A Fine Residence for Mayhem and Murder

In this charming historical mystery, three women with family ties to Dr. Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll, and Dorian Gray become unlikely detectives when the resident gossip at their boarding home dies under mysterious circumstances—from nationally bestselling author Christy Carlyle.

London, 1901. When Artemis Gray arrives at The Ardwick—a stylish, modern boarding house for single, working women—she’s hoping to leave the terrors of her past behind. As she enjoys the normalcy of getting to know her new neighbors, the whip-smart morgue assistant Evie Beaufort Frankenstein and no-nonsense medical lecturer Verity Jekyll, it seems that peace and independence are finally within her grasp. But that dream is short-lived. On the night Arty moves in, fellow boarder Caroline Draycott is found dead in her room.

The police quickly assume suicide and move on. But Arty, Evie, and Verity are certain they heard a struggle in Caroline’s room moments before her body was discovered. Drawn together by curiosity, fear, and a suspicion that the killer might be in their midst, the three women take to investigating.

Caroline, it seems, was more involved in the other residents’ private lives than she’d let on. And the deeper the trio digs, the more they realize just how tangled their neighbor’s secrets are with each other—and with their own. To zero in on the killer, the trio must parse through past crimes, hushed-up scandals, and long-standing rivalries while doing everything in their power to keep their own controversial histories under wraps. But when faced with the daunting truth, they must decide: Are some secrets best kept hidden?

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