Les Roberts Books In Order

Publication Order of Saxon Books

Publication Order of Milan Jacovich Books

Publication Order of Dominick Candiotti Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Routledge Studies in Popular Music Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Les Roberts is one of the most reputed authors of America who likes to write his novels based on the mystery, literature & fiction, and thriller genres. He is particularly famous for writing down the Milan Jacovich and the Saxon series of novels. Author Roberts was born as Lester Roubert in Chicago, Illinois, United States, on July 18, 1937. His parents were Eleanor Roubert and Lester Nathaniel. In the year 1968, Roberts decided to change his name to Roberts. Before starting his career as a writer, author Roberts completed his graduation from the Illinois University at the Champaign-Urbana. After that, he studied at the Roosevelt University between the years 1954 and 1956. Right after the completion of his academic studies, author Roberts joined the United States Army and served for a period of three years from 1960 to 1962. He got married to Gail Medland in the year 1957, but divorced her in the year 1980. Before their divorce, the couple had two children named Darren Jon and Valerie Lynne. Roberts has recently become a grandfather after the birth of his grandchild named Shea Thompson. As of today, author Roberts lives in his peaceful house located in Cleveland, Ohio. Recently, he got converted into a vegan after watching an inspirational show called ‘Peaceful Kingdom : The Journey Home’ in the year 2012. When author Roberts began his writing career, he was a contemporary American novelist of mystery novels.

Before that, he had worked for 24 years in Hollywood as a writer and producer of more than 2500 segments of 30 minutes shows for syndicated and network television. Roberts was also the head writer and producer of the television show called ‘The Hollywood Squares’. Apart from that, he has also written a few other popular shows as well as films. The readers and critics primarily see author Roberts as a regional writer. Even though the Saxon series written by him is set in Los Angeles, he is more popular for writing down the Milan Jacovich series, which is set in set in his new hometown of Cleveland in Ohio. Unlike many other dashing and single private eyes in the fiction books, author Roberts likes to describe himself as a polka dancing, battered, Slovenian American, Stroh’s drinking, Vietnam veteran, ex-football star of the Kent State, and an ex-cop, who has a strong willed, Serbian ex-wife and a couple of sons. He goes to see his sons on every Sunday. Author Roberts has been endeared by a number of Cleveland readers because of his hardworking attitude.

Other than being a popular writer, Roberts is a former president of the PEWA. He regularly gives book reviews as a critic for the literary magazine called ‘The Plain Dealer’. Author Roberts has enjoyed a few other professions other than writing, such as singing, acting, jazz music, business, and teaching. He considers Cleveland to be his spiritual home. Although he had started writing stories at the age of 6, he tried his hand first in acting in Chicago. Later, Roberts moved to New York, where his writing stint began to take over his acting interest. As of now, author Roberts hosts a radio show along with the Hollywood legend and longtime friend named Ann Elder. The show is called as Greenlight Reviews, through which he carries out the reviews of the latest films and suggests some favorites to the audience that they can rent and enjoy in their homes. Ann Elder and author Roberts tend to have a blast whenever they disagree with each other on certain films. Author Roberts has given interviews to all forms of media sources including newspapers, television, and national and local radio channels. In the year 2009, he was awarded with the honorary Doctorate of ‘Humane Letters’ by the Cleveland University.

The Milan Jacovich series written by author Les Roberts consists of a total of 18 books published between the years 1988 and 2015. All the books in this feature Milan Jacovich as a Vietnam veteran, former footballer, and an ex-cop. The debut book of this series is titled as ‘Pepper Pike’. It was released by the ‘Gray and Company’ publishers in the year 1998. At the start of this book, Milan is introduced as a private investigator, who is also a former footballer and a Vietnam veteran. He is very fond of the klobasa sandwiches and the Stroh’s beer. Every now and then, he ends up finding trouble in his life. On one occasion, Milan gets a late night call from an advertising executive named Richard Amber. He offers him thousands of dollars for a bodyguard service for 12 years. After accepting the offer Milan reaches the Amber house, but does not find anyone there. The next morning, Richard’s wife hires Milan to find her missing husband. As soon as he launches the search operation of Richard Amber, he comes across a haunting country club where he almost loses his life. Then, he meets the mob kingpin of Cleveland named Don Giancarlo Allessandro. While searching the meaner streets of Cleveland, Milan Jacovich crosses paths with the dangerous nephew of Don Giancarlo named Victor Gaimari as well as Ohio’s governor.

The second book of the series was published under the titled ‘Full Cleveland’. It was released in the year 1989 by the Gray and Company publishers. In the opening part of this book, it is shown that Milan gets hired to look for a low level scam artist, who was accused of selling ads to local businessmen in a non-existing magazine. What seems more shocking is that the amount of money very modest and yet it caused a string of dead bodies to turn up. Milan tries to establish a relation between the scam and the interest of mobsters like Buddy and Victor in it. During the investigation, Milan begins to like Buddy instead of himself. But, he knows very well that he cannot be fooled so easily. Milan also knows that Buddy is an ex-con and behind his dubious fashion and childlike facade, there is a potentially lethal human weapon. The plot of this book begins with the description of the 1970s fashion in which polyester suits, white leather shoes, and white belts were in use. It was popularly known as ‘full Cleveland’, but has now become outdated. But, Buddy Bustamente still uses the old fashion as he likes it very much. Later, Milan Jacovich comes to know that Buddy was hired by Victor Gaimari for bringing in obstacles in his path during his investigative operations related to the smuggling business of Victor.

3 Responses to “Les Roberts”

1. Jim Blumel, Sr.: 2 years ago

   I recently discovered the Milan Jacovich books and am so glad they are still available on Amazon. I’m on The Lake Effect now looking forward to reading the entire series. I grew up on the east side of Cleveland at E 160th and Parkgrove just across Humphrey’s field from Euclid Beach park. My grandparents immigrated from Slovenia (Nova Vas). They owned Turek’s tavern on Waterloo Ave. Frankie Yankovich used to play his polkas in their hall. Grandma Turek made the famous klobasas that Milan enjoys. I also graduated from Kent State so I have much in common with Milan. In fact he could be a relative. I still have relatives in Euclid and Pepper Pike. Thanks for the wonderful novels that bring back so many memories of places I grew up with. I live in California now but relive my days in Cleveland with the Jacovich stories. All the best.

   Reply
2. Rick Noggle: 2 years ago

   Dear Mr Roberts,

   I am retired and live in Massillon, Ohio
   I will start my 7th year of retirement 6/1/24.
   I just want to let you know how much I enjoy all your books.
   I just finished WET WORK this morning.
   I am starting the SAXON Mysteries this evening.
   I’ve read all the Milan Jacovich books which I think are great.
   I wasn’t going to read the SAXON series, but changed my mind after reading Sheehan’s dog. I’ve grown up in NE Ohio and could relate to so many cities,
   neighborhoods, etc.,etc. Just to fill you in I actually boxed for 15 years 8 years amateur and 7 years professionally. I also taught and coached for 15
   years here in Massillon.Having fought all over NE Ohio reading your Jacovich series gave me a lot of warm memories. If you’re going to be at any libraries or book signings in the area please advise as I would surely enjoy shaking your hand.

   Sincerely,
   Rick Noggle

   P.S. I actually fought the California welterweight champion (Pete Ranzany)
   in Sacramento in 1981. Since you lived in CA. so long you might have heard of him.

   Reply
3. Bill Johnson: 4 years ago

   Just finished “The Duke of Cleveland.” I have covered about half of the Milan Jacovich series and have thoroughly enjoyed them. My work has me traveling to Cleveland often and I find myself trying to track down haunts that Milan frequented in and around Cleveland Heights. Would enjoy meeting Mr. Roberts if he has any public appearances scheduled in and around NE Ohio in the future. Thanks for many enjoyable hours.

   Reply