Murder on the English Coast

In the third installment of the Four Queens of Crime mystery series, DCI Lilian Wyles is settling into retirement by the sea, until a murder derails all her plans.

1949, England. After thirty years of service, DCI Lilian Wyles is happily retired on the English coast. Launching a new life adventure, she now co-owns a guest house in Torquay with her best friend Elspeth.

Meanwhile, Ngaio Marsh is finally returning to England after ten long years, and Agatha Christie has the clever idea to host a week-long reunion for the four queens of crime at Lilian’s guest house. With the arrival of Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Lilian’s former colleague DCI May Lee, the group is a full house.

The reunion celebration starts off brilliantly, until they stumble upon a body and realize that the guest house may be central to a local murder. Meanwhile, town gossip has labelled the guest house cursed, and they begin to experience mysterious incidents that validate the rumors. When Lilian’s former CID partner, Richard Davidson—currently in MI5—joins the crew, he admits he’s on the job, tracking enemy agents he suspects are being smuggled into England nearby.

Understanding there is an escalating threat of a new invisible war—the race for the Bomb—this seemingly innocent-looking seaside town is now ominous. Full of potential murder suspects, enemy agents, and international intrigue, this quiet holiday will turn into the highest-stakes mission the group has ever faced.

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
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• 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