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Summary: I Love You, Milan Jacovich!
Review: Computers, ... suicide --or is it murder?-- porn sites...what else could you want in a Les Roberts novel? Especially a Milan Jacovich adventure!? I have always had a crush on Milan Jacovich...but now I think I'm in real trouble. Is there anything more charming than a crusty, street-smart detective learning his way around chatrooms and surfing the web? Well, yeah, I guess there is. It's the fact that this crusty sleuth actually admits he doesn't know as much as his son, a Freshman at Kent and his girlfriend, the real computer genius. It was great fun seeing computer lingo and on-line culture through the eyes of chatroom-virgin Jacovich. Besides the "fun" in this book, are the layers of grisly discoveries Milan uncovers until THE DUTCH act is solved. There's something for everyone in this book, and I think Roberts has done his best yet at embracing a wide audience of mystery fans. The book did curl my toes in some places. For those not familiar with Internet culture, Milan's discoveries will shock you. For those more familiar, Milan's discoveries will disgust and confirm much of what you already believe about the darker side of the World Wide Web. Naturally, our hero, Milan (pronounced MY-lan, thank-you very much!) shines light into that darkness with his talents as Cleveland's favorite sleuth. Kudos to Roberts! I believe he has written a top seller, and I am glad to have gotten one of the first copies! As a book collector, I also want to express my delight in the book's jacket. It's absolutely delicious in its metallic blues and greys. I liked it so much I removed it from the book while I read it so it wouldn't get mussed! THE DUTCH is a great book -- inside and out. Enjoy!
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Summary: Great, fast paced read if you know Cleveland you'll love it
Review: I am not sure if reading this Roberts book first is a good thing or not. On the one hand with no previous knowledge, Milan Jacovich is a fresh character, fairly well developed in this book, exciting and complex. However reading the other reviews it seems that reading his earlier books would be the prudent thing to do to really know our hero. As a stand alone this book is certainly a strong piece, but once I read his other works, I may change my mind. This was a quick read for me (one day), but a very good one as well. Being familiar with Cleveland and her landmarks adds greatly to this book, but the thrilling nature of the story should grasp you even if you've never been to the Rock and Roll City. It turns out to be a bit more kinky than I was expecting, but then surprises are usually just that! Two minor problems I had with the book had to do with Roberts overuse of the word "bucolic" and the ending. I counted his use of the word 3 times and lets be honest here, it's a great word, but when overused, as it is here, it loses its flavor. Secondly, the ending comes too fast and leaves a few things dangling. I don't want to ruin any of the plot; however he could have tidied up a few of the "relationship" strings. I've heard that this will be the last Cleveland based book (something about his publisher or agent saying he's worn out Cleveland). I hope this is not the case and I really look forward to reading his other works. This is a solid effort and well worth you time if you like thrillers.
Rating:
Summary: Great, fast paced read if you know Cleveland you'll love it
Review: I am not sure if reading this Roberts book first is a good thing or not. On the one hand with no previous knowledge, Milan Jacovich is a fresh character, fairly well developed in this book, exciting and complex. However reading the other reviews it seems that reading his earlier books would be the prudent thing to do to really know our hero. As a stand alone this book is certainly a strong piece, but once I read his other works, I may change my mind. This was a quick read for me (one day), but a very good one as well. Being familiar with Cleveland and her landmarks adds greatly to this book, but the thrilling nature of the story should grasp you even if you've never been to the Rock and Roll City. It turns out to be a bit more kinky than I was expecting, but then surprises are usually just that! Two minor problems I had with the book had to do with Roberts overuse of the word "bucolic" and the ending. I counted his use of the word 3 times and lets be honest here, it's a great word, but when overused, as it is here, it loses its flavor. Secondly, the ending comes too fast and leaves a few things dangling. I don't want to ruin any of the plot; however he could have tidied up a few of the "relationship" strings. I've heard that this will be the last Cleveland based book (something about his publisher or agent saying he's worn out Cleveland). I hope this is not the case and I really look forward to reading his other works. This is a solid effort and well worth you time if you like thrillers.
Rating:
Summary: Milan Jacovich--what a guy!
Review: I have enjoyed all the books in this series, but found this one exceptionally enjoyable, not only for the mystery itself, but for the contemporary insights into our changing times and mores as well. Milan is slowly coming to terms with the computer age and its many implications for society, morality and lifestyle. His continuing reflections on life, aging, and fitting into a society that values only young, beautiful people is insightful and moving.
Milan is at heart an armchair philosopher, and his musings are always deeply reflective and beautifully spoken (in the written word). This book, like the others in the series, are for those looking more for solid story value and good writing than for shoot-'em-up action. I'm glad there's a new story in the works, soon to come!!
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Summary: The Dutch
Review: Les Roberts has become one of my favorite mystery writers. His character is Cleveland private investigator, Milan Jacovich. Milan is asked by William Carnine to find out why his daughter, Ellen, committed suicide ("did the Dutch") by jumping off a bridge. Most thought that Ellen did the Dutch because she was overweight and unattractive. She was 3rd in command at Wheetek Inc., a computer graphics designing firm. Milan discovers that she is very bright and a decent, caring person. Ellen also spent quite a bit of time in chat rooms on the Internet. As Milan talks with her friends and investigates her on-line friends, it becomes likely that Ellen was murdered. Milan sets out to find the killer knowing that his own life is in danger. "The Dutch" has a very strong plot and the suspense builds until the very end. I also like the main character, Milan Jacovich. This novel is highly recommended.
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Summary: Where is Saxon
Review: Milan has been great, but getting to preachy, Roberts is
using Milan as a pulpit, Milan needs to have a few flaws,
and be human, his morals are to black and white. Its time to see Saxon return, he seemed more realistic.
Rating:
Summary: Another Winner in a Classy and Compelling Series
Review: Over the years, fictional private eyes have come in all shapes and sizes and have trod the mean streets of numerous famous and even exotic locales. Against that backdrop the idea of a novel, let alone a series of novels, set in Cleveland and featuring a tough Slovenian detective would hardly seem to be a recipe for success. Nevertheless, success is precisely what author Les Roberts has accomplished with his Milan Jacovich mysteries.
When the body of Ellen Carnine, a brilliant young executive with a local web design firm, is found dead at the bottom of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge everyone concerned (including the police) is satisfied that the woman took her own life. While outwardly well adjusted, the young businesswoman could only be described as "aesthetically-challenged." Her physical appearance, combined with a virtual lack of anything even remotely resembling a love life, seems to provide a ready-made motive for suicide. The girl's father, Professor William Carnine, doesn't doubt the official verdict. He is nevertheless dissatisfied with the various motives proffered to explain his daughter's action. To get to the truth and to establish some sense of closure, the bereaved man hires Milan Jacovich to investigate the cause of Ellen's "doing the Dutch" - street slang for committing suicide.
Jacovich, an ex-cop and a Vietnam vet, is a tough as they come. What sets Jacovich apart from so many other series characters is the fact that he grows and changes in significant ways with each succeeding adventure. Through it all, however, it is his essential humanity - a product of his experiences in the military, as a police officer and of his ethnic roots and family ties - that makes him such an interesting and engaging creation.
With the help of Ellen's laptop computer, Jacovich slowly (too slowly in spots) but surely uncovers the truth regarding the woman's demise. In the process the detective, an Internet neophyte, is introduced to chat rooms, password detection software and the absolute darkest recesses of the web pornography industry. The intriguing ethical, legal and philosophical issues raised by Roberts concerning personal privacy, the First Amendment and the sources of one's own self-image are in themselves enough to keep one turning the page. The heinous crime at the heart of this novel should also prove sufficiently shocking to fans of all but the most hardboiled fare.
Notwithstanding some minor problems in plot and pacing, THE DUTCH is an enjoyable and thoughtful detective novel. As usual, the author's use of his Cleveland area locale is lovingly and painstakingly detailed. Admittedly, Cleveland is not the San Francisco of Sam Spade, the Manhattan of Matt Scudder, nor the Los Angeles of Phil Marlowe or Lew Archer. Nevertheless, from the four landmark pylons known as the "Titans of Transportation" on the Hope Memorial Bridge at the opening of the story to the Holden Arboretum that figures so prominently in the denouement, Roberts brings this once universally maligned city to life. Here, as in the other books in this series, what at first glance appears to be an improbable combination of setting and character works ... and works well!( The full text of this review was first published in MYSTERY NEWS, August/September 2001).
Rating:
Summary: More polished than some earlier Roberts
Review: The book is about an apparent suicide of an Internet executive and Milan Jacovich's assignment as a P.I. to determine why a beloved daughter would kill herself. It's smooth, well-written and accurate in its description of how an Internet ISP operates. Others seem to find the book preachy, but after a half-dozen Jacovich novels Roberts undoubtedly finds it necessary to do some explaining why Milan does what he does. Roberts writing has become smoother during the series and characters are well-developed. Local Cleveland color is excellent, but some aspects are well-developed and others are dropped in without contributing to the story. For example, his description of the bridge at the site of the suicide is excellent, complete with historic context. But his mention of a Cleveland Heights' passion, Mitchell's Candies, is superficial -- even though the store has a history as interesting as the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. Good detective fiction; a must read for Clevelanders and ex-Clevelanders like myself.
Rating:
Summary: More polished than some earlier Roberts
Review: The book is about an apparent suicide of an Internet executive and Milan Jacovich's assignment as a P.I. to determine why a beloved daughter would kill herself. It's smooth, well-written and accurate in its description of how an Internet ISP operates. Others seem to find the book preachy, but after a half-dozen Jacovich novels Roberts undoubtedly finds it necessary to do some explaining why Milan does what he does. Roberts writing has become smoother during the series and characters are well-developed. Local Cleveland color is excellent, but some aspects are well-developed and others are dropped in without contributing to the story. For example, his description of the bridge at the site of the suicide is excellent, complete with historic context. But his mention of a Cleveland Heights' passion, Mitchell's Candies, is superficial -- even though the store has a history as interesting as the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. Good detective fiction; a must read for Clevelanders and ex-Clevelanders like myself.
Rating: 
Summary: Missing: One Milan Jacovich
Review: This book made very little impression on me, and if it had been the first one in the Jacovich series, I probably wouldn't have read any more. I came to admire Milan Jacovich in stories like PEPPER PIKE and A SHOOT IN CLEVELAND. With his last two books, one about baby-selling and this latest about physical appearance and computer sex, Roberts has gotten so preachy he should probably write a self-help novel next. Milan is flat and seems to have lost much of his hard-edge. He has no lover, just a woman woman he uses for sex and in this book, he isn't even really that into his sons' lives anymore, except for leering at Milan Jr.'s girlfriend. That's not Milan! We want our Milan back!
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