Fear Files: A Trick of the Light

On a school trip to a historic house, two girls ignored by the group make a startling discovery in this spine-tingling installment in a middle-grade horror series from award-winning author Christopher Edge.

Goosebumps meets The Sixth Sense in this second adventure in a series centered on the Darkive, a fictional database filled with firsthand accounts of strange, unexplained experiences—and enough evidence to “prove” each story. Feeling ignored by her friends on a school visit to a centuries-old historic home, ten-year-old Hazel Barrett meets Alice, a stylish girl from another school who’s in the same boat. To get back at their friends, they invent a legend about a resident ghost who haunts the house, with Hazel setting up spooky situations and Alice hiding to make sure things go bump in the night. As the creepy encounters become more intense, Hazel starts to wonder whether Alice may be pushing things too far. But on the final night of the visit, Hazel makes a shocking discovery—and as the school buses roll away the next morning, it’s clear that two girls will be staying behind.

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