Bernardsville Public Library’s book discussion group, Saturday Samplers, will meet on Saturday, March 1 at 3:30 pm to discuss "Unknown Man #89" (1977) by the late Elmore Leonard.  The novel follows Detroit process server Jack Ryan who has a reputation for being the best in the business at finding people who don't want to be found.  He's looking for a missing stockholder known only as "Unknown Man No. 89."  But his missing man isn't "unknown" to everyone: there's a pretty blonde involved and a man named Royal, and Ryan unwittingly becomes the third person pursuing the elusive quarry.  

Elmore Leonard, who died last year, was often described as the best writer in crime fiction.  He wrote forty-five novels and nearly as many western and crime short stories in a career that spanned more than six decades.  Some of his bestsellers include "Road Dogs," "Up in Honey's Room," "The Hot Kid," and the critically acclaimed collection of short stories "Fire in the Hole."  Many of his books have been made into movies, including "Get Shorty," "Out of Sight," and "Rum Punch."  He was a recipient of the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, the Lifetime Achievement Award from PEN USA, and the Grand Master Award of the Mystery Writers of America.  He was known to many as the 'Dickens of Detroit' and was a long-time resident of the Detroit area.

Led by Evelyn Fischel, Saturday Samplers is a book discussion group dedicated to sampling various kinds of literature, including short stories, nonfiction, new and old novels, and even teen fiction.  Its goal is to search out interesting, noteworthy, and sometimes overlooked books.  Readers can find information about the group and about the books and authors on the reading list at http://saturdaysamplers.blogspot.com.  No sign-up is needed to join the discussion.  Call the library at 766-0118 for more information.