladies to the best of his abilities, finds time to investigate cases for his father's company McNally and Son, Attorney-at-law (notice the singular 'attorney'). Archy heads up the Discreet Inquiries department for his father's law firm. He is, in fact, the only member of that department. The McNally name is well known and respected by the Palm Beach elite with whom they hobknob on a regular basis and who form the basis of their investigative clientelle.

Archy is a bit of a fop or a dandy. A playboy of the old school. He is an effective detective but he goes about things in his own peculiar way, tongue-in-cheek, taking very little seriously. He is good friends with detective sergeant Al Rogoff and often works closely with the police (though seldom with full disclosure). He associates with people who have names like Pinky Schatz, Lolly Spindriff, and Binky Watrous.

In these days of reality TV superstars and billionaire presidents these books read more than ever like a parody of the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

-- McNally's Secret, The Archy McNally Series, Book 1

This first in the series is basically modelled after the old English manor mysteries. A block of rare postage stamps is stolen from a wealthy neighbor and Archy must determine which of her houseguests is responsible... while being as descreet as possible.

I wasn't all that crazy about this first story. It's okay. A little more on the cozy mystery side than the rest (though not a cozy!)

-- McNally's Luck, The Archy McNally Series, Book 2

A simple catnapping turns to murder in this second book of the series.

-- McNally's Risk , The Archy McNally Series, Book 3

Archy is hired to check out the bona fides of a wealthy client's prospective daughter-in-law.

These stories fall into a category I refer to as "soft-boiled", meaning they are nowhere near gritty or tough enough to be considered Hard-boiled but they have an edge to them and can't rightly be put in the cozy mystery mold. There is some adult language in use, and a suggestive sexual situation here or there. Should be okay for most readers.

I recommend these books/this collection to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a dose of humor.

***Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this collection of McNally books by Lawrence Sanders.

For the last week, I've been sucked into the Archy McNally series by Lawrence Sanders. I read Volume One of the series, which is the first three books. They were just as good as I remembered - just fun, lighthearted mysteries. It made me want to keep going through the series again. Sanders really was a great writer - and I'm not sure if it was harder or easier to be a best selling writer back then. If you've never read these books, take a look, I think you'll enjoy them!

What a treat you have in store if you pick up this collection. Whether you have read any of the Archie McNally series in the past, or if this is your first time; the collection (vol.. 1) includes the first three books in order of publication.

The good news is that one does not need to read these in order but then again, why not do so? The first novel in the series and in this collection of three is "McNally's Secret" and is a fine entry into the series. There is no background build up, and the protagonist and supporting cast introduced in this book will appear in all of the others. There is rich young South Beach Florida son Archie who works as a Private Investigator for his prestigious attorney father's law firm. From Archie's mother who mostly talks to the plants she nurtures to the in house staff, to a woman he has a thing for - Consuela - who works for a rich lady in a mansion, to the animal like cop who actually has very refined tastes, these stories all contain wonderful characters who I love to revisit in each book.

The first story is about stolen stamps which Archie has to try to locate by interviewing the staff, friends and family members who were staying in the mansion when they went missing. Author Lawrence Sanders uses a "light and airy" brush to paint the mystery and the characters, making this story and the others enjoyable reads that certainly do not get heavy or dark. If the first book in the series suffers at all it is from the too too many characters who are under suspicion, as it was difficult,, without a "scorecard" to keep up with who was who. Still, for me, I just kept reading and enjoyed the proverbial ride, which IS enjoyable.

Again, this series in a winner all the way pick up this first volume and treat yourself to the adventures of Archie McNally you will not be disappointed.