Les Roberts is a Cleveland Heights-based writer, best known for his detective novels, featuring protagonist, Milan Jacovich. The novels are particularly fun for Clevelanders because of the liberal sprinkling of references to Cleveland and the surrounding area.
I'm rather fond of these books -- all thirteen of them. Like most detective series', they are best read in order.
I'm rather fond of these books -- all thirteen of them. Like most detective series', they are best read in order.
The Indian Sign (1999)
(courtesy of Gray and Co.)
In the eleventh novel in the Milan Jacovich series, Milan is hired by a businessman to check up on his accountant, whom the man suspects is cheating him. Milan is also working on a kidnapping case for an elderly Native American whose grandson has been taken. Given his past history, it should come as no surprise that the two cases become intertwined. As with the other novels in this series, the action is fast-paced and the Cleveland references irresistible.
The Dutch (2001)
(courtesy of Gray and Co.)
This 12th novel in the Milan Jacovich series finds Milan investigating the circumstances surrounding a young woman's apparent suicide at her father's request. Of course, in true Les Roberts fashion all is not what it at first appears.
The Irish Sports Pages (2002)
(Courtesy of Gray and Co.)
The 13th novel in the Milan Jacovich series finds the Slovenian private detective poking around Irish organized crime in and around Cleveland. Again, the local references and parallels to actual historical events make the book interesting for those in Northeast Ohio.
We'll Always Have Cleveland (2006)
(Courtesy of Gray and Company)
A rare non-fiction work from Les Roberts, this memoir is a love letter to his adopted home, Cleveland Ohio. In this small book, the author shares his favorite Cleveland haunts, his thoughts about Milan, and offers glimpses into his private life. A good read for any Cleveland mystery reader.
Snake Oil
(courtesy of St. Martins Press)
Before there was Milan Jacovich, there was Saxon, a Hollywood actor/private detective. Among the 18 Saxon novels is "Snake Oil," a mystery that develops when Saxon takes a seemingly simple (and lucrative) job following a man's wife. The "simple" job however, turns to murder.
Chinese Fire Drill
(courtesy of Five Star Trade)
A break from the Saxon and Jacovich mysteries, this one is set in exotic Hong Kong and features expatriate journalist, Anthony Holton. It's a fast-paced puzzle in the spirit of Graham Greene and Joseph Conrad.
King of the Holly Hop (2008)
(courtesy of Gray and Company)
The 14th in the Milan Javovich series is due out in June of 2008. In this book, Milan returns to St. Clair High School for his 40th high school reunion. You can read the first three chapters for free by clicking here.
