Roberts began his career as a contemporary American mystery novelist after twenty-four years in Hollywood, having written and/or produced more than 2,500 half-hour segments of network and syndicated television.
Jacovich, unlike many single, dashing private eyes of fiction, is a battered, Stroh's-drinking, polka-dancing Slovenian American Vietnam veteran, ex-cop, and former Kent State football star, with a Serbian strong-willed ex-wife and two sons that he sees every other Sunday.
He is past president of the Private Eye Writers of America and the regular mystery book critic for The Plain Dealer.
Roberts became a vegan c. 2012 after watching 'Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home' stating: Humane slaughter is a bit of misnomer.
Roberts has two children: Valerie Lynne and Darren Jon; and one grandchild, Shea Holland Thompson.