Lies on the Serpent's Tongue

In this haunting companion to Bittersweet in the Hollow, a girl who can smell the lies of others uncovers the incendiary mysteries of her small Appalachian town.

“Sparkling and darkly atmospheric.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Studded with folk magic, intrigue, sisterly bonds, and romance.”—Booklist

Everybody lies. And in knowing their lies, I become the keeper of their secrets.

Rowan James has spent her whole life harboring unpleasant truths. That’s what happens when you can smell lies like ash on the teller’s breath. She’s learned that complete honesty is rare, and no one is truly who they claim. So when the enigmatic Hadrian Fitch, an infuriating liar and former hand at the family farm, shows up on her front porch unannounced, her first instinct is distrust.

Weeks before, Hadrian had taken off without so much as a goodbye, leaving Rowan smoldering mad despite claiming she wanted him gone. Now, bloody and bruised, Hadrian is looking for the kind of help only Rowan can provide—to smoke out his unknown attacker in a town full of liars.

Soon, as a rash of petty thefts plagues Caball Hollow, rumors spread that a clawed monster straight out of local lore is prowling the area. Rowan knows finding Hadrian’s assailant may be the key to untangling an increasingly complex web of mysteries, but as she gets closer to the truth—and to Hadrian—she uncovers incendiary secrets that could burn the whole town to the ground.

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