The Cleveland Creep
by Les Roberts

The Cleveland Creep is the 15th book featuring Cleveland's own private eye Milan Jacovich. The Jacovich series oozes Cleveland - from the Slovenian hero's penchant for Stroh's beer to the numerous references to Cleveland neighborhoods, people and institutions.

One of the things I really like about the series is that Jacovich isn't somehow preserved in a time capsule where he, or the world, never change. He is aging and his work as a PI is affected by that. It is also the reason that I recommend that people start reading the series from the beginning, a book titled Pepper Pike. But if you are not so inclined, rest assured that The Cleveland Creep stands alone.

After yet another concussion and the physical toll of his Kent State football, police department and PI career adding up Jacovich (you are pronouncing it correctly, right? Its MY-lan YOCK-o-vich) takes the friendly suggestion of an Eastside female PI colleague and hires a tough young buck named Kevin O'Bannon or K.O. K.O. adds another dimension to the series and he blends in seamlessly. Jacovich's struggles in dealing with the short-fused youngster and his own aging body make for a realistic feel.

I have to admit that some of the content of Jacovich's case is unsettling. It starts with the disappearance of a young man who has been secretly videotaping up women's skirts at local malls. It grows to include other areas of porn as well as human and animal cruelty.

Given that, this is another story that you will not want to put down. Roberts makes his characters come alive and the realism (actual Cleveland venues, issues with aging, etc.) make it a great addition to the Milan Jacovich series.

Reviewed by Dan Hanson