Full Cleveland

Milan Jacovich #2

by Les Roberts

#2 in the Milan Jacovich mystery series . . . “Slick and tough and plotted to perfection.” — Booklist Polyester leisure suit, white patent leather shoes, matching white belt—that 1970s fashion statement was once unkindly dubbed the “full Cleveland.” And no one wears it with more flair and panache than Buddy Bustamente. Buddy (“he was medium-sized if you happened to be talking about Cape buffaloes”) is the hulking flunky assigned by mob kingpin Victor Gaimari to shadow Cleveland private eye Milan Jacovich (it’s pronounced MY-lan YOCK-ovich). Milan has been hired to find the perpetrator of a low-level scam who is selling local businessmen ads in a magazine that doesn’t exist. But the modest amount of money involved hardly seems worth the string of bodies he soon turns up. And why does it interest a mobster like Victor and his sugar-addict bird dog, Buddy? Milan starts liking Buddy in spite of himself. But he’s not easily fooled; Buddy is a recent ex-con, and Milan knows that behind the childlike façade and dubious fashion, he is potentially lethal. “Fast-paced and smoothly narrated.” — Washington Post “Tightly plotted and contains rich characterizations painted with a minimalist's brush.” — Drood Review of Mystery “Clever plotting, a fresh locale, and an ingratiatingly human sleuth add up to a winner.” — San Diego Union Tribune

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

Paperback

First published June 1, 1989

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

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing is ever as simple as it initially seems for Milan Jacovich, a Cleveland based private detective who invariably solves cases aside from that which he was foremost assigned while battling to keep himself out of the body count piling up around him. Hired to find a conman who scammed the wrong business out of 40grand, supposedly for prime advertising space, the 3x5 cards he notates on quickly add up a cast of supporting characters and victims. Saddled down with a mafia-procured hulk of a side kick, Milan deftly noodles the whodunit, wins back the girl and maintains his reputation as a lone wolf, git 'er done, honorable dude. I always enjoy the scenery, as well as the characters in everyone of Roberts books and for sure, Full Cleveland stands patently alongside its brethren in this most entertaining suit of reads. Take a leisure afternoon and belt yourself in. It's a shoe-in for memorable!

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

We were fairly pleased and entertained with “Pepper Pike”, the first in Les Roberts’ now 18-book Milan Jacovich series, about a late 80’s Cleveland based PI. In “Full Cleveland”, he is hired to track down the perpetrator of a scam involving magazine ads, some costly, for a mag that never materialized. However, so many victims seem irrelevant that Milan finally decides there may actually be blackmail schemes afoot. Because some mobster types were one of the big “hits”, they assign a clueless “enforcer” Buddy Bustamente to help our hero, but his ineptitudes and apparently insatiable appetite do little but add comic relief to the tale.

This sophomore outing seemed a little lackluster overall; and we were particularly not thrilled with the “Perry Mason” style wrap-up. While these straightforward gumshoe tales don’t bode to offer extensive thrills and chills, we prefer a plot a little more engaging and for sure more suspenseful. That said, we’ll probably try another, but might skip ahead a decade to see if the later novels have been modernized and maybe offer a little more pizzazz!

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I once got to hear Les Roberts speak to a group of writers. One of the topics he touched on was his Milan Jacovich series. The title of this books seems to come from a 1970s fashion that's worn by one of the characters in this book--polyester suit, white shoes and belt. I remember the style, but I never heard it called that.

Unfortunately, I was probably too young to remember most of the places Roberts lists in this novel. Roads are still around, but I suspect many of the businesses are no more (or they were made up by Roberts and never existed at all).

Milan is a complicated character--imperfect, but trying to better himself. Buddy is thrust upon Milan by the local mob. At first he's just there, then I grew to like him, but he also was a bit of an annoying character with his simpleness, his bottomless-pit stomach, and a few other character traits.

In the end, the perpetrators were a mix of who I thought they were and a surprise that I'd never considered.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read for a Clevelander, with familiar places. Also some great, late 80s language, like:

"...feisty old Giancarlo D'Allessandro, more or less ran the rackets in the Cleveland area, and they had plenty of people on their payroll with nothing between their ears except muscle and Alberto VO5."

on tap dance teacher he met, "I figured her for third runner-up in an Ernest Borgnine look-alike contest......It was still early in the morning but she looked exhausted, in the way someone who is sick of her life is exhausted, as though she'd been teaching tap classes nonstop since the dawn of civilization, with only five-minute breaks in between."

on tap teacher's piano player: "The woman at the piano squared her linebacker's shoulders. 'You want me to stay Merlys?' Maybe she was a bouncer who doubled on keyboards."

"There was silence on the other end, the kind of silence that shatters eardrums.....When it comes to laying guilt, my ex-wife is the midwestern distributor."

[RICK D'AMICO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Les Roberts pulls together a number of fascinating characters and in the Agatha Christie mode, you begin to wonder who is the bad guy or gal? It's a great story after my heart because I spent over 50 years in the broadcast media and to have Roberts reveal the truth on how you might get qualified to be a TV news anchor star might shock some, but not me! Also Roberts reveals the true nature of how magazines scam people into buying advertising. There's murder, mayhem, mafia and romance. Plus it all happens in my old home town! Moving on to "Deep Shaker."

[Dkolacinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been many a year since I discovered the Milan Jacovich. At that time I was living in Cleveland Heights and was delighted to discover a book series set in Cleveland. In the second book of the series Les Roberts is beginning to hit his stride. Greater Cleveland is beginning to emerge as a character in itself, and as I read the book, I began picturing the areas, although it's been three decades since I lived there. The series is highly recommended especially if you live in Cleveland.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Milan Jacovich series, the private eye is portrayed as a real person knowing his strengths and short comings. In this book Milan is hired to find a con artist who tricked the mob out of a significant amount of money. To ensure he gets the job done, they have sent along an ex-con-tough-guy who wears polyester leisure suits to work with him.

[Ken · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! Good, solid mystery. I thought the Buddy Bustemente character was a nice addition to the series. Book had interesting characters (maybe a couple too many), decent mystery and a surprise ending, all good elements in a private eye/mystery read. Certainly, plenty enough good things to keep me interested in more Milan Jacovich mysteries to come.

[Sally Sloane · Rating 5 out of 5]

White belt, white shoes

I had to look up the meaning of the term Full Cleveland, but it was very apropos. I remember my dad having exactly that outfit in his wardrobe. The book is spot on and kept me guessing right up to the end. Love this guys writing style!

[Genevieve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar to the first one - such that the plot was predictable. Not sure I’ll read another.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another nice '80's/'90's PI series. Slovenian Milo, is a perfect fit for the working class in Cleveland, where he resides. Past paced, smooth narrative and some nice wit thrown in. 3.5 stars

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent enough series. Plots are interesting and the characters are growing. And it’s set in Cleveland.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really surprised by the ending, and I have questions. I'm making my husband read it so I can ask him my questions when he finishes it.

[Jean W-L · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Fun to read about places I know.

[Audra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely some parts that haven’t aged well since 1989 but overall pretty entertaining, bonus points for a Slovenian protagonist

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I would like this series, but it's just ok.

[Anne]

Recommended by Marge Savoy for the Cleveland locale, and I did enjoy that aspect of this rather violent murder mystery.

[Traci Garner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Milan and the fact that this series is based right where I live. This one was a slow burn. I enjoyed it, but I am not jumping up shouting read this now!

[Chad Malkamaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is a Full Cleveland? Well imagine that guy that goes to the Bowling Alley every weekend, but hangs out in the lounge to listen to the greatest tone zone of American cover rock, spliced in with just the right amount of disco. Who's this cat, he's the guy wearing buck white shoes, a leisure suit, and lapels that go out to his Travolta disco move shooters. All while swilling an amaretto sour. If you've read any of the Milan Jacovich series before you'll know our klobasa and Stroh's loving private detective will have a hard time being partnered with someone like this.

The Full Cleveland is Buddy Bustamente a hired goon from Buffalo that the local mob wants to "assist" Milan as he searches for the con artists that scammed a bunch of people out of fake advertisements for a never published magazine. Buddy and Milan cover all the usual stops in Cleveland including the historic Flats of 80's and 90's fame.

Because of Buddy Milan seems to avoid the serial concussions that afflict most private detectives, instead of stars I'm going to start rating detective novels with hits to the noggin in the future (I now know why Travis McGee was such a goober he took more shots to the dome than the 1975 Steelers).

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Private detective and ex-cop Milan Jacovich is back in his second Cleveland mystery. A few of his friends are back to help him in his latest case and his girlfriend, Mary, is there to add comfort. Milan is hired to track down a man who has swindled local businesses and with this new job comes a sidekick appointed by the mob. Sidekick Buddy provides extra muscle and some comic relief while the two of them track down suspects. Milan is shot at and kills and drinks way too much.

This mystery series brings the neighborhoods of Cleveland, Ohio to life and anyone who enjoys reading and lives in the Cleveland area should really check this series out. The first chapter took Milan and Mary to Johnny’s downtown, which is a favorite of mine and the neighborhoods are described with ethnic flavor and pride. Actually, I think this series would be a perfect gift for anyone moving to the area.

I enjoyed the first book a little more than this one, but would still recommend this one. Who knew Cleveland could be so exciting?

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th Les Roberts book I've read, but it's only the 2nd book in his Milan Jacovich series. I liked it a lot, and found it more humorous than the others I've read. Another plus for me -- Milan didn't get beat up as much.

Jacovich is hired to investigate a locally published magazine which has ceased pub. Actually, he was hired to find Greg Shane and get back the money taken for advertising from a new hotel on the riverfront. Turns out the mob owns the hotel, so they want Greg and the money, too. More going on than met the eye.

The mob forces Milan to accept a shadow/companion in the investigation -- one Buddy Bustamente, who wore leisure suits and ate like a teenager. He irritated Milan, who prefers to work alone. But Milan came to rather like the big hunking lug who had done time, but was somewhat naive.

SPOILER: So I didn't like it when Milan had to kill Buddy in self defense at the end of the book. Milan wasn't happy about it either, but he had no choice.

Well written, entertaining, definitely kept my interest!

[John Bastin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milan Jacovich takes on the job of finding the whereabouts of a small-time con man who has swindled a number of people and businesses out of small sums of money. Except the sums aren't all small, and the cons aren't all just simple cons, instead blackmail is involved and we learn that the small-time con man has some bad associates.

Again Milan is unwillingly associated with his nemesis, mobster Giancarlo D'Alessandro, this time being forced to allow one of the mob to accompany him in his investigation, because the mob is one of the victims of the con, and not for a small amount.

I like these stories, I especially like how the author develops the background around the city of Cleveland, using real-time neighborhoods and businesses along with detailed descriptions of the city and suburbs on the lake in northeastern Ohio. Every time I read one of the books in this series, I see familiar streets and climate descriptions of the metropolitan area not so very far away.

[Rhonda Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being from NE Ohio myself, I feel at home in all of Les Roberts' crime novels set in Cleveland, featuring P.I. Milan Jacovich. I met Mr. Roberts years ago at at writers' conference in Omaha. I told him I thought "Full Cleveland" sounded like a wrestling hold, but I learned that it was the white belt/white shoes combo that accompanied the polyester double knit leisure suit popular in the '70s. Mr. Roberts lives in Cleveland and is offended when people confuse it with Chicago, another city on a lake.

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full Cleveland is the second in the series of light crime novels by Les Roberts, and his affection for and knowledge of the city of Cleveland make the books particularly interesting to those of us who live in the area. The two-bit criminals are suitably seedy, and the private eye protagonist gathers more breaks and bruises with each new adventure. It's fun to encounter favorite restaurants and locations as they were when the author started the series, so I guess I'll have to keep reading to track progress in the city.

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the series that I've read but it may be the last. The books are just not clicking with me. I started reading them because I'm from the Cleveland area and I liked reading about places I know but... the story/plots are fine but... I guess I just don't connect to the main character; a big guy, former cop, divorced within a few years and trying to sort out old feelings in new situations. I guess I find him dull. Maybe with better writing he wouldn't be dull?

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book and a quick read. A higher body count than what I was expecting as well.

It's fun to notice that as I read more mysteries, I am better able to predict what the outcomes may be, or at the least, the pertinent details which will have bearing on the stories.

[Mira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book in the series and as enjoyable as the first. Of course it is set in my hometown so I probably liked it more for the settings, situations etc I was familiar with than the story itself. But I'll keep reading the series.

[Susan Rothenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great old fashioned mystery! Full of clues and humor.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this long ago, don't remember details, but noted that it was very good. Like the Milan Jacovich character.

[Chi Dubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series a lot--the Cleveland setting and blue collar background of the PI give it a unique flavor.