The Lake Effect

“Packed with unusual heroes, villains, and political twists and turns … a mystery which defies predictability.” — Midwest Book Review #5 in the Milan Jacovich mystery series … Every Clevelander understands the lake effect, a weather condition that brings plenty of snow, especially in November when election time rolls around. Milan Jacovich (it’s pronounced MY-lan YOCK-ovich), the genial Cleveland private eye, has never been a political animal. But he owes a favor to mobster Victor Gaimari, and Milan always pays his debts. So he agrees to play watchdog over a mayoral election in suburban Lake Erie Shores in which dowdy housewife Barbara Corns is challenging incumbent Gayton True. Everything seems calm on the surface—until True’s wife, Princess, is run down in the street just outside downtown Cleveland’s Tower City. It becomes obvious that there is more at stake than the mayor’s chair in a quiet suburban city hall. And when he discovers that the True campaign has employed his old nemesis, disgraced ex-cop Al Drago, who carries a grudge a mile wide, Milan knows he’s in for a lot rougher time of it than simply poll-watching. “A real treat … If you’ve somehow missed this series, definitely give it a try . . . If you’re already a fan, this book will delight you even further.” — Mystery News “Every Jacovich adventure is better than the last, and this one is no exception. An outstanding entry in an outstanding series, and a must for every mystery collection. (Starred review)” — Booklist “The story is nicely fleshed out with characters so vivid you could probably pick them out on the Cleveland Roberts describes them so well, even an out-of-towner knows where he stands.” — Publishers Weekly