Win, Place, or Die

Milan Jacovich #17

by Les Roberts, Dan S. Kennedy

The sudden death of a client leads private investigator Milan Jacovich (MY-lan YOCK-ovitich) and new associate Kevin “K.O.” O’Bannion behind the scenes at a harness racing track, where they find no shortage of odd characters, suspicious activities . . . and danger.

Did wealthy horse owner/driver Glenn Gallagher make one too many enemies in the competitive racing world at Northcoast Downs? (Certainly the track’s owner, chilly Chloe Markham, isn’t mourning his loss.) Or did someone involved with Gallagher’s investment firm want him dead?

Things get more complicated when Milan spots local mob boss Victor Gaimari at the funeral. Victor does have a legitimate investment business . . . but his henchman was seen lingering trackside at Northcoast Downs. Is there a connection?

Though eager to learn the P.I. business, K.O. still has trouble staying out of trouble. Assigned to dig up some dirt in the horse barns, he tangles with hot-tempered trainer Del Fiddler, who’s jealous of his flirtatious and curvaceous wife—and handy with a horse whip.

Another body turns up at the track, but the local sheriff’s office won’t share leads with a private investigator. Milan’s new flame, Cleveland police detective Tobe Blaine, can’t help; she’s out of her jurisdiction in Summit County.

Milan finally confronts the killer alone—and once again finds himself in deep trouble!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2013

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

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

We’ve closing in on completing the 19-book PI Milan Jacovich series by Les Roberts. As the title of his 17th mystery suggests, this one is about horse-racing – “trotters” not thoroughbreds – as reflected in the addition of Dan S. Kennedy as a co-author for his intimate knowledge of harness racing from his direct experience as a sulky driver. When a rich horse owner suddenly dies of what is ruled a heart attack at the track, his son asks Milan and his relatively new intern K.O. to see if any other explanation might make sense. As their investigation unfolds, and mid-book a low-level track employee is murdered, the plot proceeds to get downright diabolical. Meanwhile, who will inherit from the wealthy owner puzzles throughout.

We’re fond of Milan and enjoy his exploits around Cleveland, even if these novels lack much of the pizzazz of modern mystery thrillers. Sometimes good enough entertainment is good enough.

[Quentin Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my introduction to Les Roberts and his character Milan Jacovich. I enjoyed his insights into the geography and culture of Cleveland and in this book his look at harness racing. With the aid of Dan S. Kennedy Roberts gives a view of what life is like for the workers in the shadows at a harness race track with the jealousies and rumors that probably goes on at all tracks.

The private detective Jacovich is a well-developed character and I look forward to going back and reading the whole series of books in which he is the main character. All of the characters seem to be real and are developed to the point that you become involved in their lives.

The story begins with a trip to the track with a millionaire client who is a horse owner and driver who dies in Milan’s arms. The son of this man asks Milan to investigate and see if there are anything unusual about his father’s death. Milan and his employee K.O. split up the work questioning the workers in the barn area of the track and the rich people that had contact with the decease. The investigation is entwined with the personal lives of the two investigators. A very good and enjoyable read.

I plan on looking up the previous books in this series and look forward to getting to know Milan better.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. Les's Milan Jacovich is again joined by Kevin O'Bannion (K.O.) to investigate the murder of Glenn Gallagher, investment banker, horse owner and trotter jockey. Northcoast Downs, where much of the action takes place, is sort of based on Northfield Park, an actual Cleveland area trotter race track and casino.

Gallagher had previously hired Jacovich to look into some problems with his investment firm. He takes Jacovich, K.O. and their dates to the race track, becomes ill, and dies in Milan's arms. Gallagher's son hires Jacovich and K.O. to investigate his father's death.

Besides scenes in Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, where Jacovich lives and a short scene at Hiram College, where the younger Gallagher teaches, much of the action revolves around the racetrack. Some characters from previous books reappear. Over the years Roberts has been writing these books he has allowed his characters to age a bit, and their relationships with each other change with time, also.

A worthy entry in Roberts' canon, it is a classic detective novel. A little bit of soul searching but not too much, the usual beat up the detective scene or two, self-absorbed characters, confusing clues, interviewed characters lying to everyone, and the occasional twist.

Nice, Les.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Milan Jacovich/ K.O. O'Bannion mystery. Les knows Cleveland and all its quirks and then he added knowledge from Dan S. Kennedy about trotter racing at Northfield Racetrack known in the book as Northcoast Downs.

The main characters are evolving as employer/employee in what used to be a one-man private eye business until everyone decided Milan needed to take less chances and hire a younger employee to help in a previous story. Milan is aging well and K.O. is just the right foil for him.

The deaths and mystery surrounding the track also have roots in the rich and privileged of Cleveland. Love this series and may it continue to entertain.

[Kathryn]

This should be a great read! I haven't read any of this authors books, so I am looking foward to this.

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

P.I. Milan Jacovich was enjoying an evening at a harness race track with his associate, K.O., K.O.’s friend Carli, Milan’s friend Tobe and their host, investor and horse owner and driver Glenn Gallagher. As soon as Glenn utters his second statement, “Milan, we should get together next week. I’ve got something to tell you,” dedicated mystery readers know he will be dead before next week.
Feeling ill, Glenn asks Milan to drive him home. He dies as they reach his home. While his death is ruled a massive heart attack (he had a history of heart trouble and didn’t take care of himself), his son Cullen doesn’t believe the death was from natural causes and hires Milan to investigate.
Most of the action for WIN, PLACE, OR DIE takes place at a harness racing track near Cleveland where Milan and K.O. learn about the backside of the racing business as they try to deduce what caused Glenn’s death, why he was killed, and who committed the murder. An Afterword by Dan Kennedy, who provided much of the information about horse racing, adds additional information about the business and the horses.
The story includes some rather quirky characters, most of whom work at the track but don’t like each other and/or are afraid of each other.
The book is well-written and the plot is feasible. Many people could have committed the murder for different reasons. It has subtle humor (“Then she chose a Shirley Temple sad, lower-lip-extended look–wasted because K.O’d never heard of Shirley Temple), snappy dialogue, and at least one inside joke (empires have risen and crashed on a gut feeling that things are not kosher). Being a Clevelander, I could easily recognize the locations, even the ones whose names had been changed.
My main complaints are too much repetition of the time of year (October, near Hallowe’en and winter was approaching), that Milan has become a tea drinker, scarlet lipstick, and shoe-polish dyed hair. Through Milan, Les Roberts does question why restaurants will provide limitless free refills on coffee but won’t provide additional free teabags.
In the subplots, a lot of space is given to animal cruelty. Milan and Tobe try to define their relationship. K.O. realizes he knows nothing about Carli except that he’s crazy about her. He also learns more about himself. A future book might explain how a young woman who sells cosmetics in a high-class store can afford to rent an apartment in a pricey suburb.
All in all, a very satisfying read.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The sudden death of a client leads private investigator Milan Jacovich and now assoiciate Kevin "K.O." O'Bannion behind the scenes at a harness racing track, where they find no shortage of odd characters, suspicious activities and danger."

This is my second win of Les Roberts "Milan Jacovich and I loved it as much as The Cleveland Creep which introduces us to Kevin "K.O. O'Bannion. This is a fast paced book but not so fast that you miss out on the subtle humor or dry wit that is Milan. Once your are introduced to him you immediately like him and he's like an old friend. He's flawed and knows it. He acknowledges his aches and pains and his age. Give it a try...you will love the characters and also the animals.

I won this from LibraryThing and I highly recommend it.

[Sally Harrold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad story line; a bit convoluted a difficult to keep some of the characters straight, but on the whole, an entertaining read. I always enjoy Mr. Roberts' frequent Cleveland references to familiar places. He throws in just enough fictitious places to keep me on my toes wondering if I've missed out on some new hot spot in town. I like his addition of new assistant K. O. O'Bannion. He adds a new dimension to the stories as does love interest, Tobe Blaine, of theCPD.

[Irene Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. Win, Place or Die is a good mystery that I really enjoyed reading. When I neared the end I couldn’t put it down. It held my attention throughout. I learned a great deal about the history of Cleveland and the sport of horse racing. Hope Les Roberts writes another book in this series soon as I would like to read more about Milan, Tobe, KO, and Carli.

[Rickie Hinrichs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first crime novel that gave more suspects than I knew what to do with. Had to read the whole book in one setting, never been so stumped in all my days of reading. This one gets an A in my book. Thank You Mr. Roberts

[Sean McGurr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in the Milan Jacovich series, especially for current or former residents of northeast Ohio. This book has Milan and his partner, K.O., investigating a death at a local harness racetrack (modeled after Northfield Park, "Where every 19 minutes, the place goes crazy."). You know what you are getting from Les Roberts with his Jacovich books, and all the elements are here: Milan's philosophical queries on modern-day life, lots of local color and restaurant recommendations, an appreciation for the Midwest and its values, the familiar characters. It all works here as usual. One thing that has bothered me with this book, and the previous two in the series, is the inclusion of chapters written from K.O.'s point of view. I like having the character for Milan to work with and do some of the work on the cases, but it seems odd that the book is ostensibly written by Milan (the first 14 books were first person and most of the chapters in the last few books are first person), but K.O.'s chapter are close third person and give insight into K.O.'s thoughts. It seems a narrative intrusion that bothers me, as it takes me out of the story and reminds me that Roberts is there controlling it all. But still, I enjoyed the book.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading through this series in order. I met heard Les Roberts speak to a group of writers many years ago. At first, when I saw Dan S. Kennedy's name on the cover, I thought perhaps Kennedy would be continuing on with a series featuring Kevin "K.O." O'Bannion (since I know the Milan Jacovich series currently ends with book #19). Apparently though, Kennedy consulted on this book due to his knowledge of harness racing.

The facts about harness racing were mostly interesting. The puzzle of whether Gallagher was killed or just the victim of a random heart attack held my interest. I hope K.O. mellows out a bit as his character ages--though the one physical fight he had in this book was self-defense. I also hopes he starts believing in his own worth instead of comparing himself to those around him.

[Francisco · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of going back and forth between Milan and KO's story. And I didn't quite like the harness racing background story line. Is this a story about horse racing, the new guy replacing the old one, or a murder mystery?

[Casey Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the author and the local mysteries of Cleveland. The over the top liberal views bug me at times. Was a perfect time to read this novel since I was just at Northfield track for the Preakness weekend.

[Zena Bethune · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I have read and enjoyed several of the Milan Jacovich books, but this one and the previous one seem to have lost their way. I really don't like the KO character, he is annoying and doesn't add any value.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unsure if I wanted Milan to have an associate, particularly one much younger and carrying a lot of baggage. So far it's working -- and it's nice to see Milan with at least for the moment a romantic partnership which again seems to work.

[Cyber Dot]

Read this if you love Cleveland. Read it if you grew up in NE Ohio. Or if you like harness racing.

And of course, if you have read all the previous Milan Jacovich mysteries, then you better read this one too.

[Susan Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read if you are a fan of the private eye genre.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can tell someone else helped write this book.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 3.5

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Reads Review - Win, Place, or Die by Les Roberts

Though not a bad book by any means, I felt that this mystery was a bit bland and oddly paced. I signed up for this largely because I don't have much experience in the genre, and found that this is a pretty standard mystery, a cozy, something that really falls short of being a thriller or suspense book and instead resides in the land of niche hobbies and rather ponderous murders. And again, this isn't a bad mystery.

This is a very Cleveland, Ohio, mystery, though. It revels in the setting, which is fine, is good, though I'm not entirely sure why Cleveland. Milan and K.O. investigate the suspicious death of a former client of theirs who dies in their presence. It's an okay premise, but the actual mystery seemed a bit...forced. They have nothing to go on, and there is no real reason to suspect a murder except some lingering...feelings. And sure, okay, I can go along with that, but even up to the reveal of what actually happened, there were some facts that were kept obscured from the reader. And that's not really playing fair.

The harness racing aspects of the book were interesting enough, and the animals were fun. The characters, too, or at least some of them, were all right. Most of the the ones at the racetrack itself were interesting, and fun, and I enjoyed reading them. There was a bit of a problem, though, because too many of the characters came off as the same person. Or about the same person. Perhaps it's because Milan himself doesn't really have any charm when he speaks to people, but his favorite tactic seems to be to get everyone to dislike him, so everyone comes off as a jerk. And okay, some of them are jerks, but it did make a lot of the conversations in this book very similar. Milan would ask a question in a mean way, person would be upset, would say something mean in return, repeat. It seems an artificial way to get more suspects, because mean people are always more suspicious. And I didn't like that, didn't like that there really weren't a great diversity of people, and that suspicion was equated with jerkitude.

The solution to the mystery was fine, was good, but the entire ending seemed very rushed, perhaps because the author didn't want to tip his hand ahead of time. Key pieces of information were held back, which is always annoying in a mystery, especially when we're in the character's head and the character doesn't think about that thing that they're thinking about. Very frustrating. So while the book was okay, was good, was well written and all that, it only gets a barely-passing grade from me, because while I could have liked it more, I had no reason to. And so it gets three stars out of five.

[Richard Theobald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was privileged (and delighted) to receive an advance copy of Win, Place or Die by Les Roberts and looked forward to reading this 17th in a series featuring Cleveland, Ohio Private Investigator Mylan Jacovich… Having grown up in Ohio, I was anxious to compare my recollections of life in the midwest with the author’s descriptions.
Regrettably, I found the book to be a bit of a disappointment, in large part because of my expectations that were based on this being yet another in a “successful” series of mysteries by an established author….
I found myself kinda liking the books central personality, Mylan Jacovich who is a pretty straightforward guy with few pretenses….He thinks clearly, has doubts and suspicions when appropriate and is logically self-effacing in recognizing the imbalance in his relationship with his main squeeze, Tobie, a badge carrying member of Cleveland’s professional keepers of the peace. I kept hoping to find some intellectual provocation or mental gymnastics that just weren't there....it was as if the author began with an outline and then almost allowed his computer to go on "auto write" in order to get it over with....it was clinical and passionless.
The plot is simple, too much so for my taste, and the evolution of unwinding this non-mystery takes place at a painfully slow pace with none of the enjoyable zig-zagging that a more skilled author might include…
The most redeeming part of this read is the colorful insights into the world of harness racing, specifically in the Cleveland, Ohio locale. I liked meeting some of the characters who inhabit this world of gritty equestrian competition, and found 1 or two of them to be more interesting than the main characters…
I feel a bit of chagrin at being so critical of this author’s work, especially in light of the largesse that resulted in my having a copy to read….but, I guess that’s life.

[Mirrani · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story to read while on vacation. Something to pass the time that isn't really deep or heavy. I haven't read the other books in the series and didn't really feel as if I needed to, however I found the "stupidity" of the secondary investigator, K.O., to be greatly annoying. I don't like using a character to be the dictionary or grammar educator for readers, someone who is always asking what something means or being told he's spoken incorrectly. I also didn't like the idea that going into the military instead of to college made him unworthy in some way. He has somewhat of a breakdown over this and I just didn't think it was in character either.

It was refreshing to read a book about racing where the author knew his stuff and tried to educate readers on the sport. It was a little heavy on the education at times, but I completely understand the need and desire to bring more fans to the tracks. Anyone who reads the mystery should also read the author's note at the end. Don't skip over that, for the sake of your education. That's where the education should have been to begin with.

Aside from some inconsistencies in character or over doing it a little on the "how harness racing is done", I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was somewhat of a mystery for me, which is something most mystery books don't manage when I'm reading. I liked the style, I liked the story, I'd read it again to fill the time on a beach or while relaxing on the porch swing.

Note: Though this book was a free gift from the author, the content of my review was in no way influenced by the gifting. The book speaks for itself and my review would have been worded just this way even if I'd gone out and bought it. I also give bonus points for Text To Speech enabling on Kindle format.... but that also wasn't a factor in the above review.

[April Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable installation of the Milan Jacovich series. I especially like this one because I've always had a soft spot for horses, myself. I took riding lessons for many years and read just about every book by Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley. But I digress. Roberts teams up with Dan S. Kennedy for this novel, using Kennedy's horse sense to paint a realistic feel at the fictional harness racing track that serves as the point of action for the story. Milan and his new partner K.O. O'Bannion are invited for a fun night at the harness racing track, along with their respective sweethearts Tobe and Chloe, by Glenn Gallagher, a wealthy horse owner and driver. Jacovich had assisted Gallagher in a recent case. But the Cleveland private investigator finds himself with another case on his hands when Glenn dies that night, and his son suspects it might not have been a simple case of coronary failure, like the coroner concludes. Jacovich and O'Bannion soon see all sorts of possible suspects -- both off and on track -- as they find out more about Glenn. I figured out pretty quickly how Gallagher was killed, but the who stumped me until the very end. Also loving the dynamic between Tobe and Milan, and K.O. and Chloe. I'm curious to see how this will develop over the next few books. Also, I think I may have been wrong on a supposition I had after the last book. Ah well. Time will tell, ultimately. Additionally, the details regarding horses and racing were all spot-on, from what I can recall (admittedly, my own horse knowledge is a bit rusty).

[Chad Malkamaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one concussion rating for the book, I'm not sure in real life how long Milan would still be able to remain in top condition. Mr. Roberts started to acknowledge the number of concussions Milan has sustained, one of the big reasons that K.O. is introduced to the series, to help make sure Milan doesn't have to eat that big kliebasa in sky. Our Slovenian gumshoe has another typical case, a mysterious death at a harness racing track in the greater Cleveland area. He still has his main squeeze Det. Sgt. Tobe Blaine, and as par for the course, dines out at the top restaurants in Cleveland, while tracking down why the owner of racing horses whom Milan helped on a security fraud investigation dies in Milan's arms. You get to meet the colorful characters that live and work at the backside of the track and even meet a new sidekick, a lovable mutt unfortunately named Booger.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through LibraryThing.
This is the first book I read by the author. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book for the first 150 pages or so; I was riveted and couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what's going to happen next.
Then, after that I was losing interest. The gripping hold at my throat was loosening, and for the remaining pages, especially with 100 pages to the end, I lost my interest. When the killer was named, I didn't care. So I'm wondering if it's because of two authors instead of just one. I need to read other books that Les Roberts wrote alone to see what the problem was with this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Win, Place, or Die" is the first book that I have read by Les Roberts. This book is a Milan Jacovich/K.O.O'Bannion Mystery. I enjoyed this book! It is a well written story of a murder that happened at a harness racing track. The story is told in alternating chapters by Jacovich and O'Bannion. We also get a peak into the love lives of these 2 men, but we don't have to read pages and pages of "bedroom scenes"! Instead we watch as these 2 men question the people of interest until Jacovich confronts the killer! I look forward to reading other books in this series.

[Mitchell Kaufman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not up to the rest of the books in the series. It just seemed flat, unless Roberts was describing a restaurant...and he did throw in a lot more Cleveland area restaurants than he normally does. Milan Jacovich is a great character, but if this had been the first book in the series I had read, I would not have read the others.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy all of Les Roberts works. As a former Clevelander, I recognize the places he talks about and that makes the story more enjoyable. He has a knack for describing Cleveland so that you can picture the scence.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Partners Milan and KO encounter a long list of suspects as they investigate whether the death of their friend was really a heart attack or murder. Recommend for fans of classic detective work rather than bullets flying and cars chasing.