Apple Cornered

In this juicy cozy mystery series debut, the popular Sunbeam Café in Harvest, Ohio, has expanded into catering, and for 20-something owner Darcy Woodin, life is sweet—until an extra-large order brings an unsavory side of murder . . .

Harvest’s very first annual Johnny Appleseed Days festival is right around the corner, and locals are looking forward to the yummy seasonal treats that will accompany the celebration. In anticipation, Darcy has received an order for 100 apple pies from overzealous community organizer, Margot Rawlings. It’s an overwhelming number, but thanks to the help of her grandmother and her friends, it looks like Darcy will make the deadline. She has just one concern . . .

Margot has hired a Johnny Appleseed impersonator to headline the event, but when they meet, Darcy senses something “off” about him. For one thing, he never drops character. For another, no one seems to know his true identity. Her worries are tragically confirmed when she discovers his dead body on the Harvest Square. It’s a bitter end that gets even more mysterious when the real impersonator shows up alive and well a day later . . .

Soon enough, Darcy is persuaded to sleuth out why the first “Johnny Appleseed” was killed. With only one eye-witness—the apple of her eye, her newly adopted stray tabby, Michelangelo, she’ll need to dig up every seed of information to unearth the whole truth . . .

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