Apple Cider Scares

The town of Cider Falls in the foothills of Washington’s Cascade Mountains does Halloween so well it’s downright scary, and at the center of the festivities is the Smith family’s orchard. But when Macki’s brother’s cider shed is torched and his rival murdered, the night gets truly frightening . . .

In the case of the Smith siblings, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Each of the 5 is named after an apple variety, and McIntosh “Macki” Smith, the oldest, is currently managing the family orchard while their parents recover from an accident. Each sibling has their own special talent, and for brother Cortland, it’s home-brewed cider.

Halloween is beloved in Cider Falls—with pumpkin patches, corn mazes, apple cider donuts—but for Cortland it’s the night he could move up from being a hobbyist cider-maker to turning pro. A distributor is in town, and they’ve set up a taste test in the Blue Heron bar, where bartender Cyndi is sweet on Cortland. But Cortland’s hopes are dashed when someone sets his cider shed on fire and a body is pulled out of the burning wreckage. Now, instead of making his cider dreams come true, he’s a murder suspect, and it’s up to his big sis to clear his name and find a deadly arsonist who’s rotten to the core . . .

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