Mystery author Les Roberts to visit Westlake

Author Les Roberts will be at Barnes & Noble in Crocker Park on Aug. 31 to sign copies of his new book, "Win, Place or Die."

Mystery writer Les Roberts will meet and greet fans and autograph copies of his new book, "Win, Place, or Die" on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 1-3 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Crocker Park. The event is free and open to the public.

"Win, Place, or Die" is the 17th book in a series featuring fictional Slovenian American private investigator Milan Jacovich, a former Kent State University football player and ex-cop with a taste for klobasa sandwiches and Stroh's beer – and a knack for finding trouble on the streets of Cleveland.

In the new novel, the sudden death of a client leads Milan and his new associate Kevin “K.O.” O’Bannion behind the scenes at Northcoast Downs, a harness racing track, where they find no shortage of odd characters, suspicious activities and danger.

Les Roberts is the author of 17 mystery novels featuring Cleveland detective Milan Jacovich, as well as nine other books of fiction. The past president of both the Private Eye Writers of America and the American Crime Writer’s League, he came to mystery writing after a 24-year career in Hollywood. He was the first producer and head writer of "The Hollywood Squares" and wrote for "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Jackie Gleason Show" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," among others. He has been a professional actor, singer, jazz musician and teacher. In 2003 he received the Sherwood Anderson Literary Award. A native of Chicago, he lives in Stow, Ohio, and is a film and literary critic.

For more information about the book signing event at Barnes & Noble in Westlake, call 440-250-9233.