The Irish Sports Pages : A Milan Jacovich Mystery

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Addition To The Milan Yackovich Series
Review: I cannot say too much about an author who has become my favorite. I stopped reading mysteries many years ago and then discovered the Milan Jakovich novels (my first ten years of life were spent in Cleveland and I was curious) and the Saxon novels set it LA. No other detective writer makes his characters as human as Les Roberts does and he is one of the few authors who causes me to go back and reread what he has written. He is articulate, he is concise, and he knows who and what he is writing about. This is as true of The Irish Sports Pages as of all his books. I would encourage mystery fans to read all his books and challenge non mystery fans with the belief that one Les Roberts book will get them hooked on all that he has written. Believe me, I went to old book stores and the net once I found I had missed the first few and the prices were well worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Just...can't...quite...make...it.
Review: I think it's a testimonial to an idea whose time has come and gone when talking about Roberts' newest book, The Irish Sports Pages. As with his other novels, even those that aren't mostly a sightseeing tour of Cleveland, he has received so-so reviews from almost everyone. It's hard to believe his popularity since this is only the second comment on his latest novel, and neither comment is very complimentary. His writing has become sloppy, and whoever is watching over his shoulder for mistakes should get new glasses. In one of his novels, I remember he had Milan eating dinner twice in two hours. But one has, I suppose, come to expect this sort of thing from Roberts. He cranks out one so-so book a year and even though he is vastly popular in the Cleveland area,I hear his books spike on the local bestseller list then slide rapidly down the charts into oblivion. Clevelanders embrace anything that is exclusively their's, no matter how embarrassing or unwarranted their support is. That's what makes them who they are. They'll even make an icon out of a semi-talented author. In "Sport's Pages", Milan has allied himself with the Irish instead of the Italians or the Slovenians. Roberts must have found a friend in the Emerald Society, and is probably pumping him for as much information on being an Irish Cop as he can before he catches on. And as a former Clevelander and former cop, I can guarantee, they WILL catch on. I did enjoy the book. It wasn't ALL bad. But I went right out and bought myself a Jeff Deaver novel as an apology to my brain.

Rating:
Summary: solid investigative plot starring a steady hero
Review: In Cleveland, Cathleen Hartigan arranges a meeting between her mother Common Pleas Judge Maureen Hartigan and an almost boy friend private investigator Milan Jacovich. The Judge wants Milan to find Irish con artist Brian McFall, who told Maureen, her brother Hugh Cochran, and his friends that he just came from the "auld" country, but has been unable to find his cousin in Akron. Brian conned Hugh and Maureen out of several thousand dollars and stole some photographs that the Judge wants back.

Finding the vanished Brian through his several identities turns out to be quite easy as someone murdered McFall. Cleveland Police Lieutenant Florence McHargue lectures Milan to stay out of her case, but he cannot remain on the sidelines as Cathleen's family is suspects and he might be too. Then there is also the real killer targeting Milan for a spot in THE IRISH SPORTS PAGE, better known as the obituaries.

The latest Jacovich mystery like most if not all the other series novels contains an entertaining tour of Cleveland through the ethnic neighborhoods. Though nothing new from the previous dozen Jacovich tales surface, the investigation remains fun to observe as readers know what to expect with Milan retaining his charm as a strong lead sleuth and his greatest enemy Florence somewhat tolerating him at best when it is convenient to her case. Fans of the series will feel fortunate that the thirteenth entry consists of a solid investigative plot starring a steady hero.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: solid investigative plot starring a steady hero
Review: In Cleveland, Cathleen Hartigan arranges a meeting between her mother Common Pleas Judge Maureen Hartigan and an almost boy friend private investigator Milan Jacovich. The Judge wants Milan to find Irish con artist Brian McFall, who told Maureen, her brother Hugh Cochran, and his friends that he just came from the "auld" country, but has been unable to find his cousin in Akron. Brian conned Hugh and Maureen out of several thousand dollars and stole some photographs that the Judge wants back.

Finding the vanished Brian through his several identities turns out to be quite easy as someone murdered McFall. Cleveland Police Lieutenant Florence McHargue lectures Milan to stay out of her case, but he cannot remain on the sidelines as Cathleen's family is suspects and he might be too. Then there is also the real killer targeting Milan for a spot in THE IRISH SPORTS PAGE, better known as the obituaries.

The latest Jacovich mystery like most if not all the other series novels contains an entertaining tour of Cleveland through the ethnic neighborhoods. Though nothing new from the previous dozen Jacovich tales surface, the investigation remains fun to observe as readers know what to expect with Milan retaining his charm as a strong lead sleuth and his greatest enemy Florence somewhat tolerating him at best when it is convenient to her case. Fans of the series will feel fortunate that the thirteenth entry consists of a solid investigative plot starring a steady hero.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Just...can't...quite...make...it.
Review: In the past I read a couple of the Milan Jacovich novels because I live in Cleveland and I've heard Roberts on the radio. They were ok. However, my so/so response is probably based on the fact that detective stories are really not my genre.

When I got a call from a friend recommending THE IRISH SPORTS PAGES I was a bit apprehensive. My curisoity was perked when he said that he read the book in two days. When I heard the basis of the plot I became more interested and went to my local book store to fork over the cash and it was worth every cent.

For residents of the Cleveland area the plot will be strongly reminiscent of an incident that was widely reported in the local press about a year ago. The son of a county judge, who happens to be Irish, met a guy in a local Irish pub. The stranger was posing as someone from Ireland who had lost his luggage and wallet. In the real life story the would be son of Ireland said that his father was the vice president of Waterford. He promised trips to Ireland and vacations in the family resort in Florida. The judge's son took the great imposter home where the "man who came to dinner" made off with expensive jewelry and cash, including the judge's cuff links after accepting the judge's hospitality for a week or so. A local female attorney was also hoodwinked by the imposter and got scammed for the cost of several nights in a downtown hotel.

Knowledge of the local color, which is all green, greatly enhances the readability of the book, but even if you don't know Cleveland and it's Irish politicians, it's a great read.

Interestingly enough, there is not one black or latino character in the book. The Italians, who play a part in the plot, are all portrayed as Mafia types. Cleveland is a really diverse city. Seems that Roberts could blend his colors from time to time and demonstrate the diversity of the city.

Rating:
Summary: NOT JUST FOR CLEVELAND READERS
Review: In the past I read a couple of the Milan Jacovich novels because I live in Cleveland and I've heard Roberts on the radio. They were ok. However, my so/so response is probably based on the fact that detective stories are really not my genre.

When I got a call from a friend recommending THE IRISH SPORTS PAGES I was a bit apprehensive. My curisoity was perked when he said that he read the book in two days. When I heard the basis of the plot I became more interested and went to my local book store to fork over the cash and it was worth every cent.

For residents of the Cleveland area the plot will be strongly reminiscent of an incident that was widely reported in the local press about a year ago. The son of a county judge, who happens to be Irish, met a guy in a local Irish pub. The stranger was posing as someone from Ireland who had lost his luggage and wallet. In the real life story the would be son of Ireland said that his father was the vice president of Waterford. He promised trips to Ireland and vacations in the family resort in Florida. The judge's son took the great imposter home where the "man who came to dinner" made off with expensive jewelry and cash, including the judge's cuff links after accepting the judge's hospitality for a week or so. A local female attorney was also hoodwinked by the imposter and got scammed for the cost of several nights in a downtown hotel.

Knowledge of the local color, which is all green, greatly enhances the readability of the book, but even if you don't know Cleveland and it's Irish politicians, it's a great read.

Interestingly enough, there is not one black or latino character in the book. The Italians, who play a part in the plot, are all portrayed as Mafia types. Cleveland is a really diverse city. Seems that Roberts could blend his colors from time to time and demonstrate the diversity of the city.

Rating:
Summary: Cleveland PI novelist back again
Review: Les Roberts has really put Cleveland on the map over the years with his fine novels. This book maintains that tradition, and Milan remains one of the more unique characters in private eye fiction. Pick this one up if you've ever been to Cleveland or if you enjoy a classic private eye tale. Roberts is a writer to be followed closely.

Rating:
Summary: Well, Gosh!
Review: Maybe there's something wrong with me (many people would wholeheartedly agree), but I liked Les' newest book. It didn't tax my brain and I read it over one weekend. Milan Jacovich has become like an old pair of shoes--the one's you keep going back to when another pair beats up your feet and you're dying for something familiar and comfortable. There's no stomach-churning gore, the sex is so-so, and the plots aren't revealed in the first few pages. Les enjoys writing mysteries and making people think. As long as he keeps writing, I'll keep reading his books.

Rating:
Summary: Well, Gosh!
Review: Maybe there's something wrong with me (many people would wholeheartedly agree), but I liked Les' newest book. It didn't tax my brain and I read it over one weekend. Milan Jacovich has become like an old pair of shoes--the one's you keep going back to when another pair beats up your feet and you're dying for something familiar and comfortable. There's no stomach-churning gore, the sex is so-so, and the plots aren't revealed in the first few pages. Les enjoys writing mysteries and making people think. As long as he keeps writing, I'll keep reading his books.

Rating:
Summary: Milan Goes Irish
Review: This is the 13th book in the Milan Jacovich series, which is set in Cleveland and once again showcases the city to its best advantage while Milan does his investigative work. Milan is a middle-aged, clear-thinking, single and sensible private investigator who always seems to get things done with a minimum of fuss.

Although there's a minimum of fuss, there's still plenty to enjoy about this latest book in the series. Milan explores the unfamiliar territory of Irish bars when hired to track down a conman posing as an Irishman who is new to the country, He preys on Irish ex-pats, taking them into his confidence before disappearing with a modest haul. He oversteps the mark when his prey is Judge Maureen Hartigan and she demands a chance at a shot of revenge, using Milan to find him. Things become a bit more complicated when it is revealed that the judge hasn't been completely forthright about what was stolen. When Milan works out what some of the items were, their significance changes the tone of his investigation completely.

This is another enjoyable private investigator story, which I would term as semi-hardboiled. It's not going to offend any sensibilities with Milan remaining a gentleman throughout the entire case. As it's part of a series, I would recommend that a couple of the earlier books could be read to give you a bit of an insight into Milan and the other regular characters.