Close the Book on Murder

In a lakeside town in upstate New York, Daisy Swanson’s daughter Jazzi carries on the family tradition as proprietor of a bookshop and tea bar—as well as her mother’s legacy as a sleuth . . .

Belltower Landing gallery owner Sophronia Abbott is a fixture at Tomes & Tea. She’s one of their more demanding customers—and most likely their richest. The staff makes sure to pamper her, though they draw the line at letting her poodles, Jet and Jinx, sniff around the tea bar’s tasty treats.

Currently, the widowed heiress is preparing for the town’s Local Artists Showcase, where she plans to unveil her latest painting. The local buzz is that the mysterious picture will reveal a secret—and after she confides in Jazzi about her estranged son, a struggling artist who’s still sponging off the family fortune, Jazzi’s intrigued too. At least the Abbott family tensions serve as a good distraction from her worries over her sweetheart, who still hasn’t returned from Australia . . .

After the big secret is revealed, the stakes are raised for the Abbott siblings—and Sophronia’s pet-sitter returns from the dog park to find her dead. It looks like this drama was more than a tempest in a teapot, and some surprise inheritances and stories from Sophronia’s past may just lead Jazzi to a killer . . .

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