Deep Shaker

Again employing his Cleveland, Ohio, setting (as in Full Cleveland ) Roberts presents private eye Milan Jacovich in his third appearance. Here Jacovich becomes embroiled in the drug trade while trying to help childhood friend Matt Baznik, whose son Paul has undergone a worrisome personality change. After talking with the sulky, uncooperative teenager--who seems to have a considerable amount of cash--Jacovich suspects him of dealing drugs. Some schoolyard snooping and conversations with his own son, formerly a buddy of Paul's, lead the PI to a group of black kids and a Jamaican drug dealer. Warned off the politically sensitive turf by a narcotics cop, Jacovich turns to Giancarlo D'Allessandro, the drug-hating head of the local mob, for information. After the dealer is murdered and D'Allessandro's leads point to a wealthy citizen with political aspirations, Jacovich is badly beaten. Only by joining forces with the ex-athlete principal of the boys' school is Jacovich able to unravel a devious plot. Roberts displays a sure sense of place in this involving mystery, and his decent, likable detective is firmly aware of the consequences of his actions. (June)