Curse of the Kings

“Victoria Holt has a wonderful way with suspense, with atmosphere, and with a haunted heroine.”—Newsday

Whoever disturbs the sleep of the kings will die . . . 

For centuries the tombs of the Pharaohs had been haunted with this curse. And when to eminent archaeologists died mysteriously, Judith Osmond was certain that they had died because of it. But it had nothing to do with her. Or so she thought.

Then, overnight, everything in her life changed. There was an unexpected inheritance. And Tybalt, a young archaeologist—and the man she adored—asked her to marry him. But Tybalt planned to explore the tombs of the Pharaohs during their honeymoon. And the curse of the kings came to haunt Judith. . . .

“The prolific Miss Holt combines suspense and romance with the master's touch.”—Boston Herald

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