Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Win, Place, Or Die-Les Roberts and Dan S. Kennedy

Win, Place, Or Die


Les Roberts and Dan S. Kennedy

Gray & Company, Jun 30 2013, $24.99

ISBN: 9781938441370



Cleveland private investigator Milan Jacovich worked a case for affluent investment banker Glenn Gallagher in which he identified the top level official stealing millions from wealthy clients. Glenn invites Milan, his junior associate Kevin “K.O.” O’Bannion and their respective girlfriends, CPD Homicide Detective Tobe Baline and Milan Security office manager Carli Wynsocki to a night of harness racing world at Northcoast Downs. They are enjoying the evening as Glenn is a major fixture at the track and winning on Proud Milan. Glenn tells Milan he has another case for him that they will discuss on Monday. The night ends early when abruptly Glenn feels ill so Milan takes him home; only the banker-harness racing owner dies in the car.



Glenn’s son Hiram University Professor Cullen visits Milan and K.O. because he believes his father was murdered though officially his dad died from cardiac failure and has no idea why his dad wanted to hire Milan. K.O. works the track scene while Milan investigates the financial side; as the victim has enemies in both. When drunkard stable employee Gecko dies, the inquiry focuses on the racetrack.



The latest Jacovich whodunit is an enjoyable investigation in which the mystery competes with harness racing for top billing especially early. I enjoyed the time at Northcoast Downs as I have fond memories of being a $2 better at Yonkers, now closed Roosevelt and once at Goshen though I never could see the difference between trotters and pacers. The inquiry at the track is refreshing yet mindful of the works of Dick and Felix Francis while the banking angle is more conventional. Readers will enjoy this winning entry



Harriet Klausner

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