Don't Be Cruel

A chilling murder stirs unrest in a sleepy town on the Tennessee-Kentucky border, in this moving follow-up to the USA Today bestselling Dead Man Blues.

Spring, 1957. A teenager sneaks off to an Elvis Presley concert in Nashville with her ex-boyfriend and her best friend before arriving home to face her irate mother. Then she’s found dead in her locked bedroom, with no apparent cause of death until a tiny bullet hole is found.

Amy Lou was popular and hated, a homecoming queen and cheerleader with a talent for malice, and plenty have reason for wanting her dead. As Deputy Dave Hendricks investigates, he uncovers a tangled web of rumors, local politics, high school students with dark secrets, and friendships damaged by senseless cruelty. When he needs to think, Dave spends time on Cedar Lake with his demanding but lovable daschund, Shorty, and his wise mentor, Rex Hardy. But he works best with the sheriff's secretary, Sheila Shepherd, who should be running the whole case. Meanwhile, trouble is starting to stir with the KKK as rumbles are heard of possible school integration.

Still struggling to work peacefully with the sheriff—his former best friend now married to his ex-wife—Dave has to reexamine his own behavior, past and present, while trying to puzzle out who the real monsters in this town are.

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