Crossed Bones

Sarah Booth Delaney uncovers skeletons in closets—and elsewhere—as she attempts to solve a murder that threatens to tear her beloved town in half.

“This cozy read is the next best thing to curling up with a mint julep on the porch swing on a lazy afternoon.”—Publishers Weekly

A born-and-bred Mississippi belle, Sarah Booth Delaney is no ordinary P.I. And this was no ordinary murder. The dead man was Ivory Keys, a gifted Black pianist—and his murder has sparked the kind of racial divide Zinnia, Mississippi, hasn’t seen since the Civil War. After all, the prime suspect is Keys’s protégé, Scott Hampton, a white rich boy turned racist—and Sarah Booth has been hired to prove he didn’t do it by no less than the victim’s widow.

For a woman feeling a little heat of her own—navigating between a rich, available businessman, a married lawman with a waffling heart, and the sexy bluesman who is angling to become much more than her client—this case is taking some dangerous twists. A town’s slumbering passions have been awakened with a jolt, a matchmaking ghost is eyeing some promising suitors, and Sarah Booth is caught between her need to know the truth and the consequences it will have on her town—and on her life. . . .

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