Deep Shaker

Milan Jacovich #3

by Les Roberts

#3 in the Milan Jacovich mystery series . . . “Roberts combines a strong character and a clever plot with the ethnic diversity that Cleveland provides. He proves that Midwest private eyes can hold their own with the best ones from either coast. ” — Des Moines Register No one is as loyal to old friends as Cleveland private investigator Milan Jacovich (pronounced MY-lan YOCK-ovich). So when a grade school chum worries his son Paulie might be selling drugs, Milan has no choice but to help. Milan turn up Paulie’s connection, a handsome Jamaican named Deshon who pals around with two baseball-bat wielding thugs and a German shepherd dog who looks like he’s all business. The narcotics business makes curious bedfellows, as Milan discovers during his investigation of a particularly brutal murder; he butts heads with a wily realtor named Christmas, a flamboyant automobile dealer with lofty political ambitions, an edgy street pusher, and his old friends from the Little Italy mob, Don Giancarlo D’Allessandro and Victor Gaimari. Milan also encounters a drug gang unparalleled in their savagery, and unearths a relic from every Clevelander’s childhood that proves to be deadly. “Moves with all the skill and economy of prose that is fast becoming Roberts' trademark.” — Booklist “Another smooth page-turner from Roberts, who keeps the action moving and still fits in some wry observations on parenthood, teenagers, and marriage.” — Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1991

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

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

From what I read, Roberts heard the term "deep Shaker" used once and decided to use it, even though he never again heard the reference.

I had a hard time figuring out when this was set. I knew early on that it was sometime after 1987 based on the narrative. I also knew the book was copyrighted in 1991. Only late in the book did I find out it was set sometime in the 1990s. I have no idea if there really was such a Jamaican drug connection in Cleveland in that time frame or if that part was fictitious.

I admired Milan's sense of duty to his friendships--friends he's had since childhood. I'm glad he tried to help his friend Matt and Matt's son Paulie. He got himself into a lot of trouble while trying to help his friend. Other friends got angry at him; some got over it, some not. I'm also glad he's trying to be a father to his own two boys, even if he doesn't get to see them very often. I was sorry he and Mary didn't work out (though I kind of figured they wouldn't in the long run, since I've read at least one book from later in this series out of order and she wasn't in it).

Again, I didn't recognize most of the places (other than street names) that Roberts referenced in this book. Vuk always reminds me of one of my colleagues. His name was Steve Vukovich, but many of us in his class called him Vuk too. At the end of this book, I learned that these first three books of the series were written before Les Roberts moved to NorthEast Ohio, and that he felt he better captured the ambiance etc. after his move, so I am hopeful that I will start recognizing more landmarks etc. as I read later books in the series.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am of Slavic immigrant heritage,so was really interested when a friend recommended Les Roberts mysteries featuring Milan Jacovich in the East European ethnic setting of Cleveland. Our library had only "Deep Shaker" (published in 1991 and the 3rd in the series). I wanted to read it before I purchased an eBook copy of Roberts latest, "Cleveland Killer," which received good reviews.

I found this book a very well written, fast read, with a lot of character and place (Cleveland ethnic communities) development. The story isn't a usual "who done it" but follows Milan, private eye who left a structured police department, as he becomes emotionally involved in the disintegration of his friend's teen age son. The son becomes involved in drugs, a black gang, and finally selling crack cocaine. The father does not want him interfering, but Milan feels a sense of loyalty and devotion to Paulie(the son) and his father, a fellow Slavic friend.

The investigation is frustrating, challenging, and has twists and turns. Along the way, we meet all sorts of interesting characters -- well described, well defined. We learn about Milan's divorce, his devotion to his 2 sons, and his failing relationship with Mary, a new love. He is down in the dumps, but blindly loyal putting himself in serious harms way.

I am buying the new Milan Jacovich mystery by Les Roberts for my Nook and will look for some of his others in this series.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milan is much more maudlin in this third book. He is facing problems in his realtionship with his girlfriend Mary and he is struck by how fast his two sons are growing up, with him only around every two weeks. He is feeling alone and a little old as he approaches 40 and this books struck just the right chord with me. The mystery was good, but this third time around showed so much more depth and I really ‘get’ Milan so much better now. He is not just a man to right Cleveland’s wrongs, he is also a flawed and appealing character.

This series is set in Cleveland, Ohio and as a resident I must applaud Roberts in his love for the city. Each book showcases another neighborhood and the descriptions are spot on. It is interesting to note that Les Roberts is not from Cleveland. He is from the Chicago area and lived in LA for many years. After he began to visit Cleveland he liked it so much that he has decided to call it home, moving here in the early 90′s, around the time this book was published.

there's more on my blog

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Milan Jacovich
SETTING: Cleveland, Ohio
SERIES: #3 of 17
RATING: 3.75
WHY: PI Milan Jacovich is approached by an old friend whose teen-aged son is becoming increasingly alientated from his family. Milan finds that he has become involved in small-scale drug dealing. He finds a malicious drug ring in play in Cleveland and works to free the boy from their hold. Roberts has a very accessible writing style. In addition to Milan's PI work, he includes his relationships with his sons and a woman he has fallen in love with. He seems more human than most fictional PIs.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. Les Roberts' series brings back the Cleveland of my younger years :) Milan is a favorite of mine now and I can't wait to read more of these. I somehow skipped book two, but I know I have it on the shelf, just grabbed one and started reading and there was no going back. :)

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll say 3.25 stars here so another above average entry for Milan Jacovich. Mystery was good, but not great. Characters pretty good (though I do miss Buddy Bustamente from #2) and Milan's personal introspctions were good also. I don't like it when a main character never grows or changes in so many series and here, at least, he's thinking about changing. Anyway, a good read to fill the space between what will be hopefully be more exciting books, but this remains a strong PI series that I recommend to any potential readers.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just realized why I didn't like this one as much as the others. Evidently he wrote the first ones before he actually lived in Cleveland. The later one has the local color and clearly that's what attracts me. Also the violence in this one was pretty heavy. Long descriptions. Not really upsetting because I knew the hero survived, but....

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always entertaining. One more to go.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great! Really exciting towards the end. I liked it best of the 3 so far.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much darker than I remember the Milan Jacovich novels to be, it is the last one that Les Roberts wrote before moving to Cleveland. A good read though and recommended.

[Dolores Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good mystery set in Cleveland, Ohio area. Love these Les Roberts mysteries with a wonderful local appeal and places that I know and recognize. So much fun.

[RICK D'AMICO · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Milan Jacovich mystery so far. This was a real "who done it" and a real "thriller" to the very end where memories from my childhood were evoked by the "Thriller" ending! (Don't want to be a spoiler.)
I was born in Cleveland and lived off of 200 street, then we moved to Euclid where I spent most of my boyhood, and then to Wickliffe where I graduated from high school. The Slovak names Roberts brings to life my memories of my friends and parents friends with similar names and ethnic backgrounds. Why I remember going to Italian weddings at the Solvenian Hall, and every wedding band played polkas! Roberts is excellent in how he weaves in fascinating characters, familiar Northern Ohio Landmarks and locations, brain tickling clues and it all comes to a crashing end. Exciting. Moving on now to "The Cleveland Connection."

[Cyber Dot]

DNF because am not a fan about mysteries about youth and drug dealing

Like other books in the series better

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tour of Cleveland, in this well written series.

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trouble with “Deep Shaker” (named after a ritzy Cleveland suburb) is that the first 19 of the 25 chapters are tough reading. Our leading man, PI Milan Jacovich is chasing down the drug scene for a friend at his son’s high school, leading to a number of unpleasant outcomes hard to swallow. Moreover, after a fight with his new love Mary, with a complete breakup looming, Milan is so depressed throughout most of the book, that it tends to rub off on us readers.

The plot finally heats up for the last six chapters when our relentless PI closes in on the bad guys, a couple of times at great personal risk – and all ends quite well.

This is our third (read in order) of author Les Roberts' 18-book Jacovich series – it seems their entertainment value may well vary. Roberts is so enamored with the town he actually physically moves to Cleveland before outing #4. Meanwhile, we have a couple more of these novels on hand to polish off and evaluate before we invest in the whole set. We almost wonder if a few recurring characters (other than the ex-wife) might help downplay being inside Milan’s head all book long!

[Angela Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Milan Jakovich is once again sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong, this time in the drugscape of 1980’s Cleveland. While trying to help a friend get his teenage son back in line, Milan ends up uncovering way more than he bargained for.

Milan Jakovich has returned! Despite being a little over the top (two words: Roller Coaster. That is all) this mystery was dark and disturbing, and took some twists that I did not anticipate. Jakovich is kind of your stereotypical PI hard-ass, but I have to admit that I’m into that. I mean…not INTO that, into that. Trust me…getting together with Milan only spells trouble. He is forever ending up on the wrong side of the wrong people, and in the end he only hurts those he loves…

It’s all delightfully cliché. I eat it up.

It gives us a good glimpse into what is presumably 1980’s Cleveland culture. I wouldn’t know, I wasn’t here at the time. So apparently, drugs were a colossal problem. The Browns were worth watching. And nobody wore sunglasses. Please someone, help me. Is any of that real?

[Chad Malkamaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

At least two concussions maybe three for Milan, the hero of these detective novels set in Cleveland, while he chases down a drug gang. An old friend takes Milan to a Browns game, but there's reason behind this guy's outing, his son Paulie is drifting to the wayside, and he hopes Milan can help. From some easy stakeouts at the the high school his son also attends, Milan soon discovers Paulie hanging out with the wrong crowd.

A good overall read and good addition to the series, I realize on the second read, how much I hate Milan's girlfriend Mary. She jumps down his throat multiple time during the course of the story and comes off as really annoying by the end. Also, this book shows the age difference between Milan and the author. Even though Milan's supposed to be a baby boomer that turned 40 in this book, he seems to have the personality quirks of someone that's ten or fifteen years older.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far my favorite to date. Milan just keeps getting snarkier and more lovable with every book. Taking on the Jamaican drug dealing elite in Cleveland is no easy task, but Jacovich proves the good guys win, even if they get shot & pummeled along the way. Humbly going where no uniform dares to go, stretching the rules to fit his own justifiable needs, and irking a bevy of brass along the way, he again gets the job done and more. He loses the girl, but gets the gold star.

I finally decided who I am going to visualize Milan as, Luka Kovač from E.R. (Goran Višnjić in real life).. Right or wrong, it shall be.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lets be honest... Les Roberts isn't going to be winning any Pulitzers any time soon... but his books are FUN. I have never been a big mystery fan, but even I fly through his novels in just a few days. It definitely helps that he writes about Cleveland so I can actually envision where all of the action takes place (in fact, I know EXACTLY where Milan lives...)So I highly suggest the series... especially if you're looking for a quick read on a typical Ohio rainy day...

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok, although not quite as good as the first two volumes of the series. The writing is better than the plot that veers towards the sentimentality of a Hollywood TV script. I presume the physical geography of Cleveland is accurate enough, although doubtless through ignorance I am unable to distinguish between Roberts's Slovenian hero and K.C. Constantine's Serbian one. But then Cleveland isn't very far from Pennsylvania either.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far my favorite to date. Milan just keeps getting snarkier and more lovable with every book. Taking on the Jamaican drug dealing elite in Cleveland is no easy task, but Jacovich proves the good guys win, even if they get shot & pummeled along the way. Humbly going where no uniform dares to go, stretching the rules to fit his own justifiable needs, and irking a bevy of brass along the way, he again gets the job done and more. He loses the girl, but gets the gold star.

[Casey Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good easy to read mystery. Onto the next one.

[Sheya · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you're from cleveland read this

[Nolan]

What do you do if you’re the parent, and you have to face suspicions transitioning to fact about your son’s drug problem? Matt and Marie clearly love their son, Paulie, and his changing behavior and lifestyle is creating family fissures and tensions of every kind imaginable. Matt turns to a friend—his long-time friend, Milan Jacovich. Milan is a weekend dad to two boys, and he has an almost-palpable fear that his oldest son could go down the same road as his friend’s teenager. Against his better judgment, Milan agrees to talk to the young man at the parents’ request. Naturally, he gets nowhere. But it is that brick wall—that seemingly impenetrable barrier thrown up by young Paulie that motivates Milan to dig into the case.

When he digs in, he uncovers some truly ugly stuff—drug gang activity that takes him into the most posh section of Shaker Heights, a Cleveland suburb known for its conformity and money apparently in some sections. Indeed, Roberts uses the phrase “deep shaker” here to designate someone who lives in the suburb and who has significant amounts of money.

This is almost as much a study in mid-life trauma and character as it is a mystery. Poor Jacovich is about to watch another relationship fizzle and die, and he’s trying to figure out how to retain some positive influence over the lives of his all-too-rapidly growing sons.

There’s plenty of suspense here, too, as Jacovich’s life is very nearly ended. There’s some graphic violence in here, and the untimely end of a German Shepherd dog may be difficult for some to read. But this is Les Roberts at his excellent game. Even though he didn’t live in Cleveland at the time he wrote this book in the series, he manages to give the place added dimensions—a kind of early-90s snapshot of the city. I've always enjoyed this series, and while I'm not reading it in order, I find dipping into it now and again is a real treat.