Murder in the Lighthouse

It’s June on Cape Cod and that means tourists, but a murder is about to cast a shadow over the sunny season—and over bike shop owner Mackenzie “Mac” Almeda’s Cozy Capers Book Group . . .

With tourist season about to begin, the Friends of the Lighthouse organization is looking for a new tour guide for the now vacant decommissioned lighthouse. They hire Jessica Goodwell, a woman Mac’s mother, Astra, met in town. When Jessica doesn’t show up to give a scheduled tour on the summer solstice, Derrick, the former tenant and Mac’s half-brother, agrees to do it. But when he arrives, he’s shocked to find Jessica’s lifeless body, and he quickly calls Mac . . .

Mac advises Derrick to call the police. She fears he might become a murder suspect—it wouldn’t be the first time—though Derrick says he’s never seen the victim before. But when the Cozy Capers gather to discuss the crime, it turns out there’s someone else to worry about. Book Group member Zane King is Jessica’s cousin and is soon called in for questioning as a person of interest.

As usual, law enforcement doesn’t want the Capers butting into the case. But they have ideas of their own, especially when they learn that Jessica was digging into the truth about her own mother’s murder, 50 years before. Soon, with the help of the mystery author the Capers are currently reading, plus Jessica’s niece who happens to be an investigator reporter, the Capers have their own list of intriguing suspects. Only one thing is certain: someone is willing to kill to keep a half-century old secret in the dark . . .

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