The Best-Kept Secret

Milan Jacovich #10

by Les Roberts

For Cleveland P.I. Milan Jacovich, murder is still just a living...he hopes.

A debt to an old friend puts Milan Jacovich in the middle of a sensitive case that's hurting his bank account and his love life. Jason Crowell, an eighteen-year-old college freshman, is accused of rape by a mysterious group called the Women Warriors. But who exactly is the alleged victim? Who are the Women Warriors? And why is Jason Crowell being skewered without evidence?

The case turns into a giant dead end, especially when Milan's only lead-- a college official-- is found brutally murdered. Then Milan discovers Jason has a secret, a secret he'd rather do jail time for than reveal. But he's not the only one willing to go to desperate lengths to keep ugly truths and dangerous games from seeing the light of day. Because sometimes the best-kept secrets are the most deadly...

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 2, 1999

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 4 out of 5]

“Secret”, exactly the middle (#10, and our 10th) novel in Roberts’ Cleveland-based PI Milan Jacovich, 19-book, series may indeed be the best yet. It has almost everything one could want: serious relationship issues between Milan and current heartthrob Connie; a young man presumably falsely accused of rape; the death of a Lesbian administrator; drug framing with a bag of heroin; and a suspenseful denouement that comes close to costing our hero’s life as he relentlessly pursues what truly must have happened.

We’re pleased to see these mysteries keeping up with the times – what at first seemed like somewhat dated tales grow increasingly modern. For sure this one tackles some very tough issues without proselytizing, while yet not detracting from the forward progress of solving the case at hand. Were we a bit more charitable, we might have parted with 5 stars for this well-done, entertaining tale!
{4.5}

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: PI Milan Jacovich
SETTING: Cleveland
SERIES: #10
RATING: 4.25
WHY: Cleveland PI Milan Jacovich owes a big debt to academic Reggie Parker, who once saved his life. Reggie asks Milan to help in clearing a college freshman named Jason Crowell who has been accused of rape in an anonymous flyer posted all over his campus. Subsequently, he is charged with murder and drug dealing. Milan is skeptical of Jason's innocence but soon comes to believe in him. His new girlfriend isn't supportive at all, having been raped herself. I really liked this book, particularly the treatment of the love relationship, until the conclusion. Milan is abducted and proceeds to lay out all of his theories to his captors. Way too much exposition.

[Julia]

It was pretty good: well-written as all of the other Les Roberts books are. But I did feel that the "big reveals" of the book were a lot more obvious in this book than they have been in past Milan Jacovich novels.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading through this series by Les Roberts. I felt that this book had a slow start. Once the story got going, it was engaging. Though I do wonder how Milan manages to survive since most stories he seems to be working for free. I know the lawyer stated he would make sure Milan was taken care of in any settlement but we don't hear if that actually happened.

I'm not sure there really is a Sherman College in a town called Sherman in Lorain County, Ohio. I'm guessing the author made up a location. In light of how the college and town treat Jason, that may have been to avoid implicating a real college.

I do feel sorry for Jason, whose life was changed forever by the lies told by others. I also feel sorry for him that his father couldn't accept and love Jason for who he is.

[RICK D'AMICO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished "The Best Kept Secret" and so far it is the best in the series, however they seem to be getting better, with each one than the last. Roberts has a talent of weaving in the human condition in all his characters and I love the way he shades the scenes and feelings of life in Cleveland. Is this the first Jacovich story without a stop at the corner of Murray Hill and Mayfield Road?
Ha ha....

I'm on to the next.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claims of date rape, alleged slanderous lies, murder, heroin, murder, murder, murder. I shift in tone makes this one interesting.

[Claudine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so interesting, and yet a relaxing mystery.
Not so alarming as leave one sleepless, but untangling enough to hold interest and unwind with ...
Enjoyed it!

[Chad Malkamaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a one concussion book by Milan, he stay pretty much out of physical harm until the end. He's starting to question all the knocks to the dome, but what doesn't help is the times are starting to slip past our PI and he's having trouble connecting to younger generations. The world is confusing to Milan and it's time for him to start belting his pants above the navel and wearing plaid pants. The second time around this stands out even more than the first go through the series.

As far as the detective work, Reggie Parker, the principal from Milan's high school and where his son just graduated, needs Milan to help a troubled former student get out of a rape charge. With what's been going on the last few years, the book deals with a tough subject, and like all the other books in this series, the author does a Shyamalan twist with the investigation.

[Abby Rubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our favorite Cleveland P.I. finds himself in a bind when a friend asks Milan to pay his debt by helping a college student fight a rape allegation. While the book is almost two decades old, this story is still relevant, and a different perspective than we are used to. Jason Crowell is being accused by an anonymous group, the Women Warriors. Milan's only lead is brutally murdered, and Jason is no help as he has a secret and he would rather got to jail than give it up. Will he be able to help Jason, or will he find out he is supporting the wrong side? And will he be able to get through this investigation without more bodily harm to him or anyone else?

[Kathleen Molyneaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any other of the Milan Jacovich mysteries, but I definitely will. He's a fun character. I really enjoyed the setting as well. It's fun to read fiction that's set where you live. I managed to pinpoint the main perpetrator pretty quickly, but I wasn't entirely clear on motive so there was enough of a mystery to keep me interested.

[Brett]

Mystery

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Ilona E. Jurek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great entertainment

This is a good read and interesting. It fits the series well. If you have liked other books in this series you will like this as well.

[Casey Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story. See a new character in Reggie appearing in more stories.

[Anne]

The author's fictional "Sherman, Ohio" is obviously Oberlin, and we're off on another exciting adventure with Milan. I love Milan, and the way his character develops and changes.