In the Presence of the Enemy

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers must navigate fraught politics and explosive secrets in this “rich [and] addictively readable” mystery in the renowned Inspector Lynley series.

Don’t miss the upcoming BritBox streaming series Lynley!

“Combining the eloquence of P.D. James with a story John Grisham would envy, George serves up a splendid, unsettling novel.”—People

Hailed as the “king of sleaze,” tabloid editor Dennis Luxford is very good at ferreting out the sins and scandals of people in exposed positions. But when he opens an innocuous-looking letter addressed to him, he discovers that someone else excels at it as well. Ten-year-old Charlotte Bowen has been abducted, and if Luxford does not admit publicly to having fathered her, she will die.

But Charlotte’s existence is Luxford’s most fiercely guarded secret, and acknowledging her will throw more than one life in chaos. For Charlotte’s mother, Eve, is one of England’s most high-profile Junior Ministers and quite possibly the next Margaret Thatcher. Eve refuses to let Luxford damage her career by printing the story or calling the police.

As Luxford struggles to find help, another tragedy brings Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers into the case—one whose tentacles reach from London to the countryside—as the investigators navigate a world of corrupt self-interest in which the sins of parents are visited upon children.

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