The Cleveland Creep

Milan Jacovich #15

by Les Roberts

#15 in the Milan Jacovich mystery series . . .
A simple missing-person case gets complicated when Milan Jacovich (it's pronounced MY-lan YOCK-ovich) discovers that 28-year-old Earl Dacey left behind a strange collection of voyeuristic videos in his mother's West Side Cleveland house. Was Earl just a pervert shadowing Catholic schoolgirls in Northeast Ohio shopping malls with his hidden camera . . . or had he become entangled with unsavory characters in the local adult film business?
When Milan uncovers a possible link to organized crime, the FBI gets interested--and Milan's "well connected" friend Victor Gaimari gets angry. After a dead body turns up, the Cleveland Police take over, and Milan figures he's off the case. So why does crusty Lieutenant McHargue ask him to lend a hand?
Still feeling the effects of a recent concussion and well aware of his aging body, Milan takes the advice of a colleague and hires an assistant. Kevin O'Bannion is young and eager to learn the P.I. business. An Army veteran with combat experience and a juvenile-crime record, he definitely won't shy away from a fight. But will he be able to control his volatile temper and help get the job done? Milan finds out soon enough--with his own life on the line.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

253 pages, Hardcover

First published August 17, 2012

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."

Reviews

[Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't rewind a DVD.
I'm glad to have 4 Milan books to read. I enjoyed Les' books ever since starting with An Infinite number of Monkeys.
Milan is getting old (aren't we all) to do the hands-on investigation, so a friend sets him up to hire K.O.
Still Milan is ... , "I tried to keep looking pleasant, even though I itched to twist his head like the lid on a jar of Smucker's strawberry jam."

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

We’re closing in on the end of Roberts’ 19-book PI Milan Jacovich set, with no more forthcoming. “Creep” is #15; it turns out the title is a double-entendre for both the tendency of Cleveland drivers to edge up their cars at a red light – but also describes the “upskirt voyeur” subject of Milan’s latest case. The 28-year-old son still living at home with mom has the nasty habit of camcording women in skirts from a shopping bag on the floor, especially young ones at the mall from mostly parochial schools (and thus underage for “legal” porn). When he tries to sell his handiwork, he goes missing – his body is soon discovered far from home. Milan of course works tirelessly to find the perp.

We tend to see why Roberts’ tales are rather like “B” movies that never make it to the theaters. Milan is actually a terrific guy, despite his persistent application of black and white morals to everything; a bit lonely after a long ago divorce – compounded by relationship issues with women mostly due to his tough job. In every novel, he takes on a case with few clues to follow, so starts talking to every name he can drum up remotely related to the subject or person at hand. Thus the mid-books tend to get boring as the author parses out new clues rather stingily. Even in the end, there are few surprises, and usually some tough guys try roughing up our leading man – or like in this one, Milan is suddenly rescued by cops or other helpers who appear at just the right moment.

Yet we like the guy well enough to finish the set; and if we have lowered our expectations after 15 books, but still find them mildly entertaining, so be it.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the "creep" actually winds up being the least of them. Tho referring to the way motorists will "creep" up at red lights, as if their crawl will cause the light to change in itself, it was juxtaposed against a small-time "up-skirt" porn newbie who tried to make the big time with his mall shots of unsuspecting teens at various store counters.

For me, the worst was what was done to animals. I had to skip a paragraph or twp to avoid nightmares and I agreed with K.O., the new assistant to P.I. Milan Jacovich. Showing no mercy to the scurve of Cleveland, he lavishes love on the 4-legged denizens.

So, the plot is a porn-ring that Milan falls into when trying to find a missing person. Tethering in the FBI, mafia, several counties and an obnoxious rich family of scum. Milan does his usual act of aggravating everyone he meets and alienates a few old closer "friends".. Seems he just can't ever get a break (aside from bones.)

He's getting old, so the negatives are a bit more severe and longer lasting, but with the right angle, he can still rumble with the best.

Aside from his family, the familiar cast is present and a few new added in for interest. I'm still a big Jacovich fan and hope he can hang in for a few more cases.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must confess, I read this a while back and don't recall the details of the mystery....but, I remember really liking the writing styleof Les Roberts. His main character, Milan Jacovich private investigatore, is crusty and interesting. But, I especially like the ethnic setting in Cleveland, OH. I am Slavic, raised in a rural ethnic community and knew some of the attitudes, prejudices, and food. It was a good read!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very happy that Les Roberts has brought back Milan Jacovich. I like the characters and the author's sense of humor. Since I am familiar with the Cleveland area, it is fun to recognize some of the places Roberts mentions in his stories.

[Karen Kovac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best literary book ,but fun if you are from Cleveland and know all the places he talks about ....a fluff book...and I enjoyed the major character’s editorial comments.
Okay — pathetic …I read it in 2019 supposedly and just finished it Dec of 2025…..and didn’t remember a thing.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading through this series set in Cleveland, Ohio.

I'm familiar with the car "creep" Roberts mentions though I've never heard it called the "Cleveland Creep". It does make for an interesting double meaning to the title though since there are more than enough creepy people in this novel: a man taking "upskirt" videos, the porn industry--which includes ones for minors and ones that torture animals, and a boy who abuses his "girlfriend".

I do wonder what happened to Jinny from the previous book. There wasn't a definite break in the relationship there though there was a distancing--but she's not mentioned at all in this book. Milan has a new, one-book love interest. I'm still rooting for Milan to find the right companion who will stick with him despite his dangerous occupation.

In some ways, Milan is the same, but in others, he's definitely contemplating his age and wondering if he's still able to do his work the way he's always done.

I enjoyed having K.O. come into the scene. I haven't explored to see if K.O. gets his own series (I know that currently the Milan Jacovich series ends with book #19. Other reviewers don't expect there to be more in the series.) I can't fault K.O. for getting angry with those who torture animals--I do think he needs to find a better way to express his anger than beating people up, but perhaps that will become part of his growth as a character. I don't fault him for beating up Shane at the end since he was trying to protect Milan. I'm not sure if he thought the dog was in danger from Shane as well or not. I hope K.O. stays around for a bit--I'm tired of Milan losing friends.

[Cyber Dot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I just need a break from literary books and want to race through a fun mystery. I am a native Clevelander, and Les Roberts colors his mysteries with lots of local touches. His lead actor, Milan, is lovable when he is not beating people up (but it is always a "bad guy").

This book makes me curious about the sequels. Will K.O. be as engaging as Milan?

Thank you, Les Roberts.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milan Jacovich is hired by a mother to find her missing adult son. As the story develops Milan discovers a local adult film industry. Feeling his age, Milan takes on a young assistant who is a novice and makes mistakes that affect the investigation.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Les Roberts doesn't write bad books, and this is a good read. Up-skirt voyeurism, "crush" pornography? The ending is typical and telegraphed relatively early. The threads don't weave into a consistent narrative. But so what?

[Casey Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the KO character has been born. Step aside Milan, your retirement is in sight.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great getting old and realizing you can't do what you used to do.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was near the end of a long, hot Saturday afternoon in July, the kind of heat that makes Clevelanders quietly wish in their hearts for winter. When the overhead clouds refuse to move and the high temperature is locked in along with the high humidity, everybody is wet, annoyed, tired, and dragged out by day's end."

THE CLEVELAND CREEP is my introduction to Les Roberts and Milan Jacovich but when I read the first paragraph, I understood exactly what author and character were feeling. Substitute "Bostonian" for "Clevelander" and that is exactly what it was like last Saturday.

"Savannah is one of the most atmospheric cities in America, on the Atlantic coast in Georgia - full of beautiful old buildings, hanging moss, eccentric natives, and weeping willows....A river with the same name, Savannah, runs nearby. Additionally, Savannah is the name of a woman who does stand-up news at the White House for NBC television, Savannah Guthrie. Like her, most women named Savannah are attractive and as tropical-looking as their names - or at least they seem more that way than if they had been christened Sadie or Gertrude."

I know its cheating to use the author's words to review his words but I don't think many people can read that paragraph without laughing or, at the very least, smiling. I won't pull out any more quotes----- o.k., I need one more----"She'd ...mispronounced my last name. If it gives you trouble, just sound it out properly with the J sounding like a Y---Yock-o-vitch.... my first name. Put the American slant on it--My-lan-- and don't say it the way you would pronounce the name of an Eastern European, or the Italian city noted for its fashion shows and its opera house." These quotes take the reader as far as page 8 and no reader who gets this far into the book will be able to put it down until the end.

Les Roberts has the ability to make murder, mayhem, child pornography, and the X-rated movie industry palatable by showing the reader that Milan looks at the world with a slightly misshapen lens. If he couldn't find the humor he couldn't do the job without losing his soul.

Savannah Dacey hires Milan to find her missing child, Earl who is in his twenties. Earl has been missing for six days and, for the first time, he hasn't let his mother know where he is. After some prodding from Milan, Savannah admits that her son isn't exactly self-supporting but he does have a hobby that keeps him very busy and that might earn him some money. Earl takes his video camera to the malls in the area and films teenage girls on escalators, allowing them to freely advertise their favorite brands and styles in underwear to anyone who wants to pay Earl for the privilege. Unfortunately for Earl, no one wants to pay him and he is has become very annoying to some people who know how to swat bugs without leaving a trace.

Despite all signs pointing to him, Earl is not the Cleveland creep of the title. There are some characters that would actually be better candidates for the epithet. Roberts leaves Earl and his video camera behind and crosses into some of the most prevalent and unseen problems in society. I taught high school before my children were born and I learned to never assume that what is on public display is the reality of life behind closed doors. Thirty years ago, teenage girls faced pressure from their peer group to go in directions that made them uncomfortable. These same pressures are now a part of the lives of many girls in middle school. The author handles the subject with sensitivity; the girls are victims, too.

Kevin O'Bannion is a new character in the series. He is at loose ends so, as a favor, Milan takes him on as an apprentice. K.O. does not need lessons in using his fists and feet; he needs to learn how to control his temper and use his intelligence to keep himself out of trouble. Some of the best reading in the book are K.O.'s snarky reports to Milan. K. O. has a Ph.D in barely hidden sarcasm. It seems that having introduced K.O. to readers, he would be missed if he doesn't appear in the further adventures of Milan Jacovich.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 3.75

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read any of Les Roberts work before but I had the opportunity to request a preview copy of this novel and was drawn to the fact that his mysteries are set in Cleveland where I grew up.

This is the 15th book in the Milan Jachovich series so I was a little concerned that I would be confused jumping in at the end and that I’d be missing too much back story. It wasn’t an issue at all. While I may not have had information about past events mentioned, it didn’t detract from this story.

This was a fun, quick read. The plot centers around a missing person’s case turned murder all within a backdrop of pornography and Catholic schools. (A daring mix on the part of the author.) The main character, Milan, is likable and realistic. While he holds onto a tough exterior, especially for his age of 59, he has faults and insecurities and makes mistakes. In addition to the setting, I could relate to Milan because of his Slovenian upbringing. I’m part Slovenian and knew of most of the places and customs he mentioned specific to the culture.

I really liked the new character that Roberts introduced to the series named K.O. It was implied he’ll become a regular so I’m looking forward to his part in books 16 and beyond.

I did find one literary technique used by Roberts a bit annoying. Very early in the book, he bombards the reader with a never-ending series of detective cliches, quips and overused similes. This gives the book a tone that’s a throwback to gumshoe pulp fiction of the 30s and 40s. I’m not sure if this was an experiment or a signature of this writer. The language modernizes after the first chapter, however, and becomes similar to the writing of Michael Connelly or Harlan Coben.

One final point, the book is named not only after the fact that Milan is hunting down a creep in Cleveland, but it’s also supposedly a driving trait of those that live there.

[Chad Malkamaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great big, giant, concussion of a read. Because Roberts is now writing into the second decade of the 21st century by the time of The Cleveland Creep, he finally talks about the added abuse to his hero Milan Jacovich, who know suffers from headaches brought on by the beating he took from the last book. As Milan nears 60 however, I'm not sure how he survived getting whacked in the head by a strapping high school athlete brandishing a baseball bat in this book. For the case, this is a much improved story than number #14 and see Jacovich searching for a ladies son who hasn't returned home. Even though in his late 20s he doesn't have much of a life except going to malls with his video camera and hence become the Cleveland Creep.

The other big change in this novel is Milan reluctantly hiring a part time assistant by the name of Kevin O'Banion, henceforth known as K.O. Other the next few books this partnership grows and this book is a great introduction of this troubled, recently returned Afghanistan and Iraq vet. He's a perfect Robin (even comes from the great Lake County, OH) to Milan's growing older Slovenian.

The biggest complaint though, is Les, how do you get the name of the amazing Great Lakes Brewery wrong. Crooked River Brewing never made Edmund Fitz, they were a mediocre brewing company around the time of the opening of the Jake and Gund and made in house craft beers for both the ballpark and arena and were out of business in a couple of years. They then shifted production to Maryland! Yes, that Maryland that also stole the Browns and won two Super Bowls as the Ravens (real Browns). There was a short lived group of locals that tried to bring back Crooked River, but alas, just general craft nothingness without the power of GLBC.

[April Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milan Jacovich is back, for the 15th mystery set in the Cleveland area, and is as compelling as ever. In this story, what starts out as a missing persons case gets sticky (of course). Milan is asked to find 28-year-old Earl Dacey by Dacey's mother. It doesn't take long for Milan to discover that Dacey was into some pretty unsavory things, including taking surreptitious videos up the skirts of schoolgirls at local malls. The private investigator gets entangled with some rather shady characters in the pornography business and manages to make Victor Giamari angry in the process. When Dacey turns up dead, Milan is, surprisingly asked for his assistance by none other than the brusque Lt. McHargue, who's past relationship has been rocky at best. Another twist is the addition of Kevin O'Bannion, who comes on as Milan's assistant at the insistence of a friend and fellow PI. I actually figured out who-dun-it a couple chapters before it was revealed, but there are a lot of twists and red herrings. Also felt sorry for Milan-- just when it seems like his life is in order the pieces once again get shuffled. Even when he wins he loses. Readers should note that this book touches (in a very astute, professional and non-gratuitous way) some pretty sticky subjects, including child pornography and "crush" films.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Milan Jacovich. I thought that after an illness and having written his memoirs, Les Roberts had stopped writing this series. After talking with Betty about the series, I thought I'd print off a list of the books in preparation of starting them over again. Found out he had written 2 more plus has another one almost ready to come out. This is the 15th in the series. It starts out as a missing person case but gets complicated when Milan finds that the missing person is a pervert taking pictures at the malls of schoolgirls underwear with his hidden camera positioned on the floor in a shopping bag. The case gets involved with pornography, organized crime, and an FBI investigation. This whole series needs to be read in order - in this one Milan is feeling old and is still having headaches from injuries sustained in his last case. He hires an assistant to help him out. Kevin O'Bannion (aka K.O.) is young, an army vet, has a temper and won't back down from a fight. He wants to be a P.I., too, so he hopes to get some experience and knowledge while working for Milan. I'm not sure yet that I like the addition of this kid. Still love Milan, a guy that sees things as black or white with no grey areas. The subject contents of this story wasn't my favorite, but Les Roberts really knows how to keep you reading.

[Angela Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Milan Jakovich has returned, this time to track down a missing pervert for which we quickly develop no sympathy whatsoever. Along with his somewhat unbelievably competent companion KO and his latest love interest Cisne (I have got to hand it to Les Roberts for original character naming), he embarks on a series of escapades around the greater Cleveland area.

So…these books are not great. They are not exceptionally written, and the characters are typical of your average detective novel. Milan is a loner, he never can keep a love interest on lock, he always manages to get out of the most stickiest of sticky situations, and he even has a loyal sidekick now! No, this is not a breakthrough series, and, honestly, if you’re not from Cleveland you may not even like them at all.

However, I love them and I am unapologetic. I spend the entire book going, “I know that place! That’s my mall, that’s my gym, that’s my favorite restaurant!” And not being from the area originally, I enjoy learning more about the culture. This is especially fun in the earlier books, seeing the Cleveland of the 80s and 90s.

It’s a fun thing for me, but really it is an engaging, if mildly unbelievable, mystery series.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milan Jacovich is hired by Savannah Dacey to find her 28 year old son Earl. What Milan discovers is that Earl likes to videotape up girls skirts. Fellow P.I. Suzanne Davis calls Milan and says she has someone she wants him to meet. She brings 24 year old Kevin O'Bannion, K.O. for short, army veteran with a past who wants to get his P.I. license and she wants Milan to hire him. Against his better judgment he does and so starts the wild ride that this book is. Catholic schoolgirls, pornography, murder, Cleveland, Police, F.B.I. and the mob. And almost everyone is out for blood, mainly Milans.

Although this is Les Roberts 15th Milan Jacovich book it is my first but I can guarantee not my last. I will be looking for book 1. I am hooked on Milan Jacovich. What I love aboout his character is that he is flawed and knows it. He is getting on in years (59) doesn't like it but admits it. He knows he use to be tough but not so much now. This book has a bit of everything to satisfy even the pickiest of readers. I give it 5 stars. Loved it!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a Les Roberts book until I received this one through Early Reviewers. I was worried that I would not be able to follow along in the story since I did not know anything about the main character, Milan Jacovich. I was pleased that as I read through the book, the author gave descriptions about the character, his life, and his past. Although I did not know all the references to past experiences that Jacovich had, I could still understand the idea of what he had been through in the past.

I enjoyed the writing style and the character development throughout the book. Once I got started with the book, I didn't want to stop reading it. I love books like this one that keep me guessing and I do not know the outcome early in the book. I will definitely look into reading the earlier Milan Jacovich books.

[james · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is #15 in a series featuring an aging private detective, Milan Jacovich. The title refers to a tendancy among Cleveland, Ohio, drivers to let their feet off the brakes at a red light, anticipating the turn to green. They then creep into the intersection.

The title also refers to the adult (in body, anyway) son of Milan's client. As we soon learn, he's a creep, too. The mother has hired Milan to locate her son who has vanished since the police have no apparent interest. It seems that the creep/son is a wannabe pornographer with no idea how to sell his wares.

But Milan has little else on his plate and so investigates the twists and turns of the whereabouts of his client's son. There is also a secondary character, who's quite amusing: Milan hires a young fellow as an assistant.

I've placed another book by this author on my list of books to be read.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milan Jacovich is a private investigator who lives where Cedar and Fairmount intersect in Cleveland Heights. Obviously I have to enjoy these books - I lived near there when in grad school. I have enjoyed them, for 15 different adventures.

Milan is getting old, but he is looking for a missing young man. From that premise he gets into evil that I didn't want to know existed.... In the process he introduced some intriguing new characters that just might have a future with him.

The denouement wrapped up to pat, and the investigation got bogged down here and there. Yet, there were enough glimpses of what kept me reading Roberts that I did enjoy it, and will be eagerly waiting for the next one.

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been a few years since I read a Milan Jacovich....might could have gone a while longer. A Milan who is getting old and realizes that fact and some of his limitations is kind of depressing. Add to that the fact that there are some conversations in this one that pretty much turned my stomach and the subject matter that the tale revolved around is distasteful anyway? Well, suffice it to say this would be my least favorite Milan, so far. Jury is still out on the "assistant". I have another one around here somewhere and will get to it one of these days. A 2-star read at best, really, but going 3 on the merits of the series as a whole.

[Herzog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series quite a bit, though installments have been less frequent recently. The book is rather wistful as Milan deals with aging and the loss of friends and distance from his sons. The book uses child porn as its basis for the story, but it never gets very graphic - sticking to the more expected Cleveland related battles we've come to expect from this series. The usual characters make appearances along with another romantic interest. The series feels as if it's probably running out of steam...

[Jinny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story itself but vexed by the fact that the main character, who's about 60, waxes eloquent about his old-time favorites (Rosemary Clooney?!!) like he's in his 70s. Many examples of that throughout the book. Could it be that the AUTHOR'S AGE is what's coming through in these nostalgic errors? Also, though I'm a Clevelander, I wonder if sometimes the local names and places get overdone.

One other thing . . . for a person who doesn't make much money, how does Milan eat out so much, let alone hire an assistant? But I did like K.O.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another mystery in the Milan Jacovich series. Milan's older now and has taken too many blows over the years, so enter an intern, Kevin O'Bannion (also known as K.O.), who can kick some butt, and may even be the new legs and researcher for Milan. Whether this partnership will last is another story, but it is a great pairing with possibilities for more mysteries from Cleveland featuring Milan and K.O. even as old friends are disappearing from Milan's life.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've kept on reading this series over the years, largely for the vicarious thrill of watching Milan solve crimes all over my hometown. Still, it's getting harder to get through these novels as Milan ages and, frankly, is probably getting clinically depressed. I liked the new sidekick/partner, K.O., but the plot in this book was weak, largely subsumed underneath far too much information about the world of Internet porn.

[Sherry Wheeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an okay book with a stretched story line. None of the characters were incredibly interesting. I mainly read it because the author is a Clevelander and uses real places in his books. Probably will not read the other books in this series because I really could not get into this book. I generally like mysteries. The main character is a private investigator but he wasn't well developed and generally was just an old man with an attitude.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Les Roberts is great if you're looking to hear fun things about Cleveland, but this one was a bit disturbing simply because of the nature of criminal activity Milan is investigating. I think I'll try one of his others soon.