Les Roberts crafts compelling mystery novels, most notably featuring the Cleveland detective Milan Jacovich. Before turning to fiction, he had a significant career in Hollywood, serving as the first producer and head writer for Hollywood Squares and contributing to other iconic television shows. This diverse background in entertainment informs his writing, lending it a unique depth and narrative flair. His stories often delve into complex moral landscapes, showcasing a keen insight into human nature and the intricacies of justice.
After serving seven years for the involuntary manslaughter of his wife, Russell Reinhart, a celebrated private eye novelist, is released from prison. Returning to Chicago, he finds support from his skilled attorney, who safeguarded his fortune during his incarceration. Settling into a luxurious apartment near Lake Michigan, Reinhart faces the challenges of reintegration into society while grappling with his past.
Caught in a web of crime and betrayal, Jericho Paich, a Slovenian-American, is coerced by the aggressive Cleveland police officer Keenan Mayo into becoming a non-paid confidential informant. As he navigates this dangerous role, Jericho faces moral dilemmas while setting up both friends and strangers for drug-related arrests, exploring themes of loyalty, survival, and the complexities of justice in a gritty urban landscape.
Focusing on the interplay between culture and geography, this book explores diverse landscapes and spatial narratives that highlight the significance of both local and broader contexts. It examines how place and mobility shape human experiences, weaving together stories that reflect regional, national, and global dynamics. Through its comprehensive approach, it provides insights into the complexities of spatial relationships and their impact on identity and community.
The story follows Vietnam veteran Dominick Candiotti, who returns to his estranged family in Youngstown for the funeral of his oldest brother, Richard, known as "Father Candy." Dominick grapples with his family's complex dynamics, including a discontented sister and a morally compromised police lieutenant brother. The narrative explores themes of family loyalty, estrangement, and the impact of a shared past intertwined with the local mob, as Dominick confronts his family's legacy and his own place within it.
