About the Author

Les Roberts is the author of 16 mystery novels featuring Cleveland detective Milan Jacovich, as well as 11 other books of fiction. The past president of both the Private Eye Writers of America and the American Crime Writer's League, he came to mystery writing after a 24-year career in Hollywood. He was the first producer and head writer of the Hollywood Squares and wrote for The Andy Griffith Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., among others. He has been a professional actor, a singer, a jazz musician, a teacher, and a film critic. In 2003 he received the Sherwood Anderson Literary Award. A native of Chicago, he now lives in Northeast Ohio.

Reviews

[Roberts] tells his tale in spare and potent prose. His Cleveland stories get better and better, offering far more than regional insights and pleasures.-- "Publishers Weekly" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)

In Milan Jacovich, Les Roberts has created an ingratiating hero and furnished him with an intriguing case to solve, together with a timely take on what has, for centuries, made the Balkans such a dark and bloody ground.-- "San Diego Union Tribune" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)

Roberts is one of the best crime writers around, and The Cleveland Connection is his best effort yet. The plot has all the right ingredients-danger, suspense, intrigue, action-in all the right amounts; Milan Jacovich is the kind of guy we want on our side when the chips are down . . . Don't miss this one. (Starred review)-- "Booklist" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)

Roberts' most ambitious work thus far . . . A potent plot . . . a brave, satisfying story.-- "Publishers Weekly" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)

There's an affection for Cleveland and an insistence on its ethnic, working-class life that gives vividness to the detection. Roberts writes with sharp wit, creates action scenes that are drawn with flair, and puts emotional life into a range of people.-- "The Washington Post" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)

Very good and very tough . . . Les Roberts has written an extremely good novel that is well worth reading by all, not just mystery lovers.-- "Armchair Detective" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)

[Roberts] tells his tale in spare and potent prose. His Cleveland stories get better and better, offering far more than regional insights and pleasures.-- "Publishers Weekly" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)
In Milan Jacovich, Les Roberts has created an ingratiating hero and furnished him with an intriguing case to solve, together with a timely take on what has, for centuries, made the Balkans such a dark and bloody ground.-- "San Diego Union Tribune" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)
Roberts is one of the best crime writers around, and The Cleveland Connection is his best effort yet. The plot has all the right ingredients-danger, suspense, intrigue, action-in all the right amounts; Milan Jacovich is the kind of guy we want on our side when the chips are down . . . Don't miss this one. (Starred review)-- "Booklist" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)
Roberts' most ambitious work thus far . . . A potent plot . . . a brave, satisfying story.-- "Publishers Weekly" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)
There's an affection for Cleveland and an insistence on its ethnic, working-class life that gives vividness to the detection. Roberts writes with sharp wit, creates action scenes that are drawn with flair, and puts emotional life into a range of people.-- "The Washington Post" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)
Very good and very tough . . . Les Roberts has written an extremely good novel that is well worth reading by all, not just mystery lovers.-- "Armchair Detective" (1/1/1993 12:00:00 AM)