King of the Holly Hop

“A real treat, whether this is the reader's first introduction to the Cleveland PI or one merely catching up with an old friend.” — Mysterious Reviews

#14 in the Milan Jacovich mystery series …

Going to your high school reunion is never fun. But this time, it’s murder.

When Cleveland private eye Milan Jacovich reluctantly attends the fortieth reunion of his St. Clair High School graduating class, he gets a rude surprise: one of his classmates is found shot dead and another quickly becomes the main suspect.

The suspect, successful playwright Tommy Wiggins, draws Milan into the case--and puts him in a very awkward position. Investigating his former schoolmates is an uncomfortable task for Milan, as he soon discovers the dark secrets of people he only thought he knew.

The deceased Dr. Phil Kohn, it turns out, was a cad who managed to make more than a few enemies during his abbreviated life. But did a forty-year-old grudge really lead to his death? Or was it something more recent--a jealous spouse, a shady business partner?

Milan’s hunt for the real killer leads him through the oddly intertwined worlds of Cleveland’s medical community, organized crime, polite suburban society, and hard-core drug dealers. It’s a tough investigation in which Milan could lose many friends—and, if he’s not careful, his life.

“Milan is back after a six-year hiatus and just as sharp as ever … a must-read for any Cleveland mystery lover or displaced Clevelander. If you’re new to the series, don’t worry; the book stands wel alone even as it reminds fans of previous Milan adventures.” — About.com

“A fresh and original mystery, highly recommended to those looking for a classic whodunit with new ideas.” — Small Press Bookwatch

“Roberts writes exciting, well-paced mysteries, which is why his fans wanted more, but in this part of the country their appeal has a lot to do with the locale. When murder mysteries are set in places you know, they immediately become more compelling.” — News Journal

“An enjoyable whodunit with a deep realistic look at Cleveland now and a nostalgic surreal look at the city in the 1960s though the distorted lens of memories.” — Midwest Book Review

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.