A Death at the Christmas Library

In the fourteenth installment of Eva Gates’ beloved series, an unexpected Christmas visit from an old friend turns deadly when a body and a stolen necklace appear in the Lighthouse Library.

Librarian Nichelle Gilcrest is preparing for a quiet Christmas at the Bodie Island Lighthouse until she receives an unwelcome visit from her old high school friend, Samantha Westenbrook. Having not seen her in almost 30 years, Samantha’s arrival comes shrouded in suspicion.

Nichelle’s tiny apartment above the library is unfit for guests, but Samantha shows no signs of leaving. Rumors from back home in Rochester soon point to the reason: Samantha is accused of embezzling funds from the foundation she and her husband Jason, a renowned artist, set up to introduce underprivileged youth to art. Eventually, Jason arrives accompanied by his agent, his PA, and his… girlfriend?

Upon Jason’s arrival, Samantha abruptly moves out, leaving behind a valuable stolen necklace. But before Nichelle can send Samantha's suitcase after her, library director Lucy McNeil discovers a body at the bottom of the lighthouse's spiral staircase.

Meanwhile, the library book club is reading Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Blue Carbuncle and Agatha Christie’s The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding. Is it pure coincidence that both stories feature stolen jewels?

Coincidence or not, Nichelle races to connect the dots between suspected art fraud, the murder, and the necklace before a killer closes the book on her quiet Christmas.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs