Book Review: Indian Sign

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Indian Sign     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Les Roberts
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Private Investigator
Series: Milan Jancovich # 12
St. Martin’s Minotaur, Aug 2000, $23.95, 288 pp.

Armand Treusch, CEO of Troy Toy Inc. hires Cleveland security specialist and private sleuth Milan Jacovich to check out his recent hire, accountant David Ream. Treusch feels Ream asks too many questions about “non-accounting” matters like production. Although he does not like Treusch, Milan accepts the job because the money is green.

Near his home, while winter freezes the city, an elderly Native American stands tall for two whole days until someone kills him. Feeling a bit guilty for not finding out what the old man wanted, Milan begins his own inquiries only to learn that an assailant abducted the great great-grandson of the deceased, a tribal historian.

In his eleventh novel, the Jacovich mysteries retain its freshness when the hero is on a case or on two as he is in this tale. However, when Milan conducts soliloquies on his personal habits and desires (chocolate lovers beware), instead of wonderful insight, the exciting story line is slowed down. Fans of the series will enjoy INDIAN SIGN as Les Roberts knows how to make his intriguing protagonist seem real and his two investigations entertaining, but too much trivial characterization hurts an otherwise wonderful mystery.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner