Mercy for the Dead

In this Southern gothic paranormal mystery for fans of Grady Hendrix and T. Kingfisher, the whispered words of the dead spur the search for a killer.

As the night receiver for the Sterling Home for Fine Funerals in Charleston, South Carolina, Alice Belrose’s only duty is to unlock the gate for bodies that arrive after dark. She is not to enter the mortuary under any circumstances. But when the matriarch of the powerful Duvall family offers her a substantial sum to sit with the body of a young hit-and-run victim, Alice’s curiosity gets the better of her.

For years, she’s tuned out the voices of the dead. But Alice can no longer ignore her calling when she hears the ghostly pleas from the new arrival: Find her…

Eighteen years ago, twin sisters were abducted from a school playground in Alice’s hometown. Elodie was later found alone on the side of the highway with no memory of what had happened, but Amalia was never seen again. Now, tragically, Elodie is dead. Her last request—command—is that Alice find her long-lost sister.

Aldous Caine, an enigmatic private detective hired by Elodie’s grandmother, draws Alice in, even though her instincts tell her that he has his own agenda. Their search leads them back to Alice’s hometown and to a terrible revelation that could destroy her own family.

Pursued by a ruthless killer and specters from her past, Alice soon learns that for everything found, something precious must be lost.

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