Murder of a Grumpy Old Woman

A missing woman everyone hates. A sleepaway camp for adults with bad personalities. A one-of-a-kind detective.

“Once again the incomparable (and unhinged) Jo Firestone proves that she is damn funny.”—Ziwe, on Murder on Sex Island

Marie Jones is back on her feet. Mostly. She’s keeping her cats alive, she’s stopped dating creeps, and with the help of her friend, Joan Clyborne, she’s running a small but growing private detective agency as her glamourous alter ego, Luella van Horn.

Then she gets a call that could ruin everything. An old woman is missing at Lake Pleasant Personality Camp, a secluded camp for adults with terrible personalities. A camp Marie herself attended during a very dark moment of her life, and a place she thought she had left behind forever.

But when Marie discovers that Lake Pleasant has a history of missing persons, it becomes clear this case is bigger than one missing octogenarian. Blackmail, an underground candy bar market, old flames hoping to reconnect… Lake Pleasant Personality Camp is the last place Marie wants to find herself. Worst of all, the murderer may still be there.

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