You'd think that he might be haughty or aloof. After all, he's written more than 20 novels and worked as a producer and writer in Hollywood. However, Cleveland Heights mystery author, Les Roberts is just as charming and as open as any interviewer could want.

I had a chance to talk with him this week about his new Milan novel, "The King of the Holly Hop," his first mystery in six years, as well as his thoughts on living in Cleveland, his new writing projects, and high school reunions.

Here's what he had to say:

I first have to ask the question that all fans of the Milan series want to know: Will there be another Milan book? and will we have to wait another six years for it?

Yes, there will be another Milan book, just as soon as I finish my current project. The next Milan mystery will be set in Mentor. I haven't really explored Lake County. The town I used in "Lake Effect" was fictional because the topic was local politics.

It's funny; I thought that I'd put Milan away, but I found that I missed him. He was my best friend for more than 20 years.

I read that you brought Milan back in part because of the emails you received. Is that true?
That's true. I received more than 1000 emails from fans of the series asking that I write another Milan mystery. I guess I didn't realize that he was so popular. Another thing people are always surprised about is that I answer my own emails. Of course I do. This is Cleveland; I don't need a secretary to answer my phone and my mail.

You mentioned another project. Is that something you can talk about?
Yes, it's a non-Milan book, set in Youngstown around 1985.

If you known anything about Youngstown during that time, we're talking about the mob. I didn't know much about that area until a cop friend of mine took me for a drive out there and he's pointing out all these places where this guy got blown up and that guy was murdered and I thought it would be a good basis for a book. This is a fiction book, but based on fact.

How much of Les Roberts is there in Milan Jacovich?
Well, I'm not Slovenian. I don't smoke; I've never tasted a Stroh's beer in my life; and I never played football. What's more I haven't hit anyone in anger since I was 11 years old. However, I think Milan and I share the same values and ethics.

What's one thing that readers would be suprised to learn about you?
I'm less macho. Although I love the Browns and the Indians, I also love show tunes, the color purple, and pre-Rock and Roll music. I also enjoy cooking dinner at home.

"The King of the Holly Hop" is available in bookstores throughout Cleveland, from Gray and Company, and via Amazon.com. Visit Mr. Roberts' Web site for his schedule of local appearances.