Anatomy of a Betrayal

From New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of a Thief comes a campus spy novel about ambition, love, and belonging, following two rival graduate students who find themselves on opposite sides of an international FBI investigation.

In science, nothing stays secret for long.

Fall quarter, Stanford University: This is the year Rosalind Song will get everything she’s ever wanted. She’s nearly three years into her PhD, and soon enough, she’ll publish her research. But it’s a dangerous time to be doing science, especially as a foreigner, and when the FBI begins asking pointed questions about the lab and the professor she works for, she knows her carefully constructed life is at risk—unless she can discover what they’re really after.

As Rosalind begins her own private investigation into the Gao lab and her supervisor’s shadowy past, she keeps running into the same obstacle: Peter Sun. She and Peter have spent years competing against each other, and at first, Rosalind thinks this is just another contest.

Peter, though, knows it isn’t. Because when the FBI arrived, they offered him a deal. And unbeknownst to anyone—his family, his friends, Rosalind—he said yes.

Inspired by true events, Anatomy of a Betrayal is a spy novel with a love story at its heart, examining the cost of success, loyalty, and what it means to love a field that will never love you back.

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