Collision Bend: A Cleveland Novel Featuring Milan Jacovich

When someone strangles promising local TV newscaster Virginia Carville, Cleveland PI Milan Jacovich gets a call he wants to refuse, but can't. His former lover, Mary Soderberg, a sales executive at the TV station, asks Milan to help the man she dumped him for, Steve Cirini, now the top suspect because he was among Carville's many sex partners. Milan's current flame, Nicole Archer, resents Mary's involvement, but he takes the case (his seventh, following The Duke of Cleveland). On Carville's computer disk, Milan discovers notes that might, if deciphered, unmask the murderer. A powerful station manager, a veteran anchorwoman and the pompous Cirini all have possible motives. Something also seems fishy about the bestselling romance writer who lived next door to Carville. The payoff punch, although nicely concealed, may remind some readers of Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent, but that's a minor letdown in this solid, keep-you-guessing mystery. Former television producer Roberts writes knowingly of the medium; newscaster sleeping with sales manager makes a timely metaphor for the ethics of broadcast journalism. Roberts affectionately weaves in the history and rich ethnic mix of Milan Jacovich's Cleveland turf. (Sept.)