Customer Reviews

Pepper Pike

5 star:		(6)
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3 star:		(1)
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Les Roberts's private detective Milan Jacovich has all the right moves to be great character on the order of a Phillip Marlowe or a Matthew Scudder. He's wisecracking, lonely, cynical, capable of violence and he spends a lot of times in bars. He also lives by his own incorruptable moral code. If author Les Roberts had come up a story worthy of his hero, he'd have a classic on his hands. Unfortunately, "Pepper Pike" is a fairly pedestrian who-dunnit? closer in spirit to Agatha Christie than Raymond Chandler. Some of the scenes hardly ring believable, like when Milan roughs up a mob boss and only gets beaten up rather than killed for his trouble. The story lacks a great villian and Roberts relies on the old knock-on-the-head move a couple too many times.

"Pepper Pike" has atmosphere and attitude to burn. It shows plenty of promise, but is ultimately unfulfilling.

With the various twists and turns in Pepper Pike, you really can't guess "who dunnit" until the end. But the trip is a thrill with each turned page. Mr. Roberts also does a wonderful job capturing the heart and soul of the Greater Cleveland area - alive and full of excitement.

I've read 4 of these Les Roberts books now, including Pepper Pike, and I am now officially "hooked" on the series and the characters. Les has a great ability to keep the pace moving and the books never seem to have slow spots. Well done.

What happens when one of the most successful advertising agents in Cleveland disappears from his posh home in Pepper Pike without a trace? After being called by a frantic Richard Amber in need of a bodyguard, Milan Jacovich drove directly to Mr. Ambers elegant home, only to find that he was not there. After a night of waiting and wondering, Jacovich received a phone call from Mr. Ambers wife, Judith Amber, asking for his assistance, not as a bodyguard, but as a private investigator. Mr. Amber had disappeared.

The Ambers were an apparently happy and well-off couple, or that is how they appeared. In actuality, their marriage was one of convenience. Richard Ambers success had been arranged by his wife, Judith; he owed his success to her financial and social status. When Richard Amber disappeared, Judith Amber chose to keep his disappearance a secret from all but those closest to the situation.

Milan Jakovich, a private investigator, was permitted to question Richard Ambers girl friends (current and past) and colleagues (Jerry Stendall, Senior Vice-President of Marbury-Stendall; John Marbury, owner of Marbury-Stendall, and Jeff Monaghan, supposed best friend of Richard Amber). His attempts to question Walter Deming, Judiths uncle and owner of Deming Steel (both Richards and Marbury-Stendalls largest account), were discouraged and, when eventually permitted, involved at attempt on Jakovichs life.

After having his life threatened, Jacovich was determined to find the man who both attempted to kill him, and who was Ambers killer. The outcome is shocking, and will make you think twice about every person you meet for the rest of your life.

Given that I practically grew up in Cleveland and have friends from Pepper Pike, this was an interesting and enjoyable read. This is Roberts first effort in the Milan Jacovich series. I fortunately read his latest effort (The Dutch) first and then had to backtrack and read the first effort. Most of the plot seemed straight out of a TV special, but the richness of the characters, the setting and the all around likability of Jacovich made this a fast, fun read.

You can expect that I will read the rest of the series!

Pepper Pike is truly a great book. It displays great character development to go along with great plot development. The main character of this story is Milan Jacovich, a Slovenian. He is an ex-cop, ex-military police officer, and ex-football player. He uses all of his jobs and experiences is his private investagation work. The story starts with a call that he recives from someone needing his services. Richard Amber. He accepts the job, but the man he is working for is missing. It is now Milan's job to find this man and find out about his past and present. He has to find every friend, associate, partner, and friend of Richard Amber. He is successful in finding mistresses and possible accomplices to this enigma. He is successful in finding someone very important to whom I will not reveal. This book is a must read.

What happens when one of the most successful advertising agents in Cleveland disappears from his posh home in Pepper Pike without a trace? After being called by a frantic Richard Amber in need of a bodyguard, Milan Jacovich drove directly to Mr. Amber's elegant home, only to find that he was not there. After a night of waiting and wondering, Jacovich received a phone call from Mr. Amber's wife, Judith Amber, asking for his assistance, not as a bodyguard, but as a private investigator. Mr. Amber had disappeared.

The Ambers were an apparently happy and well-off couple, or that is how they appeared. In actuality, their marriage was one of convenience. Richard Amber's success had been arranged by his wife, Judith; he owed his success to her financial and social status. When Richard Amber disappeared, Judith Amber chose to keep his disappearance a secret from all but those closest to the situation.

Milan Jakovich, a private investigator, was permitted to question Richard Amber's girl friends (current and past) and colleagues (Jerry Stendall, Senior Vice-President of Marbury-Stendall; John Marbury, owner of Marbury-Stendall, and Jeff Monaghan, supposed best friend of Richard Amber). His attempts to question Walter Deming, Judith's uncle and owner of Deming Steel (both Richard's and Marbury-Stendall's largest account), were discouraged and, when eventually permitted, involved at attempt on Jakovich's life.

After having his life threatened, Jacovich was determined to find the man who both attempted to kill him, and who was Amber's killer. The outcome is shocking, and will make you think twice about every person you meet for the rest of your life.