Collision Bend: For An Ace Reporter, The News Is Murder... (Milan Jacovich Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Les Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 1997 | Series: Milan Jacovich Mysteries

Shock waves ride through the city of Cleveland when up-and-coming local television reporter Virginia Carville is found strangled to death in her home. Even more surprising is when Mary Soderberg, the station's top sales executive, implores P.I. Milan Jacovich-a former boyfriend whom Mary dumped for her current love, Steve Cirini-to clear Cirini as the chief murder suspect.

Swallowing his pride, Jacovich goes behind the scenes to uncover all the scandal and intrigue of big-city television-and the dark secrets of an ambitious newscaster. Yet he's no closer to solving the murder until he comes across an unmarked computer disk with a curious code, and a lucky guess sends him in the right direction. But as Jacovich comes nearer to the truth, he comes closer to making the evening news-as a murder victim...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When someone strangles promising local TV newscaster Virginia Carville, Cleveland PI Milan Jacovich gets a call he wants to refuse, but can't. His former lover, Mary Soderberg, a sales executive at the TV station, asks Milan to help the man she dumped him for, Steve Cirini, now the top suspect because he was among Carville's many sex partners. Milan's current flame, Nicole Archer, resents Mary's involvement, but he takes the case (his seventh, following The Duke of Cleveland). On Carville's computer disk, Milan discovers notes that might, if deciphered, unmask the murderer. A powerful station manager, a veteran anchorwoman and the pompous Cirini all have possible motives. Something also seems fishy about the bestselling romance writer who lived next door to Carville. The payoff punch, although nicely concealed, may remind some readers of Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent, but that's a minor letdown in this solid, keep-you-guessing mystery. Former television producer Roberts writes knowingly of the medium; newscaster sleeping with sales manager makes a timely metaphor for the ethics of broadcast journalism. Roberts affectionately weaves in the history and rich ethnic mix of Milan Jacovich's Cleveland turf.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

If John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee lives on, it's in Les Roberts' Milan Jacovich. Like the legendary McGee, Jacovich is a man of principle, a quixotic philosopher, and a gentle giant who's wise, caring, and as confused about life as the rest of us. Milan has moved his office to Cleveland's Collision Bend area on the banks of the Cuyahoga River. His old flame, Mary Soderberg (for whom Milan still carries a torch), is distraught when her lover and colleague is accused of murdering a popular Cleveland television reporter. Even though Mary hasn't spoken to Milan in three years, she turns to him for help. What ensues forces the implacable Milan to face some ugly truths about the human condition. Roberts, who writes some of today's best testosterone-laced PI stories, offers a pithy plot, world-weary but witty dialogue, and an appealing portrait of the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of often-maligned Cleveland. A good choice for all mystery collections. Emily Melton --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312963998
• ISBN-13: 978-0312963996
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,784,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Les Roberts is the author of 15 mystery novels featuring Cleveland detective Milan Jacovich, as well as 9 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, and a teacher. In 2003 he received the Sherwood Anderson Literary Award. A native of Chicago, he now lives in Northeast Ohio and is a film and literary critic.

Visit his web site at www.lesroberts.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another solid entry in Milan Jacovich series, January 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Collision Bend: For An Ace Reporter, The News Is Murder... (Milan Jacovich Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

While Sue Grafton's "alphabet" series dominates 90s detective fiction, Les Roberts is giving her a run for her money with his Cleveland-based series of gumshoe adventures. Milan Jacovich is a humane, brooding investigator who resorts to his considerable size and strength only with reluctance; his observations on modern life are oddly hard to disagree with. Roberts plots adroitly, letting the mystery and its solution coalesce slowly and tantalizingly. He also makes Cleveland come alive in a most affectionate and specific way (in a way that Cincinnati does not in Jonathan Valin's Harry Stoner series). Recommended with all possible enthusiasm to fans of the genre.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Milan is the Man, August 15, 2001

By 

Untouchable (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collision Bend: For An Ace Reporter, The News Is Murder... (Milan Jacovich Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Mary Soderberg walks back into Milan Jacovich's life when she asks him to help out her boyfriend, the man she left him for, when he is the main suspect in the murder of a high profile television reporter. Milan finds that he still can't resist Mary's pleas and puts himself in what proves to be quite an awkward situation. Milan has to put professionalism ahead of his personal feelings when he agrees to take on the case because, although he hates the man who stole Mary away from him, he is, after all, taking his money to help try to prove his innocence.

As far as private investigator series go, the Milan Jacovich is proving to be a very strong and involving one. Milan is a continually developing character that is consistently interesting and likable. For fans of private investigator books, this is a very worthwhile series and this particular episode doesn't let it down.