Pepper Pike

What happens when one of the most successful advertising agents in Cleveland disappears from his posh home in Pepper Pike without a trace? After being called by a frantic Richard Amber in need of a bodyguard, Milan Jacovich drove directly to Mr. Amber's elegant home, only to find that he was not there. After a night of waiting and wondering, Jacovich received a phone call from Mr. Amber's wife, Judith Amber, asking for his assistance, not as a bodyguard, but as a private investigator. Mr. Amber had disappeared.The Ambers were an apparently happy and well-off couple, or that is how they appeared. In actuality, their marriage was one of convenience. Richard Amber's success had been arranged by his wife, Judith; he owed his success to her financial and social status. When Richard Amber disappeared, Judith Amber chose to keep his disappearance a secret from all but those closest to the situation.Milan Jakovich, a private investigator, was permitted to question Richard Amber's girl friends (current and past) and colleagues (Jerry Stendall, Senior Vice-President of Marbury-Stendall; John Marbury, owner of Marbury-Stendall, and Jeff Monaghan, supposed best friend of Richard Amber). His attempts to question Walter Deming, Judith's uncle and owner of Deming Steel (both Richard's and Marbury-Stendall's largest account), were discouraged and, when eventually permitted, involved at attempt on Jakovich's life.After having his life threatened, Jacovich was determined to find the man who both attempted to kill him, and who was Amber's killer. The outcome is shocking, and will make you think twice about every person you meet for the rest of your life.

What happens when one of the most successful advertising agents in Cleveland disappears from his posh home in Pepper Pike without a trace? After being called by a frantic Richard Amber in need of a bodyguard, Milan Jacovich drove directly to Mr. Amber?s elegant home, only to find that he was not there. After a night of waiting and wondering, Jacovich received a phone call from Mr. Amber?s wife, Judith Amber, asking for his assistance, not as a bodyguard, but as a private investigator. Mr. Amber had disappeared.The Ambers were an apparently happy and well-off couple, or that is how they appeared. In actuality, their marriage was one of convenience. Richard Amber?s success had been arranged by his wife, Judith; he owed his success to her financial and social status. When Richard Amber disappeared, Judith Amber chose to keep his disappearance a secret from all but those closest to the situation.Milan Jakovich, a private investigator, was permitted to question Richard Amber?s girl friends (current and past) and colleagues (Jerry Stendall, Senior Vice-President of Marbury-Stendall; John Marbury, owner of Marbury-Stendall, and Jeff Monaghan, supposed best friend of Richard Amber). His attempts to question Walter Deming, Judith?s uncle and owner of Deming Steel (both Richard?s and Marbury-Stendall?s largest account), were discouraged and, when eventually permitted, involved at attempt on Jakovich?s life.After having his life threatened, Jacovich was determined to find the man who both attempted to kill him, and who was Amber?s killer. The outcome is shocking, and will make you think twice about every person you meet for the rest of your life.

Given that I practically grew up in Cleveland and have friends from Pepper Pike, this was an interesting and enjoyable read. This is Roberts first effort in the Milan Jacovich series. I fortunately read his latest effort (The Dutch) first and then had to backtrack and read the first effort. Most of the plot seemed straight out of a TV special, but the richness of the characters, the setting and the all around likability of Jacovich made this a fast, fun read.You can expect that I will read the rest of the series!

Pepper Pike is truly a great book. It displays great character development to go along with great plot development. The main character of this story is Milan Jacovich, a Slovenian. He is an ex-cop, ex-military police officer, and ex-football player. He uses all of his jobs and experiences is his private investagation work. The story starts with a call that he recives from someone needing his services. Richard Amber. He accepts the job, but the man he is working for is missing. It is now Milan's job to find this man and find out about his past and present. He has to find every friend, associate, partner, and friend of Richard Amber. He is successful in finding mistresses and possible accomplices to this enigma. He is successful in finding someone very important to whom I will not reveal. This book is a must read.

With the various twists and turns in Pepper Pike, you really can't guess "who dunnit" until the end. But the trip is a thrill with each turned page. Mr. Roberts also does a wonderful job capturing the heart and soul of the Greater Cleveland area - alive and full of excitement.