This is supposedly the first book in the Milan Jacovich series that Roberts wrote after moving to Cleveland. I can tell. Compared to the previous 3 books, the detail seems to be much more. Though I didn't recognize all the places Roberts mentions, there were enough that I did know to keep it interesting. I'd just seen the Lorenzo Carter cabin from the Goodtime III boat, so I was able to picture that and I appreciated learning more about what it was (since for some reason that wasn't mentioned in the spiel from the Goodtime III).

I did know that Cleveland was once "neighborhoods" but I didn't know all the details between the Serbs, Slovenes, Czechs, etc. I don't know if the atmosphere in Cleveland was truly how Roberts portrays it or if it was somewhat manufactured for the purposes of the plot. I suspect there must be some truth to it or many readers would cry foul! I also didn't know the history of that area around the time of WWII so that was interesting to read (and I appreciated it not being as in depth or dry as a history text would have been.) ( )

I just love his attention to details. This is book 4 in the Milan Jacovich mystery series (tho more crime fiction, me thinks.) Roberts really cares about his readers and his characters. Every scene, conversation, scenario is vivid and believable. I want Milan for my uncle, that big, cuddly galoot with a heart of gold. This book was rather evoking, given it's references to the Holocaust and on page 153, I honestly had to stop, compose myself, dry my eyes, before I could continue. I'm positive I will read every book Sir Roberts has written now, he's just that good. I have already purchased the prior editions to the series and will reread this one when it's placement arrives. ( )

The Cleveland Connection is another excellent Milan Jacovich mystery. This one starts out with Milan working on a missing persons case, but the story advances into much more. The theme for this book is the Serbians, with Milan often being a Slovenian among the Serbs. I didn't quite predict the ending, but it made sense, so I was satisfied when I was done reading. As usual, lots of Cleveland references, which makes the book extra fun if you know the area, but the book should be good even if you don't. ( )