A taut and gripping tale that sets police detective Edward Delaney on the trail of a vicious criminal in New York’s art worldA month ago, world-renowned artist Victor Maitland was found dead in his Mott Street studio—stabbed repeatedly in the back. With no clear leads or suspects, the New York Police Department calls Chief Edward Delaney out of retirement. Delaney is still adjusting to life on the outside, and he’s bored by his free time. He welcomes the chance to put his well-honed investigative skills to the test once again. To investigate the case, Delaney plunges into Maitland’s rarefied orbit. Following a winding path of avarice, deception, and fraud, Delaney uncovers a long line of suspects that includes Maitland’s wife, son, and mistress. When a second murder rocks Manhattan’s art world, Delaney moves closer to the truth about what kind of a man—or monster—Victor Maitland really was. But which of the artist’s enemies was capable of killing him and leaving no trail?

Bestselling author Lawrence Sanders breaks new ground with a story about a doctor who plays God—with horrifying resultsBingham Foundation field investigator Samuel Todd has been assigned to approve a grant to Dr. Telford Thorndecker, the current head of Crittenden Hall, a senior care facility. Thorndecker’s wealthy first wife died in a drowning accident. The Nobel Prize–winning scientist is now married again, and his second wife is a gamine beauty four years younger than his daughter. Commanding and charismatic, Thorndecker is a man in his prime. But as Todd digs deeper into the goings-on at Crittenden Hall, he begins to question the very essence of the man. Is Thorndecker a brilliant scientist on the edge of a monumental breakthrough, or a madman who’ll stop at nothing to achieve immortality? Todd must make his own Hobson’s choice as he races to stop a conspiracy that could have calamitous consequences for years to come.

Wealthy bird-store owner Hiram Gottschalk feels his life is in danger. And he's right--as playboy-turned Palm Beach P.I. Archy McNally realizes when his mutilated body is found. Between Gottschalk's shady employees, his paranoin son and heir, and his twisted twin daughters, there's no shortage of pieces to this scandalous puzzle. But for Archy and his sidekick, Binky, the biggest piece is still missing--the killer with a motive to kill two more birds with one stone.Amazon.com ReviewHiram Gottschalk is a wealthy widower, the owner of a bird store called Parrots Unlimited--and a man desperate to save himself from an unknown stalker. He hires McNally, who is convinced he'll soon return his client's life to order--but then Gottschalk is stabbed in his sleep, and two of his clerks are abducted and killed in the Everglades. It takes all McNally's skill to put together the pieces in McNally's Puzzle. From Library JournalVeteran Palm Beach sleuth Archy McNally puzzles over the death of a bird store owner in this latest by the prolific author of 20 best sellers.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A butterfly tattoo in a very private place could be the key to solving a murder spree in Archy McNally's third case in the sweaty, seedy society of Palm Beach. 175,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo.From AudioFileIts quick pace and vocal clarity make this tale of murder and money easy and enjoyable to follow. In a light, jaunty baritone Boyd Gaines captures the light-hearted Archy McNally, who has been expelled from Yale Law for streaking and is acting for a third time as problem-solver for friend and foe. Gaines flattens his tone and broadens a Midwestern accent to create the local sheriff. For the villains he sharpens his voice. The women's voices are softer and breathy and, in one case, loaded with a Southern accent. The variety in Gaines's delivery enables the listener to identify the characters quickly and to delight in the details of Palm Beach society. M.G.S (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

A playboy PI becomes entangled with passion, murder, and unabashed greed in these three adventures by aNew York Times–bestselling author. Privileged bachelor Archy McNally enjoys sipping late-night port with his girlfriend of the moment and tooling around South Florida in his red Miata sports car. Only occasionally does he get around to doing actual work as a part-time investigator for his father's law firm. In these three witty novels, he's paid to make discreet inquiries for Palm Beach's elite—who are rarely what they seem. McNally's Secret: When Lady Cynthia Horowitz's priceless 1918 US airmail stamps go missing from her plantation-style mansion, McNally unearths a shocking secret that could expose his own family's skeletons. His search thrusts him into a thickening maze of sex, scandal, blackmail, and murder. McNally's Luck: McNally's latest assignment is a simple catnapping....

Retired cop Edward X. Delaney takes on a female serial killer in this spine-tingling masterwork of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Lawrence Sanders By day, she’s a middle-aged secretary no one would look at twice. But by night, dressed in a midnight-black wig, a skin-tight dress, and spike heels, she’s hard to miss. Inside her leather shoulder bag are keys, cash, mace, and a Swiss Army knife. She prowls smoky hotel bars for prey. The first victim—a convention guest at an upscale Manhattan hotel—is found with multiple stab wounds to the neck and genitals.By the time retired police detective chief Edward Delaney hears about the case from an old colleague, the Hotel Ripper has already struck twice. Unable to resist the puzzle, Delaney follows the clues and soon realizes he’s looking for a woman. As the grisly slayings continue, seizing the city in a chokehold of panic, Delaney must stop the madwoman before she kills again.Review“Big-time suspense...a first-rate thriller...It's as good as you can get.” -New York TimesAbout the AuthorLawrence Sanders, one of America's most popular novelists, was the author of more than twenty-two bestsellers.