I'm reading through this series in order. I heard Les Roberts speak to a group of writers many years ago. At first, when I saw Dan S. Kennedy's name on the cover, I thought perhaps Kennedy would be continuing on with a series featuring Kevin "K.O." O'Bannion (since I know the Milan Jacovich series currently ends with book #19). Apparently though, Kennedy consulted on this book due to his knowledge of harness racing.

The facts about harness racing were mostly interesting. The puzzle of whether Gallagher was killed or just the victim of a random heart attack held my interest. I hope K.O. mellows out a bit as his character ages--though the one physical fight he had in this book was self-defense. I also hopes he starts believing in his own worth instead of comparing himself to those around him. ( )

This was my introduction to the author Les Roberts. I like mysteries and was not disappointed. Although the ending was weaker than i had expected. A seasoned detective wouldn't go out walking with a possible suspect. Even the author realized how foolish this was. I did enjoy reading about harness racing. The characters were believable. When I feel like I'm in a scene I know the author has done his research. Good read. ( )

This was a pretty enjoyable mystery. I'm new to the Milan Jacovich books, and might check out some more. As a fan of Dick Francis, it was fun to get back to the racetrack, though it doesn't sound like the rest of the books are horse racing centered. Interesting look at Cleveland, too.

I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. Win, Place or Die is a good mystery that I really enjoyed reading. When I neared the end I couldn’t put it down. It held my attention throughout. I learned a great deal about the history of Cleveland and the sport of horse racing. Hope Les Roberts writes another book in this series soon as I would like to read more about Milan, Tobe, KO, and Carli. ( )

I have read quite a few of the 17 Milan Jacovich mysteries written by Les Roberts, but the new one, "Win, Place, or Die" (Gray & Company), is a bit different from the others I've seen. This time both the author and his hero need a little help.

This story is set in the world of harness racing, something Roberts concedes he knows nothing about. So he gives co-author credit to Dan S. Kennedy, a Cleveland businessman with a lifetime interest in the sport. As for the private investigator, Jacovich now has an assistant, K.O. O'Bannion, a brawny military vet. He has hired O'Bannion because he figures he's getting too old to take any more beatings or to sustain another concussion in the line of duty. So guess who gets beaten up and gets another concussion?

One of Jacovich's friends, Glenn Gallagher, a wealthy horse owner and sometimes driver, dies at the track right in front of the investigator. Gallagher has a history of heart trouble, so nobody suspects anything unusual and the body is cremated. Then Gallagher's son, a professor at Hiram College, begins to have doubts and hires Jacovich to snoop around at the track. He suspects his father may have been murdered. And since Jacovich wonders whether Gallagher, on the night of his death, had been about to hire him to look into something, he takes the case.

When a second death occurs at the track, this one much more suspicious than the first, Jacovich and O'Bannion know they must be on to something.

The novel is an enjoyable romp, even more so for anyone familiar with the Cleveland area. Roberts fills his story with numerous references to places, people and events that readers from northern Ohio will eat up.

The novel's title seems a bit lame, however, especially with such other great titles in the series as "Full Cleveland," "The Indian Sign" and "King of the Holly Hop." There have been several other mysteries with the same or a similar title, including one featuring Nancy Drew. Surely Roberts could have found something more original than "Win, Place, or Die." ( )