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Milan Jacovich #12
The Dutch
#12 in the Milan Jacovich mystery series … “Brilliantly plotted, with a powerhouse climax.” — Booklist When Ellen Carnine’s broken body is found 150 feet below the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge in downtown Cleveland, everyone thinks it’s suicide. A terse, sad suicide note has been left on the screen of her home computer. But her grieving father asks private eye Milan Jacovich (pronounced MY-lan YOCK-ovitch) to figure out why a bright and successful dot-com executive like Ellen took her own life. Milan is introduced to a different reality by Ellen’s four best female friends, an old lover, her employers, and some of the lowlifes from Cleveland’s meanest streets. The search for the truth leads Milan into the unfamiliar territory of Internet chat rooms, where he learns a great deal about the faceless people who live part of their lives behind a screen, becoming best friends—or bitter enemies—without actually meeting. Milan pushes too far—and uncovers the most brutal and heinous crime he’s ever faced.
298 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2001
1 person is currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Les Roberts
74 books138 followersLes 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."
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 22, 2017
When a suicide turns out to be homicide, Mylan Jacovitch falls into more than he could ever bargain for. Delving into the unfortunate victim's personal life and computer leads him to the vilest of Internet offerings and another murder mystery. This one was almost too much for me to even keep reading. Saved by botany and Dorothy Parker I got over that hump and continued on.
The continuance of the antagonistic nature of Milan and Lieutenant Meglich would, were this a typical romance novel, have them married before the final chapter. But nothing is typical when Roberts pens it. As Milan remains "a boil on her ass" and deepens his status as the CPD interfering problem solver, the complexities mount, along with his friendships, respect and scars.
Tho there is still no "happily ever after" ending, at least there is an "oh well, this is how it is" resolve. Milan keeps on keepin on, and I'm damn happy for that.
The continuance of the antagonistic nature of Milan and Lieutenant Meglich would, were this a typical romance novel, have them married before the final chapter. But nothing is typical when Roberts pens it. As Milan remains "a boil on her ass" and deepens his status as the CPD interfering problem solver, the complexities mount, along with his friendships, respect and scars.
Tho there is still no "happily ever after" ending, at least there is an "oh well, this is how it is" resolve. Milan keeps on keepin on, and I'm damn happy for that.
July 20, 2018
We’re knocking off author Roberts’ Milan Jacovich series, about a Cleveland-based tough PI, in order – the “Dutch”, cop jargon for a suicide, is his and our 12th in this currently 19-book set. Milan is hired by the father of Ellen Carnine, a successful “dot.com”-type professional, albeit a generally unattractive and lonely 30-ish single woman. Dad wants to know what possibly could lead to his daughter’s death. While not Milan’s typical case, he takes it on; and for half the novel learns only a little about her girlfriends and colleagues, as we readers get almost as depressed as our leading man. But as Milan learns about chat rooms and internet porn of the worst kind, he starts to zero in on what may have really been a murder. A visit from two tough guys to warn him off the case actually helps him move along his investigation, which, ere it’s over, reveals the sordid side of what sometimes goes on online.
While the ultimate solution to all the loose ends of the case get tidied up, we typically find less joy in a favorite character who gets wrapped up in something this unpleasant, affecting our entertainment value negatively. There’s nothing at all wrong with “Dutch” – the storyline is just not one of our preferred topics, to say the least.
While the ultimate solution to all the loose ends of the case get tidied up, we typically find less joy in a favorite character who gets wrapped up in something this unpleasant, affecting our entertainment value negatively. There’s nothing at all wrong with “Dutch” – the storyline is just not one of our preferred topics, to say the least.
October 12, 2017
When a suicide turns out to be homicide, Mylan Jacovitch falls into more than he could ever bargain for. Delving into the unfortunate victim's personal life and computer leads him to the vilest of Internet offerings and another murder mystery. This one was almost too much for me to even keep reading. Saved by botany and Dorothy Parker I got over that hump and continued on.
The continuance of the antagonistic nature of Milan and Lieutenant Meglich would, were this a typical romance novel, have them married before the final chapter. But nothing is typical when Roberts pens it. As Milan remains "a boil on her ass" and deepens his status as the CPD interfering problem solver, the complexities mount, along with his friendships, respect and scars.
Tho there is still no "happily ever after" ending, at least there is an "oh well, this is how it is" resolve. Milan keeps on keepin on, and I'm damn happy for that.
The continuance of the antagonistic nature of Milan and Lieutenant Meglich would, were this a typical romance novel, have them married before the final chapter. But nothing is typical when Roberts pens it. As Milan remains "a boil on her ass" and deepens his status as the CPD interfering problem solver, the complexities mount, along with his friendships, respect and scars.
Tho there is still no "happily ever after" ending, at least there is an "oh well, this is how it is" resolve. Milan keeps on keepin on, and I'm damn happy for that.
August 22, 2020
I enjoy this series set in the nearby town of Cleveland, Ohio, though this one is darker in tone than some other entries in the series.
I've never heard suicide called "the Dutch". I wonder if it is a regional thing or more widespread.
A grieving father's request to find out why his daughter committed suicide leads Milan Jackovich into a case that he didn't anticipate and gains him the grudging respect of a police lieutenant.
It's a little odd to read a story where only some of the technology we use today is in use, even though I grew up in those times. Milan has a cell phone and a desktop computer but doesn't really know much about using the computer on the internet. There's a laptop mentioned too.
I've never heard suicide called "the Dutch". I wonder if it is a regional thing or more widespread.
A grieving father's request to find out why his daughter committed suicide leads Milan Jackovich into a case that he didn't anticipate and gains him the grudging respect of a police lieutenant.
It's a little odd to read a story where only some of the technology we use today is in use, even though I grew up in those times. Milan has a cell phone and a desktop computer but doesn't really know much about using the computer on the internet. There's a laptop mentioned too.
February 14, 2021
The strongest entry so far in the Milan Jacovich series, with minimal background information, minimal romantic distractions and well-developed writing. Why would a success young, albeit over-weight and homely, female who appears to have accepted and in fact embraced her lot in life, end it by jumping off a bridge? Milan is hired by her distraught, cold and emotionless, father to investigate. Where this investigation takes him is dark and intriguing. A highly recommended entry.
November 11, 2022
Some of the Milan Jacovich books are better, but the series is so fun ... why not read them all.
In this one, Jacovich doesn't believe it was suicide. He thinks it was murder. Then the plot thickens, with kinky sex and computer chat rooms. Jacovich always finds the perpetrator, and as is often the case, nearly gets killed in the process.
In this one, Jacovich doesn't believe it was suicide. He thinks it was murder. Then the plot thickens, with kinky sex and computer chat rooms. Jacovich always finds the perpetrator, and as is often the case, nearly gets killed in the process.
June 5, 2017
just when you think it's over, another twist is thrown at you. love the local mysteries.
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June 23, 2025Another winner in this series, but poor Milan didn't get a new girlfriend yet. The internet aspect of the plot was very trendy, yet still interesting.
November 29, 2018
Hey another mile-stone, our man makes it out of this one with no bodily injuries! This is a solid addition to the Jacovich canon-the ending is one that stayed with me and as I have been rereading the series I didn't remember which book the scene was in and was pleased knowing it's in this tome.
The first half drags as Jacovich investigates a Dutch, another name for suicide off the famous Lorain-Carnegie Bridge in Cleveland. While looking at the death in all angles, Milan realizes the Dutch is not what it appears at first and the conclusion is one of the most riveting in the series. The sad part is if I recall correctly, Milan's children are getting older and this is the beginning of them leaving the series except in brief longing by Jacovich as he slowly ages.
The first half drags as Jacovich investigates a Dutch, another name for suicide off the famous Lorain-Carnegie Bridge in Cleveland. While looking at the death in all angles, Milan realizes the Dutch is not what it appears at first and the conclusion is one of the most riveting in the series. The sad part is if I recall correctly, Milan's children are getting older and this is the beginning of them leaving the series except in brief longing by Jacovich as he slowly ages.
July 25, 2012
I'm catching up with the Milan Jacovich series and these little gems never dissapoint. In this one Milan is hired to find out why an unattractive young woman killed herself. When he finds out she might have been killed he gets involved in the world of internetporn and faces a sadistic killer.
As always Milan's old-fashioned take on the changing world around him is a joy to read. Always tough-but-tender we also see how much he loves his son and what a decent kind of guy he is.
Just a well-put together traditional private eye story in a modern setting. The sort of stuff Les Robert excels at. If you love early Spenser, you will love this as well.
As always Milan's old-fashioned take on the changing world around him is a joy to read. Always tough-but-tender we also see how much he loves his son and what a decent kind of guy he is.
Just a well-put together traditional private eye story in a modern setting. The sort of stuff Les Robert excels at. If you love early Spenser, you will love this as well.
January 7, 2012
Quite a bit racier than Les's other books but still a very interesting story. I like that he pushed the envelope a bit more than in his other books. Even though you know what you're getting when you read a Milan Jacovich story, it's still a good read. Also, I'm from Cleveland so it's nice to read about familiar places.
September 10, 2012
Have been meaning to read Cleveland writer Les Roberts for a while, probably didn't start with the right one. In addition to the gory/horror turn this story took (I KNOW, it's a murder mystery, but really), the technology aspect seemed very dated, like it was written when learning about the internet, but not published until the technology had changed quite a bit.
September 15, 2013
I was not really excited to read this as the beginning made me a little ill, but I got past that and finished the story as I wanted to see who did the deed.
There is another part, that also was not enjoyable to read but rather sick about some internet sites..
There is another part, that also was not enjoyable to read but rather sick about some internet sites..
October 22, 2013
Really Great Book i loved the writing, the story, even though there were some disgusting stuff about the internet sites. One of the things i loved in that book is that there was still Mystery to know until the very last page of the book .
January 11, 2009
This was referred to me by a fellow mystery lover. Also this author lives and writes about Cleveland, OH.
August 31, 2010
Not my favorite book in the Milan Jacovich mysteries. It was more dark and graphic than Les Roberts has been in the past. It makes me worry about whether or not the job is catching up to Milan.
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July 30, 2011Good one. Written in 2001. Suicide or murder? Internet chat rooms and web sites.
January 20, 2012
woman appears to jump off bridge
February 13, 2013
This is one of a series about Milan Jocavich, a Cleveland private investigator; this is a good series but I especially like it because of the flavor of my home town
January 18, 2009
Milan Jacovitch triumphs again.
Cleveland wins.
Great ethnic city.
Cleveland wins.
Great ethnic city.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews