OVERDUE BOOK MYSTERY SOLVED: 51-YEAR-OLD LIBRARY DEBT PAID IN FULL In a bizarre and astonishing turn of events, a long-overdue book has been mysteriously returned to the Washburn Public Library in North Dakota, 51 years after it was initially checked out

**OVERDUE BOOK MYSTERY SOLVED: 51-YEAR-OLD LIBRARY DEBT PAID IN FULL**

In a bizarre and astonishing turn of events, a long-overdue book has been mysteriously returned to the Washburn Public Library in North Dakota, 51 years after it was initially checked out.

The book, titled “The Sun and the Stars” by James A. Michener, was checked out on November 19, 1971, by a patron who apparently never returned it. For decades, the book was considered lost, and the library had all but given up hope of ever seeing it again.

However, on Tuesday morning, library staff received a surprise visit from a mysterious individual who walked into the library and handed over the long-lost book, complete with its original checkout card and a note that read: “I’m sorry it took so long.”

The book, which was published in 1965, is a historical novel that explores the experiences of a group of people living in a small town during World War II. It is unclear why the book was checked out for such a long period of time or why it was finally returned after more than five decades.

“We are thrilled to have this book back, and we are grateful to the person who returned it,” said library director, Karen Olson. “It’s a great reminder that even the most overdue books can still find their way back home.”

The library has estimated that the total fine for the overdue book would have exceeded $10,000, but surprisingly, no fine was collected. Instead, the library has decided to waive the fine and welcome the book back into its collection.

The mysterious return of the book has sparked widespread interest and curiosity among library patrons and staff. While the identity of the person who returned the book remains unknown, the library is just grateful to have the book back and is eager to see if other long-overdue items will be returned in the future.

**UPDATE:** The library has announced that it will be displaying the book in a special exhibit and is inviting the public to come and see the mysterious returnee.