Malice

Psychologist Alex Delaware and Homicide Detective Milo Sturgis face one of their most baffling and troubling cases in this riveting thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling “master of suspense” (Los Angeles Times).

It begins with what seems like a particlarly malignant case of envy. Alben Opfer, a gifted, self-motivated eighteen-year-old comes to Los Angeles with big plans: enrollment at an elite private school, followed by admission to an equally prestigious college, and, finally, a career in Hollywood. All that ends when his body is found on a university campus, shot to death, and in a bizarre display of cruel triumph, stabbed post-mortem.

Suspicions falls on Alben's estranged half brother, whose troubled past stands in stark contrast to Alben's promising future. Then another victim is murdered in the same distinctive way. And another. And another.

Maddeningly, there seems to be no link among the victims. Males and females, they span a wide age range and come from different worlds. Yet someone has doomed them to dying horribly.

Alex and Milo find themselves peeling back layers of L.A. life, traveling in and out of the shadows, as they hunt for a psychopath who operates out of pure malice.

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